To ensure that you keep your car in the best condition, there are a few tips that you can use when removing number plates and fitting new ones to your vehicle. Your registration plates can be the finishing touch to your pride and joy and they need to be manufactured, delivered and fit in a proper and secure fashion. But what is this best way to ensure you don’t need to replace your number plates again in the near future?

How to remove a number plate

Your current set of number plates are likely to be fitted to your vehicle in one of two ways, stuck using number plate adhesive pads (sticky pads) or screwed to your vehicle. Once you have figured out which of these methods has been used, you can go about the removal of the plates.

If the plates are screw on, the removal is pretty self explanatory. Using a screwdriver that fits the head of the screw, unscrew with one hand with the other hand holding the registration plate in place to ensure it does not move or have any chance of damaging the paintwork. Then repeat on the remains screw(s).

Number plate adhesive pads, or sticky pads are slightly harder to remove without leaving lasting marks on your car. Due to their strength, you need to use a method than is less likely to effect to paintwork. You should test the strength by pulling gentle on each corner of your plate and judge whether it is reasonable to pull the number plates off by hand. If not, you can use any thin wire to wrap around the plate and while holding both ends tightly, pull the wire through to the edge of the plate, slicing through each of the adhesive pads allowing you to remove the number plate.

Prepare To Fit New Number Plate

No matter which way you intend to fit your new replacement number plates, we suggest that you clean the area that the plates sit thoroughly. Especially when you are going to use adhesive number plate pads. This way you can relax in the knowledge that the adhesive will be working to its optimal strength.

How to take off number plates

Taking off your existing number plates should be relatively easy to do. If they’re currently screwed in, then use a suitably sized screwdriver to loosen and remove it. If you have sticky pads on the old plates, then all you have to do is give them a pull and they should come straight off in your hands!

How to remove number plate sticky pads

Dirt and grime will tend to build up behind any pair of number plates, regardless of the method that has been used to fit them prior. If sticky pads were used then it becomes a more difficult task to ensure a fully clean and dry surface to work with.

We recommend that you used a deep surface or grime remover when undertaking this task. When applying your cleaner, spray the entire area and allow this to soak in for a few minutes. This can help to remove some of the remaining strength from the adhesive. After a few rounds of soaking and removal, you will be left with a perfectly blemish free surface to fit new plates.

Fitting Your Registration Plate With Screws

If you’re looking how to fit number plates with screws, then firstly, you’ll need to learn how to drill the holes correctly. Whether you are using an anti-theft screw kit or even a normal screw kit to fit your replacement number plates, drilling number plates is actually very simple, though some people make one simple error that can ruin them. We recommend using a 5mm drill bit, and make sure that you drill the number plates from the rear, rather than the front. This ensure that the film on which your registration is printed is not tampered with. If your number plate holes don’t line up, then you’re in trouble and you probably need to buy a new set!

If you’re struggling with how to remove a number plate and how to fit a new number plate, then you might want to take a look at our helpful video!

Fitting Your Number Plate With Adhesive Pads

Our adhesive pads come in strips of six. For ultimate protection on your day to day commutes, with think it’s best to purchase two packs, and use all six pads on each plate, placed vertically upright and spaced evenly across the back of the number plate.

Due to the strength of the acrylic the your number plate is made from, they will not flex a great deal. For this reason you should remove the protective tab from all of the pads and the same time, and carefully press the plates in to place. Once you’re happy with the placement forcefully press against each pad.

Some cars may have sticky pads already on the car which need to be replaced as their stickiness may have worn off over time, or have stuck to the original plates. If you need to remove old sticky pads, we’d recommend some good old sticky stuff remover or multi-purpose WD-40 and something to scrape with – although you’ll have to be careful that you don’t damage the bodywork!

Now you can go ahead and use our number plate maker to order your new plates, and add your fitting kits and accessories on your way to the basket!