[Mk2] [NA] Fixing on the rear number plate

[MattMR2]

After having my car for about 8 years the rear number plate decided to work its way loose. It was only stuck on with double sided stick foam so I pulled it off, cleaned it all up and stuck it back on with some more sticky foam.

Now I thought it was going to last another 5 years but that was last year and now it has come off again.

I don't want to keep sticking it back on if it is not going to stay as it is a real hassle to do a proper job and clean up all that sticky glue each time.
So I was thinking of screwing it on.

There are already a couple screw holes behind the plate that look like they have been used before. I checked them out but it looks like the threads are all ruined.

Is possible to just drill some new holes where I like in the mounting area? Would I need anything else like raw plugs or something?

Thanks,

Matt

[Si_Crewe]

2 possibilities:-

1) Get yourself to Halfrauds and buy a pack of proper adhesive pads for number plates.

2) You can buy either rawlplugs or fancy caged nuts from places like B&Q.

The number plates on my BMW are held on with sticky pads with no problems.
The only worry is that if you have an import, and have to fit a double row plate, the plate is hanging down below the rear skirt so air passing underneath the car will always be pulling on the plate as you drive.

The caged nuts are brilliant. It's a nut fitted into a sort of metal rawl-plug.
You drill a hole that is sized so that the nut can't push all the way through the panel. As you tighten the screw (without the number plate attached) into the nut the cage spreads out behind the panel to clamp the nut in place.
You then loosen the bolt (or screw), fit the plate and tighten the screw into the now solidly clamped nut.

Simpler, of course, you can just drill out the holes then stuff a couple of rawlplugs in and fix the plate on with self-tappers screwed into the rawlplugs.

Personally, I try to always fit plates with sticky pads these days. Whenever you fit them with screws you end up with water-stains on the plate near the screw holes.

[MattMR2]

Thanks for all your effort in providing such a good reply.

I've just checked the Halfords site and seen there is some proper tape for the job like you said and not the stuff I bought off eBay last time

I think I'll get that.

Cheers,

Matt

[W0mbat]

the halfords pads are strong as F*** mate it'll never come off.

i have mine fixed with half of one of these pads on each side on each mounting bracket (that's one pad in total) and 2 years later no sign of any movement at all.

[Si_Crewe]

the halfords pads are strong as F*** mate it'll never come off.

Bah!

The front bumper of my bimmer is curved. I stuck the plate on with 2 pads, drove 400 miles for a meeting and, when I arrived, one side of the plate had sprung up away from the bumper.

I pressed it back down then spent my lunch hour dodging the free buffet and, instead, bought a hand-drill, some screws & screw caps and a couple of drill bits from the local B&Q to attach the plate properly.

Course, the bloody thing has never come loose again since then.

[W0mbat]

maybe you got some ky jelly on there before you put the sticky pads on... easily done mate

[star_gazer]

6inch nails and a big hammer