Number Plates

Dumb question this, but ......

I have to replace the number plates on my '99 P38. The current ones are screwed on with rusty old screws that won't unscrew (heads chewed) so will need to be drilled out. I could possibly break the old plates around the screw heads and get a set of grips on them which might work better.

What's it like behind the plates, is it flat enough for me to stick the new plates on with sticky pads or do I need to buy some more capped screws ?

I would rip the plates off to find out, but then I'll have a RR that can't legally be driven and so then I can't go out and buy the bits I need. Bit of a catch-22 situation for me.

If you rip 'em off and need to drive the car just gaffa tape the plate on for the journey. If anything, having the plate taped on makes more of a statement than a brand new RR anyway

Just drill the head of the screw off with a 4mm drill using the pozidrive socket in the head to centre the drill. When the head pops off, remove the plate(s) and get a pair of grips on the exposed screw shank to remove it. I personally don't have much faith in those sticky pads and have lost a couple of plates due to them. Much better to use stainless self tappers, most caravan or boat spares shops have them. Put a blob of silicone seal on the threads before screwing them in-it will stop water getting into the inside of the panel.

shirly if you use molegrips to unscrew the remaining bit of the bolt, the internal freds will be intact, so there's no need for self tappers.

Jumbo, self tappers cut their own threads but the thread pitch from one self tapper to another varies, not like a normal threads which are made to either ISO, American or British (God Bless Her) standards.

As far as I know, number plates are held on by self tappers or those crappy adhesive pads.

I use sticky pads, didnt think they would work but i gave them a go and they have stood up to everything i have thrown at them, including a high pressure jet wash nozzle.No problem at all.
Were on 3 years before i removed them, absolute bast4rd to remove tho!!

Nick

A use sticky pads on mine an me tin shed anol,, (an av been the shed fir boot 4yrs),, probly only fing holdin it together,,

if yer do have to drill the screws out why can you not just drill noo holes fer the noo screws? yer dint need to put the screws back in the eggzack same place. there is enough room on a plate to allow a choice of screw positions

ok who's gonna be first ?