Easiest way to get reg plates off

Post by **Les** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:07 pm

Ok, may seem simple enough but the ones on the car are pretty solid

Don't know what's holding them on but I am thinking of heating them with a hair dryer and then using good old brute force

Not worried about damaging the plates as I won't need them but don't want to damage the car.
I also thought maybe soaking the back with WD40 may help?

Post by **RIV** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:31 pm

If stuck on heat with a hairdryer, if screwed on use a screwdriver

Post by **MikeFish** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:48 pm

If you need a hairdryer, try posting in the TT fourm.

Post by **Les** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:25 pm

Thanks lads, outstanding advice:
I particularly like the "use a screwdriver" and post on the Audi TT forum for a hairdryer

Post by **Batfinnk** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:29 pm

Mine were stuck on with sticky pads and I just pulled them off. Brute force and ignorance wins every time

Post by **Les** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:39 pm

Batfinnk they seem solid, not your usual sticky pad job but I haven't really tried yet as didn't want to break the plate before I can put my own plates on, if you get my drift.

Post by **Batfinnk** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:43 pm

Mine did too. I started with the back one and after a bit of persuading it did eventually admit defeat and come off and in one peace. Just take it slowly and pull from the bottom rather than the end, less chance of snapping the old plate.

Post by **Les** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:51 pm

Sounds like a plan, I'll have a go tomorrow, now that I can put my plate on

Post by **sync24** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:12 pm

I had to take my rear one off a while back, I used a heat gun to get the plate off then I followed it up with more heat to remove the factory sticky which was shaped like a letter box. It took about 20 mins to get all the material off [which was on pretty damn good] with a microfibre cloth and the heat gun. Once all the sticky was off, the area was thoroughly wiped down with panel wipe.
This left an excellent clean surface for the new sticky pads of which I used four. For the front plate I had a audi factory surround that was screwed to the bumper with a clip in system so this was a no brainer.

Post by **daveh** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:26 pm

I used a paintscraper. You basically need something thin enough to get between the plate and car to break the tape that is holding it on. I tried forcing it off with screwdriver etc and it was just going to break. The paintscraper took seconds.

Post by **caldy** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:44 pm

Try nylon fishing line, looped behind the plate, then a sawing motion to break the double sided tape.

Post by **Les** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:25 pm

Some wise ideas there chaps (surprised coming from you lot

), I'll have a go and let you know how I get on

Post by **Madmonkee** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:54 pm

Poor hot water over the plate, fire wd40 behind it, use the fishing line/dental floss and go for it. Only troubles with using implements is the chance of damaging the underlying paint, heat guns likewise. Hot water should start to free up the glue, if not wd40 really gets it gummy, dental floss - job done. Clean up to remove residual, degrease and stick on your new pads and plate

Post by **Les** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:44 pm

Plates came off easily with a little bit of effort only. They were held on by long sticking pads and I've used similar ones to fit my private plate.
Simples.

Post by **ArthurPE** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:36 am

caldy wrote:Try nylon fishing line, looped behind the plate, then a sawing motion to break the double sided tape.

this, dental floss doubled up works also
I used double sided tape to put my plates on

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