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Post by geoffers997 on Sept 25, 2020 12:58:32 GMT 1
Hi All,
Bought a plate from platesdirect.com, its rubbish.
Basically, a poor quality plate that delaminated when I drilled it - they say on their FAQ that you can do this and even sell you the screws to use once drilled.
Customer Service ignored me until I raised a case with PayPal - they then said I'd damaged it ?!
Currently waiting to see what PayPal decide.
Anyone recommend a decent quality plate maker?
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Post by looey on Sept 25, 2020 13:16:54 GMT 1
Something that springs to mind is,.... that you need to be careful from which side you drill. You must drill from the same side the laminate back is on, otherwise it can push it away as the drill comes through. Normally you need to drill from the back side (as the Actress said to the Bishop)  Been there  |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Sept 25, 2020 13:23:37 GMT 1
What kind of plate 🤔
Steve
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Post by mellow on Sept 25, 2020 13:24:15 GMT 1
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Post by geoffers997 on Sept 25, 2020 13:29:11 GMT 1
Their instructions said to drill from the back which I did (using a new drill bit as luck would have it)
It was a standard issue Perspex laminated plate - the common or garden sort we've all seen and used dozens of times
A look at their TrustPilot rating doesn't make for comfortable reading.....why do I always read these things afterwards?
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Sept 25, 2020 13:29:39 GMT 1
What kind of plate 🤔 Steve Ah! Reg plates 🤦♂️ Some right crap out there 🙄 Steve |
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reggit
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 230 
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Post by reggit on Sept 25, 2020 13:30:12 GMT 1
I’ve used a1showplates for both bike and car. No issues at all.
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Post by geoffers997 on Sept 25, 2020 14:04:21 GMT 1
Their instructions said to drill from the back which I did (using a new drill bit as luck would have it)
It was a standard issue Perspex laminated plate - the common or garden sort we've all seen and used dozens of times
A look at their TrustPilot rating doesn't make for comfortable reading.....why do I always read these things afterwards?
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Post by 4l04ever on Sept 25, 2020 18:35:51 GMT 1
I thought it was better to drill from the front with a piece of wood behind?
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Sept 25, 2020 19:36:42 GMT 1
I always pilot them first
Biggest problem I've had with plates is the backing has been applied squint
Steve
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Post by veg on Sept 25, 2020 20:22:04 GMT 1
We always used to pilot drill from the front then clamp wood behind and pillar drill them. I suspect if your drill has insufficient speed and you’re drilling without support that’ll happen.
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Post by rich on Sept 25, 2020 20:28:26 GMT 1
Yep, b*****d job drilling perspex plates. Have to be so careful or drill can snatch and craze the perspex.
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Post by tony2stroke on Sept 25, 2020 21:05:15 GMT 1
I always put drill in reverse, doesn't snatch or chip then, also drill slow with very little pressure on drill works for me, same drilling any plastic, works on tiles too Reverse to get through the ceramic coating and then as normal.
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Post by JonW on Sept 26, 2020 0:11:30 GMT 1
A set of tile drills is just a few quid :/ Maybe they are the hot ticket on perspex...
Ive drilled lots of UK plates and never had a drama... Front the front, against wood as has been said. The trick is to get it to hold together so it doesnt push out.
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Post by looey on Sept 26, 2020 8:20:10 GMT 1
All good advice.
I think the reason the instructions say to drill from the back, is that these plates are just a clear piece of Perspex with a laminate stuck on the back.
So drilling from the back is theoretically pushing the laminate on whilst drilling, so reduces the chances of pushing/breaking it off as the drill comes through.
The last few I've fitted, I've stuck them on with the white car number plate adhesive pads, they are very strong and need the hair dryer treatment to remove them !!!.
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Post by JonW on Sept 27, 2020 1:39:27 GMT 1
Theyve always been like that tho Looey. I dont know if youve ever made them but you put the letters on the background (like big lettraset) and then put the perspex over that, then run it through a mangle to seat it and make sure there is no air in it.
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Post by looey on Sept 27, 2020 9:29:56 GMT 1
Theyve always been like that tho Looey. I dont know if youve ever made them but you put the letters on the background (like big lettraset) and then put the perspex over that, then run it through a mangle to seat it and make sure there is no air in it. Oh yeah I know how they are made. In the IOM we have a car parts shop that make them right in front of you. They've always got some kind of blemish or tiny bubble in them somewhere under close inspection lol |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2020 10:03:51 GMT 1
I only ever fix number plates with silicon. I hate the yellow and black screws.
New plate; 4 blobs in the corners and 1 in the middle; Masking tape to hold it in place until set; Job done
Need to remove it just prise it off and peel the dried silicon away from each surface
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Post by gazzatt2 on Sept 27, 2020 21:16:06 GMT 1
most are printed on to the backing plate now them put through the press - a bit better than the old mangle method
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Post by JonW on Sept 28, 2020 0:23:12 GMT 1
most are printed on to the backing plate now them put through the press - a bit better than the old mangle method Makes total sense, if not for the fact that where I used to make em we were always short on some numbers and letters so had to make do. no Ms? use a W etc. Looked awful and I hated it, but what can you do. |
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Post by gazzatt2 on Sept 28, 2020 22:02:15 GMT 1
most are printed on to the backing plate now them put through the press - a bit better than the old mangle method Makes total sense, if not for the fact that where I used to make em we were always short on some numbers and letters so had to make do. no Ms? use a W etc. Looked awful and I hated it, but what can you do. or you peeled the backing plate of a number and get a hole that you fill in with a black marker |
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antos
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 298
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Post by antos on Oct 11, 2020 8:50:55 GMT 1
Just as an aside,
I’ve always Used Velcro On mine,
looks much cleaner and I’ve never had one come off
👍
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Post by 4l04ever on Oct 11, 2020 9:03:26 GMT 1
I also use Velcro now. Use the wide heavy duty stuff from Screwfix. I make up an aluminium plate a little smaller than the number plate. Put 2 counter sunk holes in it. Powdercoat in black, then bolt it to the number plate bracket. I attach two strips of Velcro to the backing plate and the number plate and that is it.
The added benefit is if you should happen to run into a speed camera van in front of you, you can do an emergency stop, whip off the number plate, then turn around and ride off...don't ask how I know... ;-)
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Post by markrd250lc on Oct 11, 2020 9:59:37 GMT 1
I also use A1showplates and not has an issue but normally i use double-sided number plate tape, not lost one ...........yet!!
Mark
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