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maddmike wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:51 am
I am about to give up on mine and drill my bumper. One or two corners constantly come off. I have tried washers, additional layers of tape to add thickness, and may try 3M adhesive but don't want to mess up my paint. I hate to drill my bumper but at this point every time I drive I'm afraid that I am going to lose my plate.
Mike, I've had 2 sets of these and never had any issues with them detaching. I do clean the adhesion areas with an appropriate cleaner and I have used 3M adhesion promoter in some cases. But I can assure you that the tape being used will work reliably. We even use the same tape to attach our dive planes. The only time those come loose is when someone decides to remove a cone from the track.
maddmike wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:51 am
I am about to give up on mine and drill my bumper. One or two corners constantly come off. I have tried washers, additional layers of tape to add thickness, and may try 3M adhesive but don't want to mess up my paint. I hate to drill my bumper but at this point every time I drive I'm afraid that I am going to lose my plate.
Mike, I've had 2 sets of these and never had any issues with them detaching. I do clean the adhesion areas with an appropriate cleaner and I have used 3M adhesion promoter in some cases. But I can assure you that the tape being used will work reliably. We even use the same tape to attach our dive planes. The only time those come loose is when someone decides to remove a cone from the track.
The problem is not the tape. When I worked in the automotive industry we stuck everything on with that tape (always with promoter though). The problem is the twisted NC plates. I can't figure out how to straighten it. I tried weights and trying to bend it in the opposite direction but I probably just made it worse. Any tips on how to straighten a plate would be helpful.
maddmike wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:51 am
I am about to give up on mine and drill my bumper. One or two corners constantly come off. I have tried washers, additional layers of tape to add thickness, and may try 3M adhesive but don't want to mess up my paint. I hate to drill my bumper but at this point every time I drive I'm afraid that I am going to lose my plate.
Mike, I've had 2 sets of these and never had any issues with them detaching. I do clean the adhesion areas with an appropriate cleaner and I have used 3M adhesion promoter in some cases. But I can assure you that the tape being used will work reliably. We even use the same tape to attach our dive planes. The only time those come loose is when someone decides to remove a cone from the track.
The problem is not the tape. When I worked in the automotive industry we stuck everything on with that tape (always with promoter though). The problem is the twisted NC plates. I can't figure out how to straighten it. I tried weights and trying to bend it in the opposite direction but I probably just made it worse. Any tips on how to straighten a plate would be helpful.
Thanks for clarifying that Mike! I ran out and snapped a picture of a twisted plate and was going to suggest you check yours on a table for flatness. I've had a few people report the mounts coming loose over the years and I think in every single case it is because the plate isn't flat. You can see in the picture how the plate warps up in one or two corners, which creates a constant pull on that mount. The tape is interesting. If you try to pull it off all at once, it will practically pull the bumper off before coming loose. If the plate pulls on it gently for months, combined with the vibrations of driving, it will eventually pull apart.
I'd say use heat on it, but enough heat to break down the metal memory would burn the painted side I assume. Hammering strategically can break the metal memory, but that's a skill metal workers spend years mastering. I'd sit at the kitchen table and keep twisting and bending until all 4 corners sit flat. The problem with giving up is that the same twist/pull will now be working to strip the holes you drill. What would happen if you turned yours in as damaged or lost it outright and asked for a replacement? Any change you have a flat front plate you could repurpose to the rear?
maddmike wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:51 am
I am about to give up on mine and drill my bumper. One or two corners constantly come off. I have tried washers, additional layers of tape to add thickness, and may try 3M adhesive but don't want to mess up my paint. I hate to drill my bumper but at this point every time I drive I'm afraid that I am going to lose my plate.
Mike, I've had 2 sets of these and never had any issues with them detaching. I do clean the adhesion areas with an appropriate cleaner and I have used 3M adhesion promoter in some cases. But I can assure you that the tape being used will work reliably. We even use the same tape to attach our dive planes. The only time those come loose is when someone decides to remove a cone from the track.
The problem is not the tape. When I worked in the automotive industry we stuck everything on with that tape (always with promoter though). The problem is the twisted NC plates. I can't figure out how to straighten it. I tried weights and trying to bend it in the opposite direction but I probably just made it worse. Any tips on how to straighten a plate would be helpful.
That's bizarre that NC plates are so twisted but it's probably not all that uncommon elsewhere too. I've certainly seen twisted plates.
I've had no issues with mine and one of my cars (GT4) is on track a lot where it not only gets jostled considerably but also where I remove the plate every event so that I can install the rear tow eye. But, my current plates are good and flat - no twists.
A few wild ideas here -
If the twist is of the nature that only one corner is lifting, might try to leave the M6 bolt off that corner. However, if that's how it's sitting, it still seems that the best option in that case is to add enough nylon washers to fill the void. However, that would be tough if there are two corners not sitting correctly.
Another idea is to ask the state to issue you a replacement plate. Hopefully it wouldn't be warped.
Maybe there's a shop that has a metal forming roller that would help, although it might ruin the plate. (That would get you back to the previous option of getting a replacement plate.)
Tim Current: '26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black Musik-Stadt Region
Mike, I've had 2 sets of these and never had any issues with them detaching. I do clean the adhesion areas with an appropriate cleaner and I have used 3M adhesion promoter in some cases. But I can assure you that the tape being used will work reliably. We even use the same tape to attach our dive planes. The only time those come loose is when someone decides to remove a cone from the track.
The problem is not the tape. When I worked in the automotive industry we stuck everything on with that tape (always with promoter though). The problem is the twisted NC plates. I can't figure out how to straighten it. I tried weights and trying to bend it in the opposite direction but I probably just made it worse. Any tips on how to straighten a plate would be helpful.
That's bizarre that NC plates are so twisted but it's probably not all that uncommon elsewhere too. I've certainly seen twisted plates.
I've had no issues with mine and one of my cars (GT4) is on track a lot where it not only gets jostled considerably but also where I remove the plate every event so that I can install the rear tow eye. But, my current plates are good and flat - no twists.
A few wild ideas here -
If the twist is of the nature that only one corner is lifting, might try to leave the M6 bolt off that corner. However, if that's how it's sitting, it still seems that the best option in that case is to add enough nylon washers to fill the void. However, that would be tough if there are two corners not sitting correctly.
Another idea is to ask the state to issue you a replacement plate. Hopefully it wouldn't be warped.
Maybe there's a shop that has a metal forming roller that would help, although it might ruin the plate. (That would get you back to the previous option of getting a replacement plate.)
It is no way as warped as that plate and almost sits flat on the table. However, one corner comes up immediately as in 20 minutes after I apply it.
It is a custom plate with both AF Veteran and a vanity plate. I have used it for years with two Porsches and one Alfa with no issues (however screwed in). I have not found a way of replacing my actual plate on line but maybe I should try again.
My car does have full PPF except for the cutout for the license plate. It is also professionally ceramic coated so maybe some of the coating went under that corner of the plate? Every week when I reapply it I clean it with alcohol but maybe that is not enough to remove the ceramic?
I tried washers, came off in 20 minutes. I tried extra layers of tape, it came off in 20 minutes. Granted, it is the upper left corner and sometimes the lower right. I haven't lost the plate as two corners have held.
I doubt it's the warped plate after hearing that. Even a badly warped plate wouldn't pull the mounts off in 20 minutes. In the instances where people have told me about warped plates pulling their mounts off, they were talking about after a year or two, not 20 minutes. If it's coming off that fast, it's just not sticking right in the first place. Assuming you are using fresh, unused tape of the type linked above, it must be the surface -- and presumably the ceramic coating. I'd ask the installer if there is a known way to remove it from the area. If in doubt, I'd machine polish the area with a polishing compound, then use wax and grease remover, then repeat, just to make sure you are putting the tape on clean, uncontaminated paint. If the tape is new and paint is clean, the tape will stick like crazy for years.
I doubt it's the warped plate after hearing that. Even a badly warped plate wouldn't pull the mounts off in 20 minutes. In the instances where people have told me about warped plates pulling their mounts off, they were talking about after a year or two, not 20 minutes. If it's coming off that fast, it's just not sticking right in the first place. Assuming you are using fresh, unused tape of the type linked above, it must be the surface -- and presumably the ceramic coating. I'd ask the installer if there is a known way to remove it from the area. If in doubt, I'd machine polish the area with a polishing compound, then use wax and grease remover, then repeat, just to make sure you are putting the tape on clean, uncontaminated paint. If the tape is new and paint is clean, the tape will stick like crazy for years.
I of course only use 3M super strength tape. I even ordered a new roll in case somehow the one sitting in the garage was contaminated.
It has to be the ceramic coating got under the plate. It seems the only way to remove ceramic coating is with medium cutting compound so I will try that next.
I doubt it's the warped plate after hearing that. Even a badly warped plate wouldn't pull the mounts off in 20 minutes. In the instances where people have told me about warped plates pulling their mounts off, they were talking about after a year or two, not 20 minutes. If it's coming off that fast, it's just not sticking right in the first place. Assuming you are using fresh, unused tape of the type linked above, it must be the surface -- and presumably the ceramic coating. I'd ask the installer if there is a known way to remove it from the area. If in doubt, I'd machine polish the area with a polishing compound, then use wax and grease remover, then repeat, just to make sure you are putting the tape on clean, uncontaminated paint. If the tape is new and paint is clean, the tape will stick like crazy for years.
I of course only use 3M super strength tape. I even ordered a new roll in case somehow the one sitting in the garage was contaminated.
It has to be the ceramic coating got under the plate. It seems the only way to remove ceramic coating is with medium cutting compound so I will try that next.
I hope that works. It's befuddling that you're having this issue - I keep trying to figure out what it might be.
It seems to be illogical, but maybe you're on to something with the notion about something being amiss at the one spot that's preventing the 3M tape from adhering properly. There's an answer somewhere in all of this!
Since you have plenty of tape and after you've gone through the next steps you mentioned above, maybe try peeling it off by hand at the recalcitrant area and compare how easily it comes off there to spots elsewhere on the plate where it's holding as it should. Could even try that just as a test before undertaking your fix. Maybe that would at least give you something tangible.
I have a more radical idea or two to try if that doesn't work!
Tim Current: '26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black Musik-Stadt Region
So, I went and pulled the plate off. It does seem like the upper corner is finally sticking although the lower right feels a little loose. Maybe putting 3M tape on 15 times removes ceramic coating?
Here you can see where I doubled up the tape to try to help alleviate the stress since the washer trick didn't work and I figured that was adding more weight to the plate. I know my taping is sloppy, it was neater before but I got tired.
IMG_20230913_100018124.jpg (130.12 KiB) Viewed 1876 times
IMG_20230913_100026217.jpg (133.34 KiB) Viewed 1876 times
Here is my plate. Try as I might, the upper left and lower right corners will twist opposite of each other. I'm thinking that maybe the fact that it only has three letters may have made the stamping pressure uneven and caused the plate to twist the way it did.
IMG_20230913_101518987.jpg (277.87 KiB) Viewed 1876 times
IMG_20230913_105910383.jpg (90.37 KiB) Viewed 1876 times
IMG_20230913_101527745.jpg (302.91 KiB) Viewed 1876 times
Either way, if the corner is sticking, I'm not going to pull it off to polish so I will wait to see if it comes off.
