Steve Campbell Posted October 16, 2000 Share Posted October 16, 2000 Another very simple question from the novice quarter ... My front number plate fell off (& was lost) over the weekend. It was held on by some "strong sticky strips". Obviously not strong enough ! When I've looked closely it appears that the base of the nosecone is slightly concave and therefore the plate naturally doesn't hold very well. I thought I'd try using some standard silicone sealant (transparent) that you might use along the side of the bath. However, a helpful person at work has said I should check as some of these can affect the paintwork. I definitely want to stick with a 'rigid' plate on the base of the nosecone but don't want to drill into the nosecone. Ideas & comments please ? Steve Campbell P889 GRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted October 16, 2000 Share Posted October 16, 2000 Silicone should be ok on the paintwork but I would say it will not be very strong - and it takes ages to set. I would try stronger sticky tape first. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted October 16, 2000 Leadership Team Share Posted October 16, 2000 Is it the nose or the number plate you don't want to drill? You'll struggle to get a good fixing to the nose unless you drill it because the area really just isn't big enough, unless of course your using a totally non law-abiding trimmed down & diddy numbered plate? I wasn't happy about the bolts on my plate, so I bolted a metal plate to the nose cone (aluminium works fine) then used "Pritt" double sided sticky foam pads to fasten the number plate on. Effectively makes fitting the same as for the rear plate. Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted October 16, 2000 Share Posted October 16, 2000 My front number plate came off recently after 2 years. It was held on with silicone adhesive as used by Classic Carriage which is different, I think, from the run of the mill stuff. I have a sticky plate on the top of the nose cone at the moment as it was a 5 minute fix. Opinion is divided pretty equally amongst those I know as to which looks better. I think I'll go back to the low jobby, held on with silicone adhesive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 16, 2000 Share Posted October 16, 2000 The stuff you want is "windscreen bonding agent". Comes under many brand names. I was able to get a 3M variant from a local motor factors. However you probably don't want something whose adhesion is better than the cohesion of gelcoat. Edited by - Peter Carmichael on 16 Oct 2000 17:44:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted October 16, 2000 Share Posted October 16, 2000 You could try some 6mm number plate adhesive pads from Halfords , these have held my plate on for 18 months no bother . This will save all the hassel of waiting for the silicon to set and will break off with no damage in case of minor impact , without removing any paint or soften and fall of in direct sunlight . Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c7kjt Posted October 16, 2000 Share Posted October 16, 2000 I attached my plate with the Halfords pads, no problems so far. Has anyone seen the new style lettering that comes into effect soon. I've seen one car with it, the letters are 50mm wide as opposed to 55mm. So now we can make our plates smaller still...and legally too! Kevin Thomas kevin.thomas@bigfoot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Berry Posted October 17, 2000 Share Posted October 17, 2000 I tried the sticky pads from Halfords and the plate fell off after 6 months. I think this was probably partly due to the cotton cover I put over the car catching the plate. I changed to a tiny (illegal) front plate, bolted on with no problems - both coming off & from the police - in over a year. Dominic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 17, 2000 Share Posted October 17, 2000 Steve. If you don't mind the plate slightly higher than 'normal' it does mean you can use the sticky pad of choice slightly further up the front of the cone to give a larger contact area. Not to be used if overheating occurs!!! In my experience, the preparation is the normal problem. De-grease the area well with surgical spirit (available from Boots or Alex!). The sticky tape I then used came from RS Components but is also sold in strip form from model shops as 'servo tape'. Here's the important bit. Warm the tape with a hair dryer before applying it. It makes it very sticky and the adhesion is magic. It never came off & even though I have now got a new n/cone fitted with a stick-on No plate (to get "Prisoner" colours) the old plate is still firmly attached albeit stored in the workshop!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISmall Posted October 17, 2000 Share Posted October 17, 2000 The sticky strips are as much use as a chocolate fire engine in my opinion. Take off the nose cone and measure a template on the back of the plate. A well placed drill-bit on each corner of the nose cone, and Bob's your Mother's brother! No more problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogvet Posted October 17, 2000 Share Posted October 17, 2000 Size matters, get a small one and drill top edge and fasten it with zip tie to bottom of grill. To avoid wear some sticky backed foam attached to rear of plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S33VEN Posted October 17, 2000 Share Posted October 17, 2000 I agree with the drilling solution. I used two small rivnuts, so I can remove it without taking the nosecone off! If you use dome head stainless allen bolts, it looks quite acceptable. Put a bit of Velcro on the back of the plate to stop it rubbing on the fibreglass. With a positive fixing, the plate can be as low as you dare and avoid restriction to the air flow to the radiator. Tony Stattersfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgracing Posted October 18, 2000 Share Posted October 18, 2000 No no no, (you've nearly) all got it wrong. wink.gif Of course it's personal preference, but I cut down my front plate as I only have 5 letters. I used Classic Carriage's magic silicone and applied a wavy line to the plate/nose interface. Then when that's set (6 hours) put some more silicone along the edges to provide more strength. The secret is not to put too much silicone on at once or it won't vulcanise (get rubbery). If nerfed the plate will peel off, not rip the nosecone. Davebo C7 CAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Fleming Posted October 18, 2000 Share Posted October 18, 2000 Don't know whether it's true or purely anecdotal but there was a story that Caterham had achieved better results in a wind tunnel by mounting a large number plate as low as possible on the nosecone thus creating some kind of effect under the car. Might be worth a few more mph! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Johnson Posted October 18, 2000 Share Posted October 18, 2000 I found using the sticky stuff that my number plate fell off on hot days. Gave up in the end & bolted it. No probs since! Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Soanes Posted October 18, 2000 Share Posted October 18, 2000 What about a stick on number plate across the top of the nose cone, much more appropriate than those rigid plastic ones and won't fall off! I seem to remember this topic being discussed a month or two back, should be in the archives? sorry can't be more helpful Just found it. Maybe of interest click here or here Edited by - shaun soanes on 19 Oct 2000 00:07:49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JampJ Posted October 19, 2000 Share Posted October 19, 2000 I'VE FOUND THAT A STRIP OF VELCRO THE FULL LENGTH OF THE PLATE WORKS FINE,USED IT ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK,FRONT PLATE IS ONLY SMALL THOUGH,10 X 2.5 INCHES.GOOD LOOK. C7 POW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Barkley Posted October 20, 2000 Share Posted October 20, 2000 I was stopped by the law about six months after losing my front number plate. I was offered the option of replacing the plate, getting it checked by MOT and producing documents etc. or paying a £20 fine [and presumably replacing the plate etc as well]. As I commute in the 7 and see the police fairly regularly I complied BUT the 7 does looks far better without. Does anyone know what the CD figure for a standard No. plate is, it must be significant, perhaps we could lobby our MP's to change the law in the name of greener motoring? Ian B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC Posted October 20, 2000 Share Posted October 20, 2000 Similar to Steve Fleming's comment above... I was chatting to one of the guy's from the Caterham factory at the motorshow. He was saying that they put a 7 in the wind tunnel as they had some spare time when they were testing the 21 (GTO?). They were surprised to find that the 7 had a lower drag with a number plate than without. Presumably the reduction of air passing under the car, by deflecting it elsewhere reduces the drag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Steve how did you get on with your no plate - mine is about to fall off. Did you use silicone? X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 I use Halfords sticky strips x 4 spread along the front of the nose cone. Works fine. The Caterham original fell off when my wife dropped an apple on it in the garage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 WHAT?! I dont want to know! Thanks any way. (apples, pears, bannanas, cucumbers.....) wink.gif X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Campbell Posted October 31, 2000 Author Share Posted October 31, 2000 Thanks for all the replies & sorry for the delay but I've been on holiday to sunny Thailand. I tried some silicone but wasn't happy and didn't even try the car out before tearing it off (well actually easily peeling it off). I've been driving the car without the number plate but I quite like the idea of the velcro option. Adjustable drag reducer ? smile.gif I'll keep you posted but as the 3 feet of water around the country doesn't go well with our chosen modes of fun I can't guarantee an answer soon !! Steve Campbell P889 GRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted October 31, 2000 Share Posted October 31, 2000 Thanks steve, how was Thiland? Was the weather ok? I am hoping to get out to the Maldives in December, I have been assured that it will not rain..... If there were any roads I would take my 7, but there is no point really. Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted November 7, 2000 Share Posted November 7, 2000 LOL. I will take a look round Halfords next time I am there. Cheers. Simon. X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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