Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Front number plate fixing

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

Front number plate fixing

Post by Timmyboybunter » Thu Feb 14, 2019 2:35 pm

Could anyone share a product they've used which has successfully 'stuck' a number plate to the black plastic surround that is on the front bumper?

I've been using standard number plate foam mounting tape for many years, on many cars - and it always sticks number plates on perfectly well and very securely. I've used the same tape for the Zed, fine on the rear (stuck to paint, as with all other cars) but 2 attempts now to do the front plate have resulted in a number plate sitting on the driveway the next morning :) (luckily not lost a plate yet, as they're brand new!)

I assume the reason for this is the slightly rough, plastic surface of the number plate surround making the tape not stick. When I first got the car and took the old plates off, there was a thick (3mm ish) very sticky mesh thing I've never seen before which I just chucked in the bin as back then I assumed the tape would be fine!

Help please - gaffer tape is really not a good look.

(No, I don't want to remove the surround or use screws)
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Front number plate fixing

Post by mjennings23 » Thu Feb 14, 2019 2:43 pm

3M VHB, warm the surfaces up with a hairdryer or heat gun and then stick it on and apply a bit more heat. It'll never come off without mechanical intervention.

Used it on my dads car in the past, with a similar material plate surround. After 5 years it was still solid but he wanted to replace the plates (looking tatty). It took heat, fishing line, glue remover and a scraper to get rid of all the tape off both parts!
Last edited by mjennings23 on Thu Feb 14, 2019 2:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
PerryGunn
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 9785
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:16 pm
Location: By the seaside...

Front number plate fixing

Post by PerryGunn » Thu Feb 14, 2019 2:44 pm

3M automotive trim tape will work fine (it's what I use) - it's made to stick plastic trim to body panels etc.

Just clean both surfaces first with something like IPA to ensure they're dust and wax/grease free. I usually use a strip along the whole of the top edge to stop water running down behind and then several vertical strips below that
Alpina Roadster S #320
* Quaife ATB LSD * StrongStrut Braces * Turner RTAB Limiters * Gap-Tech RCH+ *
* Intravee & KCA-420i * Mini 0806 * Cheetah C550 * Stubby *

User avatar
ben g
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 7858
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:20 pm
Location: Essex

Front number plate fixing

Post by ben g » Thu Feb 14, 2019 3:19 pm

Did you warm the adhesive pads and plate surround up with a hairdryer first? If not, there's your issue.

Used cheap ebay sticky pads to stick my wife's plate on the front surround on her A200. It's pretty much welded on now :lol:
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

mmm-five
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 12714
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
Location: Liverpool
Contact:

Front number plate fixing

Post by mmm-five » Thu Feb 14, 2019 3:39 pm

It's either screws, sticky tape, or a surround (that screws in, and then holds the plate without tape or screws).


Image

October 2017 Front Small.jpg
October 2017 Front Small.jpg (237.78 KiB) Viewed 941 times
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

Image

User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

Front number plate fixing

Post by Timmyboybunter » Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:03 pm

Ok, thanks for the replies - I was pretty careless with how I mounted it really, temperature wise at least, just because I've never had an issue before. The 2nd time I let the plate (which had the sticky tape attached, ready to take the backs off and stick to the car) warm up to house temperature but then stuck them straight on the car which was obviously cold (not especially cold last Sunday, but clearly colder than inside - regardless of what my wife would tell you).

I did put the sticky pads on the number plate whilst outside - and they were stuck fast to the back of the plate, very difficult to remove - so assumed this was a texture issue.

I'll have a 3rd attempt I think after a good clean and heating up both surfaces - then if still no joy will buy some of that 3M stuff.

:thumbsup:
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

User avatar
Jembo
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6030
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
Location: 1066 Country

Front number plate fixing

Post by Jembo » Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:52 pm

Believe the 3M tape mentioned above is advertised to take a stupid amount of kilograms... though the 3P’s needed

Preparation.... Preparation....Preparation
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe :happyclap:
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,

Lifer 54

User avatar
wonkydonkey
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1391
Joined: Sat May 05, 2018 9:35 pm
Location: Somerset

Front number plate fixing

Post by wonkydonkey » Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:41 pm

Timmyboybunter I've just found this thread. Knowing how textured the number plate plinth is, it might be worth spending a few minutes with some rough sandpaper to take the high points off the areas where you'll be sticking your pads. Fewer wrinkles in the surface = larger surface area for your pads to stick to = better adhesion :driving:
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

Front number plate fixing

Post by Timmyboybunter » Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:45 pm

Good shout James, thanks - my new tape arrived a couple of hours ago so attempt number 3 tomorrow weather dependent.

I did give the surface a very quick sand and clean last time, thought it might 'key' the surface slighty how you do with paint - but sanding flat sounds far more sensible :)
Last edited by Timmyboybunter on Sat Feb 16, 2019 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

User avatar
wonkydonkey
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1391
Joined: Sat May 05, 2018 9:35 pm
Location: Somerset

Front number plate fixing

Post by wonkydonkey » Sat Feb 16, 2019 7:58 pm

Timmyboybunter hopefully all of that, combined with a bit of extra heated pre-bending, and you'll be sorted!
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

Front number plate fixing

Post by Timmyboybunter » Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:03 pm

Well, it has lasted overnight at least :)

Removed all trace of the old tape, gave the plastic number plate holder a good sanding, followed by a whizz over with my Dremel metal wire brush tool - followed by a de-grease.

I'd love to then say I got my hot air gun out of the garage, but Mrs Timmyboybunter's hair dryer was put to good use - both when getting the new tape on the back of the number plate, then warming both surfaces up outside before sticking together - it does feel rock solid so hopefully this has sorted it.

I used the product below in the end based on reviews and value for money - it is different to the foamy tape I've always used, literally leaves a very thin very sticky layer behind when all the tape is removed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1
Last edited by Timmyboybunter on Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

User avatar
wonkydonkey
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1391
Joined: Sat May 05, 2018 9:35 pm
Location: Somerset

Front number plate fixing

Post by wonkydonkey » Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:06 pm

Hurrah!
Previous:
~2006 Z4MR in Silver Grey
~2003 3.0i E85 in Sterling Grey

Click here for the Sticky Steering thread
<My name is James>

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Front number plate fixing

Post by mjennings23 » Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:28 pm

These tapes (3m at least) advise that it takes around 48 hours for full strength adhesion to be achieved. Generally if it's lasted a day and still feels solid it should be spot on

User avatar
Timmyboybunter
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:35 pm
Location: Bristol/Bath

Front number plate fixing

Post by Timmyboybunter » Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:35 pm

Yes, the packet said 72 hours to achieve full strength - I poked it a bit earlier and it feels solid as a rock.
2012 VW Passat 1.4 Tsi Estate
2005 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG
2015 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive35iS (sold)
2010 E89 BMW Z4 sDrive30i (sold)
2003 E85 BMW Z4 3.0 (sold)

User avatar
hopz121
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3711
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 4:33 pm
Location: Guildford Surrey

Front number plate fixing

Post by hopz121 » Sun Feb 24, 2019 10:34 pm

I use Heavy Duty Velcro (Black one) and it’s brilliant.

Never had an issue and stronger than any double sided tape I have used in the past.
Last edited by hopz121 on Mon Mar 11, 2019 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone

Post Reply