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Author Topic: Magnetic number plate fixing  (Read 37841 times)

Offline Top Cat

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Magnetic number plate fixing
« on: March 05, 2010, 07:35:58 pm »


I have had a magnetic number plate for a year or so now. As a couple of you know i have left it on the ground where i have been taking pics and drove off without it.  :ashamed: Also the last time, when i was taking these couple of photos, i drove over the plate trying to find a better angle for the light.  :grin: :ashamed:





So my plate needed replacing after the weight of the car had been on it + i have had a few PM's asking how i did this.  :smiley:

So here it is.  :happy2:

Tools and materials needed.

Alu numberplate from Dubmeister.
Alu inserts found in Hobby shop.
adhesive backed foam sheet.
adhesive backed felt.
10 magnets.
and the appropriate glue.  :happy2:



The magnets i have used are too strong really. I used the correct glue but because of there power, they had pulled off the plate a couple of times. Also after a time a mark had started to appear on the front of the plate,  the plates are alu and very thin, not much thicker than a can.  :chicken:. So this Mk 2 version needed beefing up.

I Started off by backing the plate with these alu strips i found, hopefully this should give the plate a bit more solidity and stop the dark marks coming through the front.





Once the alu was on, i  then backed it with some thin foam. I used this last time and it is pretty good at resisting the weather.



Once this was on it was time for the 5 magnets that go on the back of the plate.  :smiley:



Next is the added extra, i found some adhesive backed felt and put this over the magnets, hopefully this should cure the magnets pulling off the plate, and also help protect the mask as well.





 That is the main bit done really, the only thing left is to stick the other 5 magnets onto the back of the mask.
the best way i found to do this and align the plate properly, was to hold the plate where i want it to sit then just let the magnets pull out of my hand onto  the back of the mask. they will automatically sit in the correct place, then just get it perfectly aligned from the front.
 Then all i needed to do was to take the magnets off the back one by one glue and return them.



Finally put some weather proof tape over them.



Using magnets sticking to magnets means that it lines up perfectly every time as soon as you let go.  :smiley:

And that is it done.  :happy2:


                                       



Offline ollie288

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2010, 07:40:26 pm »
Very neat trick!  :congrats: :happy2:

Can you see a gap due to the beefing up or inst it noticeable?

EDIT - Nice pics and I love your car!  :drool:
« Last Edit: March 05, 2010, 07:44:27 pm by ollie288 »

Offline gillm

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2010, 07:44:27 pm »
great stuff thats my task for next week then
west tuned gt28 @ 340hp

Offline Top Cat

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2010, 07:51:55 pm »
Very neat trick!  :congrats: :happy2:

Can you see a gap due to the beefing up or inst it noticeable?

EDIT - Nice pics and I love your car!  :drool:

There is a few mil gap, the magnets are about 5 mil thick, but its only really noticeable if you stand directly above it.  :happy2:
Also you can get rubber magnets, if you wanted to reduce the gap further.

Offline gillm

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2010, 08:07:52 pm »
where did you get the magnets ? i cant think were to get any !
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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2010, 08:12:19 pm »

Offline big al

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2010, 09:49:58 pm »
Wouldn't hobbycraft, or dunelm Mill have the magnets? I have some velcrow pieces ready for when mine is masked, but am tempted by the magnets too after seeing your writeup.

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2010, 10:08:10 pm »
Wouldn't hobbycraft, or dunelm Mill have the magnets? I have some velcrow pieces ready for when mine is masked, but am tempted by the magnets too after seeing your writeup.

yes the ones i bought are industrial strength they smash together from 10 inches.  :laugh:

You really could get away with some half as powerful.  :happy2:

Offline SteveP

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2010, 07:28:35 am »
Wouldn't hobbycraft, or dunelm Mill have the magnets? I have some velcrow pieces ready for when mine is masked, but am tempted by the magnets too after seeing your writeup.

The only ones Hobbycraft sold about 6 months about where next to useless. Maplins do some smaller ones that work fine  :happy2:

Offline monte

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2010, 11:07:12 pm »
I really want to do this mod now TC. Do you think these magnets will work ok? They are 20mmx2mm and have a pull strength of 2.6kg.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rare-Earth-Button-Magnets-10-Pack-20mm-x-2mm_W0QQitemZ320503674456QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN?hash=item4a9f81f658


You have it set-up like this, (working from number plate inwards)

Number plate ---> Aluminium strip ---> 5mm Magnet ---> Felt ---> Grill ---> 5mm Magnet.

But do you think it might work like this?

Number plate ---> 2mm Magnet ---> Aluminium strip ---> Felt ---> Grill ---> 2mm Magnet.


Cheers.  :smiley:



Offline gillm

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2010, 12:31:41 pm »
after alot of magnet buying i reckon the above ones wont work . i bought cheap ones on ebay that dont even hold there own weight . then i bought some other ones from a local fastner shop which also were not strong enough .

i ended up getting these . not the cheapest but they defo work !
http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sp-2-9115-65878-trend-magnet-pack-15mmx3mm-pack-of-four.asp
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Offline Sie

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2010, 01:13:36 pm »
is a very neat trick did the same but used a normal plate and velet pads on magnetics, worked great till yesterday when i pulled up back home to find some nice magnets where my plate should be, lol so think i am going to have to come us with another way.

Nice how do tho.

Sie
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Offline big al

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2010, 01:40:50 pm »
Hey Joe.
I have just done this, and am just waiting on some wrap to put over my grille.
Was wondering though, over the few months that you have been running with this on, has the rain/mud/crappy weather affected the material on the back of the plate in any way or does it still look and feel ok?

Offline .:GTI|SUNNY:.

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2010, 07:24:28 pm »
only just seen this now lol

i went hobby craft today and got heavy duty velcro, so might just try the magnets 1st  :happy2:

will these work?
http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?tier1URL=Educational-Products&tier2URL=Science&tier3URL=Magnets&tier4URL=Neodymium-disc-magnets&moduleno=78905&kw=06-6014&uos=PACK,10
« Last Edit: September 15, 2010, 07:27:07 pm by .:GTI|SUNNY:. »
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Offline vRS Carl

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Re: Magnetic number plate fixing
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2010, 08:34:51 pm »
Would this stuff not be better?



Adhesive magnetic strips. Only 1mm thick :happy2: