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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Sootchucker on 06 February 2019, 08:06

Title: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: Sootchucker on 06 February 2019, 08:06
OK, i know the sounds like a weird title for a thread but bear with me.

The number plates on my May 2018 GTI were stuck on with adhesive pads by the dealer, but over the course of the last 9 months or so, a couple of the 3m pads have let go (despite replacing them all a couple of times), to the point where I'm contimplating mounting the number plates in the conventional way via drilling and screwing them on (with the small coloured caps that go over the screws).

I've done this on both of my previous MK7 GTD's, however when having a look on my MK 7.5 from underneath (there's the big hole in the lower valance I presume for the VW tow bar), I can see a fairly thick metal (aluminium ?) panel running directly behind the bumper skin, right behind where I would drill, that wasn't there on the previous cars.

Is that just the crash bar and is it safe to drill into, as my car is fitting with rear assist so don't really want to be drilling into something I shouldn't ?
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: andy28 on 06 February 2019, 08:48
I have never drilled mine Sootchucker so I can't comment there, but if you do want to try the sticking route again, Rebecca recommended this tape a while ago (enough for front and back) and I can't see them ever moving again!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BR2MTS0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kYPwCb6W97MR2
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: kmpowell on 06 February 2019, 08:49
Mine is drilled, top corners of the plate.
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 06 February 2019, 09:05
My dealer plates were drilled. Can’t stand drilled plates myself but here you can see the holes when the plate was off.

(https://i.postimg.cc/J0D2kLV0/428-F44-CE-CEBF-441-E-A4-A2-D63-C3-C773-D14.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctWmpPJG)

With new pressed aluminium plate...

(https://i.postimg.cc/cLF9JHPZ/fullsizeoutput-369.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yDSXQVVr)
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: Guzzle on 06 February 2019, 09:10
Mine is drilled, top corners of the plate.

Same here
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: P6GTD on 06 February 2019, 10:44
Also not a fan of drilled plates.
For my rear plate, I sourced a front plate backing mount and screwed it on to the rear apron using original drilled holes.
Then an easy job to fix undrilled new rear plates with tape and you have front and rear plates identical with a very nice black border round the yellow plate at the back.
Looks fab against silver!
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: P6GTD on 06 February 2019, 10:47
Backing mounts can be bought for around a fiver from platesforcars.com

I always buy my plates from them, with a nice thin red border line round the edge. Always look great and v durable.
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: 2007GTI on 06 February 2019, 10:50
You will be safe drilling it as per that photo, just use a safety stop on the drill, so the drill bit doesn't go any further that it needs to. If you don't have a safety stop, just put a sh!t load of masking tape 5mm up the drill bit.
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: Snoopy on 06 February 2019, 12:40
I was told by someone who fits plates everyday that the trick is to heat up the tape before fitting it. He told me that after I had done mine of cause!
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: dubber36 on 06 February 2019, 16:17
^^^ Common sense really. Just like wiping the area with panel wipe or tar remover. I've seen people stick them onto a freshly waxed surface, then wonder why they've fallen off.
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: mcmaddy on 06 February 2019, 18:21
3m tape is just the job. Got mine on eBay for a fraction of what Amazon wanted and had my front plate on for a good while now. It's never budged 👍
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: p3asa on 07 February 2019, 23:30
My wife and I and 2.4 kids all have private plates so I must have changed about a dozen set of plates over the last few years.

I've always asked the dealer not to screw them as I can't stand drilled plates. Anyway not one has fallen off and I've just used the cheap rolls of double sided from ebay.

Like dubber has said, its all in the preparation. I usually clean the area then use tardis and some G101.
I don't even use that much tape, a bit in each corner and a strip down the middle.
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: kmpowell on 08 February 2019, 09:45
Can’t stand drilled plates myself
Also not a fan of drilled plates.
I can't stand drilled plates.
Perhaps I'm just old or something, but I really struggle to understand what difference it makes if it's drilled or not?!? A number plate is just an essential thing that gets put on a car. If the screws have screw caps, why does it matter? It's not like Mercedes who drill 4 screws into each plate and then leave the heads uncovered. :huh:
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 08 February 2019, 10:01
Can’t stand drilled plates myself
Also not a fan of drilled plates.
I can't stand drilled plates.
Perhaps I'm just old or something, but I really struggle to understand what difference it makes if it's drilled or not?!? A number plate is just an essential thing that gets put on a car. If the screws have screw caps, why does it matter? It's not like Mercedes who drill 4 screws into each plate and then leave the heads uncovered. :huh:

Not an age thing, plates stuck on just look cleaner. No screw caps to worry about that more often or not lose their cover and look untidy. It's not something to get too upset over but dealer plates generally look rubbish and often poor quality.
Title: Re: Drilling rear number plate ?
Post by: jv on 09 February 2019, 15:30
Somebody must need a set of these for their mk7:

https://golfgti.bigcartel.com/product/golfgti-co-uk-number-plate-frames

:)