Number plates take a battering – road grime, salt, stone chips, jet washes and the odd car park bump. Clean them properly and a good set of plates will look new for years. Clean them badly and you can scratch the acrylic, dull the gel or lift the characters.
The right way to clean any plate
- Rinse first. Take off loose grit with plain water before you touch the plate, so you don't drag dirt across the surface.
- Use car shampoo and warm water. The same pH-neutral shampoo you use on your paint is ideal.
- Wash with a soft microfibre cloth or mitt. Never use a stiff brush or the rough side of a sponge.
- Rinse again and dry with a clean microfibre towel to avoid water spots.
What to avoid
- Solvents and harsh chemicals – thinners, acetone, strong degreasers and some wheel cleaners can cloud acrylic and attack gel
- Abrasive polishes and cutting compounds – they scratch the clear acrylic face and flatten the shine on gel domes
- Pressure washer lance too close – keep it at least 30cm away, especially around raised 3D and 4D characters
- Ice scrapers on frosty mornings – use de-icer or warm (not boiling) water instead
- Automatic brush car washes – fine for flat plates, but stiff brushes can wear gel domes over time
Caring for 3D gel and 4D plates
3D gel characters are domed resin. Wash them gently and don't use polish, which can haze the gloss. A spray of quick detailer after washing keeps them bright.
4D characters are laser-cut acrylic bonded to the plate. They're tough, but don't pick at the edges or use a scraper near them. If a character ever lifts, stop using the plate and replace it. A missing character is an MOT failure and can get you a fine.
Stopping fading and cracking
- Fit plates flat. Bending a plate to fit a curved recess puts stress into the acrylic and leads to cracks. Use a spacer or a plate the right size for the recess.
- Use the right fixings. Adhesive pads or the correct screws with caps. Overtightened screws are the most common cause of cracks around fixing holes. See how to fit number plates.
- Keep them clean. Grime left on for months is harder to remove and more likely to be scrubbed hard.
Never use tint sprays or covers
Smoked sprays, tinted films and "anti-camera" covers make plates harder to read and are illegal on the road. They can mean a fine of up to £1,000 and an MOT failure. See ghost plates explained.
When it's time for new plates
Replace your plates if they're cracked, if the reflective backing has yellowed or faded, or if the characters are peeling, lifting or hard to read. Tired plates can fail the MOT – see can number plates fail an MOT?
Design a fresh set in our builder and see them in 3D before you order.