valkeriefire
Member
Getting the back plate off the car was easy (for me), getting the goo off was the problem. As long as your glue sticks to the mounting plate, you won't have half the trouble I did.
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Definitive S Refresh Front Plate Bracket Removal
- Thread starter ZeroDarkSilver
- Start date
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- Model S
CTShore
Member
Anyone try "Un-Du Adhesive Remover"? I use it to remove sticky labels. Might be worth a try- Amazon sells
NikeWings
Active Member
Thanks for the link ZDS. I'm taking them to my delivery ceremony (whenever that is) and invoking the damsel in distress strategy.
Dental floss probably isn't strong enough. Fishing line might work. The adhesive is really tough though, the fishing line might cut through your fingers before it cuts through the adhesive. Stretching it out by prying the plate out a little helps a lot. But if you're doing that you don't have another two hands free to "floss" the adhesive unless you get a helper. Still think a plastic knife is easiest, the teeth help saw through real quick.
Excellent information Zero! Took me less than a half hour start to finish. Pulling the bracket off the painted surface was the creepiest part for me 
. About half the double-stick tape came off on the mounting plate and the other half remained on the car. I used a slow/gradual pull and roll up method for the tape that remained on the car. I was able to get the tape off completely without the need for goo-gone or any sort of solution. I did use my heat gun to heat the bracket before I pulled it off the car. I'm not certain if that was necessary though.
. About half the double-stick tape came off on the mounting plate and the other half remained on the car. I used a slow/gradual pull and roll up method for the tape that remained on the car. I was able to get the tape off completely without the need for goo-gone or any sort of solution. I did use my heat gun to heat the bracket before I pulled it off the car. I'm not certain if that was necessary though.
Excellent information Zero! Took me less than a half hour start to finish. Pulling the bracket off the painted surface was the creepiest part for me
Glad it was helpful, congrats!
bursch
Member
MDMGSO47
Member
I finally removed mine yesterday without any tools other than a screwdriver and hair drier, and it was a piece of cake. I first removed the outer plate holder from the block on the front of the bumper by removing the screws attached to the block glued to the front of the bumper. After removing the horizontal screws, the mount droops down so that it is suspended by the two vertical safety screws under the bumper. The license plate mount is made from a flexible vinyl-like substance. I simultaneously pulled down on the mount both behind the safety screws and in front of the safety screws, and the mount popped right off . The screws pulled through the holes in the mount because the mount material is very flexible. The mount was totally undamaged, and could easily be reinstalled.
I then heated the block glued to the front of the bumper, and pulled it off by lifting the top right corner and pulling out and down. No prying mechanism is needed other than your fingers. Finally, using my thumb, I removed the residual glue on the bumper by starting at one end and rolling it up on itself.
All in all, it took less than five minutes and was easy peasy.
I then heated the block glued to the front of the bumper, and pulled it off by lifting the top right corner and pulling out and down. No prying mechanism is needed other than your fingers. Finally, using my thumb, I removed the residual glue on the bumper by starting at one end and rolling it up on itself.
All in all, it took less than five minutes and was easy peasy.
Soundchasr
Member
Great to hear. I pick up my car today and this will be what I do as soon as I get home.
rhumbliner
Member
I was able to remove the front plate bracket by removing the 2 screws at the gallery when I picked up my 90D -- they were happy to hand me the tool -- and when I got home I simply applied steady pressure, pulling from the top down. I was able to watch the double-sided tape slowly pull away from the facia and stay attached to the bracket. There were a few spots on the facia where the residue remained but I removed that with WD-40 and a soft cotton cloth. I did not use a heat gun or floss or fishing line. Just a slow, steady pressure was sufficient. Whole process took, maybe, 20 minutes.
MDMGSO47
Member
Soundchasr
Member
Got this done in about 15 minutes. Taking off the bolts was really easy - it's almost as if they were only hand-tight. The challenge is removing the backing that is attached to the bumper.
First, I tried just pulling it off and it wouldn't budge. Then I tried fishing line but that didn't do it either (broke the line). Finally, I pulled out the heat gun and heated it up. I was then able to pull from the upper right corner, as recommended earlier, and slowly pull it from the bumper. Only a little bit of the adhesive remained and I was able to roll that off with my fingers. A little glue remained and I took that off with Goo-Gone.
First, I tried just pulling it off and it wouldn't budge. Then I tried fishing line but that didn't do it either (broke the line). Finally, I pulled out the heat gun and heated it up. I was then able to pull from the upper right corner, as recommended earlier, and slowly pull it from the bumper. Only a little bit of the adhesive remained and I was able to roll that off with my fingers. A little glue remained and I took that off with Goo-Gone.
James Anders
Member
If anyone's interested in a tool to remove the security screws I'll post info in this thread...
Custom Socket Tool for Refresh Front Plate License Screws
I've designed a simple little socket adapter that fits onto a 1/4 inch drive, nut driver or Allen key.
Custom Socket Tool for Refresh Front Plate License Screws
I've designed a simple little socket adapter that fits onto a 1/4 inch drive, nut driver or Allen key.
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CHG-ON
Still in love after all these miles
I can't believe how over engineered that bracket is! All that for somthing I would remove in the parking lot, as @valkeriefire did.
rhumbliner
Member
Since I split my time between Nevada (where the front plate is not required) and Wyoming (where the front plate is required) I needed a simple way to reattach & remove the front plate bracket. I replaced the OEM torx bolts with standard M6 metric bolts so I can use a Phillips head screwdriver to reattach the front bracket. But the bolts aren't enough to stabilize the bracket. There's a reason Tesla glues the bracket to the front facia. So I picked up a set of 3M picture hanging strips and attached these to the top of the front bracket. These were sufficient to stabilize the bracket and prevent it from wobbling -- even at 70 mph -- and the adhesive from the strips is easy to remove from the facia. Now it's easy on / easy off. Problem solved.
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I removed mine last night. The 11/32 socket didn't do much for me, but the 90" pliers did the job, albeit slowly. Once you're about half way, you can remove the screws by hand. I really don't know why Tesla oped to use such a funky fitting; I get they need to satisfy various State requirements, but do any of those requirements specify an anti-tamper screw? I used a broad plastic trim pry bar to work the VHB tape away from the bumper, all in, it took maybe 10 minutes. It came away easily, but it had been parked out side for a couple of hours in 100f+ heat, so that probably helped.
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I had this tool produced specifically for removing the screw on the front license plate, so we could install clear bra on the front bumper. If anyone is interested, let me know. Pricing TBD until I have an idea on how many people are interested.
Thanks,
Mike
[URL=http://s299.photobucket.com/user/mikej210/media/Tesla%20Model%20S%20license%20plate%20socket%20removal%20tool/DSC01520_zpsusggvev7.jpg.html]
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Thanks,
Mike
[URL=http://s299.photobucket.com/user/mikej210/media/Tesla%20Model%20S%20license%20plate%20socket%20removal%20tool/DSC01520_zpsusggvev7.jpg.html]
DrManhattan
Member
If it's cheaper than the tool everyone else is using on Amazon I'm in. But you only have a couple weeks to decide because I'm not leaving the service center without that plate removed.
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