Best number plate / plate holder style

**Corey_R** · 21-12-2010, 01:35 PM

Hey guys. I already posted this and more over in the photos thread, but I wanted to post the relevant portions here and expand on it since this is the plates thread.

About two months ago I went through the Lakin Customer Plate Brackets website to do my research, then I called up Philip on his mobile and placed an order for the following:

1 x Prestige Number Plate Cover (Sold as single units) Clear Lens (Kingpin Prestige - Clear) - Fitted to OUR Brackets? YES - Number Plate Size/Style NSW/SA - Front - 372mm x 84mm
1 x Prestige Number Plate Cover (Sold as single units) Clear Lens (Kingpin Prestige - Clear) - Fitted to OUR Brackets? YES - Number Plate Size/Style Euro Plate - 520mm x 112mm
1 x Front Bracket - VW Golf Mk6 R - 2009 - (VW Golf Mk6 R - 09 - F) - Plate Attachment Screws SECURITY Head Screws (inc Special Tool) - Number Plate Dimensions NSW - White/Black Euro - 520mm x 110mm - Bracket Finish Black Powder Coated Finish
1 x Rear Bracket - VW Golf Mk6 R - 2009 - (VW Golf Mk6 R - 09 - R) - Plate Attachment Screws SECURITY Head Screws (inc Special Tool) - Number Plate Dimensions NSW - White/Black Euro - 520mm x 110mm - Bracket Finish Black Powder Coated Finish

I posted extensive photos of the impressive kit contents here.

Anyway, since I've finally received my car, it was time to install the Lakin Plate Brackets and Covers on the weekend at my mate's place. The first photo is when we were setting up.

I asked the dealer to leave off the number plates from my car, and I used 3M Clear Double-sided tape to secure them prior to leaving the dealership. Don't go excessive with this. I just used a "square" piece in each corner and the top centre (for the rear) and each top corner and bottom centre for the front. Even with that little amount of tape, I had to be very careful when prying the plates from my car, not to bend/damage the plates, or accidently dig an edge of the plates into my car! The tape holes very well!

After removing the number plates I then used eucalyptus oil to clean up the residue, and then Permanon to clear up the oil and "recoat" the paintwork (you could use whatever "quick detailer you like though):

Lining up the Lakin rear plate bracket was quite an anxious task thanks to the fact that there are no pre-drilled holes from the factory! (Thanks VW!). It's made worse by the fact that the plate area is NOT flat, and due to this, neither is the Lakin Plates bracket, and even worse, you then have a trapezoid surrounding. Anyway - two people makes this job easier. Just put masking tape around where you think the holes will be, then whilst one person holds the bracket, the other continually measures until you've got it exactly where you want, and then I marked the holes through the bracket using a Sharpie!
Prior to drilling the holes, I used a screw to put a little "dint" into the centre of the markings to ensure the drill bit didn't slip. The bracket is attached via self-tapping screws, so we're really just making small pilot holes to ensure things go where we want them to.

Some people make their lives easier by just having the plate lined up along the bottom ledge of the bumper - but I wanted it more centralised just to make things more difficult! But I think that it's nicer this way:

You may be asking why bother putting a bracket on the rear?
Normally the purpose of the bracket is so that you can use the factory mounted holes and then fit whatever style of plate you'd like without having to drill any more damaging holes. In the Golf's case there are no holes as standard. However, Philip has designed the bracket so that the holes are placed within the boundaries of a "standard" rear plate (whether old "yellow and back" or newer "white and black"). Therefore, if I ever changed the style of plate, I won't end up with 8 holes in the bumper!
The other advantage I see is that the plate is completely enclosed within this bracket and cover combination. So hopefully with time the plate stays completely clean rather than end up dirty as with el-cheapo/dealer's "plate covers" I used on previous cars.

Once the bracket is in place, it's then time to drill the holes in the top corners of the plate to attach it to the bracket via the cover. Following the advice of the instruction video, we used masking tape on the top corners of the plate, then used the cover itself to mark the holes, again, using my trusty Sharpie. Then I used that screw to make a little dent, drilled a pilot hole, and then the 6mm hole:

And the end result looks pretty good, imo:

Next up was the fitment of the front plate bracket. As you can see, I had some squished bugs on the front due to my drive to Lithgow (via Bells Line Of Road) and back (via Great Western Hwy) the night before. I'd cleaned up the area where the plate bracket was to attach. If you look carefully you can see that the 4 factory made holes are currently covered by the Ventureshield installed by Surface Tech:

After slicing a + into the Ventureshield over each hole using a razor blade, and putting in the Lakin Plates supplied nylon screw plug spacer thingamybobs, the plate bracket and then plate and cover were on within 10 minutes:

I'll have to add some more photos when I get a chance to take them, but I'm REALLY impressed with the results!

The next day I thoroughly washed the car. The rear number plate stayed completely dry, and the front plate had the slightest bit of water that I could see had dribbled down the front of the plate. But then, I was pretty liberal with the hose on the front, to get rid of the rest of those dead bugs!

I'd just like to say a big thanks to Philip at Lakin Plates. His service and professionalism is awesome, and the product is just superb! I don't think it matters whether you have a GTI or an R, or whether you get a slim line plate or a full sized Euro, these brackets and covers are the way to go! Thoroughly recommended

**elisiX** · 21-12-2010, 01:48 PM

Corey I had a chat with Phillip last week. Will be ordering mine finally right after xmas.

I might have to get your keen eye and experienced hands to give me a hand when they arrive.

Beers on me of course.

**Prodigy** · 21-12-2010, 01:58 PM

I know what you mean about lining up the rear plate. My plates were originally stuck on with double sided tape so had the task of trying to accurately centre the plate by myself. I honestly took well over an hour until i was happy it was in the right spot...

**DAL344** · 21-12-2010, 02:38 PM

I forgot to mention ....

Phil sent me a template for mounting the rear - you'll have to ask Dermot if it made it easier but he did a good job so I'd say it did!!

**AdamD** · 21-12-2010, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Corey_R

I'll have to add some more photos when I get a chance to take them, but I'm REALLY impressed with the results!

They definitely look the goods mate!

**Corey_R** · 21-12-2010, 02:51 PM

Thanks AdamD. I must say that your post and pictures about the Lakin Plates Brackets and Covers on the front of your GTI and rear of your GTI was what solidified my decision to go down this route. Cheers

**REXman** · 22-12-2010, 02:20 AM

Hey Corey nice going with all the mods. The foot rest looks clean! great work with the mods can't wait to see your Paddles.

Took my R for a thrash last night, did my first LC as well, and it hammers..!!

My Lakin plates should have come by now, but Christmas I'm sure has slowed down the delivery a little. Which is fine, im just clinging on with the double tape!! Any advice you want to send regarding installation? I'm just going to do it myself I reckon.. But we'll see how that turns out.

I almost don't think the front one makes that much of a difference now that I see it? But the rear looks awesome.

**Corey_R** · 22-12-2010, 08:03 AM

Thanks man.
My advice would be, don't do it yourself! The front is easy, but the rear requires 4 sets of hands. 2 to hold the bracket in place and 2 more to do the measuring and machine sure it's all lined up. I think you'd find it very difficult to get it exactly accurate without two peoples!