Fitting instructions for your Custom Plate Brackets and Kingpin Covers.
Our instruction section is undergoing a major revamp. Please bear with us.
The instructions on this page cover the process for fitting our Custom Plate Brackets and Kingpin Number Plate Covers. Please read these instructions carefully before commencing installation on your vehicle. Click on the appropriate link below:
There is a link at the top of each section (denoted by an arrow) to allow you to download a printable copy of each set of instructions. These require Adobe Acrobat reader to display. If you don't have this program installed, you can access your free copy by clicking on the button below:
Fitting Instructions for your LAKIN Custom Plate Brackets™.
Prior to installation, be sure to check that all the contents of the kit are present and that the kit matches your vehicle. Please follow these instructions and contact us if you're not sure how to proceed.
Note: Where only two holes are provided in the number plate, you will find we've supplied double sided tape (3M Command™ Tape) in pockets in the bracket surface to support that part of the plate which doesn't have screw holes.
Use the isopropyl alcohol swabs to thoroughly clean the rear surface of the number plate in the area of the tape. If the special instructions are missing from your kit, click the yellow triangle to read the special notes on the use of the isopropyl alcohol and 3M Command™ Tape.
This short video will give you an overview of the installation process as well as demonstrating the finished product.
If the video won't play here, you can also view it on YouTube.
Attaching the LAKIN Custom Plate Bracket to your vehicle:
Your plate brackets will have labels to tell you which is the FRONT or REAR of the vehicle. The label will also have an arrow to indicate which side should face up. This label should always be visible when the bracket is fitted to the car. i.e. it faces OUT.
If the curvature of the bracket doesn't match your vehicle exactly, the bracket can be gently flexed to either increase or decrease the degree of curvature. This is best done by placing the centre of the bracket over stable surface covered with a thick layer of padding and pushing gently on the outer edges.
If there is more than one set of mounting points on your vehicle, check which ones are to be used by matching the holes in the bracket against the mounting points on the car.
Fit the appropriate nylon spacer (A) to the threads of the mounting screws. (These can vary in thickness on different models and, in some cases, are not required.)
Some brackets will be supplied with pads of double-sided tape (B) to provide extra security in unsupported areas.
Note: Clean the vehicle surface beneath the bracket using soap and water. Dry the surface thoroughly before using the isopropyl alcohol swabs (supplied in your fitting kit) to remove any trace of oil or fingerprints from the area to which the tape will adhere.
Remove the protective film from the tape pads and, taking care to prevent the taped areas contacting the body of the vehicle (or your fingers), tighten the screws to the point that they hold the bracket accurately (but not fully tightened).
Next press the taped areas against the vehicle. Apply firm pressure for 30 seconds before leaving the bracket for at least 30 minutes before tightening the mounting screws completely.
If the mounting points on your vehicle have speed-nuts or plastic threaded inserts, or if they are holes or dimples in plastic bumpers, your bracket can be easily attached using the self-tapping screws provided in the kit.
Note: Take care not to over tighten screws that thread directly into plastic fittings.
If you find a screw is pulling out of the plastic, you can reclaim the thread with a screw grommet (included in your kit). Carefully drill the hole to a diameter of 6mm (1/4") and push the screw grommet into the hole. You may need to use a thinner spacer to make up for the depth of the grommet head.
Some vehicles have metal threaded inserts in the mounting points. If this is the case, you will find the appropriate threaded screws in your mounting kit.
Special case: On some vehicles the vehicle's mounting points match the holes in the Kingpin cover. We supply a slightly modified bracket in these cases which requires a different fitting procedure. Please click on the yellow triangle to read these instructions.
Now that your LAKIN Custom Plate Bracket is mounted securely to the vehicle, your number plate can be attached to the bracket.
Clip-on plate frames must be assembled to the number plate before it is secured to the bracket. You will find BUTTON-HEAD screws for each plate in your kit. Place the assembled frame and plate against the plate bracket, align the holes in the plate with the threaded inserts in the bracket and secure the plate evenly.
If you are fitting our Kingpin Screw-on plate frames or covers, you will find COUNTERSINK-HEAD screws in your kit. These hold both the frames and the number plates to the bracket. (In most kits we supply two different lengths of these screws. Use whichever size fits most neatly in your situation.)
Place the number plate in the cover and align the holes in the plate with those in the cover.
Place the cover and plate assembly against the plate bracket on the car.
Accurately align the whole assembly with the plate bracket and tighten the screws progressively, being careful not to over-tighten them.
(Note: Over-tightening these screws may cause the plastic cover to crack and/or distort the moisture seal.)
Fitting Instructions for your Kingpin Number Plate Covers.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Be sure NOT to over-tighten the attachment screws. They must be nipped up just tight enough to hold the cover neatly. Too much tension will distort or crack the covers.
These instructions are for fitting Kingpin cover without our LAKIN Custom Plate Brackets™. If you are using our brackets, please follow the instructions in the above section.
Packed with your covers you will find a selection of fittings as shown in the diagram to the left.
The SHORT screws are used where holes in the cover align with holes in the number plate which are not used to attach the plate to the vehicle. See the directions below.
The LONG screws are used when the holes in the cover align with holes in the number plate which are already used to hold the plate to the body of the vehicle.
In many instances, your number plate will be attached to the vehicle leaving free holes near the corners which align with the holes in the Kingpin cover.
Insert a plastic screw grommet into each of the holes in the number plate (push in from the face of the plate towards the vehicle) and use the short screws to attach the cover.
You may find it necessary to use the spacers (from the fitting kit) over the existing screws which hold the number plate to the vehicle, in order to space the plate away from the body, as the cover attachment screws protrude slightly from the rear of the plate.
If your number plate is attached to your vehicle with self tapping screws, and these screws take up the holes which align with the holes in the Kingpin cover, you need to use the LONG Screws.
Remove the existing self tapping screws holding the number plate to the vehicle. Fit the long screws with the black Phillips heads through the holes in the Kingpin cover, then through the number plate and into the vehicle.
Occasionally the number plate is attached with machine thread screws into threaded fittings on your vehicle. If these align with the Kingpin cover holes, the long self tapping screws will not be suitable. In these instances we recommend using our "Piggy-back" screws, shown to the right.
The M6 screw fits the threaded fittings on your vehicle. The smaller, black countersink head screw attaches the Kingpin cover into the back of the larger screw. These are available from this link.
In order to fit the Kingpin covers to the full-size Euro plates, it is necessary to drill a 6mm (1/4") hole in each of the two top corners of your number plate. Use the cover as a template to mark the position of these holes.
It may be helpful to place masking tape over the surface of the number plate before marking and drilling.
Once the holes are drilled the cover can be attached in the same manner as our other covers by following the instructions above.
Miscellaneous Notes:
We believe the Kingpin Prestige number plate covers are the best engineered covers available in Australia. However, unlike our LAKIN Custom Number Plate Brackets, they are a mass-produced product. The nature of the production process makes it possible that there will be small flaws in the plastic mouldings.
As part of our sales process, we inspect each cover and polish out what we consider to be unacceptable flaws. We discard covers which we determine are not fit for sale.
However, close scrutiny is bound to reveal small scratches or other flaws. Please bear in mind the fact that these 'flaws' will not be detectable once the cover is installed on your vehicle. Note - The lenses have a dull finish to reduce their reflectivity in order to comply with Australian transport regulations. The slightly 'cloudy' appearance of the lens is NOT a manufacturing flaw.
Important Instructions for the use of 3M Command™ Strips:
If your bracket is provided with 3M Command™ mounting strips it is vital that you follow these directions. Do not remove the protective liners from these strips until you have read this page.
Applied correctly the 3M Command™ adhesive will form an aggressive bond, while allowing you to remove the plates easily if necessary.
This first step is best carried out before you mount the bracket to your vehicle.
Form the number plate to exactly the same curvature as your bracket. Use ONLY gentle pressure to do this - the plates are easy to over-bend. Aim to have the area that contacts the adhesive perfectly smooth.
Thoroughly clean the rear surface of the number plate where it will touch the tape. Wipe the area finally with the isopropyl alcohol swab to remove any oil or finger prints. DO NOT fit the plate to the bracket yet.
Now fit the LAKIN bracket to your vehicle and make sure you're happy with its positioning and security before the next step.
Check that the tabs of the Command™ strips are properly located in the recesses provided and that they are NOT causing the surface of the strip to bulge.
Remove the red liners from the Command™ strips; align the number plate with the upper holes, WITHOUT allowing it to touch the adhesive strips.
Loosely attach the plate with the screws in the upper holes, just enough that it's held in alignment with the bracket.
Now you can allow the plate to contact the Command™ strips. Press firmly over each one for about 30 seconds.
Leave the whole assembly for an hour before finally securing the screws.
NOTE: If you're fitting Prestige covers to your plates, fit the plates by themselves first, as described above. After waiting an hour, remove the screws and attach the covers.
These instructions apply when fitting a standard width number plate (370mm wide) to the rear of most late model Ford Falcon vehicles. The mounting fittings on the vehicle align with the outer, upper holes in the number plate.
The lower end of this bracket is secured with double-sided tape. This will form a very secure bond provided these directions are followed.
Please avoid working in damp or very cold weather. The adhesive will perform as intended if the vehicle body and the tape are at a comfortable room temperature during assembly.
Align the bracket with the mounting points to determine where the double-sided tape pads will touch the bodywork. Thoroughly clean these areas, finishing with a wipe of the isopropyl alcohol swab included with your fitting kit.
Loosely assemble the number plate and cover to the bracket using the appropriate length fine thread screws in the LOWER holes of the bracket.
Place the long self-tapping screws through the upper holes and place the retaining washers over the threads to hold them in place.
Remove the protective strips from the tape pads. Align the assembly with the vehicle, while holding the bottom section clear of the bodywork. Be sure NOT to touch the exposed tape or the panel with your fingers.
Engage the upper screws with the mounting holes in the panel and tighten just enough to hold the assembly accurately in place.
Now allow the lower section to touch the panel and press firmly over the area of each tape pad for at least 30 seconds.
Avoid tightening the four screws finally for 24 hours. By this time the tape will have bonded fully.
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