Steering Column VIN Plaque - ever seen this before? | FerrariChat
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Steering Column VIN Plaque - ever seen this before?

Discussion in '348/355' started by 134282, Jul 5, 2015.

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  1. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 134282, Jul 5, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    So I've photographed a lot of Ferrari VIN plaques (and plates and stampings and stickers, etc.), and I've never seen something quite like this before.

    In the first picture, it looks like the steering column VIN plaque has been removed. That's not the unusual part, I've seen that a few times, no big deal. But if you look at the second picture, you'll see that the plaque is actually still there, it's just the exact same color black as the steering column itself. I've never seen this before.

    Has anyone else ever seen anything like this before? Does anyone know why this plaque is colored? Does anyone know if it came like this from the factory? If so, why? If not, does anyone have any idea why someone would alter the plaque in such a way?
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  2. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

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    #2 4rePhill, Jul 5, 2015
    I would say it's definitely not how it left the factory.

    The most likely explanation is that someone has removed the original finish on the cowling due to it becoming sticky and then plasti-dipped/painted the part without taking the time to mask off the vin plate.
     
  3. Robb

    Robb Moderator
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    #3 Robb, Jul 5, 2015
    This... It's not hard to remove so I wonder why they didn't do it right.

    Robb

     
  4. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 134282, Jul 5, 2015
    Okay, that makes sense. Thank you, Phil. I've seen steering columns whose VIN plaques were completely missing - removed for unknown reasons. But the stickiness refinishing theory is one of logic and reason; thank you.
     
  5. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

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    #5 4rePhill, Jul 5, 2015
    Some people are just too lazy to do things the right way.

    (There may be another reason for the plate being all black, the explanation I gave just seemed to Me to be the most likely)
     
  6. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 134282, Jul 5, 2015
    Rob, I've seen the plaque removed on other cars, but I don't know how firmly it's seated into the column. Do you know what efforts are required to remove the plaque? And is it merely an adhesive that can have it properly re-affixed?
     
  7. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 GuyIncognito, Jul 5, 2015
    it's a vast anti-Carbon conspiracy.
     
  8. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 134282, Jul 5, 2015
    I haven't ruled that out, either. :)
     
  9. dapper

    dapper Formula Junior

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    #9 dapper, Jul 5, 2015
    I'd agree, no mystery at all, simply someone getting shot of the sticky finish and cutting corners in not bothering to masking areas that shouldn't be painted/coated.

    Having just completed de-goo-ing the roof release handles (TS) I'm about to have to tackle those steering column parts myself, followed closely by my also sticky 'inner' rear view mirror triangle cover plates.
     
  10. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #10 AceMaster, Jul 5, 2015
    It definitely takes effort to remove that plaque.
     
  11. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    #11 plugzit, Jul 5, 2015
    It is affixed with two-sided tape.
     
  12. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

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    #12 ///Mike, Jul 5, 2015
    So use light heat from a hair dryer to help facilitate removal, or is there a better way?
     
  13. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

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    #13 4rePhill, Jul 5, 2015
    I'd say light heat + some deft use of some fishing line to ease the plate off is probably the best way.
     
  14. GerryD

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    #14 GerryD, Jul 5, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Its something like a 2 sided tape that holds it on. You need a blade as in the pic below and you pry up gently by putting it between the edge on the column(nearest the windshield) and the plaque. Gentle pressure and hold it for a few seconds and it will slowly come up. You can actually buff off the black paint until you hit the silver OEM finish which is solid. But only do that with a very fine medium FLAT surface or you will damage the plaque. You can then re-place with a 2 sided tape.
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  15. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 134282, Jul 5, 2015
    You guys should all post pictures of your VIN plaques so that I have a better idea of what they look like when they haven't been painted or altered in any way. :)
     
  16. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    #16 phrogs, Jul 5, 2015
    yeah double sticky tape that's it.

    someone painted over that one and just didn't give a ****.
     
  17. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 285ferrari, Jul 5, 2015
    They were trying to hide the VIN from your camera....LOL
     
  18. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 134282, Jul 5, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  19. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
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    #19 taz355, Jul 5, 2015
    As said previously you can fix it. Also my 99 was glued not double sided tape.
     
  20. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

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    #20 GerryD, Jul 6, 2015
    All the ones Ive removed have been taped. Maybe someone had yours off previously and used glue to put it back on or maybe Ferrari ran out of tape on Friday afternoon and said fk it, use the glue. :)
     
  21. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

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    #21 ///Mike, Jul 6, 2015
    Thanks, Phil. Had forgotten about fishing line. Great tip.
     
  22. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3
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    #22 GTO Joe, Jul 7, 2015
    Dental floss is another alternative.
     
  23. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 285ferrari, Jul 7, 2015
    I've removed probably 500 and everyone has been double sided tape
     
  24. phrogs

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    #24 phrogs, Jul 8, 2015
    Bubba got a hold of yours somehow somewhere.
     

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