It’s an issue when a particular part of your vehicle is ruined, and now it concerns you how to fix a water damaged temporary tag. Temporary license plates have to deal with a slew of challenges during the short time they are valid.
Each state’s license plates, often constructed of cardboard, are valid for 30 days. Have time to read the steps on how to repair water damaged cardboard.
In order to facilitate the transfer of registration, temporary tags are used. Relatively, the foundation material must be sturdy and adaptable enough to endure the heat of digital, on-demand desktop printing and survive dampness and road debris.
Fixing A Temporary License Plate Damaged By Water
The first thought that would enter your mind is how you will dry the temporary tag. Begin with the specific steps listed below to restore its use and validity.
Step #1. Drying in various forms
Air-drying
Drying wet cardboard by air is a tried-and-true method. One of the easiest ways to get rid of moisture is to use this procedure.
In the case of minor water damage, air drying has been the preferred method. It provides the safety and protection measures frequently necessary in this operation.
Material that requires special attention, such as covered papers, can be separated. In addition, the direct inspection of the original order enables you to maintain intellectual control over the entire process.
Using hairdryer
It is possible to dry a wet tag with a hairdryer. The process, however, takes a considerable amount of time. Just a little piece of cardboard may be dried at a time in the dryer.
Dehumidification-drying
When drying damp cardboard, the dehumidification-drying process works best. Equipment can be rented from a vendor to undertake dehumidification in the immediate area.
Experts from the drying services can perform drying procedures in-house. Depending on the material’s underlying amount of moisture, drying can be completed in a few days or a few weeks.
Step #2. Straightening warped temporary tag
There is no sure way to straighten warped cardboard because adding moisture to it causes mildew, discoloration, texture changes, and more warping. Still, you can use one or more of numerous ways to straighten it.
A-List Of Necessities
- Plywood
- Clothing iron
- Bottles of water or book
- A plastic tub of small size
- Larger lidded plastic tub
- Towel
1. Dry weight
Lay down your temporary tag (cardboard) so that the convex edges — the parts that are bent outward to bulge — are facing up on a piece of plywood or a sturdy wooden table. Weigh down the plywood with books or bottles of water, then cover the plywood with another sheet of plywood.
Afterward, remove the plywood and weights and inspect the cardboard from underneath. Using this strategy, you can keep replacing the weights and leaving the cardboard in your improvised press for as long as you like; after a few days, the warping may disappear.
2. Moderating humidity
Plywood should be cut into two pieces, large enough to fit the bottom of a plastic tub large enough to hold your cardboard flat. Using the warped cardboard as a base, place a sheet of plywood on top, making sure that the convex edges are facing up.
Fill the second, lidded plastic tub that is both larger and taller than the first with an inch or two of water. Insert the cardboard-lined small plastic tub into the bigger plastic container.
Place the large plastic tub’s lid on top. For the next two or three days, lift the lid and check on the cardboard at least once a day.
As soon as you observe that the twisted fibers are beginning to relax, remove them immediately. Remove both tubs’ lids and remove all of the plywood and cardboard.
Sandwich the cardboard between two pieces of plywood and stack books or water bottles on top of the plywood to secure it in place. Do not let the cardboard sit in the tub for an extended period of time since this will cause it to get ruined.
Every six to twelve hours, check on the cardboard to see if it has dried in place.
Here are a few techniques for protecting a temporary tag made of cardboard against water damage:
- Laminated cover
- PVA adhesive coating
Advantages Of Teslin Synthetic Paper
It is easier and less expensive to print on than vinyl, polyester, or other temporary license plate substrates because of Teslin’s microporous polyolefin-silica matrix, making it a better choice for auto dealers than other temporary license plate substrates.
1. Low-cost, easy-to-print material
Inkjet and laser printers can easily handle the Teslin substrate, which prints like pulp paper. The cost of a temporary license plate made of polyester and other synthetics is increased since they must be pre-treated with a particular coating to work with digital printers.
The cost of a temporary license plate made of polyester and other synthetics is increased since they must be pre-treated with a particular coating to work with digital printers. If you’re also concerned with the printed numbers and letters in the temporary tag, look at these water damaged paper restoration techniques.
2. Abrasion-proof
Because of the micropores in the Teslin substrate, printed information is kept safe. Due to inks and toners remaining on the surface of non-porous materials such as vinyl and polyester, the data printed on these materials is readily scraped off or changed.
3. Resistant to water
Temp plates are protected from moist situations by the water-proof polyolefin polymer in the Teslin substrate. It resists rain, car washes, and snow.
4. Resistant to tear
Teslin substrate temporary plates can be perforated and hole-punched without tearing and attached to automobiles.
Conclusion
There are several approaches on how to fix a water damaged temporary tag, but they all fall into two categories: drying and flattening its deformed material caused by moisture. Alternatively, there is a water-proof temporary license plate available.
It is never just about fixing but also offers to protect and prevent the temporary tag or even the official license plate from water damage.