How Can I Make My Number Plate Less Reflective?

[ToraToraTora]

When the infrared light from my security cameras bounce of my car number plate it glares out most of the picture. Anyone any experience of this, what if I coat it in matt varnish for example? Any other ideas? thanks.

[mikey4444]

Not sure why you want to do this TTT....perhaps I am being a bit thick ( I am sure you will tel me if I am ! )

[hc4361]

He wants to do it because the glare obscures the picture he gets from his security camera.

Try tucking a bin bag round it when you park up

[ToraToraTora]

at night when I look at my cameras the infrared light reflects off my number plate so brightly that it dominates the whole picture, it's like having the sun in the middle of the picture and I can see little else. So I was hoping to coat the plate with some sort of non reflective substance that would stop the glare. It's ok in the day because my cameras do not emit light during the day.

[ToraToraTora]

yes HC but I was hoping for a neater solution than that.

[jno]

plates are supposed to be relective, so if you find an answer, best make sure it doesn't dereflectorise* them completely

https://www.gov.uk/displaying-number-plates/rules-number-plates

* made-up word

[hc4361]

Problem is that if you make your number plate permanently less reflective you may be breaking the law. The number plate has to be reflective

[Barmaid]

I know nothing about this so I could be talking out of my nether regions but it occurs to me that if you do this, your plate would not be visible to speed cameras (if it is changed from standard) and could potentially be illegal? Like I say I dont know for sure, but worth checking out.

[ToraToraTora]

I'd settle for less reflective!

[ToraToraTora]

quite the opposite barmaid, they sell highly reflective coating to fool cameras, I'm doing the opposite.

[hc4361]

As you are so concerned about the look of your car when it is sat on your drive you could easily make a smart, removable cover for the number plate. Attach it with magnets.

[Barmaid]

Ah well, I did say I didnt know and it was just a thought that occurred to me!

[ToraToraTora]

hc, use your loaf, I don't give a rats plaster about the look of my car. That camera covers the drive way and front generally and I can't see much beyond the glare. That's what I'm trying to address.

[hc4361]

You said you wanted a tidier solution than the simple black bag over the number plate.

[Baldric]

Do magnets work on plastic?

[Baldric]

By that ^^^ I'm thinking number plates and the majority of bumpers are not made of metal nowadays

[trt]

Any chance you could change the angle the camera, so its not pointing directly at your car, or is it a wide range, like I have.?

[ToraToraTora]

Hc: "You said you wanted a tidier solution than the simple black bag over the number plate. " - yes but that's due to convenience, I don't want to construct a heath Robinson solution every time I park.

[ToraToraTora]

trt: I tried changing the angle of the car but it makes no difference, tell you what I'll post a picture later to show you the extent of the issue.
Balders: "Do magnets work on plastic?" - PMSL, I know what you meant!

[trt]

What about, an old number plate, or a piece of plastic similar size, and use 2 small bits of Velcro.

[EDDIE51]

You can't legally make your number plate less reflective, it has to be as it is to comply with the law. Getting a cover is the only way out.
If you do get a cover then you need to remember to remove it before you use the car.