Hair Spray On Number Plates

[Jaymz]

  Falchoon said:

There's nothing on Snopes about hairspray but I've always been under the impression that it was just an urban myth. Thought the same about Photoblocker too, might be like my Pink Elephant Repellant, haven't seen one in years...

You could try posting the question on the Mythbusters messageboard, someone there might know or suggest it to Mythbusters to try out on a future episode.

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/talk/talk.html

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's one of the best bloody shows on TV at the moment. I love seeing grown guys blowing sh*t up. And they go to some extremes also with some of the items they buy just to prove if a myth is true or not (This weeks with the plane windscreen, bought the front end of a plane to test it out) . And even when they have busted the myth they try their hardest to replicate the result. (The other week when they blew the crash dummy out of the stormwater pipe) Can't wait to see how they prove the myth of the hairspray I am sure it wont just be a simple matter of driving with a sprayed plate past a camera hehe. Lets hope they act on the suggestion if someone posts it on their messageboard.

[mickq]

The hair spray idea does not work well. Its an old urban myth, and it has various varieties too, like you should grill the numberplates afterwards....

The proper spray is a product by 3M. I have no doubt you could buy it as normal glossy clear spray or similar. I reckon they just buy large batches and re-label it to Photoblocker.

The spray does work. Not only do a bunch of tests done in the US by numerous TV stations confirm it, but I even did some roadside testing with a digital camera and flash, from the angle that road side cameras are at: the plate is unreadable as it appears blinding white.

I even ran the photo through a couple of dozen Adobe PhotoShop filters to see if any normal filters got rid of the excess light and revealed the letters underneath - they didnt. There was simply a saturation of white causing over exposure.

You are supposed to keep the plate as clean as you can (ie wipe of dust etc) to maximise its reflective abilities.

Naturally, this spray is only of use with cameras that have flashes. No flash = it does nothing except make your plate even easier to read!

In Vic many cameras now have no flashes. But some do have flashes, so I still consider the product worthwhile.

After about 18 months the clear spray is going ever so slightly yellow - a little like an aging plate. I could remove it and respray (mineral turps from memory...but the instructions detail how to remove it). But wont bother as new car and new plates on the way.

I have been pulled over several times by the police, some of them with the cops not in a good mood with me. Both night and day. And they havent said anything, even though I used a little too much spray on the plates and thick "frozen" drip marks can be seen if you look closely.

Anyway, the Chief of Police said on TV that its not illegal in Vic, and they dont believe it works so wont persue it. (Fine with me). Bet that will change at some time though!

As for other alternatives, I dont consider any of them viable. Metal things sticking up and blocking a letter on your numberplate from the side, glass/plastic numberplate covers that turn opaque or to a mirror from an angle...all work very well but are also exceptionally easy for the police to see, and you WILL get fined the moment they see you "obstructing your numberplate" or "fitting a device designed to impede the operation of safety cameras" or similar.

Nothing to lose by using this spray. I say give it a go. Although I used a bit too much the first time around, I reckon I will get approx 4 plates (ie 2 cars) done with the one can.

Next time however I will explore my local hardware store first, and look for clear glossy spraypaint made by 3M. Find that and it will likely cost less than $10.

[siccar]

If anyone can find the hair spray brand, Fudge, they sell several types and one has glitter in it. Very good but it washes off when you wash your car. I sprayed it on my old plates(white with black letters) and it was not noticable unless you shone a bright torch on it.

My mates car has the photoblocker on his plates. Took this late last year with my mobile phone.

[maximum_velocity]

So what brand hair spray should I be buying.

[Blown BA]

  MRDOHC said:

hey George ... if it works ... can cops give you    about it ... cant they tell

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well for the last 4 yrs l haven't had any trouble with it

[Guest mercurysteve]

This is friggin awesome news IMO.

GROUP BUY, GROUP BUY........

Flash using cameras....