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How do i remove my scuff plate without further damaging it. Obviously i remove the screw but it has some strong adhesive underneath holding it down. (strong double sided tape maybe). If anyone suggests using a screwdriver for any other purpose other than undoing the screws then there will be trouble!

Jimmy

I'd imagine a bit of grunt in the right places will move it. I think there are also clips at the ridge.
Howabout some pix of the damage?
Perhaps you can find some metal worker guys (image of The Simpsons and the American metal workers pops into my head) who could actually repair it for you?

I have found some brand new oem mazda plates in the US still in original packaging and have never been opened!

Hers pics of the damage. Was pretty hard to get a good pic because of the reflection. It does actually look a lot worse. I've had a lot of experience with stainless steel during my degree and one of the annoying properties of stainless steel is that once it is bent or forced into shape, it is virtually impossibly to return it to its original shape. Having said that, once the new scuff plates are installed, these plates will be going to a metal work shop to see what they can do. They will then be sold.

you're correct re double-sided tape underneath. There should be two running the full length of the plate.
The only thing I can suggest is put some metho or a proper adhesive desolver, into a squirter bottle, lift one end a little and squirt as much metho as you can.
Then use something like a metal ruler to slide underneat it, from the front or rear end, and try to mash the double sided tape off.

I would say the scuff plate is quite repairable. Not sure if they are aluminium or stainless but either way they are thin and judicious use of panel beaters hammers or re rolling the edge can be done. The tricky bit is shrinking stretched metal but there are tricks even without having to heat it- in any event it would be a quick job for a someone with the talent. Restorers work with a lot worse.

I agree - an experienced metal worker should be able to fix that. But that etching has got me stumped as I assume it would need to be re-done?

Get out a hairdryer and heat up the plates till they're hot and gently pop them off. The glue will be soft and let go easy. I think the clips on the seam will be hanging on.

I would just refit the new plates and not worry about the sticker.

I totally agree that it is worth a shot but it has some bad pointy/edgy deformation. I'll take it to a bloke i know who has 30years of experience with stainless. If he can't do it then no one can.

Sorry Bruce but i need it back to the way i had it, sticker and all.

Oh well, be definition it's meant to get scuffed.

The hairdryer did the trick quite nicely.

While i was taking the passenger one off i noticed that mounted on the trim on the left hand side in the passengers footwell (that bit of plastic covering on the left wall near your feet) there was some sort of holder. It almost looks like a flare holder and looks original. It is essentially two 3/4 circle hooks which would presumably hold something cylindrical. I won't be able to take a pic until tomorrow. Any ideas?

That is interesting. Jap imports have a red road flare located there (the compliance guys remove it). But yours is a local Aussie car? Perhaps for the Aussie ones Mazda did grab the Japanese ones ? (Or it is a grey import?)

Its definitely an Aussie delivered one. My mates '90 Aust LE doesn't have one. It looks like a flare holder but its the first i've heard of any MX-5 being fitted with one. I'll take a photo tonight and post it up.

Every single japanese import/grey has that attachment. I guess it's a roadworthy requirement in Japan to have a flare fitted.

I would look into the history of your car. Check with Mazda your VIN etc.

Vin number was approved as an Aust delivered one by Mazda when i bought it. Is it possible that Mazda forgot to remove it when it landed in Aust? But then that would leave a hole in the trim and Aust ones dont have a hole as they were never fitted with them...

The plot thickens...