Soda Can License Plate

This project explains how to make a license plate from soda cans. I have already tried this successfully on my boat but after 5 years I had to renew it. The advantage is the durability of the aluminum sheets in the harsh conditions outside. The aluminum sheets are light and flexible and adapt well to the curved surfaces of the boat.

As usual, we start with normal soda cans. Here we use half liter soda cans from which we extract the soda can sheets. I've already posted an instructable on how to flatten the soda can sheets (link).

There is no need to remove the ink from the soda cans. We simply make our number with the inside facing out. However, if you are interested in removing the ink, there is another instructable (link) showing this procedure.

First, cut the soda can sheets to the desired dimensions using a utility knife. A single sheet will not be sufficient because of the length of the number. Here I have used two sheets to put the entire number together.

Now we print the license plate number to a water-based inkjet water transfer paper (affiliate link). This allows to print the number at home with no need for a laser printer or copy machine.

The downside is that you have to fix the printed side. Otherwise the ink will dissolve in water when you try to remove the number from the transfer paper. To prevent this, I fix the number with hairspray. That is sufficient. Of course, this fixation is not enough for the stability later on the boat, but this coating will be discussed in the next step.

If you want to print a large number in Microsoft Word, you will be surprised at first that only sizes up to 72 are offered for the font sizes in Arial. But this is not a problem, you can simply overwrite the number. In my case, entering Arial 320 and "bold" resulted in a number in the size of 8 cm. This is the height required by the local authorities in Switzerland.

Cut the letters in size so they fit on the individual soda can sheets.

Now place the letters in hand warm water to loosen the top transparent layer with the number on it. Do each number separately, not together. This separation process does not take much time. The paper in the water should be constantly checked with your fingers to see to what extent the two layers can already be separated. When the two begin to separate, place them in the desired position on the soda can sheet. Then carefully pull out the paper under the transparent number so that no air bubbles remain underneath (see film). Then remove the excess water with paper.

You can move the number around for a certain amount of time. When you are happy with the result, continue with all the other numbers.

When the numbers on the soda can sheets are dry, start applying the protective layer. To do this, spray on several coats of lacquer spray. The more coats you apply, the longer the number will last.

The individual sheets are now applied to the surface of the boat with contact adhesive. Here you see the beauty of using soda can sheets because they align perfectly with the curved shape of the boat in addition you can also easily remove these sheets again when you want to sell the boat.