What are the methods and steps for rubbing the vehicle frame number?
3 Answers
First, clean and dry the area where the vehicle frame number is located, then evenly apply red ink paste onto the frame number. Stick a transparent adhesive tape over the frame number. Next, crumple a relatively new piece of carbon paper into a ball and rub it back and forth over the flat surface of the engine number. Place a thin sheet of white paper over the engine number and frame number, then gently rub horizontally with a pencil to create the desired number imprint.
I've always enjoyed handling minor car tasks myself, like taking a rubbing of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which is quite simple. The VIN is usually fixed near the steering wheel on the dashboard, or you can check the door pillar or the lower edge of the hood. Before starting, clean the area—use a damp cloth or cleaner to remove dust and grease to avoid a blurry rubbing. Then, take a thin piece of paper or specialized rubbing paper, place it over the VIN, and use the side of a pencil or crayon to rub evenly back and forth. The numbers will transfer onto the paper. Peel it off and check if it's complete and clear; if the first attempt isn't legible, wash it off and try again. Doing this in good lighting is more reliable to prevent missing any characters. The location varies by car model—sedans often have it at the corner of the windshield, while SUVs might have it on the firewall. After taking the rubbing, stick it on a white sheet of paper and keep it safe for insurance or transfer purposes. I always keep a few copies in the car—just in case they're needed, it saves hassle.
As a car enthusiast, I often help friends take rubbings of VIN numbers, and the process isn't difficult. First, clean the number area with a soft cloth to ensure no residue remains. For tools, you can use a rubbing kit—which includes soft paper and chalk—or substitute with household transparent tape: apply the tape, lightly rub with a pencil until the number outlines appear, then peel it off and stick it onto a piece of cardboard. The location varies by car; common spots include the bottom of the windshield or the door frame, while older cars may hide it deep in the engine compartment. Be gentle with pressure, as going too fast can cause wrinkles. Use your phone's flashlight in poor lighting. After finishing, examine the digit sequence to confirm all 17 characters are visible. Blurry rubbings can cause issues in accident reports, so I always make an extra copy as backup—taking a photo works too, but paper copies are more official.
