License Plate Restoration?

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a set of 1960 plates for my 1960 Corvette. Unless I find really good ones, I will probably have to restore them. It will be easy to sandblast and do the background, but how do I get the letters painted without making a sloppy mess? Any ideas?

Thanks,

Bob

[Kurt B.]

Re: License Plate Restoration?

Use the same technique I used to do the horizontal grille bars on my 68 coupe. Go to an art supply store or a craft store and buy a felt marker in the color you want. Here in Massachusetts our plates have green or red letters so I would buy that color marker and lightly rub the surface of the raised portion of the letters or numbers with the appropriate marker. When everything is dry, spray a clear coat over it such as Krylon semi gloss clear and you should be good to go.
Kurt

[Mike S.]

Re: License Plate Restoration?

Bob -

Bill McCoy at http://www.mojoartworks.com just restored a plate for me that I thought was beyond restoration. It started out as a like new plate from eBay, but the USPS decided to test the mechanicals on a mail sorting machine with it. Several sections were crushed flat, it had several 90 degree bends, and there was a hole in the center where the metal was ripped away (this was a 1966 steel plate - pretty substantial).

The plate looks new again, and there is no evidence of the prior damage. I can recommend Bill's work without reservation.

Mike S
#33053

[Mark #28455]

illegal in some states

If you're trying to use these as YOM plates for your car, be aware some states will only allow you to use unrestored plates (like Florida).
Mark

[Donald M.]

Numeral Reflectivity...

is probably the main reason Florida will not allow restored plates. If the numerals are painted over,you would lose their reflective qualities for safety at night.
Don

[Alan Drake]

Re: License Plate Restoration?

Bob,
Did some last year, however have learned more since
Paint the entire plate the Letter color, yes the Letter color. Use a hard paint and make sure its very dry. Next find the main plate color and paint ( a softer type paint) the entire plate. Last rub off the numbers and other high points. This method appears to work the best, but takes time. I did the opposite and had white letters hand done. Was able to make some correction to while letters when paint was still soft by scarpping it off.
NOT happy with the one I did, but seen others done the first way and they look great.

[Christopher R.]

Re: License Plate Restoration?

Mojo did my 1961 Massachusetts plates. Super job. Highly recommended. He will not duplicate plates, if you only have 1 and need a second. Darryl will. I had a bad experience with Darryl. There are other people who will duplicate plates.

If you're going to do a YOM (year of manufacture) plate, most states won't allow you restore them or change them or paint them in any way. Most states also require that you bring the plate down to the RMV/DMV for their inspection. Bring down the plate before you restore it. Send it out after you get your registration.

[Gregory G.]

MA will not let you restore *NM* *NM*

[Larry Kelly]

Re: MA will not let you restore

Does anyone know where to get the reflective paint that is used on plates?

[Roy B.]

Re: MA will not let you restore

Hobby shop