Re: Restoring license plates
 

My method;

Sandblast
Primer
Sand
Paint base color
Paint letters
Clearcoat

I use a vinyl cutter and make letter stencils. Made these letters for the license plate frame the same way. All paint, I usually use House of Kolor basecoat/clearcoat.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10...psa9da1320.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10...ps38c51f73.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10...psfb593610.jpg

Re: Restoring license plates
 

I had some 1931 Y.O.M. plates restored for the Tudor by Ziffel in Valley Springs. He sandblasted them and did some "body work" on them, then primed and powder coated. He did the numbers color first and baked, then did background and simply wiped the black away from the numbers before baking. He even matched the sheen of the original plates. They look absolutely PERFECT! Total for both plates -$125.

DMV here in California will give you hassles with if you submit repainted plates for Y.O.M. and they frown on repaired or clear coated plates as well. They inspected my plates and swore they were completely original! Fooled everyone they were done so well. They look fabulous on the Tudor.

Re: Restoring license plates
 

[QUOTE=P.S.;822435]I had some 1931 Y.O.M. plates restored for the Tudor by ZIFFEL in Valley Springs.

Arnold or Fred?? Sorry couldn't resist:p

Re: Restoring license plates
 

What would be the original sheen for plates produced back then and did it vary from state to state?

Re: Restoring license plates
 

I have restored about 50 different plates.After bead blasting I apply 4 or 5 coats of primer ,then the back ground color and then I use a solid stick permanent marker that is solidified paint for high temperatures on the letters and numbers , let dry and apply clear coat . Paint pens don't go on smooth . Omo

Re: Restoring license plates
 

How have you found out what the "official" colors are when you repaint/restore? Or do you just "eyeball" as close as you can, and presume the State doesn't really care due to the application.

Re: Restoring license plates
 

Nebr. Has an online site which one can look up and it gives all the colors of the plates

Re: Restoring license plates
 

Me too. Metal work, then spray plates the background color and then use One Shot slowly allowing the color to flow with artist brush... usually slip of the hand on last number....wk

Re: Restoring license plates
 

[QUOTE=BlueSunoco;822457]Arnold of course - he has the curly Q brush!:D

Re: Restoring license plates
 

very informative,thanks

Re: Restoring license plates
 

Re: Restoring license plates
 

I believe I recall Mitch//Pa used these folks:

http://www.tagdr.com/

Re: Restoring license plates
 

yes
excellent work and service