painting a license plate questions

[1931 flamingo]

I've heard something like that. It's better (if the State requires it, some do) to get the plates approved physically first, after that's done and you're registered, then do what you want with them.
The ones I got were in pretty good shape and had enough patina to look good against the car vs others who had new looking shiny plates on their cars. JMO
Paul in CT

[jb-ob]

New York State DMV requirements might have changed since I registered a set of original plates. Way back, DMV wanted a photograph of your original plates as is, no restored plates. Once approved I suppose you could restore them but I've always looked for the best originals.