License plate restoration suggestions?

[Drbrown]

For a chuckle only .... In NY State one can thru a special process (photos required) use "historic" plates but their plate regulations say you can't paint a license plate. Obviously people ignore that. Also, how do you deal with their requirement to "hand-in" your plates when you stop the insurance to take car off road for storage ? PS they don't have a system to check that you turned the plates in anyway.