The Ford Barn

Jakno · 04-19-2015, 05:58 AM

When I bought my 35 Pickup the previous owner gave me the original License Plate for the truck. (He is a kind man). The condition of the plate is decent with only surface rust and minor pitting. I know of no way to remove the rust without removing most or all of the paint.
Should I leave it as is ??

FrankWest · 04-19-2015, 06:07 AM

I good plate restorer can make you plate look new. But, He will have to Clean the rust and repaint. I think if you were just going to hang it on your wall then leave it as if, but for your car..I would go with restored, especially if you car is clean and newer looking.
If you have a non-restored looking car then the non restored plate will look good on the car.
Drive with the original plate for a month or so and see how it looks on the car...Your eye will tell you if it looks good or not.
Once i get my vintage plate approved by the DMV I will be doing the same thing soon.
Put it on the car for a while and see how it looks.

51 MERC-CT · 04-19-2015, 06:11 AM

Leave it exactly as it is. A restored or repainted plate will never be original again.

WRA · 04-19-2015, 06:18 AM

That's actually not bad, personally I would leave as is.

glennsanders · 04-19-2015, 06:26 AM

That is nice patined plate great for a driver.However if it was frame of restored truck I would restore the tag ,that may I opinion .Good luck

Charlie Stephens · 04-19-2015, 07:00 AM

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Some states require only a single plate for YOM (year of manufacture) registration, is yours one of them? If the answer is only a single late is required find out if if can be restored? Many states will not accept a restored plate for YOM registration. If you want to sell your plate to a license plate collector it should be unrestored to get the highest value. Do you know what makes yours a commercial plate? In California the commercial plate has the small letters "PC" standing for "pneumatic commercial". Be careful, that plate may be worth more than you think.

Charlie Stephens

Jakno · 04-19-2015, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Some states require only a single plate for YOM (year of manufacture) registration, is yours one of them? If the answer is only a single late is required find out if if can be restored? Many states will not accept a restored plate for YOM registration. If you want to sell your plate to a license plate collector it should be unrestored to get the highest value. Do you know what makes yours a commercial plate? In California the commercial plate has the small letters "PC" standing for "pneumatic commercial". Be careful, that plate may be worth more than you think.

Charlie Stephens

Mr.Stephens, thanks for your reply. It's the kind of information I was hoping to get. I'm plan on contacting the Maine DMV Monday to see if I can use this plate. I also want to find out if I can track this plate registration back.

tubman · 04-19-2015, 03:21 PM

You can remove the rust by dipping it n "EvapoRust" for about 12 hours (the time will vary depending on the temperature and the amount of rust). The stuff is amazing; it will remove the rust and not touch the paint. I had a '50 Ford grille that looked OK from the out side, but was rusted on the inside. I soaked it in "EvapoRust" and it cleaned up really well. The original black paint in the grooves in the grille extensions (parking light units) was not touched. It's a little expensive ($80 for 5 gallons), but the stuff is really useful for lots of purposes. It is one product that does what it says.

It works by an ion exchange process called "chellation". It is not a solvent or and acid, so it won't hurt anything. I recently did a pair of Corvette seat belts and it removed all the rust and didn't affect the webbing at all. Try it on something else (an old rusty tool, etc.) first, and prepare to be amazed. You can also get a gallon from Amazon for about $30 with shipping.

51504bat · 04-19-2015, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

You can remove the rust by dipping it n "EvapoRust" for about 12 hours (the time will vary depending on the temperature and the amount of rust). The stuff is amazing; it will remove the rust and not touch the paint. I had a '50 Ford grille that looked OK from the out side, but was rusted on the inside. I soaked it in "EvapoRust" and it cleaned up really well. The original black paint in the grooves in the grille extensions (parking light units) was not touched. It's a little expensive ($80 for 5 gallons), but the stuff is really useful for lots of purposes. It is one product that does what it says.

It works by an ion exchange process called "chellation". It is not a solvent or and acid, so it won't hurt anything. I recently did a pair of Corvette seat belts and it removed all the rust and didn't affect the webbing at all. Try it on something else (an old rusty tool, etc.) first, and prepare to be amazed. You can also get a gallon from Amazon for about $30 with shipping.

You can get it at Horrible Freight as well.

FrankWest · 04-19-2015, 06:26 PM

Horrible freight...very funny. Some of their stuff is real trash.

TagMan · 04-19-2015, 06:55 PM

As a license plate collector, I'd urge you to leave it as you received it, if you have only one plate. Restored plates to a collector, at least, are not very desirable and if you restored it, it would almost surely diminish the value.

On the other hand, I believe Maine issued plates in pairs that year and if you have a pair and want to sell them to someone that wants to display them on a vintage car that's been restored, then restoration of the plates would increase their value - enough to cover the cost of restoration? Probably not.........

tubman · 04-19-2015, 06:55 PM

Make sure you get the real stuff. In a pinch, I bought something called "Metal Restore" at Home Depot. It works the same way, but not nearly as well. (If "Horrible Freight" has the real deal, it's probably the cheapest place to get it.)

BlueSunoco · 04-19-2015, 07:02 PM

Leave that plate as-is, display it in a shadow box w/ other '35 PU stuff, noting this is the original plate for this truck, and seek out another set of plates restored or needing restored and run them on your truck.

Gumpy · 04-19-2015, 07:35 PM

leave the plate as is, it's only original once!

GaryTx · 04-19-2015, 07:52 PM

I really like the original 1946 Texas License plate on my restored Woodie. Just something about the look of the aged plate that goes well with a restored car. Leave it original. JMO

tubman · 04-19-2015, 09:14 PM

"Rust never sleeps".

Drbrown · 04-19-2015, 09:34 PM

As noted beforehand, if you want to use vintage plate(s) on your road vehicle, the condition of the plate(s) must comply with Maine's regulations. State-to-State the regulations vary. Here in NY State the plates must be in good condition and "readable" by these new instant live video cameras mounted on the exterior of enforcement vehicles. I was lucky to obtain a vintage '47 plate in very good condition - no rust - and my DMV accepted it (NY in '47 only issued one plate per vehicle).

51504bat · 04-19-2015, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Make sure you get the real stuff. In a pinch, I bought something called "Metal Restore" at Home Depot. It works the same way, but not nearly as well. (If "Horrible Freight" has the real deal, it's probably the cheapest place to get it.)

Yes, HF has the real deal.

cedar · 04-20-2015, 01:27 PM

I would leave the plate alone.

tubman · 04-20-2015, 01:46 PM

I see a lot of guys saying "leave it alone". This may be fine if you have the perfect environment to store it in, but who has that? As I said above "Rust never sleeps"; you have to do something to arrest it. To the O/P; here's what I suggest you do. I am sure you can find an old license plate in the same condition somewhere for a minimal cost. Get a gallon of "Evapo-Rust" and place the junk plate in it for however long it takes to dissolve the rust. (You may have to replace the solution, as the ion exchange process depletes the solution.) Once it get where you like it, take it out, rinse in plain water, carefully dry it off, and leave it sit for a couple of weeks and see what happens. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised, and can then decide for yourself what to do with the original plate. The "Evapo-Rust" not only removes the existing rust from the surface, but also combines with the iron atoms on the surface to inhibit further rust. It's sure not POR-15 protection, but it's a lot better than nothing.

04-19-2015, 06:07 AM	#2
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,005	Re: Restore License Plate I good plate restorer can make you plate look new. But, He will have to Clean the rust and repaint. I think if you were just going to hang it on your wall then leave it as if, but for your car..I would go with restored, especially if you car is clean and newer looking. If you have a non-restored looking car then the non restored plate will look good on the car. Drive with the original plate for a month or so and see how it looks on the car...Your eye will tell you if it looks good or not. Once i get my vintage plate approved by the DMV I will be doing the same thing soon. Put it on the car for a while and see how it looks. Last edited by FrankWest; 04-19-2015 at 07:20 AM.

04-19-2015, 06:11 AM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Restore License Plate Leave it exactly as it is. A restored or repainted plate will never be original again. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

04-19-2015, 06:18 AM	#4
WRA Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South of I-40 Posts: 379	Re: Restore License Plate That's actually not bad, personally I would leave as is.

04-19-2015, 06:26 AM	#5
glennsanders Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Sharpsburg md Posts: 480	Re: Restore License Plate That is nice patined plate great for a driver.However if it was frame of restored truck I would restore the tag ,that may I opinion .Good luck

04-19-2015, 07:00 AM	#6
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Restore License Plate Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some states require only a single plate for YOM (year of manufacture) registration, is yours one of them? If the answer is only a single late is required find out if if can be restored? Many states will not accept a restored plate for YOM registration. If you want to sell your plate to a license plate collector it should be unrestored to get the highest value. Do you know what makes yours a commercial plate? In California the commercial plate has the small letters "PC" standing for "pneumatic commercial". Be careful, that plate may be worth more than you think. Charlie Stephens

04-19-2015, 03:21 PM	#8
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,314	Re: Restore License Plate You can remove the rust by dipping it n "EvapoRust" for about 12 hours (the time will vary depending on the temperature and the amount of rust). The stuff is amazing; it will remove the rust and not touch the paint. I had a '50 Ford grille that looked OK from the out side, but was rusted on the inside. I soaked it in "EvapoRust" and it cleaned up really well. The original black paint in the grooves in the grille extensions (parking light units) was not touched. It's a little expensive ($80 for 5 gallons), but the stuff is really useful for lots of purposes. It is one product that does what it says. It works by an ion exchange process called "chellation". It is not a solvent or and acid, so it won't hurt anything. I recently did a pair of Corvette seat belts and it removed all the rust and didn't affect the webbing at all. Try it on something else (an old rusty tool, etc.) first, and prepare to be amazed. You can also get a gallon from Amazon for about $30 with shipping.

04-19-2015, 06:26 PM	#10
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,005	Re: Restore License Plate Horrible freight...very funny. Some of their stuff is real trash.

04-19-2015, 06:55 PM	#11
TagMan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alvaton, Kentucky, USA Posts: 955	Re: Restore License Plate As a license plate collector, I'd urge you to leave it as you received it, if you have only one plate. Restored plates to a collector, at least, are not very desirable and if you restored it, it would almost surely diminish the value. On the other hand, I believe Maine issued plates in pairs that year and if you have a pair and want to sell them to someone that wants to display them on a vintage car that's been restored, then restoration of the plates would increase their value - enough to cover the cost of restoration? Probably not.........

04-19-2015, 06:55 PM	#12
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,314	Re: Restore License Plate Make sure you get the real stuff. In a pinch, I bought something called "Metal Restore" at Home Depot. It works the same way, but not nearly as well. (If "Horrible Freight" has the real deal, it's probably the cheapest place to get it.)

04-19-2015, 07:02 PM	#13
BlueSunoco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Windy City Posts: 937	Re: Restore License Plate Leave that plate as-is, display it in a shadow box w/ other '35 PU stuff, noting this is the original plate for this truck, and seek out another set of plates restored or needing restored and run them on your truck.

04-19-2015, 07:35 PM	#14
Gumpy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sf bay area Posts: 1,464	Re: Restore License Plate *leave the plate as is, it's only original once!* __________________ "I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in Charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about". Quote by Henry Ford

04-19-2015, 09:14 PM	#16
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,314	Re: Restore License Plate "Rust never sleeps".

04-19-2015, 09:34 PM	#17
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Restore License Plate As noted beforehand, if you want to use vintage plate(s) on your road vehicle, the condition of the plate(s) must comply with Maine's regulations. State-to-State the regulations vary. Here in NY State the plates must be in good condition and "readable" by these new instant live video cameras mounted on the exterior of enforcement vehicles. I was lucky to obtain a vintage '47 plate in very good condition - no rust - and my DMV accepted it (NY in '47 only issued one plate per vehicle).

04-20-2015, 01:27 PM	#19
cedar Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 32	Re: Restore License Plate I would leave the plate alone.

04-20-2015, 01:46 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,314	Re: Restore License Plate I see a lot of guys saying "leave it alone". This may be fine if you have the perfect environment to store it in, but who has that? As I said above "Rust never sleeps"; you have to do something to arrest it. To the O/P; here's what I suggest you do. I am sure you can find an old license plate in the same condition somewhere for a minimal cost. Get a gallon of "Evapo-Rust" and place the junk plate in it for however long it takes to dissolve the rust. (You may have to replace the solution, as the ion exchange process depletes the solution.) Once it get where you like it, take it out, rinse in plain water, carefully dry it off, and leave it sit for a couple of weeks and see what happens. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised, and can then decide for yourself what to do with the original plate. The "Evapo-Rust" not only removes the existing rust from the surface, but also combines with the iron atoms on the surface to inhibit further rust. It's sure not POR-15 protection, but it's a lot better than nothing.