Question for California Plate Restorers
 

I'm planning on restoring a Calif license plate, and need information on the letter/numbers color. Black plates with the yellow/Orange characters. What did you use to get to the correct color? Appreciate hearing how you got there.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

What I did was take a plate with good original color to my local auto paint store. They matched it, and put in rattle cans for me. Had to buy a quart of paint, and extra fee to put in rattle cans, but came out perfect. Or you can skip the rattle can step if you have air paint gun gear.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

If you can find dark yellow or safety yellow in a rattle can you should have a very close color. It is the color of the yellow stripe on roads, curbs, and yield signs. I have found it in rattle cans for about $3-$4.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

I used "Tamiya Color" brand spray paint for the yellow. Used Chrome Yellow, part #TS-47 for the yellow letters and numbers. It's a lacquer based paint and found it at my local hobby store or it can be found on e-Bay. Sprayed the plate all yellow and then used Walmart black enamel(the 1.00 a can stuff) to paint the plate all black. I let it sit for a couple of days and then carefully used a rag wrapped on my index finger with mineral spirits to wipe the black off the letters and numbers. Don't get the rag to wet with the thinner. I've done two sets of plates this way and it works well.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

i know of a guy who normally has a spot at the Pomona swap meet who does it, plus pin striping if you wanted to go that route let me know.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

Just a word of caution. Here in NY you can not repaint plates and register them to a vehicle. I would not volunteer that info if asked at M.V.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

Here in Forida, you "CANNOT" use a "restored" plate. It HAS to be "original" finish!!!

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

Oregon does not care.......restored plates are ok. In fact I had to show them the plate at the DMV.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

I have an NOS set from "32" in the wrappers and still had to touch them up. I don't know what NY and Florida expects you to do. The chances of finding a pair in good condition is rare. I see no problem painting them if done in a neat and close to original manner. Mums the word.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

To my knowledge California does not care if they are restored or not. They make a copy of the plate on the copy machine and then send all the information to Sacramento. You then have to wait for Sacramento to approve them and the you can use them. All they do is make sure the number on the plate is not duplicated on a newer plate. The local DMV does check to make sure the early plates are made of steel and not aluminum. There is an annual additional fee on the YOM plate and all Ca. cares about is the extra money.

Re: Question for California Plate Restorers
 

Thank You for all your commets.