Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I have a set of 1931 license plates and I need to paint the letters/numbers. Any tips to do this and get a quality result? I was thinking a small roller and a very light touch might provide a good consistent line? The other option is a brush, but that seems like it would be quite difficult to get a consistent finish all the way on each letter/number. If the roller—not sure but I was thinking a firm foam roller. But maybe someone has an easier way?

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I found a nice pair of California plates that needed restoration.
After looking at plates that had been painted by amateurs....
I opted to pay the $$ and have them refinished.
Get lots of compliments on how they look.
Just my experience.
Gil. NoCal

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

This is a repeat of my experience and I considered it money very well spent. Wayne

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

no easy way- you either have the "gift" or practice practice practice.


I agree with the 2 fellas above. I personally would find a nice original pair.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I recently restored this Kansas plate. I just have it hanging on the wall with a couple of others

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

Luckily, there are collectors of license plates, and most years and states are available. Expect to pay up to $100 for a nice unrestored plate. The 1928 Oregon plate shown here, came with the purchase of my 28ccpu, and I found a 1928 Montana plate on eBay to replace it.


This Oregon plate has been restored at some point, and it looks like a pretty good job of it. It was done with a small brush by someone with a steady hand.

eog

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

Dean L: MIGHT HELP IF YOU EXPLAINED HOW YOU DID IT. NICE RESULT. Bill

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I recently restored the plates on my 1930 Fordor. I did it with a small brush. I tried a roller but it did not work for me, perhaps because it was not the right roller. Not nearly as good as the professional restored plates. I am old and have lost a lot of the steady hand. But they look good from 6 feet. It depends on what you want. If perfection is needed then have them restored professionally.

I sandblasted the plates first then banged out the dents. I then sprayed the back ground color and then hand painted the letters.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I think it depends on what your objective is. My Model A will look nice when “complete,” but not a show vehicle. I found some appropriate YOM plates, grit blasted them, rattle can primed and painted, then hand lettered with lettering enamel. It was fun, the same reason I’m “restoring” the car. Up close, you can tell I’m not a professional. But most people will see them from about 10 feet away or more.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

1930 Ohio plates were maroon with white numbers. Years ago my sons came home with a pretty good original plate for $10. I asked them where the second plate was and they told me there was only one, that's why it was so cheap. Several in our group had 1930s cars so we shared the can of spray paint for the background. Then I painted the numbers with a fine brush. It took 3 coats of white, but what else did I have to do? It came out real nice. Take your time. Steady hand.
Marty

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

Saw a pile of plates at a swap meet that was a foot high and 4' across , singles were $5 and pairs were $75. Found a '28 California plate with original yellow on blue colors. Paid the fellow his $5 & put it in my backpack. Went back & looked through the pile for another 10-15 minutes and found another '28 California plate that was hand painted red on white colors. Checked the number on the plate I already had and they matched! Paid the fellow another $5 and walked away, another great day at a swap meet!

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

Bill, this a before picture.
Keep in mind, I’m certainly no professional.
I sand blasted it, did the “bodywork”.
A couple of coats of self edging primer.
6 heavy coats of black epoxy
2 fairly thin coats of yellow
Carefully and slowly sand the yellow off of the lettering. (I used 2500 grit)
Polishing compound to get the scratches out from the sanding.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I restored New York plates from 1913 thru 1945 to hang on the wall in my garage. I purchased mostly clunkers to keep the prices down. Many had marred raised digits and pin holes which I repaired to the best of my ability. If your digits are not perfectly even and smooth I think a roller would not give satisfactory results. At first I tried a brush but was not happy with the results. I then switched to oil based paint pens with much better results. Be careful when selecting brands of paint pens as some tend to run and give an uneven paint flow. I had most success with the brands "Sharpie", "Competitive Advantage" and "Testors". A very steady hand is required. I agree with nkaminar in post #8 that they look great from 6' away. For an absolutely perfect job you might want to have it professionally done by an expert, or buy a nice set of original plates. Lastly there are vendors that sell reproductions with raised digits but they are pricey. Technically it is not legal to repaint plates or use reproductions but I have never heard of any problems from law enforcement if the digits are clear and match the registration information. Good luck! Gary D.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I have an 1932 Mississippi plate hanging on the wall that looks just like that, except the colours are reversed, I redid it myself, by hand, about 30 year ago.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I restored a ‘31 Washington plate, for my Model A, several years ago. My experiences were similar to what others have mentioned. I tried the roller method and several variations of it. I ended up with a plate that looks good from about 25 feet away. When I get some more time, all do a few more; which I’ll brush paint the letters/numbers.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I hear you can buy new ones, just tell them what state, and what number you want.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I have watched a professional do it. They used a very small diameter foam roller. Rolled the roller on a sheet of glass to get the right amount of paint on the roller.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

Just a FYI, it takes a lot of time and money to be a vendor at a car show. Great day for you maybe but certainly not for him.

Re: Painting Letters on Vintage Plates for Model A?
 

I attempted a hand lettering project a few years ago and in the process learned a little about type of paint, brushes, etc. that may be a good approach for plates. Overkill for plates, and likely you may spend far more than have a pro do it (or finding a really good original), but still maybe fun to try it yourself. The paint most use is "1 Shot" enamel. Search for that and you will find brushes and supplies also. Here's a video I had found showing a few tips and tricks. As always, prep, prep, prep then paint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RK0MmLSBoY