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Old 02-12-2022, 02:38 PM   #1
Kube
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Default License plate restoration (revisted)

Guys, I'd like to have a set of plates restored. Anyone with firsthand and fairly recent experience?
Cost? Turnaround time? Quality of work?

Thanks guys.
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Old 02-12-2022, 03:03 PM   #2
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Always did my own. metal worked the plates, etched, hi build, sanded to your satisfaction base color in urethane, one shot lettering enamel thinned to your liking and mixed to your color, painted with pinstripe dagger on raised edge around perimeter, normal artists brush on letters and numbers. My late friend who was a pinstriper taught me. At least this way all your requirements are under your control. Some were probably done with a hard rubber roller in the factory (or prison!) You can mix the lettering color so it won't run but flows and stays put with the thinner. I use turpentine, paint thinner is synthetic turpentine. That has worked for me.
I got a lot of practice as I collected all the 48 states for 1940 and Canada, restored them and are on my sliding door between my work area and my indoor junk yard.
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Old 02-12-2022, 03:49 PM   #3
Charlie Stephens
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Be sure to find out what you state DMV thinks of restored plates if you are intending to register your car with them.

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Old 02-12-2022, 04:49 PM   #4
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

As Charlie points out every state is different. New York requires a photo of both plates, (if two are required), in an unrestored state. To most people that makes no sense as many unrestored plates are unreadable. My friend was stopped by the police because his 1932 plates were unreadable even though NYSDMV approved them. What most people do is that after the State gives you the new registration, then they have them restored. I have never heard of a police officer giving someone a summons for "restored license plate". I just had a plate restored for my '46 and 1946 is a one plate year in N.Y. because of a shortage of steel after WWII. I'm not going to recommend the name of the company that restored my plate because it was promised as a three to four week turn around and it took over three months to get back.
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Old 02-12-2022, 04:51 PM   #5
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Just did a plate for my 1940 , i did a restore ,repaint and for the 30 bucks it passed and now on the car.
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Old 02-12-2022, 08:42 PM   #6
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

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Don't know if this guy does restoration or for what states if he does. I've bought CA YOM plates from him and he his honest and up front. Might be worth contacting him.
http://www.oldpl8s.com/
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Old 02-12-2022, 09:07 PM   #7
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Jack don’t remember his last name at this moment over on the Hamb

goes by kat fish. Lives in St. Louis

Jack Brewer. He has done several for me. Will use him if I need another done.

Last edited by 325w; 02-13-2022 at 09:22 PM. Reason: Name
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Old 02-13-2022, 01:58 PM   #8
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

I did a 1941 Hawaii plate myself, painted the entire plate the color of the numbers, then I masked the numbers and cut around each letter/number with an exacto knife and painted the background color. I only put the plate on the front for car shows as I have a December 7th 1941 theme. Daily it runs a pair of unrestored ‘41 NY plates.
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Old 02-13-2022, 02:17 PM   #9
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

I had a local sign painter restore the '39 CA plates on my '39.. He used sign paint, that was over fifteen years ago.
I know that California would not accept restored plates for use as YOM's. I registered my '39 plates, then had them re-stored.
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Old 02-13-2022, 03:03 PM   #10
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

I was layed up with a knee replacement about five years ago and a buddy gave me a box of old plates, rust and all. I merely cleaned off with a scotch bright pad and let them sit in vinegar for a couple days. Washed them off, cleaned again with scotch bright pads, I primered and painted the back grounds. Raised letters painted there after. Do research on internet for correct colors. Admittedly severely rusted plates are beyond repair so start with sound plates at the outset. Not a finite science by any measure but I ended up with about fifty pre and post war plates on the wall.
Of course each state is different so use due diligence
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Old 02-13-2022, 03:46 PM   #11
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kube View Post
Guys, I'd like to have a set of plates restored. Anyone with firsthand and fairly recent experience?
Cost? Turnaround time? Quality of work?

Thanks guys.

Ya know, I've been watching this thread with particular interest, because I still have a pair of plates that I promised a GOOD friend that I would restore them for him to go on his '66 Corvette. I have one of them ALMOST finished and it's coming-out beautifully, but I need to get the second one done before each of us "Kicks-Off".

So, out of NINE posts, many stating YOUR OWN methods, and more rhetoric about individual state legalities, not one reply about recommendations from a first-hand customer about recent experience with a restoration service's cost, turn-around time or quality of the end result.

So...ANYONE HERE have any relatively RECENT experience with plate restorers? DD
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Old 02-13-2022, 04:49 PM   #12
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Kube,
Here is who I used, though not close to you. I was satisfied with the result on a pretty crusty '47 aluminum plate. It took about 2 months but then my plate got lost in the shuffle plus I was in no hurry, so all is forgiven.

https://www.oldlicensefarm.com/

You can see the results in post #1 in this thread.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ate+nice+legal
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Old 02-13-2022, 05:25 PM   #13
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)



1941 Ford with Restored Hawaii Licence Plat by corvette8n
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Old 02-13-2022, 09:53 PM   #14
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Brian Mabry. Probably the best restorer in the country.
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Old 02-13-2022, 11:34 PM   #15
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Kube;
Read the V-8 TIMES!!!
Give Duane Wells in Michigan a call.
He has the colors, each state license color combinations and is very reasonable.
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Old 02-14-2022, 01:06 AM   #16
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nelsb01 View Post
Kube;
Read the V-8 TIMES!!!
Give Duane Wells in Michigan a call.
He has the colors, each state license color combinations and is very reasonable.

BELOW is Duane Wells' web site. Quality and price look to be reasonable. DD


https://www.duanesplates.com/antique...te-restoration

.
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Old 02-14-2022, 04:59 AM   #17
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Quote:
Originally Posted by corvette8n View Post
I did a 1941 Hawaii plate myself, painted the entire plate the color of the numbers, then I masked the numbers and cut around each letter/number with an exacto knife and painted the background color. I only put the plate on the front for car shows as I have a December 7th 1941 theme. Daily it runs a pair of unrestored ‘41 NY plates.

If it matters to you or not your plate is a County of Hawaii issue. In other words "The Big Island".
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Old 02-14-2022, 08:04 AM   #18
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Vintage License Plate Restoration
$220 plus shipping
About 2 week turn

Will email you before and after
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Old 02-14-2022, 08:51 AM   #19
Kube
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Default Re: License plate restoration (revisted)

Thanks guys. I now have what I was hoping to find.

Much obliged...
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Old 02-15-2022, 09:55 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deuce lover View Post
If it matters to you or not your plate is a County of Hawaii issue. In other words "The Big Island".
Wow thanks for the info, it’s only a display piece that sits over my ‘41 NY yom plate. I did get to take an 8 hour bus tour around the Big Island about 10 yrs ago.
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