Could Use Some Help With License Plate Restoration

[Slopey1939]

So many years ago (about 2002) I located a prince of a guy that did license plate restoration in Walnut Creek, CA. He did the two 39 plates and they were beautiful and still are. $85. Then he retired a few years ago. I know, it was a long time ago but now from what I have seen restoration of plates is running $300 to $400! My second set of plates are in VG good condition but not quite good enough to complement the second car.

Any referrals or information regarding plate restoration would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you.
Dave

[tomcarman]

Here's a link I used. Plate came out nice and accepted by DMV. Also there are several restorers listed in Hemmings.
https://www.oldlicensefarm.com/contact.html

Thread you might be interested in,
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ate+nice+legal

[Slopey1939]

Tomcarman,
Thank you sir. I will certainly follow up the information you have provided.
Regards

[325w]

Man on the Hamb in st Louise does a great job on plates

[richard crow]

some states like new york will not except restored plats. you have to restore them after you reegster them. check with your state

[nelsb01]

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If you are a Early Ford V-8 Club member, check the last issue of the V-8 TIMES. A very nice gentleman in Michigan does them for about the same price as you stated you paid for the first pair of plates.
Dont have the information with me -- check him out. (maybe some V-8 member will help me out here) Fast, correct service. He also has color descriptions for most states for most years.

[Zax40]

How bad of plates can they fix?

My '40 plate has a bullet hole in it. DMV did not care though and it kind of adds to the character.

[TJ]

Contact Duane Wells in Michigan. He advertises in the V-8 Times magazine in the "services" section. Ph# 517-371-3225. He has done two sets of plates for me and a great job. He's also very reasonable.

[Doublepumper]

Another plug for Bjorn Larson at The Old License Farm. He fixed me up with a plate for my '46 pickup, when nobody else could.
It's a beauty and I had no problems getting it registered. Due to it being a scarce plate (only trucks got a plate in Washington in '46), it wasn't cheap but, it was well worth it to me. Very pleased with his customer service and communication also.

[51504bat]

I've never used him for restoration but I have bought CA YOM plates from him and was very happy with the plates I bought. He is in Pasadena, CA and on the HAMB.

http://www.oldpl8s.com/

[52flthed]

I used Brian Mabry (423) 716-8094

[email protected]

What I found was amazing is the process he uses is exactly like the state uses or used back then; the paint or ink is printed on. Its not painted on with a brush -the difference is night and day. Use him if you are looking for a very high quality restoration at a reasonable price point.

[Dan McEachern]

Larry Hoeft has done a great job for me on several sets, and he won't break your piggy bank.

[email protected]

[corvette8n]

I did this one myself, painted the red first, then masked the numbers and carefully cut around the numbers with a razor knife. This plate is for display at car shows as I have some YOM NY plates the car is registered with.

[Anteek29]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

I did this one myself, painted the red first, then masked the numbers and carefully cut around the numbers with a razor knife. This plate is for display at car shows as I have some YOM NY plates the car is registered with.

Good job!

[nelsb01]

TJ supplied the person I was talking about. You can find others, but Duane knows his stuff and like I said, if you have a year plate with not paint on it, he has the manuals to find the correct colors to restore it.

[std1940]

If you want the absolute best check Restore A Tag.
Warning very pricey!
WWW.RestoreATag.com
The topper and plate pictured in this post is his work.
Tom.

[52flthed]

Originally Posted by std1940

If you want the absolute best check Restore A Tag.
Warning very pricey!
WWW.RestoreATag.com
The topper and plate pictured in this post is his work.
Tom.

Tom- was that some kind of special VIP original issued plate from 1940 or a new one Shaun made for you? A 1940 plate that reads 1-940 that’s pretty unique if it’s from back in that time. Also the topper what’s the story behind that? Thanks for sharing!

[Pat/Ohio]

Duane Wells just restored a single Ohio 1947 plate for me. He did a fantastic job on it. Fast turn-around also.

Stay Safe,
Pat

[Slopey1939]

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated. It will certainly help with the project. Oh, the plates are already registered.
Dave

[woodiewagon46]

What I would suggest is to do your research on all the companies that have been mentioned. I have a friend that sent his plates to one of the companies mentioned and his plates are a work of art. BUT, do you really need two coats of clear after the plate has been painted and rubbed out? I prefer plates that look original, the way they were issued. You can over restore a car and you can over restore license plates.

[Slopey1939]

Woodiewagon,
Thank you, I am doing just that. Agreed on plates being as issued, not customized.
Dave

[Fred A]

I can spot repainted plates at distance because of the unrealistic luster. The market seems to favor that kind of glam but can look comical on an old car. Really odd on a patinawagon. Good original plates for high demand models can bring high prices but after the expense of a restoration it seems justified. Step up or step back: Fred A

[Slopey1939]

Ah but Fred, keep in mind plates were issued every year back then so every year all cars, beater and new would have new plates. So probably not unreasonable to have a nice shiny new plate on you 10 year old jalopy. Of course they (the plates) wouldn't look like a show piece.

[Charlie Stephens]

Post your general location, there may be someone close. When you decide on someone look them up in the archives to find out what people think of them.

Charlie Stephens

[Slopey1939]

Thank you Charlie, I have made a decision with all the help from the Barn folks.

[J Franklin]

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Originally Posted by Slopey1939

Ah but Fred, keep in mind plates were issued every year back then so every year all cars, beater and new would have new plates. So probably not unreasonable to have a nice shiny new plate on you 10 year old jalopy. Of course they (the plates) wouldn't look like a show piece.

Since the plates are to be YOM they and the car should look reasonably new.

[Fred A]

But Slopey, what ever happened to plates"being as issued, contradicted by "nice shiny new plate"? Plates as they never were before is what I referred to as "glam" being the market for over restored. I have new vintage Cal plates in the envelope and and are not shiney. Fantasy? Interesting. Good Luck: Fred A

[ford nut]

don't do this. . .

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by ford nut

don't do this. . .

When I need to fill holes I use solder.

[std1940]

Originally Posted by 52flthed

Tom- was that some kind of special VIP original issued plate from 1940 or a new one Shaun made for you? A 1940 plate that reads 1-940 that’s pretty unique if it’s from back in that time. Also the topper what’s the story behind that? Thanks for sharing!

They were NH plates 4840 and I supplied other 40-41 plates with the numbers he needed to change to 1940 for my yom plate. My regular antique plate number is 1940.
THe topper is what you would need to get through the gate at the Navy yard to go to work.

[ford nut]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

When I need to fill holes I use solder.

that guys moving the numbers around i think. . . .

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by ford nut

that guys moving the numbers around i think. . . .

That's gotta be real legal!

[woodiewagon46]

Believe it or not it's not illegal. In fact, some states allow reproduction license plates. In New York, all the DMV requires is a picture of the license plates, in unrestored condition. If you fabricate a plate and it looks like an original and the DMV approves it you are good to go. I know of one person that fabricated a plate that New York would have never issued in 1932 and they approved it. At car shows everyone asks him, "how the heck did you get that plate number"?

[DavidG]

Fred A,

With respect, several of the plates on my cars are NOS, taken out of their original envelopes from the State of Michigan and they retain their original high gloss paint colors.

[Fred A]

Some more recent California plates also in the envelop have more of an eggshell finish. Even if the original intent was for gloss, original paint tends to oxidize in the field, becoming a satin finish. The wet look urethane screams restoration, which is supported by the unwitting customers. That is the market's demand. No "shiny new" for me please. Fred A