License Plate Resto.

[leddzepp]

I have been wanting to restore my truck's original '72 license plates since I bought it. I looked into places that do just that, and was quoted $75-$100 each to do so After seeing what some other have done here, I decided to try one this past weekend. I used some stuff I already had in the garage...various diameter punches, a mallet, pliers, vice, 180 sandpaper. I even had a spray can of dark blue, and some Testors model paint for the yellow lettering. I think it came out pretty well for a few bucks and a couple nights of work. The other plate is not as bad as this one was, so I am sure it will come out fine. I also have the original dealer frames.

[1970 Bowtie]

Nice Job-Looks brand new too me

[chevychase]

that came out sweet!

[Stocker]

Looks great! Did you clear-coat it? I used Testor's model paint for the yellow letters on my black plates several years ago, and after a few years it had faded badly. Maybe a shot of clear will help it last longer.

[sleepertruck72]

You did a great job Scott ! I like those original license plate frames, it gives it that classic touch.

[C/10 King]

Fantastic!!!! Just like new.

[highperf4x4]

That looks really good!!

[Beelzeburb]

Very nice. I'm working one one for practice at the moment, but my first attempt at the letters didn't come out right.



Turns out masking isn't the way to go. I'm thinking of filling the low spots with oil and spraying the high next time. Mind sharing what you did for the letters?

[UltraBlue71]

Paint your base coat, then do the letters with a hard roller, load it real light and go over it 3-4 times, and then spray the clear if you wish, is how I have done them with good results.

[tim21391]

u wanna do mine next?? ill even pay ya

[petey-pablo]

Originally Posted by tim21391

u wanna do mine next?? ill even pay ya

X2

[FuelCellGuy]

I did mine years ago and I found the best and easiest way to do this follows:

1. Sandblast first.
2. Do any required metal work.
3. Prime both sides.
4. Paint the entire face side with the letter color FIRST (preferably base coat).
5. Apply 3 coats of clear.
6. Let set up good overnight.
7. Scuff the face of the plate with fine ScotchBrite.
8. Apply background color to front and back of plate (Again, this works best with basecoat).
9. Then, this is where the magic comes in, sand the raised section lighty by hand or carefully with 600 grit on a dual action sander. Just take the base coat off until the letter color appears. The clearcoat acts as a barrier to help keep you from sanding into your letter color.
10. Clear and enjoy.

I wish I had pictures of mine on htis computer. THe plates turned out awesome.

Hope this helps. Later, Mark

[72BlckButy]

Scott, that turned out amazing, nice work!

And you did it yourself.

[heidesign]

I make license plates and police badges for one of my many projects.

The plates I make are two colors for the local water departments, and such.

I use a bake on paint for both colors. I spray the back ground and use a urethane ink roller style set up for the lettering (would be easier ).

Here is what They look like.






Well,

I got 500 more to make today, so better go get to work.

Looks good, have a great day.

Bill

[72BlckButy]

Wow Bill, that's amazing!

[heidesign]

just part of my daily jobs.

I have 500 of the blue ones and 350 brass ones for Gibson guitar to make like this. All today.
I also have 12000 ug stamped washers to make for a rigging company, but dont think they will make it today.

LOL

Here are the Gibson plates.



I make this kind also.


Some with my logo on them.


Making a Bethoven die to make my wife some classic jewelry also.



Thats about it.

Finishing my coffee, then off to walk to the shop and get to work.

Bill

[highperf4x4]

Do you have a pic of that urethane ink roller?

[Stocker]

The level of talent on this board never ceases to amaze me!

[highperf4x4]

[heidesign]

I have an automated ink roller machine I made to do the stuff, but any hoby store like hobby lobby, michaels, has them. You can get the rollers,and paint from Nazdar also.

Ill look to see if I have one to show you.

About done with the gibson brass plates YAHOOO.

I love taking these small jobs away from the 3rd world countries.

LOL

Bill

BRB

[faribran]

What fuel cell guy says... this is the way to go..........!!

[heidesign]

THe rollers look like this.




If you ever had an art class in high, or middle school, you might remember them from linoleum block printing.

Its easy, just do it.

Bill

[highperf4x4]

Awesome, thx!

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Stocker

The level of talent on this board never ceases to amaze me!

Wow. You got that right. Thanks for all the nice compliments. Some of you guys got real skills when it comes to this stuff. The roller idea is great, and would have saved me a LOT of time on the lettering. I used 2 different paint brushes and a steady hand to do the yellow. I saturated the flat chip brush with paint, held it at about a 60 degree angle with very light pressure, and the paint lays down pretty smooth. The state lettering I did with a fine point brush and held it almost vertical, letting gravity lay it down, and just sort of guiding it.

I would not do this for money...it isn't perfect. If I can do this, I think just about anyone can. It does take time and patience though. If you look real real close, you can see imperfections, as I did not use any masking tape. I am almost done with the second one, just need one more night. Here are the paints/brushes I used. There were some minor pits from where I used the punches to straighten out the metal. I sprayed some build-up primer to blend them in, and then 3 coats of blue. After it dried, I did one heavy coat of yellow with the brushes.

[Longhorn Man]

that looks great... I tried doing my '72 ohio plates, which are almost the exact same colors... but it came out so crappy i threw them away and located some in almost great shape.