license plate restoration how to DIY do it yourself

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just an idea on how to restore some old license plates..

[@JohnMacklis]

I like that you show what you've tried and didn't work.

[@eixr]

Thank you for going thru each means of painting the numbers. I tried a foam roller and brushes. I saw this video and bought two paint pens. A fine and a medium. I outlined the numbers with the fine point and colored inside the lines with the medium. It worked great.

[@melonmalone6307]

I have a black Texas 64 license plate that I found in the ground behind my house

[@PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

All the Texas plates from ‘70 up have yellowed to varying degrees. They were quite white when new. Through the ‘60s, TX plates alternated black on white and white on black each year. They were ordinary paint. In ‘70 they began using reflective white paint with different colored characters; blue, green, red, until the first renewal stickers in ‘75. I don’t know whether there was a white base coat and separate reflective topcoat, or just a milky reflective coat, but I believe the latter. When we used to see cases of unissued plates at swap meets, the reflective white was often peeling from the clean steel in a single layer. Some of these NOS plates were extremely yellow even in the ‘90s. Others barely so. While new plates did not have an antique cast, the reflective material slightly altered the “snow white” appearance. I don’t remember them being quite as white as the earlier plates. You can buy spray cans of reflective paint. It’s a sort of clear coat. Used over a white base coat, it looks very close to the 1970s originals. A sheet of thin, flat foam packing material taped to a cylinder about 6” in diameter is the best way to paint the embossed characters. Set it up to barely kiss them as it rolls over. Mask large areas of the remainder of the plate for safety. Tape the plate down to a flat surface. Wet the foam with paint, then roll the plate once. You only get one try. A second pass will lift or string the paint, and the foam will quickly swell and become loose on the cylinder.

[@lylejohnston4125]

I might try this before the paint pen. Thanks!

[@roguegalaxie8792]

Great video, I thought about the rubber roller you just showed. I figured that must have been how the inmates painted these back in the day, with some kind or roller or press.

[@retrocat1]

Thanks so much. You really exhausted a lot of options. The letters are making me crazy too. I figured out a few hacks. I restore old California plates, which have glossy black backgrounds. Instead, i paint the plate flat or matte black. Now, it takes forever, but I've actually masked off the letters/numbers. I put the painters' tape on the letters on the BACK of the plate to make a tape template for the curvier letters/numbers. I tape off the front of the plate and spray paint them. The results are smooth and amazing. For any overspray/ touch up work I need to do on the letters/numbers, I use a black Sharpie. Though the flat black spray paint and the black Sharpie are not the same black, I clear coat the plate when I'm done and it evens everything out. Still a pain. Thanks for sharing all the tricks you tried.

[@jbjmz6015]

Great video -I tried restoring mine by handpainting the letters and numbers but I created too many streaks-I also tried masking out the numbers and cutting out the outlines-It was bad-Your idea of using pens is much better and I am going to give it try-Thanks!

[@vincefalcone4351]

...bitchin video...I just bought a crate full of old wasted plates....looks like I found a new hobby hahaha...thank you for your insight and trial and errors video...good on ya mate

[@Swilling]

Nice work Chris - i almost restored the plates on my 71 but decided that with everything else restored, the original beat up plates add a bit of soul to the car. Well done on exploring all the avenues

[@chriscraft77022]

+Swilling painting the letters will kick your butt.... I promise... what state are your plates?

[@Swilling]

California. They switched to Blue with Yellow lettering in 69 and upwards. I sure miss Living in Texas though! - my next video should have some footage of the plate mounted when i get it uploaded. Cheers mate.

[@davideastman4273]

Hey Chris, ever try the same prep as in your video, last step for letters being, using clear tape to tape the whole plate and cut out the soon to be finish product.....use to make me laugh to watch friend peel the letters and numbers out of the DMV prepared registration strip and then try to apply them and get them straight....all letters and numbers being pre cut but left with all the excess...the duh factor to then umpteenth degree !

[@chriscraft77022]

i have part 2 where i painted one and i show it completed at the end.. the paint flattened out and they look really good to this day.. 9 out of 10

[@zip7806]

Screen Print the letters bro. its Hella easy.

[@brettcox7941]

Thank you. You just saved me a great deal of time and $.

[@stevedawson741]

Paint the whole plate the number color say black. After it dries cover the numbers with Vaseline. Next spray it the color it should be. Let it dry and wipe off Vaseline

[@chriscraft77022]

you have never done that... anyone that paints knows that is a made up way no one has ever tried.... because that will give you horrible results., these plates have been on my 70 Chevelle you can see them in my update video 11/2/19.. they look original after they dried

[@stevedawson741]

@@chriscraft77022 It works

[@chriscraft77022]

I’m sure it works but the lines won’t be straight or crisp

[@stevedawson741]

@@chriscraft77022 What do you suggest for a perfect job?

[@chriscraft77022]

buy new plates $200.. that’s why I made the video.. my friend bought some 70 plates and I wanted to save a little and see if they passed the test.. and they did.. I have a part 2 where I show what I used

[@chrishazelwood9548]

I like the video, did you try letting the base dry, the painting Vaseline over the area you don't want painted, spray on the Blue - once that dries rub off the over sprayed areas? I think I would also mask off with the blue tape areas not to spray the blue on... The 2nd color is the hardest thing on this project.

[@chriscraft77022]

where is all this Vaseline talk coming from? That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life .. you can’t mask it off either.. none of that works..

[@njdownhill]

Chris here is a trick blast the plate clean body work it then paint the raised parts first. then tape mask them after they dry and paint the background.

[@chriscraft77022]

that doesnt work in real life..

[@Goofyahh589]

Wat Blue color n brand pen did u use ? Thx

[@cj2sew]

Great video, makes me want to start collecting license plates

[@davidlis6709]

What do you think about getting an old plate from someone then going to a paint store or home depot so they can scan it for the color?

[@chriscraft77022]

+David Lis it's just going to give you a code for a faded color

[@robertclymer6948]

You can look up the correct colors online.

[@jeffreygomez7360]

Once everything dries wipe the Vaseline off

[@robertclymer6948]

An old Navy painting trick we used back in the day.

[@stephenlewis3350]

Great video thanks. Loved your practical approach to what is a tricky job to get right. Also really enjoyed your sense of humour! Well done and thanks again.

[@steelcantuna]

I all, am from Texas all, & I all wish ya'll would just buy some cheap automotive hammers & dollies to hammer out your problems. The right tool for the job is a blessing from above.

[@RealDapperDude]

Very, very nicely done.And you have the same crap in your garage as I have in mine. Plus you tried and rejected all the tricks I was thinking about. Not for the faint-hearted, shaky-handed, or half-blind.

[@lauradahlus]

Thanks for the tutorial video. Any suggestions on what to do or use if the vintage (1976) plate is supposed to have the reflective material on it?

[@user-rs1990]

Alternatively, you could spray paint the raised sections with the rest of the plate masked off with small pieces of masking tape if you're steady handed!

[@darlenehutchison802]

Chris, you have such a keen 👁️👀👁️ for those pesky tiny little dents and imperfections. BTW, I'm from Texas and I have forgotten 1970 plates were blue 💙 and 🤍 white!💗

[@jeffreygomez7360]

Ok try this n tell me wat u think, wen u ready to actually paint, spray paint the letters whatever color u gonna paint them, let that dry n cure, a few days later put Vaseline over the letters, lay it out nice cuz wen u paint the plate u don’t want the 2 colors affecting each other, so now paint the plate, let that dry n cure,

[@lylejohnston4125]

Thanks for the paint pen idea! I bought my late friend's '36 Chevy and need to redo his restoration of the plate. I'm going to use a glass bead booth though. I got lucky with my '67 Corvette and found a pair of perfect plates with '67 tabs for $15 at a swap meet! The plates on my '55 Chevy, '55 Cameo, '56 GMC Carrier, and '58 Chieftain were free! I paid $45 for the plate for my '27 T. All these plates are original and don't need resto.

[@chriscraft77022]

1970 plates in Texas go for 250 and up. My friend paid $400 for some.. that’s why I painted mine.. they came out nice. I just bought a 72 beetle that came with 72 plates in good shape

[@simontemplar3379]

Any need to spray a protective topcoat? I am doing something similar but on the license plate FRAME, and wanted to know the best way to protect my painting from the elements.

[@JustRelaxCo]

Thank you man!!! You definitely answered many questions I had about refurbishing my plate.

[@elvismtz8387]

I have seen a lot of Pin striping brushes used for the lettering just FYI.

[@josephnicholas9512]

I have a 1970 TEXAS plate im looking to get restored. the letters have faded green.

[@MR-2_AW11]

My guess the are more of a cream color because I have a set of Texas 74s and the are cream colored with red lettering

[@jcy5984]

Chris, Enjoy your videos! I also have a '70 Chevelle and have the original license plates for it. I was just wondering what you were going to do about the way the plate reflects light because in 1970 the state of Texas had a special reflective coating on the plates. You may already have that covered. I have been trying to figure that out for a while! Thanks!

[@razorboyXVII]

Thank you for this video! You are definitely a master of your craft!

[@jeffreygomez7360]

U might gave to customize my instructions, since I have yet to try it, better put I don’t have the patience, painting takes patience, let me kno if that works

[@chriscraft77022]

no.. don’t even try that...

[@JakeToolson]

I wouldn't have had the patience to try all these methods! Excellent video

[@robertclymer6948]

Hi Chris. What brand paint pen is that, can't read it. and.... is it enamel? where do you buy them. Thanks, I am doing a Michigan 1967 plate for my Mustang, Royal blue and yellow lettering.

[@chriscraft77022]

craft smart from micheals

[@robertclymer6948]

@@chriscraft77022 Thanks Chris! We used to use UNI paint pens at Borg-Warner but they were fat tips. Ready to prime now, and lay down the Royal Blue. By Tuesday will do the dreaded lettering! Thanks and Cheers from Motown.

[@wadeepperson6906]

nice to see tricks when im restoring some for my car

[@davideastman4273]

Ah nice ! I jumped the gun, sorry

[@highheadjester]

Thanks for the Ideas!!!

[@juliomorales5686]

Yea man 70 plates are reflective

[@maxnovakovics2568]

Fantastic vid thanks man

[@CharacterWind]

that is a very nice plate man, good job on that

[@jkay3262]

Why not just order a new one from DMV for 50 bucks?

[@chriscraft77022]

a new one like my old one? for $50??

[@jkay3262]

@@chriscraft77022 Hahaha.....No, I have a customized legacy plate in California. You pay 50 initial and 40 every registration.

[@chriscraft77022]

the plates actually look really good on the car.. you can’t tell I painted them unless you get up like 1 foot... you can buy originals for $200-$250 .. the current tx plates actually look ok on older cars but it’s a cherry on top to have original style license plates hand painted or original..

[@jampar7590]

ur tha man

[@callmenortnortin467]

What's the brand name of the paint pens you used? Your plates are looking great,nice work

[@chriscraft77022]

+callmenort nortin Craft Smart oil based from michaels

[@julxay]

I would’ve used some construction paper, or some thick paper , traced the numbers and letters and cut em out so they would fit snug over the Characters and I would’ve just spray painted it with the black paint 😅

[@chriscraft77022]

it doesn’t work like that .. trust me

[@julxay]

Chris Craft bri I appreciate the swift reply 😊 I’m just throwing some suggestions out to help but you are good at this Keep it up !!! I’m subscribing now