License Plate Restoration - Restoring an Embossed License Plate

[@tonybolonie]

The tip for lettering was a good idea. I have some of those brushes on hand so thanks for the tip.

[@CarzPlus]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, those brushes are a useful and quality product. Thanks for watching!

[@robertclymer6948]

I really admire someone that is so dedicated to "attention to detail." I am pleased to say I have begun restoring a 1967 Michigan plate for my 67 Mustang. I have almost carboned copied your process prior to seeing this video. Cant wait for the painting part. Thanks, cheers from Motown!!

[@CarzPlus]

Wow, thanks! A restored 67 plate for a 67 Tang will be the perfect marriage. Thanks for watching!

[@tonylepore2963]

I really enjoyed your video. I am in the process of finding a 1954 Mohave County plate for my '55 Studebaker. I figure I will have to restore them when I find them.

[@CarzPlus]

Very cool! Remember seeing a box of vintage license plates (unrestored) in a shop in Chloride AZ. Good luck with your hunt, sure you'll find something. Thanks for watching!

[@lauradahlus]

Nice job. I plan on doing this for my 1976 cj7 jeep.

[@CarzPlus]

That's good to hear! Glad you found the video inspirational. Thanks for watching!

[@geirmyklebust]

I love the look of my yellowish faded 1973 Arizona plates, on my faded blue/white 74 Camino.

[@CarzPlus]

Good to hear from a fellow Zoner. We'll keep an eye out for your ride. Thanks for watching!

[@rile_up]

I need to get my 73 plates restored for my 67 Caprice. It was parked with those plates on it 40 years ago and about to be back on the road.

[@600miles]

A '39 Graham is an awesome looking car. I got a pic of one at a hot rod show 7 years ago in Gresham WA.

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you! We're happy to see another Graham enthusiast. We have a full play list of Grahams for you to enjoy: kzbin.info/aero/PL_APaYrVINp_N5qYbskGQuXGTKVDSVTDD If you get a chance, check out this website: www.grahamownersclub.com/ Also on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/2500427193311000 Thanks for watching!

[@JoeyP322]

Loved the video... came out beautiful

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you for watching and for your kind remark. We welcome you to stay tuned as we will continue to produce more how-to videos.

[@tbirdsteve1]

apart from cowboy boots with shorts

[@dasaten]

Really good job and great video with a lot of good info. How come you went with the yellow background instead of the original copper background for 1939 passenger plates?

[@CarzPlus]

Arizona license plates have changed many times over the years. According to ADOT, the official color for this plate is the yellowish-orange and black in the video. We had to meet the official color requirements in order for this plate to be accepted. We consulted with ADOT to get the correct color from their list. Copper-colored plates with red numbers/letters are often used on collector cars, 25 years and older. That color appeared on license plates in the past. Certain years in the past were the color that you mentioned. We appreciate your comment and your inquisitive question.

[@dasaten]

@@CarzPlus According to Gary Fox, the definitive collector of AZ license plates site, and many pictures of original unrestored plates, these were copper when they were issued. I think the yellow and black looks better anyhow. i.pinimg.com/originals/42/ff/38/42ff38987bb14d8c75eb20fefb99f10c.jpg www.azplates.com/pass1938-55.htm The commercial plates were yellow and black in 1939 saleofcar.com/img/1939-arizona-license-plate-358p-az-marcos-de-niza-222009728885/0.jpg

[@CoolRestorations]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaGninWmi71mhcU

[@6954qazwsx]

A tip to get better coverage with yellow...after primer, paint it white first, then apply yellow.

[@CarzPlus]

We love it when our viewers share information! Great idea. The only issue is white will brighten the color. Depending on the color in use, it can work great or alter the color to something that is too bright. Thanks for watching!

[@aandsb4366]

Very helpful video. I'm a novice to something like this and am trying to restore 1928 plate for my model A Ford. The plate really is in good condition overall, but the paint needs redone. I am confused by the sanding part that got skipped. Did you sand the entire plate until smooth, or did you only sand the pitted areas? Also, if one doesn't have a paint gun, could one use enamel spray paint instead?

[@CarzPlus]

You would sand the entire surface between each primer coat to finish and fill all the pits. Yes, you can use rattle can paint, if you prefer. Thanks for watching!

[@AA-zr2bq]

Very nice music

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you so much! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed this video.

[@qalandaryar]

You could paint all the letters/ numbers black, then paint the whole plate yellow. Take paint thinner and rub off the yellow to make the black show. Hope that makes sense.

[@CarzPlus]

We always welcome viewer tips and tricks. If anyone tries this and it works, let us know. We chose this way to skin the cat and assumed it would be easier.

[@stevedawson741]

I put down the color of the letters and numbers first then apply Vaseline to numbers and letters and spray the plate with the color needed. Vaseline keeps paint from sticking on numbers and letters. It can be wiped off

[@CarzPlus]

An idea worth trying. Thanks for watching!

[@Muddytrickle]

Awesome work. I have a 1966 Utah plate that I would like to restore and use. How do i find out the correct paint colors. I believe the letters are white and background is black but I am not sure what are the correct tints, flat vs satin etc. Any info that anyone can share would be helpful

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you! The state of Utah should have information on plate colors in the past. They probably won't have information on the tint. We looked at several historical pictures and video and then made an educated guess to arrive at the colors used in Arizona. Thanks for watching!

[@bryanhorne8202]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video. Did you use the tiny paint sticks for the large numbers?

[@CarzPlus]

Yes I did. Good question. The Sign Painter's paint used has quite the flow to it so the tiny paint sticks were used. Thank you!

[@martinsnyder4947]

what did you use to apply the paint on the numbers

[@CarzPlus]

I used a paint touchup pick. They are yellow, plastic, with a very fine foam tip. They can be found here: www.eastwood.com/touch-up-applicators-pack-40.html?SRCCODE=PLA00020&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs5ns0-ew6AIVAp-fCh36KQUnEAQYAiABEgKn__D_BwE

[@CoolRestorations]

I used a paint pen👍🏻 just did one last week

[@droptop72]

@@CarzPlus Are those any different from the micro make up applicators that I used to clean around badging on cars? (also available in 3 mm) www.amazon.com/dp/B06WWB1NFP/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B06WW1PZ4S&pd_rd_w=70lDR&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=zFXvX&pf_rd_r=TYDVBMSRRPZH49KWVRGS&pd_rd_r=0ebc3b99-243c-4dc9-bc26-67d7ed8d880f&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE5VUozUzBaWjNGQkImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NzcyMzVSUEUxSkI2QkU4SjkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDAxODc2MjFYOVVKWDNBSUFDRDQmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1

[@ronjojola597]

Great video. I like the anvil. Where can I buy one like yours?

[@CarzPlus]

Thanks, good question. The anvil came from Harbor Freight. The anvil was mounted on a tree stump which was adjusted a bit, so that everything would balance. The stump came from a cedar supply company. Thanks for watching!

[@smarleyjoe3569]

wonder some type of smaller roller would work for painting the letters

[@CarzPlus]

That sounds like a good idea and probably worth trying. We haven't had much luck using that method here. In the past, a specific roller may have been used to apply the paint, or maybe a screen printing process was used.

[@kadenkilker6201]

No it doesn’t work don’t waste your time

[@hebneh]

Repainting the embossed characters on license plates is almost impossible to do, to really look like an original paint job. For this plate to be displayed on an old car, this hand-painted work will look OK, but to a plate collector, it wouldn't.

[@theedrstrangelove]

Try a wide rubber ink roller to apply the color on the letters.

[@CarzPlus]

That might work. Thanks for sharing your idea. We're happy to see our viewers suggestions. Thanks for watching!

[@paulrichardson8583]

"pain staking" is right. How many hours did that take on the lettering?

[@CarzPlus]

Good question, it took about an hour. Thank you, hope you found the video useful.

[@hebneh]

This process will work fine for a plate to be used on an old car, but for a serious license plate collector it wouldn't. Matching original colors is a lot more painstaking than just using a stock paint color, first of all. And painting the embossed numbers and letters by hand doesn't ever really look like an original factory paint job done by a roller. Trying to achieve that original look is hugely difficult and usually unsatisfactory - and I speak from decades of trying!

[@CarzPlus]

Yes, there is a lot of truth to that. We will look into trying your technique on future plates; we have quite a few of them around here.

[@gy9969]

Yes, it may not be as good as a new factory plate. But keep in mind the factory started out with a perfectly new plate that’s free of dents and rust. And used all the correct tools and paint. So he did a great job considering the condition of the rusty, mangled up plate that he started out with and doing it all by hand. This is one of the better license plate repair videos that I’ve seen thus far. Great job 👍

[@RussRumsey]

What do you charge to refinish a plate?

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you for considering us. However, we don't offer this as a service. The time required to do the restoration and to make a bid, as such, would make the cost to you impractical. Thanks for watching!

[@northercalibassin8894]

What’s the paint code for that yellow?

[@CarzPlus]

It's Limco CMS 6209B. Thanks for watching, glad you found the video useful.

[@buttercup12132009]

this is what criminals look at when they need a new license plate :>

[@CarzPlus]

Not sure a criminal would go through this much effort.

[@harleyb-ham266]

Need the information but the music is loud, stupid, and inappropriate. 2 seconds in and I am moving along.

[@CarzPlus]

Sorry about that. Did you remember to drop by the ticket office to get your refund? The music only continues in the intro for another 21 seconds. As a warning to your delicate ears, the music is in the backdrop for the speeded up action segments. You do however, have the power to adjust the volume. I'd like to invite you to see some of my personal favorites on the channel. I believe the quality has improved on a number of our videos since since we began our KZbin Channel educational journey. Here's my list: 1954 Ford kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWHLdX6fZqiXjtk Snow Day in Prescott kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmGwnquNpM6UmpY 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe kzbin.info/www/bejne/jamYo2aFZtGJo6c Graham Supercharger History kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5_ZnX-Cr5eknq8 Graham Commercial kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2WklaJngbunkLM Barrett-Jackson 2020 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbQm6infJaLpq8 This is a bit of a tour of Custom Replications & Carz Plus. Restoration Blog: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZLKfWOtmdqJptU

[@JDvintagemi]

All the parts you say are boring are the parts I want to see. Sanding was the boring part

[@CarzPlus]

Oh, well. Sorry 'bout that.

[@Littlewizard-ug9rt]

Is it me or does it say 1593 on the left side?

[@Littlewizard-ug9rt]

Wait nvm,

[@CarzPlus]

Hey, thanks. Yes. Just in case someone else is wondering, there is a reference to the date in the video at about 18 minutes 50 seconds. The plate is a 1939 commemorative issue by the state of Arizona.

[@tc4497]

Should describe what the “de-rusting solution” is as it represents 50% of the problem

[@CarzPlus]

Several methods can work, but in this case I used a product called Evapo-Rust. Will add. the information to the description box. Thanks for watching

[@tc4497]

@@CarzPlus Thanks!

[@jnorb8633]

Why does the left side of the plate say 1539 and the right side says 1939? Hmm

[@CarzPlus]

The plate was a commemorative plate to mark 500 years since Marcos de Niza first arrived in what is now Arizona. He was the first known European to come here. Thanks for watching!

[@zip7806]

You Skipped the important part and spent way to much video on the Primer paint.

[@CarzPlus]

Not sure what you are referring to as the "important part"?

[@runningwithshemp]

I agree plates that are not embossed are not lic plates, just lame unremarkable, unexciting stickers

[@CarzPlus]

That's so true. There was a day when we could tell which state a car was from, simply by the color of the plate. Thanks for watching!

[@Imwright720]

Has more value unrestored.

[@CarzPlus]

The restoration was for the purpose of being allowed to use it under AZ law and have it look nice. The value wasn't a consideration.

[@Imwright720]

@@CarzPlus 🤔