The License Plate Collector

Restoring Antique License Plates

Written by Jake on March 22, 2009 – 4:23 pm -

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Most people who collect Antique License Plates collect them as a hobby or for an investment.  Some folks however, need those Antique License Plates for other reasons.

Antique or "classic" cars and trucks, are prize possessions to many people.  Many hours are put into restorations and great care is taken to make sure they stay in tip top shape.  Those that have classic cars also want that finishing touch by adding a license plate that bares the year the car or truck was produced.

You can check with your local DMV office to be certain, but many states now allow Vintage License Plates on collector cars.

Now comes the not so easy part of finding the Antique License Plate for your classic vehicle that's in great shape.  So many classic car owners have found their tags on Ebay.  Ebay is a great place to find just about any Antique License Plate you may be looking for.  If you find a plate that you want to display on your old vehicle, chances are it may not be in perfect condition.  And of course if you own a sweet looking classic car or truck, you want a nice looking plate on it.

Restoring Antique License Plates

Restoring old tags can be easier than you think, and with a little effort, you can transform that ragged old tag into a picture perfect license plate for your restored or original classic car or truck.  Below are some steps and tips to help you get an idea of what's involved.

Preparing The Plate

The first thing you're going to have to do is strip the plate by getting off the old paint and rust.  Paint stripper works pretty good but make sure you follow the directions for the paint stripper you're using.  License plates have a very thin layer of paint so taking it off is pretty simple.  If you have access to a sand blaster, you can use that as well, but be very careful sand blasting license plates.  The thin metal can be damaged very easily.

Some plates may have been bent or have some creases in them.  Using your hands to get them straightened out is pretty simple since the metal is so thin.  For creases or dents, use a hammer and place the plate over a hard, even surface and gently tap out the imperfections.

Ready For Priming

Some people tend to bypass priming but it is a very important step.  Make sure to find a good automotive etching primer to use on your license plate.  Not only will it help the paint bond, it will show any imperfections you may have missed when you prepared the plate.

Ready To Paint

You can usually find a picture somewhere on the Internet of the original plate you are trying to restore.  Also, before you removed the original paint, you can try and get it matched at your local paint store.  Also decide if you want to use a higher quality enamel or epoxy paint for a nicer finish.

Next, apply several coats of your background color.  If you weren't able to find or match your original color, just use a nice off white or something along your state colors as a background.

Now comes the fun part!  There are several ways you can paint the raised numbers and letters on the plate.  Some have had success with different rollers, but if you have a steady hand and patience, you can use the small hobby or artist brushes.  Set up a "hand rest" so you can steadily outline the numbers and letters, then fill in the middle areas.

Your restored antique license plate can now be proudly displayed on your classic car or truck.

Have you used this process for restoring Antique License Plates?

Do you have any other methods that you would like to share?

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• Where Do I Find Antique Plates?
• Colorado License Plates

Tags: antique, license, plates, restoring
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