It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:12 pm

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:28 pm 
Offline
dLk Iron Chef
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:18 pm
Posts: 3688
Location: Sprang, TX
I am starting a thread here to keep info straight.

It seems that the restoration process is a closely guarded secret. Everybody can figure out how to paint the plates, but can't figure out how to paint the numbers so they look good.

A couple of us have been trying and have been doing some research. Hand painting works, but its not perfect and doesn't look "Factory".
I watched a vid on YouTube on the "How to" process. I think it was the only one. It was filmed by some geezer. Cut to the chase, he silk screened the numbers on them. Chris was hinting at this process was was gonna ask a buddy about it.
I thought I had it figured out, and I think I am close, but I need to research paint/ink compatibility. I am speculating the "Factory" did it like a printing press. They pressed the plate into ink/paint and that was that. So here is what I did...

I bought a vinyl floor tile for my press base. I marked where the edges of the plate would be with a sharpie marker. This defined where I would lay the paint. I used a cheapo $1.99 roller that had a blister pack that doubled as a paint tray. I spread the paint (Rustoleum Oil Base Enamel) onto the tile. I then pressed the tile into the paint and flipped it over. It ALMOST worked. I didn't get even coverage and I had to make sure I was pressing all the numbers hard into the paint. It didn't leave an even amount of paint on the raised sections. If the paint was too thick it drooped a little bit, almost running.

But yall can now see the "Printing Press" vision I have...

In further contemplation of the situation and a trip to Michael's....
I think I need to use a thicker paint. I came to this conclusion watching the silk screening process. That Ink is thick like paste. The ink that was sold at Michael's was a water base ink. It used for silk screening shirts. I'm not calling it paint. I'm not sure of the difference anyway...
So the question arises, Can I use this "Ink" on top of an oil based enamel?? I was planning on clear coating when I was done. I guess I could experiment, but maybe some one knows of a thicker ink/paint that would work. I think the technique will work and be easier than "Silk Screening"

Ideas? Comments? I need yall to shoot holes in this idea. I have repainted my plate 3 times already, Next time WILL be the last time!

_________________
'63 Caravelle Camper


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:42 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:12 am
Posts: 3656
Location: in Da Hood
Dude you should video tape it when you figure it out so you can post it on youtube. Keep us posted because I was very curious about it.

_________________
Image

Nick
'65 1500 S "Ninja Notch" http://supaninjanick.wordpress.com/
'68 Westy "Zombie Response Vehicle" no blog yet but it will be epic


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:54 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 7:34 pm
Posts: 5465
Location: Dallas, TX
I've wondered myself...

_________________
Image

"If it ain't Rubbin, it ain't Dubbin"


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:58 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:08 am
Posts: 1242
Location: Denton, Texas
Have you thought of using vinyl? Cutting out the negative space and using paint? Much like masking when your airbrushing. It will give you cleaner lines and you can clear coat afterwards. The coating should last for years

The set up is what is going to take time, because if you are cutting the mask by hand. If you don't want to cut the mask by hand, scan the plate create an .eps and a person with a vinyl cutter can cut it out.

_________________
Image
Jack of all trades and master of nothing, but I get by


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:07 pm 
Offline
dLk Iron Chef
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:18 pm
Posts: 3688
Location: Sprang, TX
N8-Car wrote:
Have you thought of using vinyl? Cutting out the negative space and using paint? Much like masking when your airbrushing. It will give you cleaner lines and you can clear coat afterwards. The coating should last for years

The set up is what is going to take time, because if you are cutting the mask by hand. If you don't want to cut the mask by hand, scan the plate create an .eps and a person with a vinyl cutter can cut it out.


It crossed my mind to do something similar, but then I would not be able to do anybody else plates easily.....

_________________
'63 Caravelle Camper


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:09 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:07 pm
Posts: 433
Have you seen this? Fiberglass and airbrush...

http://tagdr.com/procedure

http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/ ... 7AodGCF0AA

Also, I saw somewhere recently that additives can be added that allow paint to 'flow'. Seems like it was for painting cabinets and whatnot so the brush marks evened out.

I think this is what they were talking about:
http://www.flood.com/paint-additive-sol ... oductId=11


Last edited by thingmon on Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:12 pm 
Offline
dLk Iron Chef
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:18 pm
Posts: 3688
Location: Sprang, TX
Hand Painted alphanumerics.....
Im good, but not great. They have a guy on the pay role just for that.......

_________________
'63 Caravelle Camper


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:15 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:07 pm
Posts: 433
Probably a sign painter by trade. Hey, that's how 'True Fire' Mike Lavallee got started.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:42 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:08 am
Posts: 1242
Location: Denton, Texas
I have a laser, I can try to make an adhesive mask right over the plate, then it can be painted. I am not a good painter, but I can cut the mask out and then you can paint it, remove the mask and add several coats of clear. That would make it last for some time, just like the paint on your car.

I can try it on some plates I have in the garage to see if it will work.

_________________
Image
Jack of all trades and master of nothing, but I get by


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: License plate restoration
PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:40 am 
Something like this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jb8IvCaGdc[/youtube]


Top
  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group