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#1
10-30-2012, 04:54 AM
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restoring license plates
I have a 1980s vintage California sunset series license plate that snagged a mechanized carwash brush. The paint and finish are acceptable, I just need it straightened. Is there a service to restore the plate? I suppose a reproduction is fine even if not entirely legal but I can't find a shop that reproduces California plates.
Sixto 87 300D 
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#2
10-30-2012, 05:23 AM
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any body shop can straighten it...
__________________
 1987 560SL85,000 miles Meet on the level, leave on the square. Great words to live by Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread. - Thomas Jefferson: Autobiography, 1821.
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#3
10-30-2012, 08:30 AM
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Yes, there are people who specialize in restoring license plates, but to do it right you will have to repaint it and it is a somewhat involved procedure. I have a pair for my '64 Ford that I am going to restore.
Straightening them is not difficult if you have body tools, especially a good selection of blunt nose picks. I don't suggest trying to repaint the letters by hand. Once straightened, spray the letter color over the letters with SEVERAL coats. Then enough of the background color over the whole plate to cover the letter color. THEN with a sanding block with about 180 grit put TIGHTLY on the block, go over the areas that need to be the letter color and carefully sand off the background color. Once it is all correctly colored, clear coat it. Hope this helps.
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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual 2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution
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#4
10-30-2012, 09:34 AM
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This might interest you. LINK
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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif 15 VW Passat TDI 00 E420 98 E300 DT 97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME! 97 S500 97 E300D 86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D 86 300SDL (o\|/o)
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#5
10-30-2012, 01:02 PM
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The regular-issue California "Rising Sun" plates were reflectorized and only issued from the years 1984-1987 and the earliest ones were notorious for very early fade of the letters and numbers, the combinations only frox 2Bxx xxx throiugh 2Gxx xxx if memory serves..
That would make them tough to restore. So I think to do it properly would be both difficult and expensive.
__________________
 1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive  (sold)
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#6
10-30-2012, 02:24 PM
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I have no dexterity for dent repair. What I'd like to find is a dye or stamp that can be configured for the lip, characters and tag indentations then simply press it again. It sure looks like it was painted before it was pressed. You hardly notice its condition behind a clear plastic cover but I've heard of folks getting in trouble for having anything over front plates and, I don't know, it just looks goofy to cover the plate. If I punch a cop, maybe they'll put me in a facility that still makes license plates
 Sixto 87 300D
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#7
10-30-2012, 02:46 PM
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edit: "Golden State" California license plates were available as alternate option to the previous yellow-on-blue since 1982. It was the standard issue plate from January to October 1987. It was issued from 2AAA000 to 2GPZ999. (wiki)
....Or for $19.00 you could surender the plates and get a new set of the current ones, they are up into 6YH xxx series already. they have the lipstick California script and www.dmv.ca.gov inscription at the bottom. They would look fresh, too.
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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#8
10-30-2012, 02:48 PM
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Quote:
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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#9
10-30-2012, 05:10 PM
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I've been wanting to restore some plates also. I wonder if an automotive paint supply shop can mix the proper reflective white and blue. Then get someone who does silk screen to make the sun set. Some artist...
.
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1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System 
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#10
10-30-2012, 06:32 PM
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I had a bent plate on my SD. I bent it back by hand, then painted the plate blue, then spent a good amount of time masking the letters and repainting the letters yellow. The yellow I got was a little off. My friend who is CHP took a look at my plate and told me I did an excellent job. Told him I was worried because the yellow was off, he told me not to worry about it because it was easy to read and that's all that really counts. Told me he would have had me get new plates if he would have seen it bent, but seeing it fixed was OK with him. not saying its legit, but its legit enough
__________________
 1983 Toyota Tercel 4WD Wagon - 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 4-Speed(My Car!) 2005 C230 Kompressor 6-Speed Manual
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#11
10-30-2012, 07:23 PM
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Shurely shome mishtake !!!???
Quote:
As in, A "little bit" pregnant? 
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
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#12
10-30-2012, 09:30 PM
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Quote:
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