Refinishing license plate

[diesel pig]

Is there a way to refinish the paint on a old plate to get rid of the marks where the Rego sticker went? while keeping it looking as a original possible?

[Grumph]

Pretty sure the black is powdercoat. So a mild solvent like meths should remove the sticker adhesive without damage.

[diesel pig]

Interesting stuff, I am worried I would have to sand it and that would affect the look of the plate.

[pete376403]

Acetone is pretty good, too. Available at Mitre 10 in the paint section

[george formby]

Acetone is pretty good, too. Available at Mitre 10 in the paint section

Yup, gently rubbed with a soft, worn green pan scourer. Excellent for removing sticky crap even on easily scratched surfaces.

To be fair, WD 40 or CRC would probably remove the gunge, too.

[jellywrestler]

chances are someone used a screwdriver at some stage to remove them so the paint is gouged....

[diesel pig]

chances are someone used a screwdriver at some stage to remove them so the paint is gouged....

Yes, It's badly marked. I just don't want to make it worse before refinishing it. I still don't know what paint to use that would best match the original finish.

[Grumph]

Yes, It's badly marked. I just don't want to make it worse before refinishing it. I still don't know what paint to use that would best match the original finish.

I'd try an enamel gloss black from a model shop. Build up the scratches, wet and dry until the area is flatted off. Then cut & polish.

[diesel pig]

I'd try an enamel gloss black from a model shop. Build up the scratches, wet and dry until the area is flatted off. Then cut & polish.

Ha, I still have a box of different plastic model kit paints from when I used to do them as a young fella. Gee that's along time ago now. I will have to see if the gloss black is still good. Cheers for the tip.

[neels]

Think the old school rego plate is more a satin than gloss black, so Tamiya X18 should do the trick.

[diesel pig]

Think the old school rego plate is more a satin than gloss black, so Tamiya X18 should do the trick.

Good point. Cheers

[toycollector10]

Is there a way to refinish the paint on a old plate to get rid of the marks where the Rego sticker went? while keeping it looking as a original possible?
You can preserve the original paint by masking off the rego sticker and then using Ebony Rub 'n Buff which is available only on line now from artist supply shops or eBay.

[diesel pig]

You can preserve the original paint by masking off the rego sticker and then using Ebony Rub 'n Buff which is available only on line now from artist supply shops or eBay.

Very interesting. I don't care about the Old rego stickers, I just want to avoid making it looking like I painted a new rego plate black trying to be reto cool. This stuff Rub 'n Buff from checking it out on line looks like it would tidy up the plate with out making it look new, am I making sense?

[diesel pig]

354808
So does this test spot on the license plate gouges from the rego stickers, match the rest of the black on the plate? I came across this can of Black satin spray when I was doing something else and thought it might work. What do you all think.

[F5 Dave]

It's not a million miles away, bit darker but the Matt level looks right. Good enough I'd say. JB weld andwet finger smooth the deep scratches?

[diesel pig]

Good point about using JB weld to fill the divots in the plate before sanding it flat. Plus carefully masking over the numbers before spraying over the whole plate may help to bring up looking OK. I am in no rush to do it but when I do it I only want to do it once.

[F5 Dave]

If you wet finger there may be little sanding to do, suck and see.

[toycollector10]

Get the plate vapour blasted back to bare metal or used paint stripper. Rattle can the plate with satin black paint. While the paint is wet and tacky use an old handkerchief (very thin and fine cotton) and wrap it tightly around a very sharp edged block. Wet the handkerchief with thinners but not too much then damp it off on a towel or other soft cotton to get about half of the thinners off. Drag the sharp edged, wrapped handkerchief across the raised lettering to take off the paint. Go slowly and be thorough. Remember that less paint is best when doing this, you don't have to drench it in paint or you'll have a big problem on your hands.

[diesel pig]

Get the plate vapour blasted back to bare metal or used paint stripper. Rattle can the plate with satin black paint. While the paint is wet and tacky use an old handkerchief (very thin and fine cotton) and wrap it tightly around a very sharp edged block. Wet the handkerchief with thinners but not too much then damp it off on a towel or other soft cotton to get about half of the thinners off. Drag the sharp edged, wrapped handkerchief across the raised lettering to take off the paint. Go slowly and be thorough. Remember that less paint is best when doing this, you don't have to drench it in paint or you'll have a big problem on your hands.

What sort of edge? I have a old bread knife that might work maybe?

[F5 Dave]

I think he means wrap a hanky over some wood with a square edge.