How to restore ID plate?

[Bayless]

Any suggestions how to clean and restore this plate? It looks like a black background with maybe some varnish or something over it that is starting to fail. Also the bare metal is discolored.

 

[apbos]

Looking at your plate you maybe able to salvage the paint. I would look to see if the lettering is raised. If it is I would use a 2000 grit sandpaper and carefully wetsand the plate this will clean the raised metal and remove what almost looks like a clear coat from the painted surface. Save the paint! Now comes tricky part for you. You could clear coat it again, but you would have to test the paint to see if it is compatable or you could use a rubbing compound and wax it. My TR plates had no paint. I used an enamel to lightly paint them and then wet sanded and used clear to protect.

 

[Brosky]

Nice neat work. Very well done.

 

[Bayless]

Thanks very much for the advice apbos. Your plates are stunning! It's hard to be sure but I believe the lettering is slightly raised on mine so some hope there. The two stamped areas appear to not be though but can probably that. I was hoping the black might be some sort of chemical treatment but was afraid it would be paint. Man, if you painted your background with just a brush, you must have a really steady hand. And did you thin the paint a lot?

 

[PAUL161]

If I may, I've seen those restored by removing all the paint, polishing the raised detail and then spray painting the entire piece. Then laying the plate flat on a sheet of fine wet dry over a plate of glass and remove the paint on the raised detail by carefully rubbing until the unwanted paint is removed. Clean and clear coat with a very thin layer. PJ