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How to repaint licence plates?

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    How to repaint licence plates?

    Basically I want to restore my plates to original condition. After 14 years of sun and whatnot my plates look like hell. How do you find the same color paint that are on the plates? I have never done any color matching before, and have no clue. I'd rather keep the original plates than go get replacements, which are different.

    My swap thread
    Main relay proplems?--DIY

    #2
    Check legality before painting...slightly off colour plates would get you pulled over FAST.
    2003 Maxima SE Titanium Edition
    Polished Titanium ext, heated black leather int, heated leather steering wheel, HIDs, 255bhp, 6 speed, 15% tint.
    1993 Suzuki GSX1100F 136bhp

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      #3
      Plates have a reflective paint right? I say just leave them, or get new ones from the dmv.

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        #4
        Interesting...

        Well thats why I want to get the exact same colors. Shouldn't be too hard. People seem to always restore the super old black and yellow california plates

        My swap thread
        Main relay proplems?--DIY

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          #5
          thats illegal. those plates are owned by the state of California, you cant leagally modify them in any way. why not just order new ones?

          Owner of https://theclunkerjunker.com

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            #6
            Sounds like he has the old blue and yellow California plates and does not want to upgrade to the new white and blue ones.
            Gary A.K.A. Carter
            [sig killed by photobucket]

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              #7
              try this:


              buff til you see the color start to change. later.
              Avoiding dirt at all costs

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                #8
                Originally posted by TypeG
                buff til you see the color start to change. later.
                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                That is your answer for everything huh?

                Just dont buff till it is polished metal cause I dont think that would be legal either.
                I My Honda
                Check out my Ride Here
                09-11-01 NEVER FORGET

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                  #9
                  call the DMV and ask if theres any way to get new plates... perhaps if the old plates get wrecked up, they may allow replacements...

                  in NY, the plate is coated with a reflective/sparkly paint, with embedded holographic statue of liberty icons, cops flash it with a flashlight to see if its legit.

                  a fine cut polish/buff like typeg suggested is probably the only thing you can possibly do to restore your current ones, as modifying them in any way is completely illegal like accord r33 said.

                  if you really want them to look new again... get new ones :\


                  - 1993 Accord LX - White sedan (sold)
                  - 1993 Accord EX - White sedan (wrecked)
                  - 1991 Accord EX - White sedan (sold)
                  - 1990 Accord EX - Grey sedan (sold)
                  - 1993 Accord EX - White sedan (sold)
                  - 1992 Accord EX - White coupe (sold)
                  - 1993 Accord EX - Grey coupe (stolen)
                  - 1993 Accord SE - Gold coupe (sold)
                  Current cars:
                  - 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon - Daily driver
                  - 2004 Chevrolet Express AWD - Camper conversion

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                    #10
                    My dad repainted his plates 4-5 times over the years... Never had a problem with it in ontario.
                    Originally posted by deevergote
                    I'd eat a baby for free. I'm hungry, dammit!

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                      #11
                      I wouldnt repaint them. Like TypeG always suggests, try and buff it out first. If that doesnt work I would call the DMV and see about getting new ones. Also might not hurt after you get them shining again or get new ones, check into licence plate covers. Thats what I have on my plate to keep it from fading. I have seen several sites that say the dark tinted covers are illegal in Kansas but I have been pulled over and and talked to a few buddies that are cops and they have never once even mentioned it to me. Usually talk to them before I get something done with the lighting to make sure its legal. Later

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                        #12
                        The new California plates are different than the ones that came with the car, back in the day. It's my preference to stay original. They may belong to the state, but they are also a part of the car.

                        In California there is no reflective paint or imaging on them, all there is is white, blue, and a little red. Should be easy to do, and like I said, people do this to the old antique plates all the time.

                        Thanks for all the responces guys, I may try Type G's suggestion first to see if that works.

                        My swap thread
                        Main relay proplems?--DIY

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                          #13
                          why go through the trouble of repainting and the risk of getting pulled over, when you can just buy new ones?

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                            #14
                            ok so I got a little bored and looked up the California DMV's website. Couldnt find anything on what to do with faded plates. I did find an application to get new plates though. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg156.pdf
                            If what TypeG said "Buff it out" doesnt work then I would check this out and just do this. Yeah there could be and probably will be a fee, but if new looking sparkling plates are a must it would be worth it. Later

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                              #15
                              I prefer the original plates from back in the day. Not only because they are original, but they are slightly rare since they didn't make them for many years. So new ones are out of the question.

                              The new ones aren't really that much different, and maybe you wouldn't notice the difference.....But it matters to me.

                              My swap thread
                              Main relay proplems?--DIY

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