Canadair CL70 CFR 58-91588

[Robin Craig]

Oh my goodness Rob, I don't know if I would be able to sleep doing what you suggest, I will have to think about that for a while. All great suggestions from you all by the way. Fear is disabling in its own right.

[Paul Singleton]

Hi Robin,
I read somewhere about putting the data plate in a slow cooker with water and leaving it overnight to loosen the paint. I haven’t tried it myself, but at least you wouldn’t be using any harsh chemicals. I don’t know if the hot water would damage the silk screening though.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

Oh my goodness Rob, I don't know if I would be able to sleep doing what you suggest, I will have to think about that for a while. All great suggestions from you all by the way. Fear is disabling in its own right.

I just did all the data plates (and there were a lot of them) from the M62 wrecker at work in the last few months. Some were original to the vehicle, while some were added later (heater data plates). None suffered whatsoever from the brake fluid.


If overnight scares you, then try for just an hour. Or grab a data plate of something you don't worry about like a heater or an Iltis and give the brake fluid a test run. I think you will be happy.

[Robin Craig]

Well, as an act of pure faith I am following the suggestion of Rob Love and have the plate sitting in a Pyrex bowl immersed in store fresh DOT 3 brake fluid. I will be looking at it periodically (every 5 minutes most likely) and will meddle with it around bedtime.

Fingers crossed at this time.

[rob love]

I sure hope they used the same ink in the process that the American plates were made with. But deep down I am sure you are going to be OK.

[Robin Craig]

It is now 6am my time, plate has sat overnight.

I am happy to report the printed portion of the printing is intact. As far as the paint we are trying to remove, it has not appreciably reacted to he brake fluid, I was expecting some wrinkling and softening, i can barely chip an edge with my finger nail after rinsing in warm water, honestly, not much change.

Either it hasn't been long enough or the rinsing is neutralising any progress. Plonked it back in the dish. Time may be the healer here.

Happy so far that nothing negative has happened.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

Happy so far that nothing negative has happened.

You and me both. Perhaps the paint is an epoxy which won't be affected by brake fluid.



I forgot a data plate in the brake fluid for a week or so when I went on leave. The ink of the data plate may have got a little lighter, but it was still there after that period of time.

[James P]

^ Would a epoxy paint been "a thing" back then ? Interesting that the brake fluid had no effect .