Data plate restoration 53 M38A1 CDN

Casey B · #1 15-07-12, 15:02

I imagine there are a few who have restored their data plates if they were lucky enough to find a vehicle that had them intact.
i was fortunate enought to have done this...however the persons before me used what looks like a light sand paer to clean off the oxidization and as well over time the paint came off and the raised part of the information is there but worn.
I'd rather keep the original plates so have cleaned the area around the plates where they are mounted (the removable mounting) and preped it for paint. I will clean the brass plates for paint. But have to ask what is the best result technique for painting the balck on tha actual plate?

Having never seen new data plates is the black flat, semi or gloss?

Is there a better paint for this IE laquor as it is quite thin?

Or just plain enamal and thin it (reducer) to a runny consitancy and allow it to flow around the raised parts of the plates?

I was thinking of sparying it and then using fine wet dry paer to sand of the paint on the raised bits but the raised bits are not that raised any more.

So any advice would help...thanks in advance Casey

chris vickery · #2 15-07-12, 15:28

Wow Casey, whoever did that certainly did a number on them...
Personally, I have tried to repaint plates without much luck. This is certainly true of plates such as yours because the lettering has been damaged slightly.
For plates which are oxidized only, no paint on them, I use a gentle rubbing compound (diamond paste) and a soft cloth to remove the white oxides.
I would leave your brass plates alone, maybe shine them up with some brasso considering the condition.
An alternative would be to use repro data plates and restamp the info. Keep the originals to go with the jeep if you should ever sell it.
This is what I have done with my M38A1 CDN3. Most of my data plates were illegible beyond repair, the only survivor being the serial plate which I left in place as it looks pretty good. I do have a repro to put in its place if I should change my mind.

Casey B · #3 15-07-12, 15:40

If you have any pics of those I'd like to see what they look like? Alos may I ask whom you got the repro plates from...? Another MLU person got his from Brian Asbury. I guess I could consider this but would rather someone else stamp the infor as I do not have the stamps (work may have them/correct sizes?) and well I would probably mess it up as they are thin and fragile as well.
Thanks Chris...Casey

chris vickery · #4 15-07-12, 17:10

There arew various sources for plates, I believe Brian A has some, don't know if he stamps or not.
Wilys Acres, mvdata-plates.com etc