Sometime in the past the Vin plate on my Ranch Wagon was painted over. I'm in the process of having the entire car repainted and the painter wanted to remove the plate to clean it up and then pop rivet it back on. I told him ABSOLUTELY not. So my question is can the Red paint be removed without removing the black background on the plate? I suggested lacquer thinner but he's worried about it taking everything off, not just the red. Suggestions? TIA
No experience with this specific situation, but maybe start with a less aggressive thinner, use a Q tip to apply. Another thought is a heat gun and a scotch bright pad. Phil
Having done similar tasks more than once in past 40+ years, I would start with very careful scraping, first trying with a finger nail or perhaps some small plastic scraper*, but in the case like this under no circumstances use any liquid removers/thinners, heat gun or sanding materials. *Breaking/lifting/scraping the top layers off with a razor blade or tip of a small screwdriver are also options, but will require even more caution. YMMV. P.S. Looks like the plate could be removed and re-attached with same rivets, but if that were to be done, I would recommend a very clear & detailed (digital) photo documentation of the entire process.
I've seen those exact rivits for sale over at the FTE site. I don't think removing them is a crime, changing them is a crime.
I’ve used these cheap plastic razor scrapers to remove paint from underlying paint. It’s slow and tedious, but less likely to damage than a real blade. Cheap enough to give it a shot. https://www.amazon.com/Scrapers-Con...ocphy=9033274&hvtargid=pla-2281435178618&th=1
Do not remove the serial number plate as re-installing the plate using that style of rivets requires access to the back side of the panel. As the paint is already coming off in places my suggestion is to try to remove it using a good quality tape; just stick the tape down then pull the paint off, next option would be a product like "goo be gone".
I'd leave it as is. The numbers that count are clearly visible. Trying to clean it up might be a worse deal
Portions of the red paint are already coming off with the yellow painters tape. Might try some Gorilla tape or maybe just leave it as it is.
Do not remove the rivets as you and others have posted. I have read horror stories of body shops removing the VIN plate and local DMV's refusing to register the car, it's not worth the hassle.
You are correct to not allow the painter to remove the plate. Nobody should ever do it. I know that I will get dozens of comments saying that it is no big deal, or that they do it all of the time, and that there is no harm. Some may not care, and that's none of my business, but removing a plate that contains identifying numbers for a vehicle (notice I did not say VIN, you pedants), is a FEDERAL FELONY! Sure, you might not get caught, but the next owner might (signs of removal, wrong rivets, etc.) but if you do, or the next owner does, that might be the last that anyone sees the car. It only takes one cop, DMV worker, safety inspector, etc. that is out to change the world, and your car is gone. Depending on the exact charge, you could even go to jail.
Removal IS A CRIME! California Vehicle Code 10802 VC makes it a crime to: knowingly alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate, or remove a VIN
No need. The laws are very clear. And yes, intent do deceive would need to be proven in the courts, but first your car gets impounded, and you need to hire a lawyer to defend yourself. Does that sound like something anyone wants to try? Think of how many people that have been found guilty, and put all the way on death row, only to be cleared and released later. Don't gamble with the justice system. Remember, all a prosecutor needs to do is convince the majority of 12 people that are not clever enough to get out of jury duty.
And just to reinforce this, I know of someone in the UK that a few years ago, bought online and had imported into the UK a restored '55 Bel-Air Nomad, which was his dream car. Paid good money ($60k+) for a original older resto, done by the late owner about 25 years earlier. His family was selling the car. Upon import to the UK, car had to be inspected to get a UK registration, and the inspector spotted that the VIN plate had been removed and re-fitted, and knowing it is a federal offence in the USA, the UK authority refused to give the car a UK registration, and thus he spent $60k for a nice Nomad shaped paperweight that looks good in his garage but he can't drive. Having done similar paint on an over painted VIN plate before, the sticky tape method, or using a medical scalpel blade gently press the areas of over paint to 'crack' the paint, and use the sticky tape to pull the flakes off.
Some states are getting real anal about vin plates that have obviously been removed and put back on. The only numbers that count for anything on that plate are the stamped numbers. The patent numbers don't mean squat but a lot of guys go nuts because the plates aren't perfect in their eyes. I wish someone would make decals that overlaid on the "vin plates" for various older vehicles with cutouts for the stamped numbers so guys would quit removing the plates.
Thanks for all the replies. As I said in the OP removing the number/vin plate was never going to happen. The painter has a plastic razor blade which I might try but first I'll try Gorilla tape. Bottom line this will never be a 100 point car but a little attention to detail won't hurt anyway.
I would pull off what paint would come off with the tape method. Then mask-off and paint as is. The important numbers are stamped. It is what it is, fiddling with it too much just raises more questions.
They [dmv] used to check the number on the frame, stamped at assy line. Wouldn't that hold more water than a riveted on plate? It did in my instance.
I love these! They clean my hands even after painting cars. They clean my tools, and they will clean that plate likely. One side is abrasive, one side not. Orange smelling. I have them in my trailer, in my shop, in the house.
Paint thinner, acetone and carb cleaner will remove the original Black paint, especially when agitated like when you are rubbing the Red paint off.
I understand concerns of plate removal , many Fords the plate was attached to the drivers door . If throughout the life to date of the car or truck needed a smashed door replaced , what’s the answer to replacing the plate correctly to pass inspection ? Help me understand . I know it has to have been completed correctly in the past too many times to count . Just my 2 cents on the task
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