Well thanks to everyone who responded I found my serial numbers (aka. VIN) on my 48- right near the cowl as I was told.. under grit and grime - so I had used a wire brush on the end of my drill to locate but now I am afraid to wipe off the numbers!.. Any suggestions at this point, I have tried Easy off, Aircraft Paint Remover and nothing seems to be doing the trick. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Try reading the number on your transmission case. If it hasn't been changed it might "help" you read the numbers. The numbers are also two more places under the body on the left frame rail. See: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm You might also google acid etching serial numbers. Show your picture to the DMV and see what they suggest, maybe they have a way to acid etch. Charlie Stephens
I am not trying to Get VIN Verification- I have Clean ***le- Serial Numbers Match my ***le (Second Owner)- I am doing this for my own gratification! (Yes Numbers match my ***le)!! - I am looking at those Restoration VIN Chemicals like "Fry's Reagent" anyone use those? Thank you - Appreciate the Help and advice!!
How would you proceed to make the numbers more visible? I have used a Wire brush (on drill) up to this point and I am afraid of rubbing off numbers? Do I continue with Wire brush? do I buy Etching chemicals? Any Suggestions would be appreciated (FYI- I am a Physician- so descriptions are not my strong suit) Cheers,
My 46 Olds are similar, very feint. Wet and dry sandpaper with a lot of elbow grease will bring them up but not wear them down.
A wire brush with br*** or copper bristles will bring the numbers out more clearly without doing any damage. Those numbers can be very faint at times. The number stamped on the bell of the trans case was copied onto the frame rail by a guy with a hammer and a set of number stamps (no joke, that's how King Henry V8 did it). Sometimes the guy swung the hammer harder than at other times. If the ch***is came down the line toward the end of the day when the guy's arm was tired, you got a faint number.
use a roloc bristle disc. it will remove all the paint but no metal. i have used them to clean the paint from the vin tags with no damange
I use battery acid it will bring up the number. A Q-tip and dab leave for about 5 min. After that clean off with baking soda and water. Dry out with carb spray. Use white paint to have the info pop out. Then clear coat it with at least three coats. That's is what I do.