Technical Model A serial number recovery

Model A frame that has a mostly visible VIN (serial number). There are two numbers that are questionable. I cleaned it off with a soft wire wheel then some light grit paper to bring out what I could see but not good enough to see it all. I’m worried about using anything rougher thinking it may make the visible numbers worse. Any ideas? I heard years ago about some type of acid that would pull them out to be visible. Not sure if that was really a thing. In Kentucky it’s easy to get a title if the VIN is used. Anyone have any idea how to clean it up without damaging what is good to the eye?

 

I have had good luck using plain old spit to draw the numbers out. Albeit until the spit dries.

 

Lol. Too rusty for the spit rub

 

Can you put a piece of paper on the frame and rub a pencil against it to get an impression of it that will maybe be more discernable? I've heard of guys doing that buy haven't done it myself.

 

I guess this goes without saying but don’t forget that once the body is back on , none of the stamped frame numbers are visible.

 

50:50 muriatic acid and water, in a very small quantity, brushed on, while wearing respiratory, skin, and eye protection.

This will slightly erode the metal, but that's what you want. Dab the acid ONLY where you need to recover the numbers. Start far off of the end, and look for the five-pointed star first. Grease will protect the areas where you can already see the numbers.

Where the metal has been struck with the stamps, it is more dense, and will erode at a different rate.

Be ready flood the area with water as soon as you can discern numbers.

 

I used a piece of chalk then rubbed off the excess exposing the numbers on mine. It made it easier for CHP to verify it when I got it registered.

 

You might try yellow magic marker.

 

I'm not a fan of muriatic acid in the wrong hands but Gimpshotrods is that guy who has inspected and verified a bunch of Vin numbers on chassis.
At any rate, be gentle as those numbers often aren't very deep depending on who was swinging the hammer that hour.

 

If you use Muriatic acid, be sure the metal is absolutely free of any dirt, grease or paint, especially in the recesses of the stamped numbers, or it won't work. The acid will take care of any rust.

 

I know. The sheriff will inspect it with the body off. That will get me what KY calls a classic title. After the car is built another inspection is done. I’ll tag the firewall. If they say anything I’ll pull the body again.

 

Issue is that right at two of the numbers it almost looks like a rust pit. So marking it won’t help. I mirrored the metal almost with fine sandpaper then my dirty fingers over the numbers showed all but two very clear.

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I’ll give the acid a try.

 

In some states you can get a law enforcement officer to come by your house/shop and verify the VIN during construction and give you a form to take to the DMV. Done this several times and the fee is $25. Make sure that the form doesn’t have an expiration date.

 

Just make the best guess as to the hazy digits. What are the chances that what you come up with are still in use?

 

Gonna sound crazy, but I would try dusting it with talcum powder then lightly brush it with one of your wife's soft makeup brushes. Kind of like fingerprinting your serial number.
Good luck!

 

The last Model A that I registered was about 8 years ago here in Ontario. It seemed all they were concerned with was getting their sales tax. I presented the 58 year old Michigan title from a long deceased previous owner I had never met and a bill of sale from a different guy that sold me the car.
I did bring pictures of the original matching numbers on the engine and the numbers on the chassis when I had removed the body but they didn't even want to see them

I had wiped the area on the frame clean with a scotch pad, wiped it off with acetone, then rubbed white chalk in as hard and deep as I could, then lightly wiped with a soft cloth stretched over a rubber block. The last number was the most difficult to read but it showed up better in the photo.

Different jurisdictions will differ but just be honest and polite and present what you believe the numbers are and hope for the best. Good luck!

 

Kentucky has a builders title which is a pain and the newest is what they call a Classic title. Car can not be in the KY system so out of state cars. They come and inspect it for a VIN. With his paperwork and some stuff you have to fill out you take it all to the courthouse. They check it out then send you a classic title. KY title saying you own the car but it’s not legal for street use. You build the car then drive it to the courthouse. They come out and inspect the VIN the mileage and gives you more paperwork to take in the courthouse. Then they print you a new KY title that is legal on the street. I did it on my Essex. Easy as can be.