License Plate Frame Restoration (chrome)

[sithot]

Here's why I shy away from 'restoring' just about anything . . .

Hard-to-get bit, probably in rough-but-not-too condition originally --- now? . . .

I think that leaving well enough alone may be a good idea. Sorry 'bout that one.

Tom

[Fastdog911]

I goofed around with backdating a new Brumos frame.. I personally like a frame to appear around the year the car it is.. before you drop some coin buy a few old frames... try to do it yourself. The chrome paint at Home Depot really works well and you can get the other paint supplies at a hobby store.

[ejboyd5]

The enemy of good is better. Leave the chrome alone and touch up the paint.

[sabby]

.........Very well said........................................

[Peanut]

I goofed around with backdating a new Brumos frame.. I personally like a frame to appear around the year the car it is.. before you drop some coin buy a few old frames... try to do it yourself. The chrome paint at Home Depot really works well and you can get the other paint supplies at a hobby store.

I think this approach is kinda cool. I agree w being careful w restoring one, and this is a decent way to get a good look. Does that chrome paint actually look decent? Never tried it. What's the prep?

[Fastdog911]

I have used chrome paint on different projects... scotch brite whatever you are painting then I usually clean up with acetone and prime it and chrome it... main thing is the shake the life out of the can to get good coverage.. start spraying a foot away from item and at medium tempo swipe across it.. 2 passes then wait.. then shake again... above was done with a combo of a brillo pad, acetone, q tips, 800 grit sandpaper. I put a few scratches in it to make it look old.

[LongRanger]

Dropped-off a frame for restoration by Charles Sihilling Metal Finishing in Santa Ana, CA

I had considered doing a ‘test-run’ w/ a not-so-special/-tweaked frame . . . but the work I’ve seen so far looks more-than-acceptable. Save myself some $

And so, the toughest part has been picking a frame to restore. Most of the ones that I have are well-used --- and I like them fine . . . which is why I got them in the first place. The few that could use some repair/resto are a mixed bag of wear + bends + breaks + etc. The worst might be a bit challenging --- re: $$$ . . . to bring back. Plus? On some --- I have no idea what they’re supposed to look like

The frame that I chose is an early ‘70s Allred. Nice frame --- big panel RWB &Co, in un-restored condition --- still has some of its original paint . . . but beat. Lotsa little tweaks + bends --- but no breaks. Also, not a lot of detailing to get goofed-up by plating. I figure this will need a lot of ‘metal-finishing’ vs –repairing/-replacement

Anyway, went by the store, showed + told + placed my order. I specifically requested that I be contacted after all the metalwork gets done --- and prior to any chrome being applied --- to see how the re-finishing looks . . . but I also want to talk about the plating

No shiny/heavy/flashy ‘show chrome’ on this. I want as thin a kiss o’ chrome as these Guys can manage = ‘flash-chrome’

Also --- painting is not done by Sihilling . . . they farm it out. Not surprising, but I’d still like to meet The Painter. If worse comes to worse? --- I can do it myself: compressor + air-brush + years mixing paints + building models. Should be straight-forward . . . dull blue lettering + dull white back-round

Stay tuned . . .

[914-6gt]

Dropped-off a frame for restoration by Charles Sihilling Metal Finishing in Santa Ana,

Stay tuned . . .

Very interested in your results, I'm in the final stage of restoring an original 'early' Vasek Polak Manhattan Beach license plate.

The way it was...



After the blast... (and pot-metal weld-repair)



More photos here

[sithot]

Dropped-off a frame for restoration by Charles Sihilling Metal Finishing in Santa Ana, CA

I think we have the club "hand model". Dibs on being his agent.

Tom

[pete000]

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