How to clean plates?

[68Formula]

I mean literally! I'm trying to use some year of manufacture plate, which are fairly straight, but almost 40 years of grime. Repainting is considered illegal, so the best I can do it try to get it as clean as possible without taking off the paint.

Any ideas beyond normal soap and water would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[dropit69]

id try simple green and a scrub brush..i dont think itll take the paint off..

[CRCRFT78]

I thought repainting of plates was only illegal if your trying to change colors, such as painting a California Blue Plate to a California Black Plate. How do these plate restorers get away with it if its illegal? I would try any degreaser that won't strip paint.

[Rhino]

Something else to mention. Older plates (I only have experience with Kansas '68 and '69) seem to have had a reflective substance sprinkled into the highlight paint when it was wet. You don't want to scrub on it too hard. The more you scrub, the more of these beads you lose.

Even though it's considered illegal, I usually paint the tag back to original colors. The reflective beads can be purchased from hobby stores. After it's complete you can create a wash of brown paint and thinner to rub over the plate surface. It gives it a slightly weathered look. It doesn't look quite so freshly painted and reflects really well at night.

[68Formula]

I thought repainting of plates was only illegal if your trying to change colors, such as painting a California Blue Plate to a California Black Plate. How do these plate restorers get away with it if its illegal?

1) Each state is responsible for it's own rules, so it is possible that some states may allow it. Mine specifically says repainted plates are not allowed for road use on registered vehicles.

2) Painting is not actually illegal. Using painted plates on the road is illegal.

Rhino, thanks for the tip on the beads. My guess is this is part of the reason why they don't allow repainted parts. Someone repainted may not use this reflective surface. I noticed when cleaning with soap and water there was a shinyness at different angles.