Since Y'all were so kind in offering your help, I'll update you on the VIN plate.
Tried some liquid remedies but it was taking the black off so I decided to take
the plate completely off (I know I was told not to but I couldn't work on it
with it mounted in the door jam) - - - anyhow I used an x-acto knife, steel wool
and fine sand paper but mostly the x-acto knife and finally got most of it off to
where I could at least read the information stamped on it. Thanks again, Y'all !