Getting paint off the Chassis Serial # Plate

[MelloYello]

Some 'idiot' painted over the Chassis Serial # Plate on my '56 GMC and I need to know how to clean the paint off and NOT damage or destroy the plate and the information stamped on it. Come'on gang, I know that one of Y'all has a secret ingredient or solution or goop like "Love Potion # 9" or something so give it up to a feller Rodder, ok?

If I knew who did this, I would pee in his paint sprayer !

[rumrumm]

If it was mine, and if it was stamped, I would consider drilling out the two rivets, removing the plate and soaking it overnight in a gel-type paint remover. Repeat the soaking if necessary. The majority of it should simply lift off. I would avoid using anything to scrape the paint from the plate.

[HWORRELL]

I'd try some laquer thinner on a rag or an old sign painters trick for removing old lettering was Easy off oven cleaner. I wouldn't touch those rivets unless it became absolutetly necessary because the highway patrol and/or DMV get real excited about it !

[ted dehaan]

try masking around it and lightly paint it with brake fluid .....ted

[rspears]

Mello,
Is the information really stamped/etched or is it a painted & baked plate? I don't know what the OEM process was in '56, but knowing that might influence your next steps. My first thought was oven cleaner like Jim said. Here's a link to a picture of one - looks like maybe anodized aluminum?? Mobile Photobucket

[shine]

that is a build plate. don't think you will find a vin on it. is there a vin plate on the windshield post ?

[MelloYello]

Roger, I think the numbers are stamped because I can see some of the letters thru the coats of paint.

Shine, No Vin plate or any other plate on either door frame and nothing in the glove box either.
Here's what it's supposed to look like according to GMC website.


I guess it's a coin toss whether to use Easy Off, gel paint remover, stripper or brake fluid - - - - so many choices LOL

As long as I can still read the numbers and letters then I will be happy.

Still can't figure what kind of idiot would paint over something like that. Oh Well !

[HOSS429]

not the least bit helpful to you i know but somewhat interesting info non the less .. the water jet cutting process was developed at my company 20 or so years ago and while testing it they could actually remove paint from a surface one layer at a time ...

[Rrumbler]

I wouldn't worry about the rivets, they have already been replaced; the originals were "bucked", these are pop rivets. I doubt you will get the paint off and save the original black paint, but the data is machine stamped into the plate surface. If you use mineral spirits or lacquer thinner, even fingernail polish remover, maybe, it shouldn't hurt the metal, but the black will leave with the blue. The original factory paint was a very thin, flat black, almost like an ink. I tried to clean up the plate on my Chevy, and wound up losing most of the black; left just enough to figure out what was printed on it. Since you have that illustration of a blank plate, you might be able to do some fine masking after you get it clean, and use some artists brushes and repaint it.

[shine]

new one on me. if he painted it he most likely primed it too. first thing i would try is 2 in tape to see if i could pull the color off. it he just shot over it maybe it will come off.

[sfort]

If the plate is alu. and the background black anodize, I don't think any of the above should hurt it. The adhesion test Shine mentioned would be the place to start. Or see if you can lift it with a razor blade. If it is anodize it may be stuck real good.

[shine]

if you wanted it painted it would fall off in sheets........ try tape then an air blower.

[lamin8r]

Mello,,I think the guy who did that was related to the doofus who painted my F100,which came from North Hills Ca. All I did,was to give it a light rub with some fine sandpaper,to determine what sort of paint it was..Pretty sure it was just gunna be cheap enamel...(it was),so I wet a rag with laquer thinners,and carefully worked on the edges,to soften the paint,,then just wiped the paint off,after I was sure it wasnt going to damage what was under it..All the black stamping on the tag stayed put..the paint came off..

[MelloYello]

Thanks Y'all - - - - lots of great suggestions and comments!
I'll start with the simplest and save the air impact chisel for last - - - RIGHT???

[paul274854]

Try 100 or 180 sandpaper or the 3M pads.