License Plates

Well, as timing and energy is an issue tonight, I determined that any progress would be slight and scarce.  But I did have a few minutes and did not wish to waste them.  Last night, I soldered the rear light panel wiring harness.  It had been assembled and wires twisted previously.  I just finally got around to soldering them up.  So, now the wires are soldered, taped, and the harness is installed inside the panel.  All that is lacking is to fit up where the mounting brackets will go and weld them to it, then smear a little kitty hair on it to level and seal up the panel.  Then we will be ready for paint. 

Tonight, I packed up the horns and fog lights that had recently been repainted.  This should help to ensure that they don't end up screwed up in the garage.  I then made attempt #2 at restoring the 1949 Texas Farm Truck Plates.  These Year of Manufacture (YoM) plates will serve as the plates, giving the ol' truck the apperance of being just as it would have been in '49.  Hardest part of it trying to lay two colors of paint down and look right. 

One accord that I read suggested painting with two different chemistries of paint.  Example - epoxy and lacquer.  Found a can of gloss black epoxy spray paint, and found a can of yellow that matched the original field color of the plate. According to the individuals recommendation on refinishing these plates, paint the number color first, then fully cure.  Follow this by the field color, and let dry.  Next, use whatever material will remove the field color (indicated on the can) and remove over the letters.

The first attempt was to sand the field color coat off.  Cut down too quickly and unevenly, even with 1000 grit paper.  So the epoxy cleans up with lacquer thinner, and the enamel for the field color cleans up with mineral spirits.  Here's hoping!  Perhaps I should take some pictures of this process.