MTFCA Forum

Recently I was able to procure a dash board patent plate tag for my Oct-Nov 1911 car:
By the time my car was built, the number on the dash board patent plate did not match the serial number. This one is 403 away from my serial number which makes it an appropriate (although not original) number to match the car.

I'd sure rather have a worn original than a reproduction which I shall leave void of an adjective. Compare for yourself:

The discussion on black oxide for the hubcaps got me thinking:
Is there a way to darken the background of the tag? The image has been digitally enhanced so has more contrast than the actual tag.

Is there any way (or anyone) to restore it?

Or should I leave it well enough alone?

: ^ )

Boy, I'd sure leave it alone. Very little you can do that won't make it worse, and there is nothing wrong with an early car wearing its character with pride.

Keith:
I'd probably leave that one alone too. I've done several using black lacquer, and then sanding the letters with very fine sand paper. In some of the high places, like where the number is, I've used a clean rag with a bit of thinner on it. A Q Tip with some thinner works too. It's all trial and error.

Leaving it as-is would probably be best. If you wanted to go the oxidization route, the surface you wish the blacken needs to be consistently clean. Brass is more particular about the blackening process than steel. If you don't get off what's on there now, it will come out splotchy. That will be difficult to do without affecting the surfaces you don't want to touch. I think what you have looks dignified given its age.