Topic: Door tag repair

[ruppstang]

Is there any way to restore original door tags? The black is very faded, the metal is ok. For a show car would you use a original like this or have a reproduction made?

[CharlesTurner]

So long as the reproduction is exactly like the original and the original is kept to be preserved, I don't see the harm in putting a new one on.  Although for T-bred/Unrestored classes, this would be a deduction.

[Bob Gaines]

Is there any way to restore original door tags? The black is very faded, the metal is ok. For a show car would you use a original like this or have a reproduction made?

I would much rather see a faded original then a pristine perfect repro. I have never deducted points for a tag with patina. But that is just me others may feel differently.

[lancelot66]

Our black areas are faded badly too but had decided a long time ago to leave it alone. Sometimes, I get lucky when I do touch-ups and the results are decent but knew in the case of the tag, I wouldn't do it justice without it "looking" restored, definitely not as good as produced. Figured if the edges are straight and the rivets are tight, with the legible/raised numbers, good enough. I sure was sure anxious to read your replies to this post however. I learn something valuable and applicable EVERY TIME I log in and do "my reading"...so grateful to all of you!

[J_Speegle]

I would much rather see a faded original then a pristine perfect repro. I have never deducted points for a tag with patina.

+1  But if it "bugs" you then story the original in the safe deposit box and put on a pretty new good reproduction (from Marti)

[DM_1964]

I'm not sure I'd get away or want to put back my original, the PO scratched up the plate pretty bad trying to remove paint. I got a little aggressive (years ago before I fully understood preserving originality) removing the plate by chisling the rivets off rather than drilling them out. However, Marti Auto Works did a fantastic job with the reproduction plate, I was really impressed with the precision the stamping was done.

[DM_1964]

I'm not sure I'd get away or want to put back my original...

I guess by the feedback that I should use the Marti reproduction plate.
Pics of just how precise the Repro was stamped to the original.

[rodster]

It's an item generally not seen at cars shows so your choice.  Should the car be restored and you have it judged, the reproduction tag would look great, I would just have the original tag handy to prove the provenance of the car.

I don't mind the 'patina' on the original tag. 

[drummingrocks]

It's an item generally not seen at cars shows so your choice.  Should the car be restored and you have it judged, the reproduction tag would look great, I would just have the original tag handy to prove the provenance of the car.

I don't mind the 'patina' on the original tag. 

I think that's the route I would go too.  Install the repro. plate, but keep the original in case you ever need it.

[DM_1964]

Thanks guys, I will go down that path, if it wasn't so scratched up I wouldn't have mined as I do like a patina finish...