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Sat May 26, 2012 1:14 pm

Thought I'd share a little project I just finished up today. PA has the ugliest antique plates out there.

I designed a custom vinyl sticker to cover up the Oldsmobile (or whatever it is). I cut out the numbers with a razor blade and applied it with the help of a hair dryer, smoothing out any air bubbles as I went. You literally cannot tell that it's a sticker unless you hold it an inch or two from your face. If I ever get stopped I can simply peel it off. I highly doubt that'll ever happen though. I think a cop will think it's a new design that he hasn't seen yet, before he would ever realize that it's a sticker.

I blocked out most of the plate but left the 7 so you could see the contrast.

My original design on a plate I found online that I used to mock up the sticker.

My original design.

Sat May 26, 2012 1:25 pm

Only reason I don't have PA antique plate is because they are so stupid looking. So congratulations on a great idea.

What vinyl did you use and how did you print it?

Sat May 26, 2012 1:34 pm

I just made the design with Photoshop and submitted the artwork to javasigns.com.

http://www.javasigns.com/product/108431

Sat May 26, 2012 1:59 pm

That is a great idea. I just sent in my application for Antique Pa tags, I had no idea they were so tacky..
Now you've got me wondering, wonder if I should go for an old beetle, or just white it out entirely?

Sat May 26, 2012 2:51 pm

haha I like that

Sat May 26, 2012 2:55 pm

In New York you can get a ticket for that, it's called "altered Plates" and it's not cheap.

Sat May 26, 2012 3:14 pm

Glenn wrote: In New York you can get a ticket for that, it's called "altered Plates" and it's not cheap. Killjoy

Sat May 26, 2012 3:16 pm

spanky324 wrote: Glenn wrote: In New York you can get a ticket for that, it's called "altered Plates" and it's not cheap. Killjoy
Hey... it's a couple of hundred dollar fine.

BTW.. YOM plate are the way to go.

Sat May 26, 2012 3:48 pm

Here in Philly, the cops could care less. They'd probably only give you an "altered Plate" ticket if you changed the plate info, or registration stickers. As long as you're insured and registered, they don't give much of a sh*t. But, I see your point Glenn. Probably risky for some townships/ states.

Sat May 26, 2012 7:18 pm

In Maryland we have plates that are 3 numbers a space and 3 more numbers. In that space they put a Maryland crest sort of like the state flag.

On my 911, I covered that state crest with small Porsche decals that covered it perfectly.

Most people never even notice the diference because the colors are so close.

But I got stopped by a state trooper and got a really nasty lecture about that. I was about to get a ticket but fortunately I know another trooper who just happens to be a member of the Porsche club. A quick phone call while in the glow of the flashing lights and a short conversation with my trooper friend and I was awarded a warning in place of a ticket.

That was 3 years ago and those Porsche decals are still on there. I still can't believe the trooper noticed them. But I was about to get a really heavy fine for having them on there.

Good luck with your tag! It looks cool.

Sun May 27, 2012 6:57 am

As a born-in-Pittsburgh person, I say your new plate looks absolutley great.

Here in Arizona there must be at least 50 different plate types, the state charges extra for all of them except "stock", including historical. Big money, surcharge every year, too, for special plates, personalized, etc.

They eliminated front plates and stamped characters to save costs, guess our inmates couldn't keep up....

Sun May 27, 2012 8:24 am

In Arizona the new plates are no longer stamped...they are painted. I have year of manufacture plates on my vehicle and yep it cost more but is way cool.

Sun May 27, 2012 11:56 am

that sucks about the restrictions and fines cuz those plates look dope brah! anyone got the skinny on plate laws in california? i would like to do something with this for my 63:
8)

Sun May 27, 2012 12:07 pm

What you did is illegal in PA. Why didn't you just wait for August when the new year of manufacture law goes into effect?

Sun May 27, 2012 1:07 pm

I got mine before the change.

And before you ask I'm not an RN .Just the random numbers that were drawn.

Sun May 27, 2012 7:44 pm

DDub wrote: What you did is illegal in PA. Why didn't you just wait for August when the new year of manufacture law goes into effect?

It's a sticker. I'll remove it if need be. I've taken a lot greater risks with the law in my lifetime than putting a sticker on a license plate. I think I'll be just fine. I wasn't really looking for peoples opinions on whether I should or shouldn't do it. I just wanted to show the end result. Thanks for your input though. :roll:

Sun May 27, 2012 7:50 pm

mattlyons wrote: I wasn't really looking for peoples opinions on whether I should or shouldn't do it. I just wanted to show the end result. Thanks for your input though. :roll:
I guess we're done then.