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How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Bronze, stainless, chrome or steel. If you need information about the non-wood items on your Chris-Craft, pose your questions here.

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tparsons56
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How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tparsons56 » Mon Oct 31, 2016 7:46 am

I would like to clean and polish the plates from my 1941 Custom but before I do something stupid I thought I would ask for advice. So far I have cleaned them with just soap and water but I am leery of using brass/copper polish as I don't want to take the paint off. Any helpful hints?
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Manufactures Plates.jpg

Greg Wallace
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by Greg Wallace » Mon Oct 31, 2016 8:42 am

I have used "Flitz" with good results as well as other fine polishing compounds. I usually start out by rubbing with finger but in most cases these are pretty stout. Personally, however, I would leave the patina. You won't ever be able to get it back.
Greg Wallace 23 Custom 22166 former Chris-Craft dealer Russells Point, Oh.

charlesquimby
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by charlesquimby » Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:31 pm

I have had success by putting two newspaper sheets on a flat surface. Glass works great. Apply a light coat of Brasso to the news paper, then with the plate face down, just apply light pressure as you rub the plate in a figure 8. Try to avoid the plate corners digging in. Or, you can put a sheet of Wet-O-Dry grit side down. That provides a tougher surface than newspaper, and will resist tearing. CQ

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tkhersom
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tkhersom » Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:06 am

I have also used Flitz for this and all my chromed pieces.

Good Luck! :D
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

tparsons56
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tparsons56 » Tue Nov 01, 2016 7:19 am

Thanks to all for your reply's. I just want to go carefully so I don't remove the paint. The plates as they are right now are very hard to read so I'm just trying to clean them up a little bit.

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tkhersom
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tkhersom » Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:27 am

Here is the one I did a couple of year ago. Flitz did not bother the paint.

Still have not re-installed it on the boat yet. Plan on doing that this winter and having it in Dora in March.
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1101160900.jpg
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

jfrprops
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by jfrprops » Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:32 am

over the years I have saved a few of those plates from boats that were being cut up.....if anyone needs one...granted it is not for your boat....but ??

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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tuobanur
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tuobanur » Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:50 am

jfrprops wrote:over the years I have saved a few of those plates from boats that were being cut up.....if anyone needs one...granted it is not for your boat....but ??

John in Va.
John, do you have any that look like this?
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41 CC ID tag.jpg
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

jfrprops
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by jfrprops » Tue Nov 01, 2016 2:40 pm

terry, non like that....have a couple off of cruisers.....
John
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Al Schinnerer
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by Al Schinnerer » Wed Nov 02, 2016 11:41 am

I can supply exact reproductions of both nameplates.
Al Schinnerer
Restoration projects:

1940 C-C 27' Racing Runabout
1955 C-C 21' Cobra
1942 Gar Wood 33.5 Runabout
1972 Riva 21.5 Olympic

tparsons56
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tparsons56 » Thu Nov 03, 2016 3:03 pm

I did use the Flitz Polish to clean them up and they do look better but have not yet achieved a bright finish. At this point I am wondering if I want the bright finish or leave some patina. I know in the end it's my call but what are some opinions on this?
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Chris Craft Plates.jpg

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Jim Godlewski
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by Jim Godlewski » Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:29 am

They look great! Mission accomplished. Install.
1956 17 Sportsman CC-17-2310
1930 Model 100 7152

cenger
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by cenger » Tue Nov 08, 2016 11:14 am

I have read that you can paint the plate with black lacquer than with a fine grit Emory cloth on a flat surface lightly sand and the raised letters will show through as the paint gets sanded off. I have not tried this yet and after seeing what Flitz does I’m going to try that first. If Flitz does not work, I will go the lacquer route but I think yours look great after polishing.
1935 Gar Wood 16-35
1929 Gar Wood 28-30

tparsons56
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tparsons56 » Tue Nov 08, 2016 3:22 pm

Thanks - Everyone who I have shown these to has said to install them with the little bit of patina as shown. They even look better in the sunlight.

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Ed Andrews
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by Ed Andrews » Wed Nov 09, 2016 7:08 pm

tkhersom wrote:I have also used Flitz for this and all my chromed pieces.

Good Luck! :D
I had all my chrome redone this year and my chrome guy said NOT to use flitz on the chrome it has abrasives in it!! Just an FYI.
1951 Chris Craft Holiday
1952 12' Kit Boat w/Johnson 15HP engine

1953 Chris Craft Commander 10HP Outboard

cenger
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by cenger » Thu Nov 10, 2016 3:05 pm

Flitz did work well on my tag. Agree I would not use this on chrome, it is abrasive and removed some of the paint.
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CleanTag.JPG
BeforeTag.JPG
1935 Gar Wood 16-35
1929 Gar Wood 28-30

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tkhersom
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Re: How To Clean Manufacturers Plates

Post by tkhersom » Fri Nov 11, 2016 6:47 am

Ed Andrews wrote:
tkhersom wrote:I have also used Flitz for this and all my chromed pieces.

Good Luck! :D
I had all my chrome redone this year and my chrome guy said NOT to use flitz on the chrome it has abrasives in it!! Just an FYI.
That is interesting. I wonder how they can put "NON-ABRASIVE"" right on the cover?
DSC09153.JPG
Top of Flitz can.
All I know is that this is a picture of my scuppers off of American Beauty.
ModDSC05763.JPG
Scuppers before and after Flitz.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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