1 Ton Trailer Data Plate Question

[Don in CA]

I have a 1 Ton trailer that has a data plate I cannot read. The plate is on the upper driver's side front and is 3 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. The top & bottom edges are scallopped, or "wavey" with the short vertical sides straight. It's attached with two rivits. It is painted over, somewhat rusty, and has deep rounded stamping on two lines, with a short bit of stamping in the upper right corner. This plate has a very distinctive shape I have never seen before. Does anyone recognize this plate? Is it any specific manufacturer? The trailer had a generater or compressor or something similar mounted in it originally (now gone). DON

[Bill_Wolf]

Don,

A close-up picture of the plate would help with identification.

I have had some luck with dataplate cleanup by painting the plate with brake fluids. I put it on let it sit until the overcoat of paint starts to bubble and then remove it with a shop wipe. This may have to be done a couple of times. It doesn't alway work but has with me. It seems to take off the recent paint but leaves the original black paint untouched.

If you are looking for the numbers I have removed the plate and viewed the punches from the reverse side.

Using an abrasive pad, steel wool, etc causes to much damage to the orginal screening.

Bill

[Don in CA]

Thanks Bill. At first I tried some wire brushing, but I think the plate is rusted on the surface under the paint to the point there isn't any black paint or print left. I can take a picture the next time I'm at my shop, but I'm unable to post pictures on this site. I was hoping someone might have encountered a data plate with wavy-scallopped edges on the top & bottom. I've never seen one like that. It's pretty distinctive. The stamping is small & very deep as if the whole die pushed into the plate. I was also thinking the numbers may be readable on the reverse, but I haven't taken the plate off yet. I want to get it photographed first. After it's off I may not be able to get a vin verification for registration purposes even if I can read the numbers. Hopefully a photo will help confirm it came off of this trailer. I'll try brake fluid. It's an easy idea and it can't hurt. There may be something salvageable. DON