This is something I just found online. It pertains to trailer VINs, but the information is useful nonetheless:
"I'm writing this post to pass along a solution to a very common, sometimes expensive, and always time consuming problem: a faded VIN on an older model trailer making titling and registration difficult in most municipalities.
"The Setup: I bought a mid 90's model PWC and trailer combination. We tried everything we could think of to read a very faded VIN on a Load Rite trailer. The prior owner could not produce any record of ownership for the trailer. At the Virginia DMV we had a senior detective and another experienced manager try every way they knew to read the faded VIN. We could read almost nothing from the existing label. Trying to avoid $150 for affixing a new VIN on the trailer, the detective spent 3 weeks (not continuously, of course) trying to find any record of the trailer. Dead ends everywhere. At this point the prior owner tells me the problem is mine and runs from the deal with me holding a trailer that could not be registered properly.
"The Solution: Some odd internet search results indicated that a UV light used for forensic purposes could make certain inks show up, a bit like an invisible ink in secret messages. Worth a try, so night falls and I pull out the black light from a dusty shelf, turn it on near the label, and like magic, 100% OF THE PREVIOUSLY INVISIBLE VIN WAS NOW LEGIBLE.
"I could not believe it was so easy and I had not found anyone reporting this method, other than forensic experts for criminal investigations. Of course, not every situation will be like mine, but many must be exactly like mine from the various search results I've encountered over the last month."
"I hope this helps at least a few of our readers from suffering through the same problems I had. Good luck."
--(from The Hull Truth Boating Forum: Want2Befishing)
Here is the link on Google:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=how+to+read+faded+vin+plates
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