Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Wire bush the heck out of it to remove any traces of paint, grease and or oil that may be down in the stamping indents. Then run with white chalk, and then wipe it off. That should leave the chalk down in the indents and make it easier to read. The trick is getting all the paint and grease out of the indents first.

O_D probably has the answer but if you can believe TV never telling a lie or using artistic license, there was an episode of "Bones" where she used swimming pool muriatic acid on a q-tip. Rubbed the acid over some filed off numbers on a gun to bring them out. Some explanation about the molecules under the stamped numbers being changed by the stamping process in such a way the acid reacts.

I guess if you were careful and neutralized afterwards, even if it didn't help the worst that would happen would be a super rust, grease and paint free area.

The muriatic acid method is a fairly standard and well-known technique. The molecular structure which was impacted by the stamp has a different structure and different reactivity to an etchant.

Thank you Big Kev, Howard & O_D. I've got a wire brush and I'll pick up some Muriatic Acid tomorrow. I gone this far and now I haveto know if there is anything really there.
I must point out though, that is is about this point when my family starts making serio-comic "jokes" about involuntary committal.

So, if I suddenly disappear.....