This is a 53 cj3a. It is a civilian model, Navy registered. I read elsewhere that they were prepared by the factory for base use. It has the Navy brass id tag on the dash.
The color in places looks like it's been spray blasted with a not quite matching whiter/flatter version of this "sky blue". But overall this color in the photo seems to be stock. The underside of most of the Jeep still has this thin layer of rough-texture undercoating that is peeling off in places, and the paint way up on the hat channels etc where the undercoat is peeling off is pristine like-new blue. It looks like about a semi-gloss.
I'm not doing a full restoration, but I am attempting not to make any permanent changes that would make it unviable as an authentic restoration. As an example, I'm using more modern CJ seats, but they are just bolt on and can be swapped out if someone down the line were interested in going more original.
Likewise for the body, I'd like to "honor" the original intent of the vehicle since it is rare- keep the navy registration numbers and the color while I'm making spot repairs. Ideally I'd love to use just spray cans but I'd order the paint special if that's what it takes.
While we're at it, I'd like to take the paint off all of the vinyl(?) registration numbers on the hood and tailgate, ideally without ruining the vinyl - and without having to paint them in / replace them if possible. Any suggestions for safely cleaning those up?
