VINs stamped after painting?

[markb]

I've searched but I can't find a post that mentioned something about the VIN number being stamped after the frame was painted.  Apparently that is why many of the numbers are rusted.  My question is would it be desirable for a more correct restoration to remove the paint in the numbers and any ideas how this could be done without making it look like the numbers are tampered with?
Mark

[kp]

Try this one Mark
http://cb750sandcastonly.com/smf_forum/index.php?topic=533.0

Good question and I have thought about this often, tossing around a number of thoughts. A couple was body filler without the hardener, plaster of paris, modelling clay, icing sugar (cos it would dissolve with water) candle wax cos this will dissolve in hot water. I remember Andy Morris telling me that using a scribe after painting worked for him. Just some thoughts.

[markb]

That's it.  Thanks KP.  Only now I have a decision to make.  97's frame is already painted so do I leave it alone, try to remove the paint in the numbers or have it repainted with something to mask the numbers?  Sometimes I wonder why I even think about these things.