When I need to make license plates for my builds, I use the foil (lead/aluminum?) that seals the neck of wine bottles - the ones with corks, not the screw caps. It is nice and thin and very malleable. I simply soak it in lacquer thinner to remove the outside paint and then apply the license plate using white glue or canopy glue. Sometimes I will substitute and use double sided tape to secure the plate. By using this method, it gives me the option of making the plate look untouched or I can damage it by slightly bending and twisting the foil.
Also, I go online and use Acme License Maker to make personalized plates. I copy the original plate and then reduce that by 50% and then reduce that again by 50% and that gives me a plate suitable for 1/24 and 1/25.
Now you have a reason to have a glass wine while you are building that next masterpiece. Enjoy!!