Tales from the Toolbox is a unique collection of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes as told, in their own words, by former Grand Prix mechanics who have worked at the top level of the sport during the past 50 years. On the front line of the sport, mixing with drivers and team bosses, they saw a side of it that nobody else got to see and rarely gets to hear about – and this book tells their story. Chapters are themed around a particular aspect of a mechanic’s life, ranging from what they consider the highs and lows of their career, to their opinions of drivers and team bosses, the all-nighters, letting off steam, the ‘Mechanic’s Gallon,’ nightmare journeys and customs capers. It also reveals a tale of camaraderie between teams and individual mechanics which is hard to imagine in today’s highly competitive Formula One environment. The stories are supplemented by photographs from the archives and photo albums of the mechanics themselves, many of which are previously unseen.
From Prep to Final Coat is a book that covers all the bases when it comes to restoring or painting a car or motorcycle. It is a complete guide for anyone who is thinking about or restores and or paints cars, trucks, hot rods or motorcycles. It’s designed for the beginner as well as as the more experienced painter or restorer. Its is without a doubt the most comprehensive book ever written on paint and bodywork.
Paint, bodywork, and restoration technology has changed quite a bit in the last 20 and even 10 years and this book is the most comprehensive guide to understanding and using that new technology such as waterborne paints, with easy to understand guides to getting the most out of the products being used.
The book is split into two parts. Part 1 covers everything: explaining solvent and waterborne paint and most materials used in the restoration and painting process, as well as the tools used for these tasks: understanding paint spray guns, welders, plasma cutters, air tools and hand tools. There are 12 step by step instruction chapters that show the processes of restoring and painting a classic musclecar, bodywork, panel bonding seam sealing, repairing and painting plastic and fiberglass parts, designing and mixing custom colors.
Part 1 also contains a very comprehensive and easy to understand guide to painting with waterborne paint. Recent EPA regulations have restricted solvent-based paints for use only in approved professional paint booths, meaning that do-it-yourselfers can no longer use them–and it won’t be long before their use is banned entirely.
Part 1 also features a chapter on Troubleshooting Paint Issues, and how to avoid them.
Part 2 contains 12 chapters that cover painting most kinds of custom artwork on hot rods and motorcycles. There are whole chapters devoted to painting ghost flames, real fire flames, flag graphics, cutting edge and retro flake graphics, wood grain and stone effect basecoats and even a chapter devoted to using waterborne paint to create classic traditional hot rod flames. And Chapter 26 shows how to apply a cleacoarcoat finish over all your hard work, then buff it to a glassy show car result.
JoAnn Bortles has put all her 34 years of restoration, bodywork, painting and custom artwork experience into one easy to follow step by step guide that packs an incredible amount of information into one book.
Automotive Paint from Prep to Final Coat is the first book to provide instruction and hows to for waterborne paints. In addition to this critical information, author and top professional painter JoAnn Bortles covers all the techniques necessary to get the great results your car deserves. From initial body-panel preparation, to troubleshooting common problems, to application of the final coat, and all steps in between, this book is the only reference you will need to ensure your DIY automotive paint job is done right the first time.
