Revive Your Ride: Secrets from a Body and Paint Restoration Pro

Now anyone can learn how to hammer, fill, polish, and paint a vehicle and restore it to its days of glory. Restoration expert and popular author Larry Lyles skips the mechanics and takes you right to the nitty-gritty, describing the repair and refinishing process, step by easy step.

Larry's clear and entertaining descriptions make Revive Your Ride approachable for auto restorers at any level. And more than 150 photos demonstrate each process in detail. Featuring original material and a complete chapter of fascinating FAQs, this book is based on many articles written for Auto Restorer magazine. And because the techniques in Revive Your Ride can be applied to any car—not just a specific make or model—it is sure to become the most popular reference book in any auto restorer's library!

Learn easy-to-follow restoration and refinishing techniques for your car from a seasoned auto body professional. Then you can bring your old ride back to showroom condition!

This real-world, up-to-date guide shows you how to:

Set up a "perfect" shop
Find the best tools, for both repairing and refinishing
Identify and repair just about any sheet metal damage
Paint and refinish a complete vehicle, from bare metal to the final finish
Restore even the most intricate nameplates and badges

Most important, learn how to do it once, do it right, and Revive Your Ride!

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments | Introduction

Section One: Getting Started
The Shop | Tools

Section Two: Repairing Sheet Metal Damage
Repairing Sheet Metal | Repairing Stretched Metal | Panel Sectioning | Lead Repair | Door Skin Replacement | Quarter Panel Replacement | Applying Plastic Body Filler | Rules for Sheet Metal Repair

Section Three: Refinishing Tools and Products
Respirators | The HVLP Spray Gun | Understanding Primers | PPG Clear Coat Products

Section Four: Painting and Refinishing
Painting | Priming and Blocking Techniques | Rules for Refinishing | Paint Disasters | Powder Coating

Section Five: Adding the Finishing Touches
Restoring Nameplates, Emblems, and Badges | Molding Repair Techniques | Door, Hood, and Deck Lid Alignment | Questions and Answers

Appendix | Index

About the Author

Larry Lyles is an automotive restoration specialist and owner of LPL Bodyworks in Amarillo, Texas. He is also a member of The Dodge Charger National Registry and enjoys attending as many car shows as possible. He lives in Amarillo with his wife, Patricia, who is also a muscle car enthusiast. His other book is Project Charger: The Step-by-Step Restoration of a Popular Vintage Car.