Do-It-Yourself Guide to Engine & Chassis Detailing: Show-Quality Engine and Chassis Preparation Techniques (S-a Design)

Also recommended: "Do-It-Yourself Guide to Custom Painting."

This book contains sections on general detailing techniques, including sand blasting, painting, powder coating, polishing, welding, and stuck bolt removal. Specific sections apply these techniques to engines, brakes, suspension, and exhaust. I particularly enjoyed the sections on polishing and powder coating.

The powder coating section includes details of a do-it-yourself kit that costs only $150. This kit allows you to apply most powder coatings, and cure them using an ordinary household oven (don't use the one in the kitchen, you'll never get the smell out). I ordered the kit as soon as I read the section, and I have been powder coating all kinds of stuff, and it works!

The polishing section has also proved to be immediately useful. I also ordered the polishing kit recommended in the book, and I have been practicing. Though it is not as easy as powder coating, I am starting to get some professional looking results.

This book was written in cooperation with the Eastwood Company. Eastwood manufactures and distributes all kinds of unique and nifty gadgets for automotive repair and restoration.

While this book is excellent, I held back on giving it five-stars because it did not contain quite enough material. It could use a bit more detailed information in each section, and I would have paid more for it. But as it stands, it is a good work and worth the money.


Grab your wrench and go to work   June 7, 2000
 21 out of 21 found this review helpful

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I ordered this book but when I first opened it, I was disappointed. I mean, how many times do I need to read about how to set up a shop? The further I got into the book though, the more I realized that Jim Richardson has been in the wrench business for some time and that he knows some pretty good tricks.

If you're looking for a step by step book similar to How to Restore Your Ford Pickup by Tom Brownell, look somewhere else. Jim's book hits on many of the lesser know subjects like broken bolts, media blasting, steering boxes, and powder coating. Oh ya, if you don't know who the Eastwood Company is, you sure will by the time you finish this book. A lot of their products are featured.

All in all, I would have to say the book was worth the money. Heck, the door alignment carpet trick and the info now how to deal with a front coil spring without injuring my body, probably paid for the book.