How to Restore Automotive Trim and Hardware (Motorbooks Workshop) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

So often an otherwise immaculate classic may be spoilt by dented or marked trim, so this softback is a welcome introduction on how to fix what you've got if you can't replace it. With the help of specialsit experts it shows how to deal with all kinds of metal and plastic pieces - and their fixings --Octane magazine, Sept 2009;Even if you don't do the work yourself, it's often useful to know what's involved in the various aspects of classic restoration - and if there's one aspect of rebuilding that owners underestimate or overlook, it's the trim. Gunnell focuses mainly on chrome and steel parts with some reference to plastics and instruments, discussing chemical reactions, plus tecniques and materials to replace and restore.Though it concentractes on American vehicles, the observations are no less valid for European cars. --Classic Car Weekly, September 2009

How to Restore Automotive Trim and Hardware is a must have book for anyone who's serious about bringing their classic car back to life. If your car restoration project is anything but a mainstream classic car, such as a Mustang or Chevy where reproduction pieces are readily available, you know that finding replacement trim for your car can be a daunting task. The stuff oftentimes just can't be found, and when it can, it most likely will need some repair work to bring it up to snuff. Authored by John Gunnell, the book shows how to repair a large variety of materials and finishes used for automotive brightwork. From shiny chrome plating, brushed aluminum and stainless to plastics and potmetal, this book covers it all --second chance gaarge dot com, July 2009

Unless your budget allows you to pay experts to do all your maintenance for you ( not a bad idea if you can afford it!), if you own an American car more than a few years old, you need this book.! Whether you have a show-winning classic or a daily driver, before long you will have to consider how best to maintain, repair, or replace some of the missing parts, componenets do break without notice or abuse and accidents do happen to even the most carefull drivers. most American cars, regardless of age have a great deal of decprative trim inside and out, consisting of stainless s teel, aluminium, chromed steel, plastic or the dreaded pot metal. all these become brittle rust, crack, blister. their removal and replacment on teh car can also be a nightmare for the unwary without prior knowledge of teh underlying fixings. Furthermore acquiring replacments trim for older or rarer cars can be a long, tedious and expensive task, so repairing and refinsihing the exsisting parts is often the best and perhaps the only option. John Gunnell is a well known and respected author of many automotive books. As a car enthusiast himself, with personal experience of restoring older vehicles, he was asked to update and expand a book written some time ago by professional trim restorer Jeff Lilly How To Restore Metal Auto Trim, considered the standard reference on this subject for teh trade. It's not, however, readily available for the hobbyist. Gunnell's task was to discover how the trade approaches the restoration of old car trims, badges, emblems, and so on, including the myriad fixings necassery to attach them to the body. He approaches the task by going to the experts who were geneorus in sharing their knowledge and opening their toolboxes for inspection. Unsurprisingly, they utilise an eclectic mixz of professionally manufactured and home-made tools. Many of the latter are fabricated for a specific job from second-hand tools bought very cheaply and modified to suit the job in hand. also described is the necasseery sfety equipment, inclduing eye protection, golves, work aprons, and ahrd hats. When buffing metal, loose particles can break away at considerable velocity and time in the hospital is time away from the garage. care is taken to explain how the tools should be used, their strenghts and weaknesses, the various techniques used for restoring different materials, and also when home repair is impractical. Then it's time to pass the problem to a professional. finishing the repaired parts is also covered indetail, including polishing and re-plating plastic, the use of resin to replicate rare mouldings, the advantages of powder coating parts and even how to wood grain. Everything is illustrated with clear photos carefuly chosen to assist the reader in understanding the techniques being demonstrated. After reading this book even if you feel you don't have the skills to restore or refinish worn parts on your pride and joy, you will understand why professional assistance can be expensive. You will appreciate what skills they have, the money they have invested in specialist tools and equipment, and, most importantky, taht such work takes time. It's worth the price of the book just for this understanding. --Classic American, March, 2010

When restoring classic cars the devil is in the detail - and often in the small pieces of decorative trim and hardware. One of the best car restorers in the business provides step-by-step instructions for getting those essential details just right, whether it is replacing a part or section, repair, or simply polish or chrome. Step-by-step instructions, guidance, advice guide the reader through each step, accompanied by colour photographs. Master craftsman Jeff Lilley covers the repair of stainless steel and aluminium trim, decorative strips, fenders, bumpers, hubcaps, wheel covers, door and trunk handles and more - making this the complete, indispensable guide for anyone putting the finishing touches to their car.