Ganahl touches on paint stripping and metal repair methods, paint formulas, preparation techniques, tools, and-you guessed it-effective means to transform your garage into an ad hoc paint booth. His instructions run the gamut from quick fixes to all-out restoration, and he dispenses professionals' tricks along the way. He doesn't consider the job done when the paint dries either; instead, he lets Bill Larzelere tell us how to make a good job look that much better by showing us how to color sand and polish finished surfaces.
While Ganahl's comprehensive tutorial makes "How to Paint Your Car on a Budget" informative, it's his casual delivery and plain language that makes it so exceptional. Without a doubt, prep and paintwork is intimidating; however, after reading this, I'm convinced even I could paint a car.
Small-Block Chevy Performance, 1955-1996
Cartech
What's there to say about a half-century-old engine that hasn't been said in a hundred books already? Plenty, according to John Baechtel's "Small-Block Chevy Performance, 1955-1996." While Chevy's latest Mouse is more than a decade obsolete, its salad days aren't over. In fact, this book in its latest incarnation is a gospel to the still-strong list of aftermarket-parts manufacturers that cater to Chevrolet's first-series baby.
It isn't what this book includes that makes it so good. In fact, it's quite the opposite; it's the obsolete information that didn't make it into this book's production that makes it stand out from its peers. Gone are the hare-brained schemes, and in their place are 50 years of solid, proven techniques. While Baechtel endorses several manufacturers' wares, this book is more of a testimonial to sound preparation and construction practice than a bid to generate business for an already bustling aftermarket industry.
The parts identification guides are factual; the modifications listed are relevant. Tables full of tolerance recommendations and parts guides pepper the book; checklists throughout eliminate the variables that invariably trip up even the best engine builders. Most importantly, Baechtel elected not to dilute "Small-Block Chevy Performance" with a step-by-step assembly guide.
While the first-series small-block Chevrolet engine may be a decade out of production, "Small-Block Chevy Performance" stands as proof that the engine is nowhere near obsolete. In fact, if books like this are any indication to the small-block's livelihood, the end for the Mouse that roars is nowhere in sight.
How To Custom Paint Your Car
Motorbooks
For decades now we've all celebrated flames, scallops, graphics, and murals. On the other hand, any enterprising custom car painter will tell you that the methods the old hands use to achieve their particular results are practically trademarked secrets. In fact, the custom-paint crowd as a whole is a pretty cagey lot.
That said, the diehards can't be altogether happy with JoAnn Bortles (Crazy Horse Painting). Her "How To Custom Paint Your Car" is a comprehensive tome dedicated to paint in general and custom-painting applications specifically. In just short of 200 pages, she discusses the tools and tricks the pros use to achieve intricate and mind-boggling paint designs.
Beyond the general paint tutorial at the beginning, Bortles jumps right into rather complicated painting techniques like 'flake spraying and marbling. She dedicates a whole chapter to nothing but airbrushing, including the patterning techniques used to accurately reproduce designs from one side of a car to another. A further chapter divulges the secrets behind popular ghost- and multilayer flame designs. She even calls upon pinstriper Ryan Young to instruct us on 'striping techniques. Finally, Bortles ties up the book with a comprehensive troubleshooting and repair guide.
Bortles doesn't just make the seemingly impossible look so simple; she shows us that it actually is. In fact, in the first page of the troubleshooting chapter, she breaks down custom painting to 60 percent common sense, 25 percent technique, and 15 percent talent. If that's the case, then maybe the biggest secret to custom-painting cars isn't as complicated as it looks and the secretive old timers really are trying to scare us away!
CarTech Inc.
800-551-4754
www.cartechbooks.com
Motorbooks
800-826-6600
www.motorbooks.com
National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame
918-257-4234
www.darrylstarbird.com
Randy's Ring & Pinion Services
425-347-1199
www.ringpinion.com