[updated:LAST EDITED ON Sep-14-03 AT 09:18 PM (CST)]I have a '74 Chevy Shortbox C-10 and I am restoring/modernizing it right now, but I am getting ready for painting it. My friend has a paint booth in his shop that he just built so I am planning on shooting it there along with his help (he is an experienced painter)...this will be my first paint job. I am excited about doing it myself and it would be a cool hobby to get into. Since this would be my first time, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a painting book that could tell me everything there is to know...as far as the technical stuff with the paint and primers. I have read article in some of my magazines on painting, but some of it is confusing. It would be nice to have a book dedicated to autopainting. Any replies would be great. Thanks. Also, I want to do some body work to my truck too....some body filling and some customizing. An example would be that I want to smooth out my bed rails by welding up the post holes smooth and welding/filling in some holes that were drilled for I don't know what. My truck use to be a fire department trucks so there are holes on the top of the roof where the siren/lights were, so I need to weld up those too. The big body work project that I don't know how hard will be is relocating the tailgate handle. I am going to buy a kit from chevy duty to do this. So you can see what kind of body work I need/want to do. I have a small portable wirefeed welder that I think should do the job, but I can always borrow my friends larger one. Anyway, any bodywork books that talk about body filling or about using a welder to weld in pieces of sheetmetal to do some jobs would help me out a lot. I know that doing some of this stuff just takes experience, but a book can give me an idea on some things. Thanks
Hands on,in my opinion is the best way to learn autobody work than a book anyday! not that I haven't picked up a book on the subject and read an article or two,but if your friend is an experienced bodyman and painter have him teach you.I was very lucky to have a Dad that knew paint and body work and was willing to teach me,and some of the hands on things he taught me could not be read out of a book the hands on experience to me is the best way! again not that I am against reading a book,or even watching a video on the subject,the neat thing is,is that you have the want and drive to do it yourself and when somebody come's up to you and ask's who painted your truck? you have the great reward of saying you did it yourself! stick with your friend the painter and than read the book. you might try an auto paint supplyer for a book,I know that the store I use has alot to offer and you just might try your library too. Ron Covell has some great books and video's also check his sight at www.covell.biz you might find something there. do it yourself and I wish you the best with your project! Allen
