How to Repair Plastic Bodywork: Practical, Money-Saving Techniques for Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, ATVs, and Snowmobiles (Tech Series) [Paperback]

Kurt Lammon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tech Series | Publication Date: May 11, 2003

It's a familiar story - a simple accident in the driveway results in cracked and broken bodywork that costs thousands of dollars to replace - more, sometimes, than the vehicle may be worth. Few repair shops or Do-It-Yourselfers have been interested or had the wherewithal to attempt plastic repairs, leaving no options but part replacement on an otherwise perfectly serviceable machine. In fact, insurance rates on some motorcycles and snowmobiles have skyrocketed because of the high cost of replacing broken plastic.How To Repair Plastic Bodywork by Kurt Lammon solves this common dilemma with easy-to-follow directions applicable to any plastic repair - cars, motorcycles, trucks, ATV's, or snowmobiles. Lammon shows the reader how to assess the damage and determine whether it can be repaired, then provides step-by-step procedures for identifying the kind of plastic from which the part is made, and fixing everything form a simple scratch to a major break. Included is a comprehensive resources guide for tools and materials.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...everything is explained with well-taken photos, charts, drawings, and graphs... I give this book a thumbs up." -- Vette Magazine

"...more than paid for itself after one successful repair on a VTR 1000 body panel... Recommended." -- Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly

"Even if you [don't] do it yourself, this book will give a better understanding of when a repair is possible." -- Rider

"The book's layout is straightforward and easy to follow and understand." -- The Oil Rag

Book Description

Some repairs are possible and others are not. Suppose a whole range of "impossible" repairs suddenly were made practical and easy!  Plastic repair industry guru Kurt Lammon shows how in his book How To Repair Plastic Bodywork. The original color edition of this book is now out of print, replaced by this freshly designed black and white version that steps Do-It-Yourself restorers carefully through each step of the plastic repair process.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Whitehorse Press (May 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188431337X
• ISBN-13: 978-1884313370
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,387,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars... what do you expect? It's my book!, May 3, 2003

By 

Kurt E Lammon (Rainsville, AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Repair Plastic Bodywork: Practical, Money-Saving Techniques for Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, ATVs, and Snowmobiles (Tech Series) (Paperback)

I'm sure this review won't be very persuasive being that it's coming from the author. I can assure you, dear prospective reader, that this was no half-hearted effort. I poured a tremendous amount of time and energy into this book; it took me about one year to write the text and develop all of the line art. Kudos to Dan Kennedy and his staff at Whitehorse Press for the editing and layout. They appearance of the book is absolutely first rate, and I'm proud that the book is the first one by Whitehorse Press to be done in full color from cover to cover.

As far as I know, this is the first book to detail the methods and technology of automotive and motorcycle plastic repair for the layman. It builds on my eight years of experience as technical support director for Urethane Supply Company, a leading manufacturer of plastic repair and refinishing products for the automotive collision repair industry.

This is a great book for the do-it-yourselfer who wants to do some repair or restoration work to his own vehicle. It would also be a great study guide for the collision repair technician who would like to broaden his skills base and create a source for additional revenue. The book only assumes that you have an interest and desire to save money by repairing your own plastic parts.

I think there's a very good chance that, if you choose to buy this book, you'll save the purchase price of the book with your very first repair and that you'll build skills that will save you much more money in the long run. If you have any questions about the book, please e-mail me at [e-mail]. Enjoy!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2 thumbs up. The "How To" book for plastics repair., April 13, 2005

By 

DISenchanted (NM USA -Land of DISenchantment) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Repair Plastic Bodywork: Practical, Money-Saving Techniques for Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, ATVs, and Snowmobiles (Tech Series) (Paperback)

I bought this book [and later the "how to" video].

As far as I know, this is the only layman's plastic repair book out there. [I'm sure there are engineering books on the subject, but I only want to know how to fix plastic, not formulate it].

A great balance of how-to text with corresponding how-to photos [photos are in full color and are high quality].

An excellent alternative to sending your simple repairs off to someone else to fix.

Depending on the plastic repair to be done, you can probably buy a basic "repair kit" along with this book; and do the job yourself.

I work on all sorts of computer peripherals [like printers].
The reason most every computer and peripheral is so lightweight today [as compared to just 5 years ago] is PLASTIC.

Folks tend to whine about parts being made from "cheap plastic", but just wait until a part breaks and you need to replace it. Those parts are never CHEAP.

The information I learned from this book has saved me having to buy several plastic parts for inkjet and laserjet printers.
If I have both halves of the broke part, I can fix it.

The author of the book is president of Urethane supply company.
[as per the closing page of this book].

I contacted the company after reading this book and the customer support at Urethane supply is excellent.
I asked some questions about a repair not specifically mentioned in the book and their support folks did an "on-the-spot" R&D of the problem and emailed me their results about how to fix the plastic parts involved.

If you want to fix your own plastics, I highly recommend this book.

With just a couple small repairs, I paid for the cost of:
1. this book,
2. their how-to video and
3. the small repair kits used to fix the problems

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent textbook on repairing plastic, January 8, 2004

By 

Gill Paszek (Santa Maria, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Repair Plastic Bodywork: Practical, Money-Saving Techniques for Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, ATVs, and Snowmobiles (Tech Series) (Paperback)

It is refreshing to read a "how-to" book by someone who actually knows what he is talking about. Too many recent automotive "how-to" books are written by inexpert authors who rely on other people's knowledge, and the author's lack of first-hand exerience shows. Kurt Lammon obviously knows his stuff.
Mr. Lammon takes us through all aspects of the repair, assessing whether to repair or replace the part, how to identify the type of plastic, how to choose the most appropriate of five methods of repair, and how to refinish the repaired part. Each repair method is covered in great depth. He includes details only an experienced repairman would know - what grit of abrasive to use, what RPM to use when grinding, what products to use for cleaning, etc. The appendices briefly explain what tools will be needed, the science of how adhesives work, and where to find materials. There is a thorough index so you can find the information you need quickly.
This is a great textbook, but it is not literature. The writing style is factual but dry, the drawings are easy to understand but sterile and cold. This is exactly what a hobbyist or body repairman needs to get the job done. If you want to know how to repair plastic bodywork, buy this book. If you want amusing anecdotes about automobiles, read something by Peter Egan.