Flaming....Tech

I flamed a T bucket last night and took some pics as I did it. Tuck has a real good post on how to flame in TechOMatic but I did a few things differently so I figured I'd show you how we do it.

First I started with the lay out. I used 1/8 inch fine line tape. Remember when laying out the tape that you are looking at what is inside the tape not the tape.

Here's the T with the lay out done.
Clark

 

Next I establish what I can cover with paper by outlining the area with some 3/4 inch tape (green). After Iv'e established where the paper will go I outline the flames with some 1/4 or 1/2 fine line tape(blue). Try to keep the tape atleast halfway onto the 1/8 inch tape. If you look close you can see the 1/8" tape to the inside of the blue tape.

 

Once it's outlined I start filling in all areas not to be flamed with 3/4 inch tape. On bigger jobs I'll use 2 inch tape where I can. This is a small easy job and didn't use too much tape. Remember to overlap your tape by atleast a 1/16 of an inch but don't overlap too much cause you'll just be wasting tape.

 

Here's the car all taped up with paper on the outer areas.

 

Here's where I do things differently. I **** with a pinstriping brush! It would take me two days to stripe these flames and I wouldn't be happy with the way they look. So.....I started taping the striping. I know it's cheating but it's the best way for me.

I start by painting the flames the color I want them outlined in. This time it is white. Then I run 1/16" fine line tape (orange) around the edge. I make sure the tape is against the 1/8" tape I ran for the lay out. Try not to overlap the 1/8" tape or get too far away from it. Then you have to run 1/8"(blue) tape over the joint between the 1/16" tape and the 1/8" lay out tape. If you don't your colors bleed through the joint.

 

Now you're ready to shoot your colors on. I started with a yellow base. Next I mixed a little orange into the yellow with a little color blender. Color blender is a clear base and will make your color a little transparent. Work your way out from the center adding a little more color each time till you get to the red.

I use my gravity feed gun for the whole process. For fading and painting the tips. I turn the preasure down and make the pattern round. It take a light touch but it works.

Here's the paint before peeling the tape.

 

When you peal the tape peal it at an angle in the direction you are going. If you wait til it's completely dry (who can?) you may get some flaking of the paint. The flakes come off with a peice of tape.

I started by pealing the outline tape, then pulled the paper of then the masking paper.

Here it is untaped.

 

Here's a close up of the "pinstriped" edge. It is uniform and just about perfect.

 

Here's the other side after it was cleared. I don't use patterns or measurements to get the sides to match. I walk back and forth from side to side till I get it close enough. Sometimes I'll even change sides slightly to see if anybody notices.
Clark

 

By the way the T will be one bad *** T when done. It's got a blown 392 waitin for it. The only thing I don't like about the car is it has centerlines on it. I tried talkin the owner into Halibrands or something but he won't budge.
Clark

 

Very nice! That is also about step for step how I do flames. I like taping off the outline because (a) it's nice and uniform, (b) it's under the clear, so it doesn't scratch or peel off, (c) you can have metalflake outlines!
Seriously, good job.

 

<font color="green">Very nice indeed.

The shop I just got had a HUGE mirror on one wall.

He took it with him but he told me it was so he could match the sides by doing the mirror side first, then just look over or through the car at the mirrored reflection.

Saved him from walking back and forth. </font>

 

Good job.....

 

We've joked abou getting a mirror. Sometimes it flows easily and other times it will drive you crazy. I tried a new tape on this and it didn't "pull" as nice as the tan stuff. I must have wasted half a role trying to get used to it.
Clark

 

nice tech clark. too bad now i have to change the colors i am going to do the bucket i just bought then again i would feel dumber if i went to some show and saw both cars painted the same.

 

Slag..there's nothing better than black with traditional flames. This guy only goes to York and a few local shows. I doubt you'll run into him.
Clark

 

Too hot! Careful the PA Keystones dont lock you down, next thing ya know you'll be removing fenders from cars.

 

Wow... nice work, Clark. You make it look a lot easier than it is.

 

You found my secret! I do the same thing for the pinstriping. I did the scallops on my Roadster that way, and the flames on my truck. Good job. Dean

 

Here's the finished truck.

 

Fantastic tech post, Clark! You continue to blow me away. The end result looks awesome and seems so simple to do. Keep up the great work!
Bil

 

Very cool post. Still aint gonna try it though. There are some things you just have to let the painter do. Ha HA Great work anyhow

 

..........nice Tech..........but you're STILL a skunk muncher!!

 

Nice layout!

 

Sweet !!!! I like the old style like that !!!

 

Post *****

 

FLAMER!

 

Cool tech clark. You guy's have any tricks to laying out your flames? I mean forming them? Or do you just let it flow? later plmczy

 

Plmczy...the only trick is to have a beer or two before you start. Helps with the flow
Clark

 

How long will you have it in the shop?I want to see it.