Flaming This VW Convertible

The plan is to paint "Ghost Flames" in bronze pearl. I want the flames to be subtle, highlighting the car's color but adding some hotrod to the car.

Now that I got has been painted, it screams for flames. It has bluedots in the taillights, it just wasn't going to be finished without flames. Here I've drawn the outline on the fender.

I used a china marker to draw the flames. I didn't have a pattern for the flames. Instead I'd studied pictures of flames on cars for years and sorted out the kinds I liked. Then I practiced drawing them on everything from my tractor, lawn mover, even on my kid's pinewood derby car. I figured I was ready to move to putting them on the car, so with some time off from work, and having procrastination inspiration in keeping me from getting the taxes done, I began the effort.

Here is the beginning of taping the flames. I use 1/8" masking tape to mark the outlines, then tape the rest out with 3/4" tape, as you can see below.

Here is the top view of the taped outline of flames. I've tweaked these flames a bunch by now... This is sort of the point of no return, as the next taping effort limits many more changes.

4-11-01 Here are the finished taped flames. They really show up nicely now.

From the other side. This fender has the best flames in my opinion. I did this one first, so it seems to have had the benefit of the most inspiration. Its nearly impossible to duplicate the flames from one side to another...maybe that's why these flame paint jobs are unique not only from car to car, but even from side to side.

Ready to paint. I've taken off the bumper, lights and other hardware. I've also cleaned it all with stuff that takes off the wax and oil so the paint will adhere to the paint on the car. Had the flames not been planned to be transparent, I think the paint should be scuffed somewhat. I"m a bit nervous to do this to any degree for fear of messing up what will show underneath the pearl... I guess the consequences of this decision will come in time.....

4-12-01 Today, I airbrushed the bronze pearl...then put 5 coats of clear coat on the front. These two pictures show the pearl in the light. It really shines when the light hits it right, but I think it will be subtle enough to not be overpowering.

I like the airbrush effect. Here's a good shot of a forked flame. I concentrated on the tips of the flames leaving the center of the flame unpainted. Of course when I was doing the clear, a gnat flew onto the hood, so that will be a little rubbing compound work. Otherwise it came out well.

4-13-01 Ok, the tape is off, the car has been wet sanded and buffed out. The flames came exactly as I'd wanted them to appear. Subtle but visible.

Another view of the front of the car. There was a line at the flames where their relief was higher than the base color, due to the coats of clear I'd put on before taking the tape off. I ended up sanding it again with 800 sandpaper, then clearcoated the entire hood and fenders. This took the edge off of the flames. More rubbing compound and buffing resulted in the flames blending nicely into the base color with no edge...I think they came out well!

Here's a detail shot, with the flames shining in the sunlight. Cool, huh?