How to set fire to a car

Flames on the side of a car are a throwback to the days of hot rods and many people enjoy decorating their cars with this iconic image. Painting flames on a car is easy if you use the right equipment and take the necessary steps to prepare your car. When you paint a flame on your car, it's very important to properly clean it, tape the appropriate areas, and paint it in a clean environment. The following instructions will help you paint a new flame on your vehicle.

Part 1 of 4: Clean your car body and smooth surfaces

Necessary materials

• Clean rags
• Respirator
• Grease and wax remover
• Cleaner before painting
• Sandpaper (grit 600)

Cleaning your car before painting helps remove dirt, grease, and grime that can prevent the paint from adhering to the car body properly. Also, make sure the body panel is as smooth as possible before painting.

Step 1: Wash your car. Use a grease and wax remover to thoroughly wash your vehicle.

Pay special attention to the area where you plan to paint the flame, make sure that there is not a speck of grease or dirt on it.

Step 2: Let the car dry completely. After washing the car, wipe the car with a dry cloth and let it stand until it is completely dry.

Step 3: Sand the car. Take 600 grit sandpaper and wet it. Lightly sand the panels where you plan to paint the flames. Make sure the surface is as smooth as possible.

• A warning: Wear a dust mask while sanding. This prevents the inhalation of fine particles formed during the grinding process.

Step 4: Use cleaner before painting: After you finish sanding, clean the area with pre-paint.

The pre-paint cleaner is designed to remove grease and wax residues, as well as sandpaper residues.

Part 2 of 4: Prepare the car body

Necessary materials

• Adhesion promoter
• thin tape
• Metal test panel (optional)
• Paper and pencil
• Plastic tarp (or masking tape)
• Plastic filler dispenser
• Cleaner before painting
• transfer paper
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After cleaning and sanding the car, it can be prepared for painting. This process requires you to have a plan, so if you don't have one, sit down with paper and pencil and come up with one right now.

• FunctionsA: You can use the metal test panel in the same base color as the car to try different flame patterns and colors.

Step 1: Mark up the template. Using 1/8" thin tape, outline the flame design you have chosen.

You can use thicker tape, although thinner tape results in fewer wrinkles and fewer blurry lines when drawing.

• Functions: Use high quality masking tape. When first applied, it adheres firmly to the car body and prevents paint seepage. Apply paint as soon as possible after applying the tape, as masking tape tends to loosen over time.

Step 2: Cover with transfer paper. Then completely cover the pasted flame pattern with carbon paper.

Functions: If you notice any wrinkles on the transfer paper, smooth them out with a plastic-filled spatula.

Step 3: Peel off the thin tape. Peel off the thin tape that shows where the flame is.

This will expose the area where the flame needs to be painted and the surrounding areas will be covered with carbon paper.

Step 4: Cover the rest of the car with plastic. Cover with plastic the rest of the car that cannot be painted.

You can use large masking tape or a combination if you wish. The basic idea is to protect the rest of the vehicle's bodywork from any misplaced paint.

Step 5: Wipe clean again before painting. You should also wipe down the area to be painted with a cleaner before painting to remove any oils from where your fingers may have touched the paint.

You must use an adhesion promoter, but only after the pre-paint cleaner applied to the panels is completely dry.

Part 3 of 4: Painting and Clear Coating

Necessary materials

• Airbrush or spray gun
• clean coat
• Paint
• Protective clothing
• Respiratory mask

Now that the car has been cleaned and prepared, it's time to paint. While a spray booth is ideal, find a nice, clean spray booth that is free from dirt, dust, and other contaminants. If possible, rent out a spray booth to keep the space as clean as possible. Also, make sure you have paint in the color you want. Most flames are a combination of at least three colors.

Step 1: Get dressed. Wear appropriate protective clothing and wear a respirator. This will prevent paint from getting on your clothes and lungs.

Step 2: apply paint. Draw a flame on the car with the selected colors. You should try to make the paint look as smooth as possible without overspray.

Always use an airbrush or airbrush for best results.

Apply one coat of paint and let it dry before moving on to the next.

• Functions: Start with lighter colors at the front of the flame, gradually getting darker towards the back of the flame. Let the paint dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 4: Remove the tape when the paint is dry. Carefully remove all masking tape and carbon paper. Try to move slowly so you don't accidentally remove the paint.

Step 5: Apply a clear coat. It can be from one to two layers, although two layers are better. The goal is to protect the paint underneath.

Part 3 of 4: Polishing for a Beautiful Finish

Necessary materials

• buffer
• car wax
• Microfiber towel

Once you've applied the paint and clear coat, you need to polish the car's bodywork to bring out all of your hard work. By using car buffer and wax, you can really make your car shine.

Step 1: Apply Wax. Start with the main body panels and wax with a microfiber towel. Let the wax dry according to the instructions.

• Functions: Glue the edges of the body panels when polishing. This will keep you from going through the paint. Remove the tape after you've finished buffing the main body and use the buffer on the edges separately.

Step 2: Polish the car. Using a car buffer, buff the waxed area to remove the wax and buff the finished paint job.

Finally, lightly wipe the area with a clean microfiber towel to remove any fingerprints, dust, or dirt.

• A warning: Try not to buffer one place for too long. Staying in one place can burn the paint, so keep moving the buffer to new areas as you add the final touch to the car.

Painting flames on your car is easy and even fun if you follow the right steps and have the right materials. By prepping your car and only painting in a clean environment, you can be sure that the flames you paint on your car will look crisp and clean.