“Fiery Flame! Eternal Flame! The Flame of Speed!” These phrases are generally found on the bikes of professional or hard bikers, especially the chain gangs. However, nowadays, bikes have become such a common commodity that these phrases have lost the pang of fear that was considered incidental to biking in the gang war days. And everyone seems to want more flames, both on new and old bikes, to make the vehicle appear trendier. Musicians and rock bands have also promoted similar graphics on guitars. What’s more, this generation of people want creativity with-a-difference, which results in having blazing flames on the walls as well. Crazy! But the underlying notion is change, and change is good. So, for all those of you who want fiery modifications on bikes, walls, guitars and even choppers, your thoughts are fully welcome! But, not at the hands of some professional guy. Instead, it would be done by none other than the artist in you. Fret not, as painting flames is a simple deed. All that you want is the right equipment and voila! You are done! Go through the following lines, to get tips for painting flames at home.
Painting Flames At Home
Equipments Required
- Flame Template or Poster Board
- Spray Gun
- Airbrush
- Car Paint (Red, Yellow & Orange)
- Masking Tape
- Masking Film
- Adhesive Tape
- Cotton Rags
- Scouring Pad
Method
- If you have not got the readymade template, then draw a free hand sketch of the required flames on a rough sheet. Keep in mind the area you need to cover while drawing this sketch.
- Now expand the rough sketch on full size poster board and create a bigger template of flames and cut out the flames neatly. You can have as many flames side-by-side, as you wish.
- Hold these cuttings safely and tape them onto the surface intended for them. The best way is to have the flames rising from the bottom on the guitar and room walls, while for automobiles the flame should essentially start in the front and end at the back to illustrate speed.
- After the flames are taped, using a masking tape, mask off the area around the flame templates thoroughly. Use a good quality masking tape to ensure easy removal. Do not stick the masking film directly on the object’s surface; else it might leave a tape line when removed. First stick a masking tape to form a border and then stick masking film over it. This step will ensure that the paint when sprayed doesn't get sprayed over rest of the object’s surface.
- Now remove the templates. Touch up the masked-off areas with more masking tape, while maintaining the flame border lines and curves.
- Take a scouring pad and rub out the area to be painted. Next use rags and clean the entire area. Apply primer over the area to be painted and let the primer dry properly. Once this is done, you can start painting flames.
- Take yellow paint in your spray gun and spray a few thin layers over the surface to be painted, in order to just cover the area. This forms the base. Let the base dry properly.
- Now comes the time for some major detailing. Take orange paint in the airbrush. Stand a little far from the surface and start spraying orange paint, but only in center. Make sure to maintain the curves of the template while spraying.
- Let this paint also dry, post which, take red paint in airbrush and spray it towards the highlights to get the required effects. Spray red on the upper border and tips of the flames. You can also use colors according to your ideas and wishes.
- Once you are satisfied with your job, let the paint dry overnight.
- Keep it away from direct sunlight and dust for 2 days and voila! The hot flames are done.