Ghost Flames

[TarheelRick]

What is the procedure for painting ghost flames when not using candy colors?

[TarheelRick]

Hmmm, 48 views and no responses.  Does that mean in order to do ghost flames I will need to use a candy color/

[Snake45]

I think it pretty much does.

[MeatMan]

I saw some YT vids on doing ghost flames. Might want to check there.

I think it was 1:1 but I imagine the process would be similar.

[cobraman]

Maybe you could tint a clear coat ??? I don't know if that would work or not.

[Snake45]

Maybe you could tint a clear coat ??? I don't know if that would work or not.

You've just re-invented candy paint.

I'm not sure, but I think the definition of "ghost flames" pretty much requires candy (or some kind of transparent) paint.

[bill w]

You can use any paint, just thin the paint more than normal and spray light coats until you get what your looking for!

[BigTallDad]

How about a coat of clear that has some Pearl-X mixed in?

[TarheelRick]

Those are some good thoughts.  Just had a brainstorm, why don't I paint an old body with solid colors and see what works.

[gtx6970]

Paint primary base color.

 

once  dry mask it off for the flames.

Spray a pearl clear .

Remove  mask and clear the entire body.  ...viola. ghost flames.

[crazyjim]

Lighten or darken whatever paint you used on the body and spray light coat(s) where you want the flames.

[ScottH454]

Paint primary base color.

 

once  dry mask it off for the flames.

Spray a pearl clear .

Remove  mask and clear the entire body.  ...viola. ghost flames.

this is how to do it from my understanding of ghost flames. Something you don't  see apparent in the paint until the sunlight highlights them. Be sure to thin oit the pearl an don't think you need to spray alot, to much an they'll show even in the shade. Flames under candie paint is just faint flames to me, nothing ghost about them. An also candie is just color mixed with clear, if you clear with an airbrush nothing to be afraid of.

[Russell C]

I don't think Dirk Joseph is a member here, but someone knows where he's at, we could ask how he did the ghost flames on his chopper that was at this year's GSL contest. The photo at this link doesn't do it justice, they were really subtle flames on the upper surfaces that I didn't see at first.

[randyc]

These are an orange pearl.  So not helpful really.  But I painted whole car with a few coats.   Applied the flame masks.   Applied more paint.  removed masks.  clear.  IF I were doing this with solids or opaque colors, I would apply the solid/opaque first, then a negative mask, spray the ghost color, remove masks and clear to smooth.  I do have a satin black car I want to eventually put metallic or pearl red ghosts on.  Maybe.  I don't have access to the sign equipment that I use when I did the vette.  Have to go light for hte ghosts.  I would like for the vette flames to be a little more pronounced, but can't change it now.  

[Tim H]

Ghost flames are nothing but the same color you are painting on just a shade or two either darker or lighter depending on the look you want. If the base color is candy then use a shade lighter or darker of that candy color.

Tim

[peteski]

Ghost flames are nothing but the same color you are painting on just a shade or two either darker or lighter depending on the look you want. If the base color is candy then use a shade lighter or darker of that candy color.

Tim

That is one type of ghost flames. But the other one is, like someone already mentioned, to paint the flames over the base color using a pearl or metal flakes. Those will be almost invisible except when the light hits the pearl or metallic particles from a certain angle. Then the flames show up.