Flames on a 25 year old paint job?

[MattB]

Are there any tips/tricks I should know before I try and paint some flames on a 25 year old paint job? It's kinda pitted/faded/etc, typical 25 year old stuff. It has no clear coat. Besides a thourough cleaning, what else should I do to prep the surface? Should I mask off the flames and then do some prep work on that area once it is masked? I'm afraid if I wet-sand, and smooth out the little chips/etc in the paint now, I'll take away what little paint is left, leaving the main color looking like extreme shit. Also, once I paint them on, would it be wise to clear coat just the flames? I'm afraid without clear coat, they won't be shiney enough, so will it look like crap if I paint some decent flames and clear them, all on a 25 year old paint job with some "patina" in it? So, what should I do?:) Sorry for the long post!!

[yorgatron]

i dunno,but here's your BTTT http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[stangzilla]

not to be a dick BUT
if you paint flames on
top of the old paint then of course
it will look like shit
not that my cars or bikes ever
look good you just asked
id either run it
or paint the whole thing not just some flames
whatever its yours

[safariknut]

Depends on what the original paint was;if it was acrylic enamel or lacquer I'd wash the whole thing with wax and grease remover,scuff it lightly,lay the flames out and spray them,and then clear everything.
If it's alklyd enamel,scuffing isn't a real good idea as if the hard outer shell is breached,any recoating would probably react sufficiently to lift the old paint.
You really have to determine what type of paint is on there now to get a proper answer.

[brewsir]

I think if it was mine I would just mask some licks off and scuff the surface with a gray scotchbrite pad and paint on a single stage paint (maybe even krylon if that was all I had) Then I would pinstripe the edges so it's sealed a little bit. You can even get a pretty decent fade with a single stage...probably won't match a 2 stage job..but then again ...it's goin on a 25 year old "patinad" paint job!
Fuck it..go for it!

[Gotgas]

New paint on top of old paint is gonna look like hell. But that's okay, it will get you by for a season or two. Clean it, lay out your licks, scuff it lightly, clean thoroughly again, paint, drive.

The Lincoln is a little older than 25 years btw... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

<--- 46Tbird http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tony Bones]

I'm no authority on paint, but what about using some flattener in what you're spraying on? It'll still look new...but maybe not as new.

[MattB]

[ QUOTE ]
New paint on top of old paint is gonna look like hell. But that's okay, it will get you by for a season or two. Clean it, lay out your licks, scuff it lightly, clean thoroughly again, paint, drive.

The Lincoln is a little older than 25 years btw... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

<--- 46Tbird http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

This isn't the Lincoln playa!! It's my beater ride, I was gonna tape off some flames and shoot it next weekend for the hell of it. Mainly for the practice, and it might stick out a little more than all the Foxbody Mustangs at FFW in two weeks.

[MattB]

I appreciate all the replies everyone. I think I'm just gong to stick with the original plan of taping it all off, just prepping the area where the flames will be, shooting it, clearing it, and then pinstriping around the flames. It should be fun, and less than $50 in supplies, so I dont really mind if it turns out like poop!

[Gotgas]

My old man is the flame-f**kin MASTER.

Let me know if you want him to give you a hand, I'm sure he'd do it for nothin.