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Well, actually a better title would be "Pinstripes and Flames" but thats not so catchy.
I almost didn't put these pictures up because, to me, they just suck. This is one of those times where it is very, very difficult to properly capture the work of the artist. However I've done my best here to display it as best as I can.
Pinstripes were always on the agenda. The question was could we also do flames? What I was after was a subtle effect. While a part of me wants red and orange flames blazing across the side, the other side of my brain tells me to take it easy, and classy. I wanted something you had to *look* at to really see. You see the car first... then appreciate the nice added touch of the flames afterwards.
At the same time, I also had to pass the "wife test". We all know what that is. Linda has been very good to me and always has told me to do what I want with the car because its my toy. However I'm sure the thought that she has to be seen in public in the thing has crossed her mind, so I took that into account (kinda  ). And it wasn't just the wife test. I pretty much had a whole cheering section dedicated to "Don't put flames on it!" spanning home, office and friends.
A lot of folks in the peanut gallery are now jumping up and shouting "ghost flames!" and yes, this was a strong consideration. However, to be blunt, my wallet just wasn't fat enough at that given moment to spring the $1500 or so that a good ghost flame job would have run.
I asked around and got a couple of very, very strong recommendations to Kevin Stephenson in Selma CA (559-896-0870). Kevin does a lot of work for individuals and dealerships, and he got the highest recommendations from people who had seen his work.
Linda and I went out to see Kevin (supposedly just about the pinstripes  ). He's obviously been doing this for awhile, and made some suggestions -- which all of which I ultimately took -- on how to do the stripes.
Next I asked "So what about some nice subdued flames?" taking pains not to look over at Linda. We talked about that for awhile. Basically I made it very hard on Kevin as, after asking about doing it this way or that way I confessed I didn't know what the hell I wanted. I knew I wanted them to be purple. Or purplish, or something, and subdued, but noticeable... see what I mean? Kevin's idea of using charcoal to color the flames, and tip them in purple, sounded perfect.
And it was. The next morning the job was done and I was really pleased. As I said I almost hate to show these pics as you just don't get the right effect. They are much nicer than you see here. If you are in the CA Central Valley and need a flame job I recommend you go see Kevin.
4/20/2005 UPDATE: Got a better picture, I think. This one barely needed any Photoshopping. Just an Autolevels and a Sharpen More:
These are the originals taken the day I got the flames done. Heavily photoshopped.
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Personal BS
