I have a ? for the Custom painters

[Brew61]

After spending a few months on this site reading and surfing the internet of every other site I could find on custom bikes and changing my mind at least a couple of dozen times I have decided how I will paint my bike. I found a picture of some flames that I think are the best of what I want and also decided on the paint I will use.
First question is when you put the flames on your tins do you want to have a centre line and mirror the flames as much as you can from side to side or just lay the flames out as they fall?
Second question, I am going to using Xotic paint, I have a dealer up here in Canada a few miles from me. I am thinking of using the Xotic Crystals as the background to the flames and would like to know if anyone has tried this product and if they have any helpful hints on using this product?
I have a picture of the style of flames I have chosen. My flames will be Candy Red and where the white background is I plan on using the Xotic Crystals. I know these flames have been mirrored and I am thinking that is the right way of doing it.

[sharonsstudio]

if you click on the airbrush logo it'll bring you to a site you can look up the xotic crystals.. it should help you..

[ABD]

Good to see you join in...You should hit up the intro section if yer feelin friendly:D

Can't say about the crystals, never played with em....Far as mirroring the image I say it's personal taste..I Prefer random myself, so I don't like to mirror anything much...All depends on what yer cravin at the time:partyalone:

[Jeroen - CDM]

The devil's bike! COOL!! I love the little tails!!!

Nice to meet ya!!!!! Be sure to show em done pics on the bike!!!

Cheers!!

[fontgeek]

Steven, did you find any difference in the outcome with varried temperature settings at the time of spraying and drying?

I went through the sponsors section and looked at the Xotic lineup, but I didn't see anything that tells me what kind of paint they are making or selling (acrylic, urethanes, enamels, etc.), and I didn't see anything at all about the Crystal material either.

[Brew61]

Thanks for the tips. Stevenskc, as for the boxes my real daytime job is making corrugated boxes so that will not be a problem. Thanks again for the tip. I will use that one forsure. I have seen lots of your work on this site must say it is awesome. Anyone else out there with some tips, come on forward and let them fly.

[Stang]

I always mirror my stuff. Not only personal reasons but customers too. Too many times hear, " That lick doesn't match the other side." Then I just tell em to do better or shut up. As far as the crystals, tried once with no luck, will try again soon.

[Brew61]

fontgeek here is another site that has some good stuff on the Xotic Crystals

http://www.innate.com/Paint/Xotic/Xotic.htm

They also have something else that is called Molten Lava that is cool

[XOTIC COLOURS]

When laying down your contrasting color over the crystals I ALWAYS thin the paint down 1 part paint to 4 parts reducer, this helps keep the paint building up to much over the crystals. If you get too much paint over the crystals it becomes very difficult to cut through the paint with you sponge and water to wipe off the crystals to get your final effect and often does not turn out as well as as it should and you will not have a uniform pattern, and also just dust on your contrasting color. Hope this helps

[XOTIC COLOURS]

Also the faster the crystals dry, the smaller the pattern. The longer it takes the crystals to dry, the larger the patterns will be.

[Hotch]

I agree with Stang, if you don't mirror that design it's gonna look like you messed up. If you decide to go with a free flow flame design, make sure it it's obviously NOT symmetrical but still looks balanced from all angles.

I've never used crystals but I'm a real fan of smoke... WHY does that sound like I'm referring to drugs?

[Brew61]

Thanks all, for the tips

Xotic can I leave this to dry over night and then hit it with the contrasting colour or should it be hit as soon as it drys? Also same with the contrasting colour, can it be left on over night and then wash the crystals off or should the crystals be washed off soon after the contrasting colour drys?

[XOTIC COLOURS]

You can leave both sit overnight with no problems what so ever.

[Brew61]

Thanks