Chevy HHR Custom Paint Job - Custom Painted Flames

Chevy HHR Custom Paint Job Custom Flames

Arson is the crime of intentionally and maliciously setting fire to structures, cars or wild land areas. While this is a very bad thing in normal life, when it comes to vehicle paint it can be a great thing. The addition of some well laid out flames will turn any stocker into a custom ride. Let's take the HHR for instance. This little throwback thing that Chevy built has some old-school styling and could be had with 260 turbocharged horses in the SS model, but still it is a bit lackluster. Throw on some flames and a retro set of wheels and it becomes pretty dang cool.

Jeff Styles of Styles Custom Flames and Pinstriping had picked up an HHR to use as a daily driver. Of course, being a custom painter Jeff just couldn't leave it stock for very long. We followed along as he laid down a bunch of custom paint procedures like traditional fade flames, silver leafing, lettering, and pinstriping.

Check out the steps and maybe it will help you decide if you want to try it yourself. If not, Jeff will happily commit arson on your ride-for money of course. At least you will know how much work goes into the job, which should justify how much you are spending.

There is some slick stuff here and whether you're painting an HHR, a Tri-Five, Chevelle or other vintage car, you'll find some good tips here.

Here are the products used for this flame job. The paints are from The Kustom Shop and they are all California compliant. Since they all came from the same company, there will be no ill reactions or wrinkling. Jeff also picked up some 1/4-inch crepe tape to lay out the flames and silver leaf for some cool lettering.
Here are the products used for this flame job. The paints are from The Kustom Shop and the
To prep the factory-painted surface, Jeff first wiped it with some wax and grease remover, then he dry-sanded the original paint using a DA with 800-grit. Jeff said this is a fast and easy way to get most of the vehicle scuffed.
To prep the factory-painted surface, Jeff first wiped it with some wax and grease remover,
After that, he used a hand block with 800-grit wet to make the surface even and also get any places that he might have missed with the DA. After the sanding was complete, he wiped the surface once again with wax and grease remover.
After that, he used a hand block with 800-grit wet to make the surface even and also get a

Jeff said he likes to use 1/4-inch tape on this type of job. It will make the turns nicely and leave a crisp edge once pulled up.
Jeff said he likes to use 1/4-inch tape on this type of job. It will make the turns nicely
As for the layout, there are several ways to lay out flames. Take your time because this step can make or break your job. Take a look at the vehicle and make the flames flow with it. Picture the front of the car on fire and going about a 100 mph, the wind whipping the flames back over the body of the car. Also, utilize the length of the car to make it appear longer and lower as an illusion. The longer you make the flames whip back, the longer and lower the car will look; if you stubby up the flames, say just on the fender, it will make the car seam short and stubby.
As for the layout, there are several ways to lay out flames. Take your time because this s
After he was happy with the design and layout, Jeff covered the whole job with transfer paper/quick mask. It's much quicker to use this stuff than filling with normal masking tape. Once all the transfer paper was stuck down, Jeff carefully cut along the top of the 1/4-inch tape. Then, he could peel out what he didn’t need leaving a perfectly masked flame layout.
After he was happy with the design and layout, Jeff covered the whole job with transfer pa

Jeff designed the stencil for his logo on his computer and cut it on his plotter. This will let him spray the lettering the same color as the flames and make sure both sides are identical. After the stencil was in place, the car was completely masked off and pulled into the booth.
Jeff designed the stencil for his logo on his computer and cut it on his plotter. This wil
After cleaning the surface with wax and grease remover and then a tack rag, Jeff started the flames by laying down a white base over the entire job. Jeff said, "The spray gun that I use for the paint is an Iwata W400 because it atomizes the paint so well and gives you a nice blend."
After cleaning the surface with wax and grease remover and then a tack rag, Jeff started t
During the blend and fade process, you will want to lower your air pressure slightly. Be prepared to go from a large fan to a tight fan often, the large fan to blend the bigger portions and tight fan for the tips and highlights in the turns. Here, Jeff is applying the yellow, which he starts at the tips and works forward towards the fade area.
During the blend and fade process, you will want to lower your air pressure slightly. Be p