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Mike Lavallee in Everett Wa. invented and perfected the technique of the most realistic painted flames. I watched Mike paint a car on a Chip Foose show, "Rides" I think, or maybe "Overhaulin' " on the Discovery channel a couple of years ago, and was amazed.
The best description is here http://everything2.org/index.pl?node_id=1812342 , and Mike's website is here http://www.killerpaint.com/gallery/index.html