My Clover Lighter

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 4:04 pm

Ok, well I started it today and will be finished in about 1-3 hours. I will post pics as soon as I'm finished.

Chad

EDIT: Finished...

I want to cry right now...and while you may think it is because I am not pleased with the way I painted...you are wrong, and if you think it is cause I am happy, you are wrong...

Listen to how much of a bonehead I am...

So I take my lighter, freshly "epoxied" up, with the final layer, and am getting ready to bake it...I put it on a small piece of aluminum foil and when I was putting it into the oven...IT FELL onto the heating thingies and BURNT!!! so now some areas of the epoxy or browned, and the bottom half of my clover is a bunch of black bubbles..;_(...CRY!!

I put so much work into this thing...anyway

I have posted pictures...

And I'm not saying it was a picasso before it was burnt, but it was PERFECT to me...oh I really might cry...

....

Anyway, the pictures aren't very "dial-up friendly" at about (2 pictures) 800k a pop...http://www.geocities.com/jawanioboy/lightera.htm

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 6:02 pm

Looks fine to me, Bulletman. Nice job!

I can't even see where it was burnt.

Did you do both sides?

Regards,

Farn

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 6:14 pm

Pics, not working...!

I J

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 6:35 pm

farnham, I did not do both sides, and i think I am going to leave it like this, as I find it better looking...BTW, this was the 1941 Zippo Lighter...

Thanks farnham, but in person, the burns are HORRENDOUS...

::takes a noose, closes the door behind him::

::writes a note, slipping it under the door, it says the following::

I have made the pictures smaller, and have changed the link to:

http://www.geocities.com/philosophyme/lightera.htm

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 7:53 pm

I'm sorry about the allocation of geocities...unfortunately, it is free, so they have restrictions...if you want to see my lighter, and can't wait for the "restriction time limit" to be lifter, PM me and I'll e-mail them to you...

CRY

i still can't believe i did what I did...

but it is starting to grow on me, I might just repaint the clover and add a third layer of epoxy...or i may start over and do the True 13-15 hour process...I rushed it and did it in 3.5 hours...

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 7:59 pm

It looks fine! If you dont want it though... I'll take it!

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 8:16 pm

25 dollars...

...or should I put it in classifieds?

"Authentic" Clover Lighter...1941 style ;P...

I wouldn't mind starting fresh...so consider this a half serious offer...

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 10:05 pm

Looks good, but wow those pictures were big!

I J

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 12:34 am

<--- MORON

I think it is destined I not have a lighter...who wants to hear my story?

First, it all starts 2 weeks and 2 days ago. I cut my thumb while cutting a mango...I went to hospital...glued it back together...so today, after OVERcooking my lighter, i decide to peel all of the epoxy(resin) off with an x-acto...ok, so im about 85% done...and what do i do? SLIP...

cut the same thumb,at the same angle, only about 3 millimieters to the left...wow...so I get my mom and she superglues (nail glue) it together...

I just kept laughing...still am actually...funny if you ask me...how many more times am i going to have to cut my thumb (DEEP) in order to learn to stop holding things in your hand while cutting it...especially with miracle-blade 3's and x-acto knives...

So...I will, VERY carefully finish stripping my lighter, which now has TONS of scratches, but shouldn't matter cause paint/epoxy SHOULD cover it up...

A quick note to anyone using fall guy's method...If you use a brush to apply the epoxy, make sure you don't screw up...because when you brush it on (as opposed to using a flat edge to spread it across) it sticks on MUCH better...

SHARPETOYS · Post by **SHARPETOYS** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 9:35 am

I would say clean it off and start over. This lighter you'll carry for a long time and i know you want it right.

IndyMo · Post by **IndyMo** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 12:11 pm

Suggestion - I did not use the step of baking in the oven - I find that you get a cleaner looking finish - you just need to be sure that you do a good job covering with the epoxy and all paint needs to be completely dry before going to the next step. It's a little labor intensive but well worth it. I've done a few of these this way and they look pretty good. I've tried to have a few made for this forum but different members of my family take them before I get a chance.

I have one almost done - I'll post some pics soon and see if there is still interest.

Mo

Unsung Hero · Post by **Unsung Hero** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 12:17 pm

yeah i don't bake either. I tried it once and had nothing but problems. I did it again as an experiment (one side baked and the other not) the baked side got really messed up in a month or two of really heavy usage. So, i just peeled it off and started over.

my advice to you: don't bake.

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 2:08 pm

Yup, thanks for all the "NO BAKE" AFTER i finish

...

Well, peeled it all off, and I bought some wet sand 600 grit, and I'm gonna REALLY try really hard to do it PERFECT this time...it probably won't be done till tomorrow, or very late tonight, cause I'm gonna do it right, and wait 30 minutes inbetween coats, etc...

BTW, im using 5 minute epoxy

(All i could find)

chad

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 2:46 pm

Just remember the old saying, 'the hurrier you go, the behinder you get!' Take your time and do it right. You're going to enjoy it for a LONG LONG time, so the amount of time you spend doing it correctly will pay off big dividends. (ok, count all the cliches

) Regards. Michaelson

Post by **Dalexs** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 2:49 pm

You might also get some artist outline tape.
(I don't know EXACTLY whats it called)
If you use it along the outer edge of the lighter, you might be able to get cleaner lines along the edges.
You should be able to find it in any art supply store.

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 5:05 pm

Ok...now, if you figure I wait 30 minutes inbetween each coat, and there are basically 6 coats of paint + epoxy, then that is only 3 hours...yup, you guessed it, I'M DONE!

Ok, I am VERY pleased with my results, and the clover especially, they outline of darker green is very visible, it is much cleaner, and the veins are much more visible (although not too clean).

I couldn't be happier...and if I could choose if I made the mistake of dropping it in the oven, I would do it over again...funny way how life has a way of telling you you did a half azz job b4...

Please tell me what you guys think!!

http://www.geocities.com/philosophyme/lightera.htm

Chad

SHARPETOYS · Post by **SHARPETOYS** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:00 pm

The lighter looks great !!! Now where do we sign up i want one done since i can hardly draw a circle.

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:15 pm

SHARPETOYS wrote:The lighter looks great !!! Now where do we sign up i want one done since i can hardly draw a circle.

Thank you, but I don't think I could charge for one of these, even if I wanted to...give me a month or two to try again when I realize how not good this one is...and then I'll post pics...I still haven't found a way to apply the epoxy evenly...there bumps all over...and even wet sanding makes the epoxy turn foggy...

Actually, I really do think it turned out great otherwise

So if anyone knows how to apply epoxy very evenly, let me know!

Chad

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:20 pm

Nice job. I can't see the detail in the clover since the picture is too dark. I also read your notes during the making of the lighter. From previous chats with the original creator of the instructions, it does take about 4 to 5 hours. It's a process that is too laborious to be doing on a regular basis. Unless you have lot's of free time. And if that is the case, I suggest you well... unless of course you really like making these things. Whatever you do, don't say you are only making 12 and then change your mind.

) Kidding,,,kidding,,,,kidding.... bad joke....I'm evil...

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 7:44 pm

Some people have been asking me to price this out, so I will...

1. 1941 Classic Zippo Lighter: 14 (or something like that) Bucks from lightersales.com (although I bought it for 20 at some booth...I'm too impatient to wait for it to come here...[plus, i'm waiting for a wested

])

2. Paint - Black, Shamrock Green (Yes, it is perfect), and Ivory White: $2/each (will last, a long, long time)

3. Epoxy: $4 (about .5 ounces when mixed with hardener, good for ATLEAST 2.5 lighters )

4. Paintbrushes: $5 (should last thru atleast 15 lighters)

5. X-Acto knife: $4

6. 600grit wet sandpaper (5 sheets, enough to do about 30+ lighters): $5

7. popscicle sticks (150, enough to do about 25-30 lighters[for spreading/mixing epoxy]): $4

I think that is all the stuff I used...

So total cost for First lighter: about 48 dollars...

So if I do start making these, and selling them, I wouldn't even know what to charge you guys...But take it from me, it is much more fun to make it yourself...

(8. Time to get all supplies and make lighters: Priceless) <--- I couldn't resist

Chad

EDIT: you will need some paper towel to, to clean up...

auntsugar · Post by **auntsugar** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 12:36 am

Looks good anyway, but if you're not happy with it, put it on a grinder and start again. I had to strip mine once before it was finished also...

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 12:44 am

That looks great, kinda custom! I looked through those directions (fall guys) and I had a hard time making total sense of them, did you? It seems really confusing....

It is just me?

I J

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 6:33 am

No, I am very happy with it, but mainly because I made it. If I had bought this from someone, I would want a refund. For what it is, and considering I made it, I couldn't be happier.

Yes, Fall Guy's instructions, especially without his pictures, are very hard to understand. Basically, it is the following layers on your lighter:

Epoxy, Ivory (3-4x), Shamrock (darker shamrock first, then lighter then veins), Epoxy

Chad

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 4:33 pm

It took me a little while, but I finally found the REAL person to thank for those instructions (of course, Fall guy is 1st in line, but this person is 2nd)

Sheffield Jones!

I was on a quest for my own clover lighter a few months back and Sheffield Jones had the instructions. He e-mailed them to me, which is how they came to be in my posession.

Credit where credit due,

Thanks a ton Sheddield Jones! I still owe ya one!

Regards,

Farn

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 10:35 pm

I think the lighter looks neat... if you look at the Archives picture it's a roughly painted clover, not a really professional-looking job.

Not to suggest that yours doesn't look "professional." But what I mean to say is, for this prop a more rough approach is cooler than a lighter that looks like a silk-screened work of art you bought at a store.

So the stem is burnt. That gives it character!

- Brendan

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 11:40 pm

Brendan wrote:I think the lighter looks neat... ...So the stem is burnt. That gives it character!

- Brendan

Thank you for saying it looks neat, but I have scraped the "burnt" painting off and started fresh...it should be (pictures) here:

http://www.geocities.com/philosophyme/lightera.htm

I just forgot to edit the titel of the page that says I failed...the old pictures are here:

http://www.geocities.com/jawanioboy/lightera.htm

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:42 pm

Oops, should this be in "prop replicating"?

Chad

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 2:39 am

I sort of realized this too...

I think yours look great by the way!

Regards,
Swindy

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:23 am

Thanks Swindy...

Actually, I think I took better pictures of it here:

http://www.geocities.com/jawanioboy/id.htm