How To Flame Polish Ramps

[ktm450]

This may seem a little daunting to some prople but with a little practice your old ramps will be looking like glass in no time.  First off you need to have a torch, some people use smaller torches but I use this bad boy...
It has a ignition button and is very easy to use, but also is very hot, you have to work quickly to prevent your ramp turning into molten goo 

[ktm450]

Here is a pic of my dirty ramps:

[ktm450]

Firstly you need to clean the ramp, start with windex or nifti, to remove most dirt then some novus 2.  on the actual ball trail I used 1200 grit wet and dry paper then finished with 2000 grit, then novus 2 again and give a good clean up with windex.  You must make sure there is no dirt or dust left on the ramp or this will get melted permantely into the surface. The more time you take now cleaning the surface and removing the ball tracks the better the result you will get. 

First pic is the fist ramp I will attack, it is a little hard to see how bad the ball tracks are in this pic but you get the idea.

Second pic is after cleaning

[ktm450]

Next pic shows the flame set up, I found an aggressive hot flame used quickly works the best

[ktm450]

Now the important part, you need to move the flame quickly around the ramp, folowing the curves.  Use your hand on the back to gauge the temp, as soon as you feel a bit of heat stop.  Work on another, stop.  Working in small sections seems to be the best way to keep the temp warm without overheating.  Once the ramp is warmed you need to stop for 5 min grab a beer and continue once the ramp has cooled down.  Be patient you dont need to finish the ramp in one go, enjoy your beers but dont get too pissed, you will need your wits about you 

So I keep the flame about one inch or so from the ramp

[ktm450]

You are not trying to melt the ramp, just the microscopic hills and valleys caused by the sanding, which when smoothed out returns the ramp to crystal clear.  You can flame polish with decals left on but I find every thing happens a little quicker, so you need to be careful, I think the reason for this is the decal prevents the heat from  escaping a little and the ramp therefore gets hotter. 

The first pic is after a few strokes across with the flame.
The second pic is the finished result of the first ramp

[ktm450]

Here is a before and after of the second ramp, remember if the plastic is thinner in any areas, such as this whirlpool ramp, move the flame faster across the area

[ktm450]

Here is a before and after shot of all the ramps finished

[ktm450]

A few more finished pics:

[ktm450]

A few more:

[Strangeways]

Nice work Matt !

 

[ddstoys]

Wow Great Job matt they look awsome. I felt nervous looking at your pics.  But ill try anything once so ill have to buy an old ramp and have a go before i try comets ramp.

[ktm450]

TIPS:

Set yourself plenty of time and be patient and take you time, rushing causes melted ramps

Use an old ramp or bumper caps to practice on

Move quickly over area pause and see what is happening then move again

Use you hand under ramp to gauge heat

If possible remove decals

Ensure the ramp is extremely clean before flaming

The more wear you remove before starting the better your result will be

Dont be scared  


DISCLAMER:

Undertake flame polishing at your own risk
I will in no way be held responsible for warped, buckled, bubbled, melted ramps  

[ktm450]

Thanks Nino and Daniel.

Daniel next time I see you I'll give you an old ramp to practice on.

[ddstoys]

Thanks Matt that would be great