Masking templates are included to ease body painting as well.

Masking templates are included to ease body painting as well

If you are just getting started in body painting or face painting, one thing you may not have considered is how you are going to get all that paint off again!

While your client may like being a zombie or a tiger at a party, they may not want to go to work looking like one. In any case, they will want to get cleaned up before going to bed or doing pretty much anything else, and you will be expected to know how to remove the paint you put on them safely and painlessly.

Here are 7 quick tips for removing body paint from the skin, and also for staying clean and neat while you are working.

1. Check your paints and packaging.

Always use safe paints that have been made specifically for face painting and body painting. They should explicitly say that is what they are for. Read what they say, either on the label, or on the website, about how to clean them up. Some body paints are made to be cleaned with water; others may use a special kind of remover that you will have to buy. Be sure you are cleaning them off skin using the methods the packaging says to use.

2. Use warm water, sponges, and cloths.

If your body painting or face painting supplies say to use only water, or mild soap and water, then follow those instructions. Use warm water if possible to make cleanup nicer for your clients, and easier paint removal. Sponges (the same kind you use to apply body paints) and soft cloths are the best tools; you can use paper towels, but why not save the environment a bit and use something re-useable? And using the same types of sponges you use to put paint on will give you the best kinds of shapes for removing it as well.

3. Use non-allergenic, natural, safe skin soaps.

If you've chosen your face and body paints correctly, you have made sure they are meant for face painting and body painted and are almost guaranteed not to cause an allergic reaction. Be sure your clean up soaps follow the same standards. Natural bases like glycerin and castille are good; try to avoid perfumes, artificial colors, and chemicals. If it says 'natural' or 'hypo-allergenic' on the label, you may still want to check the ingredients, they may still include scents or high amounts of alcohol-stearates, which can cause sensitive skin to react.

4. Be careful around the eyes.

Watch cleaning around the eyes especially - of course ask your client to close their eyes, and go slowly. Some makeup suppliers (Mehron, for example) carry special cleaners especially made for cleaning around eyes; you may want to try one of those. You could also look at makeup suppliers for smaller tools meant for cleaning around eyes. The skin around the eyes (and of course the eye itself) is more sensitive than the rest of the skin, so what works on the rest of the skin may not equally well around the eyes.

One good trick is to clean the other areas entirely first, and leave the eyes for very last - that way you will not be getting more paint near the eyes once they are clean, and will only have to clean them once. That way you can avoid repetitive cleaning (and irritation) of the eye area - as well as extra work on your part.

5. Baby Wipes are great, but use the right ones.

Baby wipes are great to have on hand, but remember they were formulated for wiping a very different area of the body than the face. This means they have probably not been tested for facial safety and irritation. I would recommend getting baby wipes that are 'natural,' but again, check the ingredients on the back. You want no fragrances if possible, and no dyes. Sometimes you can get them especially for 'sensitive skin,' again, read the labels. Then try them on your face to see how they work before using them on others.

6. Protect clothing while painting - and washing up.

Paints made for face painting and body painting should never stain the face, but the same can't be said for clothing. Even water based body paints can still stain clothing. Keep clothing away from the paint as it is being applied, of course - but you will want to watch it when you are cleaning up as well. Soaking paints with water and washing them off can be a drippy process, and colors are even more likely to get on clothes then than when painting. Consider using covering cloths while you are cleaning, even if you didn't when painting.

7. And Last But Not Least: Don't Scrub!

Don't scrub the skin, even if the paints are not coming off properly. Scrubbing can cause bad reactions even if everything else is safe for skin. If your paint is not coming off quickly, be patient, let it soak a bit and try again, gently. Try using something else to clean such as baby wipes or a cloth with a little soap squirted directly on it. You may also want to take a look at the paint's instructions on cleaning up again - maybe you missed something on cleaning up. In any case, don't get frustrated and scrub! Your client will appreciate it.

So that's it - 7 best tips for cleaning up safely and easily after face painting or body painting. You may want to print these out as a reminder sheet to include in your painting supplies, that way if you have a cleaning problem, you can consult them quickly!

Car Body Paint | Hot Body Painting Designs

Car Body Paint | Hot Body Painting Designs

Car Body Paint | Hot Body Painting Designs

We all want our cars to look good, and sometimes we want our cars to look better. When we want our cars looking better, we get body and paint work done. Perhaps you need to repair a dent, or you want your car to have a different color. Either way, you need to find someone who will do the right amount of work for the right price.

When you buy a car, it may be the right type of car but you might not like the color. The color can mean a lot and even determine how you like the car. Perhaps you buy a car that has the perfect body but is pink. Therefore you will probably want to get the car painted. You can paint it yourself and can even buy what you need to paint it, but it is usually a better idea to have a professional paint it. Nothing looks worse than a bad paint job on a car. As well, under no circumstances should you paint your car with house paint or spray paint. This may be common sense but it is surprising how many people actually attempt this.

The type of paint you get will also have a lot to do with the cost of the job. If you get metallic paint that changes color depending how someone looks at it, you will be paying thousands of dollars to get it done. It looks great but it is highly expensive. If you get a normal paint job, you will pay much less. Some paints are also designed to be rust-proof or to limit the need for waxing, or limit damage from scratches. These are obviously more expensive. When you have your car painted, typically the entire vehicle is sandblasted to remove the old paint and then a new coat of paint is put on. A common misconception is that you can just paint over your old paint, this is not true.

Body work is also important for your vehicle. Dings will happen and so will dents. Nothing takes away from the look of a car than body damage. Thankfully it can usually be quite easy to make your car look like brand new with a company that does good auto body work. Depending on the damage to the vehicle, it will cost more to repair your car. There are some ways you can remove dents, like with a plunger, but more often than not you will need to take your car to someone who can repair it professionally.

Many car owners will buy an old car that runs great but has a bad paint job and structural damage. Within a few weeks of getting that car, they could be driving it down the road and no one would suspect it was rusted and severely dented thanks to the hard work of companies that do body work and paint jobs for cars in the Los Angeles area. There really is no better way to make your car look new again.

[http://www.automobile.califindit.com] Troy Derringer is an automobile enthusiast who lives in the Greater Los Angeles area. He currently works for CaliFindIt.com, California's premier source of information. For a complete directory of the best automobile sales, service, and repair shops in California, visit [http://www.automobile.califindit.com] You will be able to utilize the map function to find the closest business to you and download coupons for any discounts the shop may currently be offering.

Painters Equipment · Concrete Floor Coatings · Car Body

Painters Equipment · Concrete Floor Coatings · Car Body

Coatings come in different types like metal coatings, leather coatings, garage floor coatings, swimming pool coatings, extreme trailer coatings and concrete densifier and sealer coatings. One of the paramount reasons to use epoxy floor coatings is the power of the materials, which are able to resist household chemicals, mechanical shocks and scratches. This is the reason why people often use epoxy for their garage floors, where cars, chemical treatments and heavy pieces of furniture and equipment are kept. Epoxy concrete floor paint is also very easy to clean, and keep the floor looking great for years. There are different types of epoxy coatings to choose from. Industrial epoxy floor coatings are mostly used in factories, warehouses and auto shops. These are thick and shiny, do not contain solvent or odor, but they can become slippery when wet. Rough coat epoxy concrete floor paint have a tan color, is solvent based and is fairly thin, but has anti-slip grip mixed in. a water bond epoxy floor coating is thin compared to other epoxy floor coatings. Water bond epoxy floor coating cannot hide cracks, but they are user-friendly. Water based epoxy floor coatings are mostly used for residential purposes, while industrial and rough coat epoxies are suited for commercial and industrial uses. Water based epoxy floor coating is both a primer and a topcoat, and is perfect for garages.

Garage is also a part of the home like the bathroom, kitchen or living room. Extra care should be taken for garage like other parts bathroom; kitchen or living room is taken. A garage is not a wasteland of cars, junk, storage, and gardening tools. Garage can be one of the most beautiful places in the house if you use a garage floor coating of your choice. There are different types of garage floor coatings that can protect the garage floor and keep it shining and looking great for many years. These coatings come in many different colors that give a classier appearance. Most of the garage floor coatings have an epoxy finish that can prevent everyday damages like water, oil, and dirt. Nowadays many of the auto body shops and car dealerships use these floors, but now these can be used in homes as well. The different types of garage floor coatings are epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic sealer or stain or latex. Epoxy forms a durable surface and bonds well the concrete beneath it. Polyurethane can resist chemical spills. Acrylic sealers or stains are like latex paints are inexpensive and make it look great. These coatings for garage floors can save a lot of wear and tear on the floor and make it look better.

There are three different types of swimming pool coatings like the epoxy, acrylic, and rubber based. Epoxy coating are long lasting, durable and can withstand UV rays, automatic cool cleaners and chemical treatments. Epoxy coating can last for 7-10 years. Another type is chlorinated rubber base. It lasts for about 3-5 years. rubber base is not as durable or expensive as epoxy paint. It is easy to use, inexpensive pool coating. It comes in many colors. The last one is acrylic coating. This paint can be used on any type of surface, easy to apply, and cleans up with water. This coating is ideal for commercial applications that are repainted on regular bases. It lasts for about 2-3 years.

Auto Body - Wilmington, DE - Custom Auto Body - Car

Auto Body - Wilmington, DE - Custom Auto Body - Car

It was back in 1994 that I was a strong 17 year old boy who had the world in the palm of my hands!

In other words...

I was the most successful running-back on any high school football team in my home county

I was a center-fielder for one of the Baltimore Orioles' semi-pro baseball teams

I played baseball for the Babe Ruth League

I ran track

I wrestled

I also played basketball for my high school

It was in the middle of June in 1994 that I had been summoned to appear in court to serve trial for 8 tickets or traffic violations.

My friends & I knew that I would most likely lose my driver's license for a long time so we all decided to throw a party in honor of my supposed 'last night with a license'.

Reportedly, I was up all night having fun at this party and tried to drive home at about 4:30 the next morning.

I guess I made the drive successfully up to about the last mile before my parent's house when I fell asleep behind the wheel.

It was just my luck that I fell asleep at the top of a big hill with a long, downward straight-away because my foot relaxed on the accelerator and caused my car's speed to climb to about 80 mph (miles per hour) before I drifted off the left shoulder of the road.

My front left tire then dropped down into a ditch and smashed into a culvert pipe that ran under a driveway.

This culvert pipe caused my car to be violently thrown up in the air, flipping end-over-end at 80 mph and then landing on it's roof in the next driveway.

Luckily for me, the man who owned the driveway with the pipe my car had smashed into was awake and he heard the horrific sound. The man was then able to quickly dial the national emergency number or 9-1-1.

When the EMT (Emergency Medical Team) arrived on the scene, the head nurse radioed the local hospital to ask the advice of the doctor-on-duty. She was told that, 'It sounds like the boy will either die or be a paraplegic for the rest of his life, stop CPR!'

It was in my favor that even though that head nurse didn't know me personally, she knew of me through a friendship she had with my mother and she refused to stop giving me CPR!

That same head nurse was also faced with yet another tough decision!

She was forced to decide whether or not to radio for the ambulance - which would only take me back to the same hospital that had just recommended she let me die - or to radio for the Medi-Vac Chopper to fly all the way up from the heart of Baltimore to Cecil County just to transport me all the way back.

I'm not sure how she did it or what led her to make the decision she made but that head nurse chose to radio for the Medi-Vac Chopper!

As hard as it was to believe that a head nurse would take the chance of waiting for a chopper to fly that distance to get me, it was even more unbelievable that the Medi-Vac Chopper was already airborne and on its' way to a medical show in the nearby state of Delaware, placing it about 20 seconds from the scene of the accident.

My family was also notified by the attending police officer and they came as quickly as they could.

That Head Nurse's Decision-Making Wasn't Over Yet...

Once I had been loaded onto that Medi-Vac Chopper, the head nurse also had to decide whether she wanted to leave me in the able-but-strange hands of the medical personnel on that chopper or if she wanted to fly all the way to Baltimore to administer CPR to her friend's son herself.

I have a feeling that the medical personnel on that chopper would not have been so diligent when my heart stopped beating on 3 seperate occasions and I would be dead if that woman wouldn't have flown to Baltimore with me to keep administering CPR by her own choice.

I was still unconscious when the chopper landed on top of the 'Shock Trama Hospital' in Baltimore and the doctors decided that I was in a comatose state.

My family was on their way to 'Shock Trama' and arrived shortly after the chopper had landed but I can only imagine how hard it was to be told that 'your first-borne son is in a comatose state and will not live through the day'.

Three days after my accident, I was still in a coma but I was very much alive!

The doctors then predicted that I would remain in a coma for the rest of my life.

I can't get into everything my parents did while their son spent the next 40 days in a coma but I'm sure you can imagine what you would do if you had a son who was loved by everyone and he actually lost his life 3 times from a severe auto accident.

After the 40-day coma...

The doctors had predicted that I would remain in a coma for the rest of my life but when the monitors started to pick up an increase in brain activity, their prediction changed! They told my family that it was very unlikely that I'd ever walk or talk again and I was transported across the city to the Sinai Hospital.

Well, I'll just say that the doctor's prediction of my supposed recovery changed again after I mumbled a few words & stumbled a few steps. They then said that I would most likely never graduate from high school and "IF" I ever did, it would be years after my graduating class.

Finally Free!

- I had spent 40 days in a coma...

- Then, for the next 2 weeks, I was stuck in the hospital bed and didn't have enough physical strength to be transported into a wheelchair...

- Once I could finally be lifted from my bed and set in a wheelchair, that was my only means of ambulation or getting around for about 5 months...

- I was then able to advance to the use of a walker to get around and that lasted for about 2 months...

Next, I advanced to the use of a mere cane to walk with and it was just about that time that my parents decided to withdraw me from the Sinai hospital in Baltimore, MD so they could enroll me in out-patient therapy at the Alfred I. Dupont Hospital in Wilmington, DE.

I continued therapy & recovery at A.I. Dupont for about 5 months and during that time, I was able to complete the school work I had missed for the first 3 marking periods of my senior year.

I was, in fact, able to walk across my home high school's football field - unassisted - to be handed my high school diploma and it was with my graduating class of '95.

When the principle handed over my diploma, it caused the parents in the bleachers to stand to their feet and give a standing ovation as well as many loud cheers.

Faced with very few options...

Ok, great! I was a high school graduate and no one thought I could do it but what in the world would I or could I do to earn a living for myself, now that I have several physical limitations?

I discovered that my home state would pay my college tuition since I am now considered to be a handicapped person in the state of Maryland.

So I went to the nearby community college to take classes and that only lasted for about one semester before I just stopped going. They didn't have anything that really held my interest, to be honest!

So I spent a few months trying to work a few different jobs but of course, they all had to 'let me go' after I would damage some type of merchandise because of my lack of balance.

I even tried going back to college a second time to study AutoCADD (Computer Aided Drafting & Design) but that didn't last either.

My Second Brush with Death!

When I had returned to college for the second time, I was able to rent a small apartment in the same town where the college was located which was the same town my parents lived in, and that is where I grew up & went to high school.

One cold day in January of 1997, I decided to carry a load of laundry to my parent's house so I could wash it since I didn't have my own washer & dryer.

I had walked about a quarter mile out of town in the direction of my parent's place when it happened.

The last thing I remember was yelling across the road to ask someone if they could give me a ride when everything just went dark!

When I came out of it, I found myself in a hospital bed once again but this time, I had a full leg cast on each leg.

In order to explain how it happened, I need to take you back to when I was standing on the side of the road, yelling to the car on the other shoulder.

There was some lady driving a big Lincoln Town Car and she was flying up the road behind me at about 65 mph.

This lady had a child in the back that wasn't in a car seat and she was turned around to correct the child causing her attention to be on anything but the road.

For this reason, the lady didn't see me standing on the side of the road when she veered off onto the shoulder and the front bumper of her big Lincoln Town Car smashed into my left knee with enough force to send me up into the air while the lady & her car ran off into the bushes.

Blood Covered Road...

Reportedly, the entire road where I had landed was covered with the blood squirting from my left knee.

You see, when that big Lincoln Town Car collided with the left side of my left knee at about 65 mph, the pressure was not only enough to throw my whole body up into the air but the force was great enough to shatter both the fibula & tibia bones at both the knee & the ankle of both legs, giving me 8 shattered joints all together. That was also the reason my blood was squirting all over the road - the bones had ripped through the outer skin of my left leg.

It was once again my good fortune that the doctor-on-duty at the Chrisitana Hospital in Christiana, DE (yes, I was air-lifted to yet another hospital) was an orthopedic specialist and was able to place each leg - with 4 shattered joints each - in a full leg cast.

So now my future looked even more dismal or disappointing but I came upon a Google Ad that sent me to a company that changed the way my future looks for me!

The Way it is Now...!

- I am completely able to walk with no assistive devices

- I am completely able to speak and very clear

- I am completely able to operate a motor vehicle safely as well!

My Remaining Limitations...!

- Because the bones in my legs were not set exactly the way they were at birth, I will never again be able to run

- Because of the damage to my throat, I will never again be able to sing in the shower *smile*

- Another problem the damage to my throat caused is the fact that I am unable to hold my breath under water, which is bad since I once worked as a lifeguard.

some portions of the body painted in matt black as the aerodynamic ...

some portions of the body painted in matt black as the aerodynamic ...

The BMW E90 3-Series was first introduced in Europe in 2005 and in the US for the 2006 model year. Starting with the E90 325i and E90 330i, BMW further expanded the model range to the E90 335i and E90 328i for the 2007 model year. While the BMW 3-Series is known for performance, handling and great styling from the factory, there are many BMW parts you can add to improve the look, performance and feel of your E90 3-Series.

E90 Performance Parts

Your E90 BMW comes from the factory with a fairly efficient air intake system but it is designed to minimize sound and emissions. This robs performance and makes your E90 slower. There are a variety of BMW cold air intakes available for the E90 3 series that will improve performance, flow and gas mileage. The aFe Dual Cone Intake for the E90 335i is the best option to maximize performance from the BMW twin turbo inline 6 engine. Available with a Pro Dry S or Pro5R oiled filter, these are lifetime units that can be reused and washed regularly.

Your BMW 3 series can be further improved with performance software for your BMW. The Juice Box 3 performance software for the E90 335i is the best plug and play solution for the 335i engine. If you are seeking a more custom tune, you can go with the Active Autowerke Performance Software which can be tailored to your specific modifications to maximize performance.

E90 Exterior Parts

The E90 is well styled from the factory but can be made more aggressive with BMW Matte Black Grills, BMW carbon fiber roundels, 335i shadow vehicle emblems and much more. Vorsteiner provides a full aero package for the 335i including the Vorsteiner V-35 Vented Race Hood and the Vorsteiner Aero Bootlid for the E90 3 series. These are lightweight carbon fiber upgrades that will reduce bodyweight, improve looks and aerodynamics over the factory body kit. In addition, the M3 Style Front Bumper, M3 Style Rear Bumper and M3 Style Side Skirts for the E90 will add an M3 look to your standard 3-series. These are direct install bumpers that will improve looks and aerodynamics over the factory standard bumper.

E90 Wheels

The E90 comes with undersized wheels from the factory so many opt for 18" or 19" wheels to upgrade the look. There are a variety of cast wheels for BMW available for your E90 3-series including the Velocity Motoring VB3 CSL Wheels, Velocity Motoring V710 Wheels, Avant Garde M330 wheels, Avant garde M310 wheels and Beyern wheels for BMW.

If you are after a custom set of forged wheels, then ADV forged wheels, HRE Forged Wheels, DPE Forged Wheels, Vorsteiner forged wheels or Alloy Technic forged wheels are all great BMW specific options. These are produced per your specifications and include the option of custom paint finishes, offsets, big brake clearance and more.

body paint painted a number of collectors ..

body paint painted a number of collectors ..

Were we to make a list of the main post-Impressionist painters, the name of Paul Gauguin would be on top of the list. He is known for his innovative and bold experimental use of colours.

But the prime thing that made Paul Gauguin such a renowned artist was his capability to understand the inherent meaning of the subjects he painted. He caught the very meaning of the subjects he painted; and then he uploaded that onto the canvas, expressing the same with his impressionist style of painting.

The subject of painting human body has remained the most beautiful and perfect subject for depiction of their artistic prowess. The artists since the ages have exploited this subject and the human form through its depiction in their paintings. The human body, especially nude female body is a subject of first choice among the artists for the element of mysterious allure. But very few of these artists have done perfect justice to the natural beauty of women's body as the master painter Paul Gauguin has done through his artistic nude paintings.

Many painters have spent their entire life painting nude bodies of the female models. They respected and adored the women sitting for them; and they tried hard to beautify their looks. These painters tried laboriously for injecting liveliness into the portraits of the nude females they painted. The great painters from the time of renaissance have done much artistic endeavours to immortalise a simple smile on the face of the beautiful women or the alluring curves of the bodies of those fatal fames. Numbers of painters have used this subject of painting natural beauties of women, but very few have succeeded in the job as Paul Gauguin.

main difference is the appearance of Zonda 750 with a purple body

main difference is the appearance of Zonda 750 with a purple body

Modifications, body/paint

Modifications, body/paint

Car body kits for primary purposes are used as cosmetic tools for your car, yet they have a potential of implicating a radical change in the appearance of the car. However applying just a body kit and assuming that car modification job has been performed very well is a misconception many armature car modifiers bear. One should always choose a body kit best aligning with the lines of your car.One should always choose a body kit best aligning with the lines of their cars. Kits requiring spray and paint should be properly sprayed or one should be prepared to spend extra bucks once the kit starts to peel off.

One problem faced during a car modification or installing a new body kit is that the colors seldom match with whole car and it is very difficult to find or maintain the right color combination for the car. However good opportunity arises when fitting a new kit, to respray the whole car so to have a suitable color combination.

Some tips regarding front bumper and grill seems to be appropriate here. New bumpers especially the front one lack the physical strength as compared to the standard one so provide less protection against any crash. Similarly new grills, one finds it usually to be very difficult to install when the remaining body kits has been already applied. So when installing grills and vents a person should be very conscious of the order with which he is going to install the body kit or a lot of time will be wasted in fitting and unfitting the kit.

Off the shelf body kits may look attractive in their packing but they rarely compliment the car and most of the time they fail to enhance the look of the car. So the best way is to get your car a new custom body kit from any specialist body shop. But remember when you have opted for yourself to become a car modifier then don't be a miser in spending some extra money on good quality body kits. This hobby sure requires some high investments. Going for cheap, low quality kits would simply mean that you are wasting your money and time. Don't ever be reluctant in spending some money on good ones as well fitted body kits can prove to be real investments which is definitely going to pay off in future in the form of sponsorship contracts and air time at local TV programs.

A good way to ensure that all the parts are fitted in their required order is to read the instruction manual carefully on the packing of the body kits and make sure all the parts provided in the list are present. Just lay down all the parts around the car and hold them against body work in order to make sure for the best fit.

When cutting holes for the exhaust, ensure that you always strive for 1-2cm wider than what actually is required so that you don't have to face any irritation just in case you commit a mistake in measuring the required diameter of the hole. However to measure the hole's diameter, use cardboard template for best results.

Many people love to spray their kits before fitting it to the car. However much better results have been witnessed when the kit is sprayed on the vehicle. Carbon fiber panels are much lighter than an ordinary one and they are best in reducing the overall car weight as well as maintaining the rigidity. Are you fed up of small scratches occurred mostly during the parking? Well again installation of good quality kits seems to be the only remedy for this problem besides being more conscious on the road.

Low skirts beside enhancing the look of your ride also increases the cornering speed but a bad job in fitting them can cause the problems of grounding at bumps as well as drastic effects on the cooling ability of the engine. At the end make sure to check the temperature Gauge to ensure that the car is not heating up quickly because of installation of new body kit. Be careful to fit the kit on stiffer suspension. This will sure have some implications on the usability of the car but it will avoid the problems of grounding of your car because of the new weights of body kits applied to your ride

mobil baru datang tubuh merk cat biru

mobil baru datang tubuh merk cat biru

mobil baru datang tubuh merk cat biru

Your mobility depends too much on your possession of a private vehicle. You may go for a car, motorcycle or truck as your own vehicle. But due to severe weather conditions in many regions it is not a good idea to depend on motorcycles all the time. It is also not a good idea to have a truck or SUV as they drink lot of gas and the maintenance is high. Somewhere in the middle and perfectly positioned vehicle for Desi would be a car. There are various types of cars to suite your need.

What you should have

If you are a single man and do not depend primarily on your car for commuting to your work, then go for anything as you wish.

There are coupes which have capacity for 4 persons but only two big doors. Primarily these cars are designed keeping in view for two, driver and one passenger. The other model is the sedan which has capacity for 5 and has 4 doors. This can also be called a family car. Depending on the size of the car, they are categorized as Compact, Mid-sized and Full. Compact cars are very small in size and have a good mileage per gallon too. Some manufacturers even make two seated compact cars. The power of the compact car is also little less than the cars of other categories. There are other cars that have powerful engines and are rated as sports cars.

On the contrary, if you have a big family and need more space in your vehicle, then go for van/SUV. But I wont suggest this idea to people who have just come to US, before/after marriage and don't have any kids.

Besides, it is always your dream and desire that makes you to go for a particular type and model. But before deciding upon something, you must give a thought to the other factors like, the mileage, sitting capacity, transmission, trunk capacity, engine power, ease of driving/safety, interior, power doors and anti-theft devices. Also your affordability plays a major role in purchasing a vehicle.

Do you have a driver license yet? It is most important to have one before going for a vehicle. Various states have different rules for issuing drivers license. You can logon to Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sites to know about the pre-requisites and methods of getting one driver license for your state. Normally it involves a written examination, minor vision test and a road test.

The never-ending comparison

Now you have to decide whether to buy a new car or a used car. I wont suggest you any thing or force you to go for what I think is right, but you must know the good and bad things involved in each.

Used Cars

* They are cheaper.

* They may be old.

* They might have more than one owner.

* They could be purchased from private parties or authorized dealers.

* They might have gone through serious maintenance/repair in the past.

* They might have gone through an accident in the past.

* Some parts/components are just about to die.

* There may not be enough warranty/guaranty on some expensive parts.

* The mileage may not be good.

* They may need more maintenance.

* They may not be reliable for long drives.

* Resale may be a headache.

New Cars

* They are not cheap.

* They are covered under manufacturer/dealer warranty.

* Their fuel efficiency must meet the specification.

* There is the satisfaction of owning a new car.

* Easy to get a finance for new car than a used car.

* No need to worry about the engine, body, suspension, tyre, batteries and interior conditions.

* Insurance premium may be higher.

* Can only be bought from an authorized dealer.

There are many other things that can be discussed as advantages and disadvantages under both the headings. However, I don't want to focus on them right now. If you are convinced to buy a new car, then go for it.

Your target

Now it is the time for you to decide the Make, Model and Type of your car. In US you will find hundreds of Make and Models (no Hind Motors/Maruti cars of course). From a Desi prospect I would say it is better to start with Honda/Toyota/Nissan. These Japanese car manufacturers know our requirement and never ditch us on the highways. The engines are good and prices are low. They run long enough before giving up. The life of a Honda/Toyota is considered to be 300K miles. But the look and interior designs are not at par with the American/European cars.

Buying a New Car

Take a cup of coffee, chat with your friends and go through some reviews before you decide upon the make model and color of your first dream car in USA. Check for the existing/upcoming models of your car by logging onto the sites. Select the color and interior and look at the car through the simulator. The most important thing that you must consider here is that, when the next model is going to be released. If it is very soon, then don't go for it, because after you buy your car, you will see the newer model in the market and the resale value of your car will fall drastically.

Cars with automatic transmission and power window have good resale value. ABS and anti-theft devices are added advantages. Leather interior is as per your wish.

Now you have all the details in your mind and the budget is also finalized. Next step is to study the finance market and look for the bank/credit union who gives the best APR. Also don't forget to decide upon your auto insurance. Find out a good insurance company and try to get a quote from them. The premium varies from place to place. With all these things set up, go to the Auto-Mall of your city. Go for a test drive for the car you have already decided. Beware of the car sales representatives. They will always try to sale you the most expensive car they have. But you shouldn't deviate from your decision. Try to bargain with them for a possible reduction in their margin and ask for extra accessories.

What is the status of the loan? Have you arranged one or you want the dealer to make some arrangements for you? Always try to bring down the APR. If you are very new to US and don't have any credit score, you may not get a good APR. However, dont worry about the APR right now. You can always refinance the loan with a better APR after you buildup the credit history after few months of repayment of the loan.

Once the deal is final, you need to sign some papers and then provide the Insurance details if you have. Otherwise, you could also provide the insurance agents phone number and the sales representative will talk to the insurance agent to get the car insured before leaving their premises (dont worry too much for the insurance premiums now, it is important to get your car insured before you drive out of the dealers premises, however you can easily change your insurance later, if you find a better one). In case you didn't get any insurance, you can always go for binder insurance, but they are quite expensive, but you can always cancel them in the middle once you establish your insurance with somebody else and get the refund for the unused portion of your premium.

The next thing is to make the financial paper work. You will be guided to the dealers accounts department and one of the accountants will assist you in finalizing the loan and payment for the car. At that time they will try to sale an extended warranty for another 3 years after the manufacturers warranty. It is you who will decide for that. Don't listen to them, but evaluate it being unbiased. They will try to sale so many other things like paint guard, gap insurance etc. I would suggest not to go with all these things except paint-guard.

After everything is over, they will apply for the vehicle registration/license plate to DMV on your behalf and give you the temporary ownership license (stuck to the windshield of your car). As far as I know, they wash the car and give you a full tank as a compliment before you drive your car back home.

New cars don't give you much trouble as long as you do all the regular oil change and maintenance in time.

Buying a Used Car

Used cars are good but not as new cars. They are much cheaper than the new cars, but at the cost of your peace of mind. You can buy used cars from either a private party or from any dealer. Here also you have to decide your budget and the make, model and year of the car that you need. Also the other main factor is the odometer reading.

There are many sites that give you the links for used cars for sale. You can also refer to the local news papers for any such advertisement. There are places in some cities where people come with their cars for auction/sale. Since you are new, don't go to such places. Rather get contact information from news paper ads or internet. Get the details of the car like make, model and year of the car, miles it has run, condition of batteries, tires and engine condition etc.

Now go to Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) or Edmund (www.edmund.com) and try to evaluate the car. KBB will ask you some question depending upon the private trading or buying from dealer. After you enter data about the private trading car, it will show you an approximate value of the car.

Private Party

If you are buying a used car from a private party, then you need to be more cautious about certain things like, the engine condition, the body condition, the interior and the accident/maintenance history of the car. Don't go for cars that have already run almost 300K miles (for Honda and Toyota). You can start locating for used cars for sale from various sources like, news papers, local ads and internet. After locating the availability near your place, prepare your matrix.

* Call each of them to fix an appointment for trial.

* Get the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) from the owner.

* Check for the approximate cost of the car using KBB or EDMUND sites.

* Compare the advertised price with the approximate cost that you arrived at.

* Use the VIN to find out accident/maintenance history from CarFax.com and check for any major incident. There will be a registration fee for CarFax.com, go for the one month pack.

* Talk to a mechanic for pre-purchase inspection of the vehicle. Mechanics charge around $50 per car. It is better to go to some brand names like Pep-Boys. They are good and reliable, but you may need to take an appointment beforehand.

* Go to the owner, see the car physically (for any visible dents, body color, torn airbag containers and interior) and then drive it with the owner.

* Take the car to the mechanic and have it inspected.

* (All the cars need a timing belt replacement after running for around 100K miles, so if the car is around or over 100K, then you need to figure out if the timing belt has been replaced, this information could be obtained from the CarFax report too. One thing you must remember that, in US, the auto spare parts are not that expensive, but the labor charge to install them is too high.)

* The mechanic will give you a report, in which it will indicate the current condition of the car and what needs to be fixed with a rough estimation.

* Check for the vehicle registration, is it current?

* Is the vehicle smog certified?

With the Kelly Blue Book report, CarFax report and the mechanics report, you can have a good bargain with the owner. If you really like the car and every thing looks OK to you, then start bargaining. Don't focus more on the tires/batteries, they are not that important as the engine.

NEVER BUY A CAR THAT HAS A SALVAGED TITLE.

Once you have decided to buy the car, talk to the owner about the payment and mode of payment (check or cash). The owner has to give you a pink slip indicating that you paid for the car and it is yours now. He cant simply lodge a complaint with the police saying you have stolen his car. It is his duty to inform the DMV office about the sale and transfer of title. You should also apply to DMV for transferring the title to your name. For registration, you will need the pink slip, the insurance (get one immediately) and smog certification. After you apply for the transfer of the vehicle registration into your name, you are the proud owner of the car.

It is too cumbersome to buy a used car from a private party, sometimes it is too risky and in all the cases it is damn cheaper. For some unlucky guys it might have resulted in spending huge money on maintenance the next day. But it is not always true. However, you are supposed to visit the mechanic frequently and spend lot of time there.

Buying from Dealer

The next best thing that you can do is to buy a used car from a dealer. It may not be as cheaper as buying from private party, but 100 times more reliable. Even some dealers give warranty on the used cars they sale. They buy the used cars, clean them up, do a thorough checking of the engine and repair any damages, dents etc before putting them on sale. You don't have to take the car to a mechanic for inspection, worry about the smog certification. But never forget to check the approximate price through KBB and have a CarFax report handy before making a deal with the dealer. Normally, good dealers don't keep cars for sale that have any major issues like bad accident history, salvaged title etc.

Go to the dealer, talk to the sales representative about your purpose. He/she will show you all the different used cars they have that fits your requirement as well as your budget. Once you have selected the model, make and color, go for a test drive (don't forget to check the odometer reading). If everything feels ok to you, then go to the dealers office and access their computer to logon to KBB for approximate pricing as well as to CarFax for accident/maintenance history for that car. Some dealers even do this for free. Now with all these things handy, start the bargain. You must always consider the worry free deal with the worth of the vehicle you are paying for. You may end up paying a little more than that of a private party deal, but there wont be any worries after you buy the car. If there will be any problem with the car (which is covered under warranty), you can always comeback to the dealer for having it fixed for free. The dealer may also arrange a loan for you and take care of the other formalities like title transfer etc. You will save a lot of time/worries in this. Time is important and costly in this country. So it is your call again.

After you finalize the deal, it follows the same process as a new car purchase. So finish all paper work and drive the car safely back home.

Tips

* If you own an old used car that needs maintenance and the mechanic gives you a list of jobs to be done, then do all of them once. That way you may save a lot of labor charge.

* As per my experience, buying a new car is always better than buying a used car from a dealer and buying a used car from a dealer is always safer than buying a used car from a third party.

* It seems to be a huge amount in the beginning to buy a new car. But if you compare the money spent for new (repay the loan) and used car (repair/maintenance), then over a period of 3 years they will almost equate with each other. So, why not to enjoy the ride of a new car.

The white pearl body paint really showed up the beautiful bodylines of the ...

The white pearl body paint really showed up the beautiful bodylines of the ...

The white pearl body paint really showed up the beautiful bodylines of the ...

Major Beverage Manufacturers are getting creative and are body painting attractive promo girls to boost their sales. Painting their brand's logo on a sexy promo girls body has been boosting their brand's image like no other marketing tool ever used.

Miller lite Girls are getting their bodies painted and getting more attention for the Miller lite brand than ever before. Have you happened to see how beautiful a girl looks after she has had her body painted?

Body Painting an attractive promo girl with a hot body is able to stand out among all the advertising noise in the market place. Marketing companies are getting creative by painting their logos on a girls breast to grab the attention of the beverage manufacturers targeted audience.

Beverage Manufacturers have to pocket out $1000 minimum to get a great body paint artist to paint their promo girls. I had 2 Miller lite girls at Dinah shores in Palm Springs and they had their bodies painted to resemble a Miller lite body. The art work was amazing and not to mention the girls bodies really made the body paint artist look really good.

The Miller lite promo girls received $300 per hour for this one weekend event. I have since seen many companies use hot body painted models to gain the attention of their consumers whether at a car show, trade show or a new club grand opening.

These Beverage manufacturers are budgeting millions of dollars towards this type of advertising.

They see the return on investment as an unmeasurable success. I did a casting in Hollywood for 4 girls to get their bodies painted for a major liquor and I had over 200 girls show up. The amount of beautiful girls in Hollywood that wanted to have their bodies painted was astounding. I even had girls that wanted to get their bodies painted for free.

BODY PAINT AND ASSEMBLY BY JIMTECH CUSTOM PAINTED CARBON

BODY PAINT AND ASSEMBLY BY JIMTECH CUSTOM PAINTED CARBON

If you're like many auto enthusiasts, you chose your vehicle because of some unique features that make it different and that set it apart in a crowd. You might have even invested in some aftermarket components to increase performance or to modify the car's appearance with the intent of making it distinctly yours. Did you know that vinyl wraps and graphics can create another great way to customize the look of your car, truck, van, RV, or other vehicle? Car wraps and vehicle graphics aren't just for businesses to use as fleet advertising! New wrap materials offer some visually attractive options for vehicle owners who want to achieve a unique "look" in their vehicles' appearance.

Instead of the expense and potential risk associated with a new paint job, custom wraps and graphics can be safely installed and later removed. This feature is particularly important in the case of exotic vehicles that can potentially lose resale value with an aftermarket paint job. In contrast, a car wrap and vehicle graphics allow you to customize your vehicle during your time of ownership, and the wrap and/or graphics can later be cleanly removed for resale purposes.

Mobile advertising using car wraps and vehicle graphics has rapidly become a powerful and extremely cost-effective means for increasing a business' exposure to a much larger audience than traditional store-front signage achieves.

As a result of the popularity of mobile advertising, many new wrap materials have been developed to provide increasingly improved performance characteristics including outdoor durability, color fastness, clean removability, and installation on complex vehicle body curves.

These new materials enhance the available cosmetic options for personal, custom car wraps and vehicle graphics. In addition to wrap vinyl that can be digitally printed in full color with complex patterns and photo-realistic images, some wrap materials are solid, opaque colors including a dramatic matte black wrap that is becoming increasingly popular for high-end and exotic vehicles. Other wrap material options simulate the look of carbon fiber, diamond plate, or actual vehicle paint in brilliant colors to accent a vehicle's appearance.

Combinations of these materials can be used to wrap or cover the complete vehicle body or even as a partial wrap to cover portions of the vehicle such as the hood, fenders, or roof. In addition, these materials are frequently used as accents on mirror shells, spoilers, etc. Contrasting colors and/or contrasting finishes (such as gloss vinyl accents on a matte black wrap) create visually stimulating graphics that are sure to make your vehicle a one-of-a-kind!

Extreme Painted Car

Extreme Painted Car

Cars today are more expensive than ever. Many cost more than the average Americans paycheck. Most Americans have car loans that average over 60 or even 72 months. That's basically 6 year car loans with very hefty payments, so if we are going to invest that much money, not to include taxes and insurance, in our cars than we best protect them and make them last as long as possible. One area of grave importance is rust protection and treatment.

Rust is like cancer for a car. Once it starts it will only get worse and grow. Being that every car manufacturer except Saturn uses sheet metal and all use metal frames and undersides, rust is a major problem. Rust isn't just a northern state problem. It can happen anywhere that there is moisture, extreme weather, salt (road salt used in winter weather and salty air and spray from the ocean). Rust can be prevented and treated, however.

We have seen commercials showing us what extreme weather and conditions can do to our cars and trucks. Your vehicles sheet metal is coated by a thin protection of primer paint and clear coat. All it takes is a small nick, a chip, road debris, even hail to cause this very thin protective layer to become damaged. Even the smallest damage like a little cut can let in moisture and this will start the oxidation of the metal commonly called rust. Rust is basically a loss of electrons which weakens the metal and allows oxidation to occur. Every car gets door dings in grocery parking lots, rock chips from trucks and vehicles on the road (tip, never follow a construction truck too closely as they are always throwing rocks), etc.

It is a good practice to clean and wax your car at least every two weeks and while doing so, look for any possible areas where rust could start. Look for nicks, scratches, dings, anything that breaks through the paint. It is important to notice these areas as early as possible so you can prevent rust from ever starting. To treat a deep nick or scratch, it is important to cover the spot and seal it from moisture.

Touch up paint matched for your cars exact color will of course look best and give good protection. If touch up paint is not readily available you can use a clear touch up or even clear nail polish. Be sure to use a toothpick instead of the included brush for application. The included brush will put on too much and actually make the repair standout. It will build up both sides of the scratch or nick. A toothpick works better as it will put the touch up paint directly where it is needed, inside the cut, nick or scratch.

For best results either go to an automotive dealer or an automotive parts store whom can easily locate your particular cars paint. The exact paint will look best and help hide the repair. Some cars have clear coats and will look best with a clear coat touch up after the initial repair. This will help seal out moisture and keep your car rust free.

If rust has already started than there are treatments available for this. It is a little more involved, though. You must sand the area until the rust is gone and there is just bare metal. Wal Mart carries a scratch repair pen that works great for minimizing the area affected. Next a product like NeutraRust is added. This will actually chemically alter any rust that is left and prime and seal the surface for paint.

It is a good idea to check the underside of the metal where the rust occurred to make sure it hasn't penetrated to the other side. If it has then treat it the same way, but instead of touch up paint there are under car spray treatments that will give thicker and longer lasting protection.

For surface area repairs follow up with touch up paint. This also works with larger areas, but it may be easier to have a body shop do the job as the results will be much more noticeable. A good idea that will save you some money is to stop by your local car dealers used car department. Ask for the paint touch up guy that they use or what days he comes. He will do the repair for you at a fraction of what a body shop would charge and it will be very professional.

Oil on Canvas Racing Car Painting Galleries

Oil on Canvas Racing Car Painting Galleries

1. It's a Golfer's Paradise

There are over 16 golf courses in Sonoma County, many of them near luxurious accommodations where you can celebrate a great game (or "forget" a bad one) with good food, spa facilities, and luxurious beddings.

2. Fly to New Heights

Ride a hot air balloon for a completely different kind of tour. Take lots of photos, and get a 360-degree bird's eye view of the amazing California landscape.

3. Wash Away Your Worries

California has a natural source of hot water springs, which the Sonoma Mission Spa has turned into a holistic bathing ritual (using top-of-the-line Jacuzzis and steam rooms). Guaranteed to soothe tired muscles and worn-out spirits-and leave you glowing and refreshed. Try the other 40 treatments, too!

4. Unlock the Secrets of Wine

Go on a wine-tasting tour at any of the 200 wineries located in Sonoma county. Learn about the different kinds of grapes, and the different factors-mixture, climate, soil, and picking procedure-that make each vintage unique. By the end of the course, you'll be the smartest person at the cocktail party.

5. Get Your Pilot's License

Sonoma's one of the best places to fulfill your dream of flying your own plane! From on-ground lessons to one-on-one guided flights to your first solo flight, you'll be guided by experienced, patient flight instructors who actually care about your progress and will adapt a learning plan just for you.

6. Get a Golden Tan

This is California, after all! Hit the beaches and enjoy the great weather, the refreshing ocean, and the brilliant blue sky!

7. Explore the Arts Scene

Sonoma County has a thriving arts and crafts scene. ARTrails provides a rare opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their studios and learn about their diverse creative processes and techniques. Through hands-on demonstrations as well as intimate conversations, ARTrails artists will take you into their world for a day.

8. Mix Business and Pleasure

Santa Rosa, the largest city in Sonoma County, has excellent facilities for meetings and conventions. Go ahead, have that team building exercise or hole up for that mid-year review. Then reward yourself with a night on the town. After all that work, you deserve it!

9. It's in the Middle of Everything

Sonoma County is just 55 miles north of San Francisco, and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. That makes it very accessible to both the key business districts and premium recreation and vacation spots. Talk about having it all!

10. Let Nature Heal You

Lake Sonoma is a 17,700-acre reserve where you and your kids can escape from the stress of work and housework. Choose a quiet, shady spot under a tree where you can read a book or sketch. Or, take a calming walk through a canopy of oak, madrone, alder, redwood and bay trees. You don't even have to worry about entertaining the kids-they can go hiking, swimming or bird watching.

Hell Car Painting Concept

Hell Car Painting Concept

There are three types of doctrine mentioned in Scripture: 1) that of Demons, 2) that of Man, and 3) that of Christ and of God.

There's no reason anyone should check one's proverbial brains at the door or eat every can of peas on the shelf when it comes to being a "hearer" of God's Word.

Think, people, think! As Thomas Jefferson said, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, He must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." Ask until you receive a satisfactory response. In other words, blind faith is ridiculous.

Asking questions about such a seemingly basic aspect of orthodoxy as "Hell" is undoubtedly going to spawn MORE questions. Its answers are bound to create more than a few "Us vs. Them" debates. Please RESIST the tendency to break fellowship with those who disagree with you for "a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand" - and we already have over 30,000 denominations divided over a myriad of differences. On second thought, I recall Jesus saying He didn't come to bring peace but a sword.

I am certain some readers will accuse me - as some already have - of "sending people to a Hell I don't believe in" when, as you'll see, I am not making any such statement. Several individuals have referred to me as spreading heresy, forgetting that many of their own beliefs are still considered heresy by a large portion of Christians (speaking in tongues, Divine Healing, casting out demons, etc.)

Others will be left bumfuzzled after reading this as they struggle to find their place in the Body of Christ because, after all, without the Hell they've come to know and love, they will feel a bit "out-of-work," somehow feeling they've lost their sense of purpose in The Body. I can relate.

Still others will find themselves glad that someone else has asked the questions they dared never vocalize.

I realize that, in accordance with standard orthodox Christian teaching, we are SUPPOSED to believe in, teach about, and warn others about the fiery place of eternal torment. Though one denomi-nation may disagree with the next in regard to a plethora of other topics - some of which, one might contend, will result in a quick ticket to Hell - BOTH will link spiritual arms in pious alliance against anyone who doesn't preach and teach on the traditional concept of Hell.

At least until the NEXT source of doctrinal contention rears its head.

This is such a contradiction when one considers that we are SUPPOSED to be spreading the Gospel (literally, "Good News") in accordance with the command of Jesus but, too often, are the bearers of BAD news, i.e., eternal Hell. We seem to use the subject of eternal damnation as a means for terrorizing others into "getting saved," attempting to cause them to repent of sinful lifestyles or condemning those whom we don't particularly care for anyway. Though such terrorism may be the farthest thing from our minds, truth is, perception is reality. Too often, we are seen as being quite repulsive to others as we "witness" to them and bludgeon them with scriptures.

Clearly, we are good at reminding others of how bad they are, judging others by what they DO and judging ourselves by our good intentions. Forget about showing the kind of agape love Jesus extended to a hooker or the woman at the well - we prefer condemning them, picketing against them, showering them with "go to Hell" Scripture verses, etc. We will even do so in union with people who may differ from us on other core doctrinal issues.

HELL AND WHO GETS TO GO THERE

A college student stopped by one day and he mentioned that his friend, an atheist, had told him he did not respect the faith of most Christians because, if they REALLY believed in the Hell they claim to believe in, they would - out of love - relentlessly attempt, in a consistent manner, to get their neighbors and coworkers converted regardless of consequences, rather than expect the unbelievers to enter their church buildings. Amen!

Do we REALLY believe in Hell as we say we do? If so, why do we play Russian Roulette with the lives of our children by daring to bring them into this world at all, when we know there's less than a 50/50 chance they may ever make a "decision" for Christ?

Think about that.

While you wrestle with that question, if we REALLY believe in the eternal torment of Hell, wouldn't the hideous act of abortion be a merciful act?

OUCH!

What is this "Hell" we hear so much about? Hell is actually an Old English word whereas the word which Mark used in his Gospel was the Greek word "Gehenna," which certainly does imply FIRE. However, the Greek word for "fire" itself is the word "pyr" or "pur" from which we get "pure."

Hmmm. Fire can destroy but it can also purify, purge and bring purity. Keep that in mind.

Unfortunately, in most passages in the translations of the New Testament where the word Hell is found, the original Greek reveals a different word, "Hades" - which does NOT refer to FIRE at all. Homer called the place of the dead the "House of Hades." Hades was the Greek god of the underworld, the god of death. Eventually, Hades evolved into the very name for the underworld itself.

In Biblical usage, the Greek word Hades - used only 11 times in the New Testament - is roughly equivalent to the Old Testament Hebrew word "Sheol," meaning "grave" or "pit ." Compare Acts 2:27 (AMP): " For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death]" with Psalm 16:10 (AMP): "For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the place of the dead), neither will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption."

Hades may be likened to a hole in the ground. In the Bible, it has nothing to do with fire. Most modern biblical translators admit that the use of the English word Hell to translate Hades and Sheol is an unfortunate and misleading practice.

Why? Because in reading the word Hell, many readers revert to an ever-burning inferno when this was never remotely intended in the Greek language or in Old English!

Hades, in Biblical usage, refers to the place of the dead - but not in the sense of spirits walking around in some other dimension. In that sense, one might say, everyone who dies goes to Hell. Sheol, as I mention-ed, refers to the actual grave. Sheol was not a place of torment or punishment. Jacob spoke of going there (Genesis 37:35, 42:38, 44:29-31), Job longed for it (Job 14:13), David spoke of going there (Psalm 49:15), King Solomon taught his audience to work hard while on the earth for there is no work in "Sheol", the place they were destined to (Ecclesiastes 9:10), and even Jesus went there (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:24-31).

Tartarus (or Tartaros) was a name used by the later classical writers such as Virgil as another name for Hades. Homer, on the other hand, described Tartarus as a different place, lying as far beneath Hades as Hades is beneath the earth. It was in this bottomless pit of Tartarus, according to classical mythology, that the Greek god Zeus confined those who had resisted him. 2 Peter 2:4 of the Holman Christian Bible and Young's Literal translations are the only Bible versions I researched that utilized the word "Tartarus" in place of "Hell" ("...God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them down into Tartarus and delivered them to be kept in chains of darkness until judgment...").

QUESTIONS DEMANDING ANSWERS

It's almost as though Christians everywhere are telling the world, "God loves you but if you don't say the Sinner's Prayer/Get Baptized/Walk the Aisle/Say a Profession of Faith, etc., before you die, then my loving God will torture you forever."

Be honest with yourself RIGHT NOW:

Don't you HATE that about God's plan?

Don't you hate that about our "loving" Father?

Don't you REALLY wish the concept of Hell was NOT part of His agenda as you've been taught?

Do you struggle with the thought of a kindly grandparent damned to Hell because of being affiliated with a so-called "cult" or "false religion"?

Do you struggle with the thought of a brave non-Christian fireman who died in the Twin Towers, being consumed forever in Hell's fire?

How about a heroic "unsaved" Marine in Iraq saving the lives of his buddies? Remember, Jesus said "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13 NASB].

If the goal of Heaven is to become like Jesus, these men seem to have accomplish-ed the task.

A wise man once said, "Flood the battlefield of ideas with questions." If you've never asked any, out of fear of "Rocking the Boat" or being ostracized or shunned, consider these:

Q: Is the Gospel merely Good News for that small portion of humanity who "got saved" before they died in a shipwreck, on a battlefield, in a car accidents, from a wild animal attack, from disease or old age?

Q: What about the babies who were miscarried, died at birth, or as infants and toddlers? Are they in Hell, or have we embraced other concepts on this matter in order to comfort ourselves?

Q: Is salvation only for Christians? What about those who never heard the Gospel?

Q: Who do we consider to be "Christians" any way? Those who repeat the Sinner's Prayer? Those baptized by immersion? Those absolved of sins by an ordained priest? Perhaps it's those who have stopped sinning. If so, I'm in trouble! What about the naked tribal people on an island somewhere who died having never heard the Name of Jesus...the deaf mute...the retarded person? Let's think these things through LOGICALLY.

Q: Are Christians limited ONLY to those who "received Jesus" before they died? (Mark 9:37 reveals that when we "receive him", we are NOT receiving Jesus, "but Him who sent me", i.e., The Father).

What about the recent reports of Muslims in Islamic nations who are reporting to have SEEN the risen Christ, became Believers, yet continue to worship God in a mosque through daily prayers, continuing to refer to Him as "Allah" - simply because it's all they've ever known? Does God REALLY look at the heart while man looks at the outside (1 Samuel 16:7)?

Q: Does Jesus decide when He might bring a person to faith, or do we, by way of our religious training, make that determination for Him by way of one of our various man made salvation rituals?

Frankly, one of the main problems in the Church is that we are too often preaching an unbiblical "Gospel of Salvation" while neglecting the teaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom as Jesus instructed us (mainly due to our misunderstanding of the subject).

Q: Why didn't Moses warn about Hell in the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Covenant consisting of over 600 OTHER laws, ordinances, and warnings? Did He forget? Did He simply neglect to mention it? The Mosaic Law simply stated blessings and cursings IN THIS LIFETIME for failure to keep the Mosaic Law.

Q: Why does David say in the King James Bible, "Though I make my bed in Hell (Sheol) lo, Thou art there? (Note: Most Christian Bibles NO LONGER have the word "Hell" in the Old Testament. The KJV, written over 350 years ago, is an exception. The Jews do NOT put the word "Hell" in their English translations of the Hebrew Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament, and the leading English Christian Bibles have removed it because it is NOT in the originals.

Q: If good people go to Heaven and bad people go to Hell, why does EVERYONE, good or bad, go to the same place in the Old Testament? They ALL go to Sheol which the King James Version translated "Hell" thirty-one times, "grave" thirty-one times and "pit" three times. Are we all destined to go to Hell or did the King's translators make some gross translational errors?

Q: Why don't the Jews, who know the Old Testament better than most Christians, NOT believe in the modern Christian concept of Hell? They say they don't believe it because it is not in their Scriptures. We cannot find Hell in the Old Testament (check it out at BibleGateway.com).

Q: Why is it the most literal, accurate, plain English translation of the New Testament does NOT include the following words: sinner, Hell, Hades, sin, evil, forever, or eternal (Jesus, Christ or lord, for that matter)? It's not that these don't exist, but these actual "churchy" words we use all the time simply aren't there! Think about it!

Q: If Hell doesn't exist in the Old Testament (neither the concept or the word), how could Jesus and His disciples teach that salvation was deliverance from a place that was not even found in their Scriptures (there was only the Old Testament at that time)? Would that not qualify Him as a false teacher? Could it be that Jesus never taught the modern concept of Hell in the first place? Could it be that this concept has been added to the church and SOME Bible translations through "traditions of men" as a result of doctrines of demons, or of man?

Q: Some English translations use the word "Hell" for the Greek word "Gehenna," in the New Testament. Why didn't this same place (Gehenna, south of Jerusalem and the figurative equivalent to the concept of "Hell" - the city's stinky garbage dump where trash, dead criminals, sewage and dead animals wound up - get translated "Hell" in the many places where it appears in the Hebrew form "ga ben Hinnom" (valley of the son of Hinnom) in the Old Testament? (By the way, Gehenna is a beautiful park today - yes, I've actually seen pictures of "Hell").

Q: If the Jews did not see the valley of Gehenna as a symbol of everlasting torture, why do SOME English translations give this word that meaning? Why do we simply "parrot" what we've been taught when so many resources are available that prove otherwise?

Q: Pagans sacrificed their own children to Molech, burning them in Gehenna. What was God's response for Israel doing such a horrible thing to their children? (Jer. 32:33-35)

Q: How could God say "such a thing never entered His mind" if we are taught He is going to do the very same thing to most of His own children? Did He get the idea from the Molech worshipers?

Thinking Christians can probably come up with many other thought-provoking questions besides these.

THEY SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH...

A question is a truth-finder. We cannot make quality decisions without quality information. When you know the truth, that truth shall make you free! Those who have the truth should encourage questions and provide solid answers that make sense. Did YOU have answers to those questions listed above?

I am certain that many who read this article will respond with a variety of proof texts with which to support the traditional concept of Hell. (Please don't waste your time; I can come up with just as many verses IN SUPPORT of the traditional teachings on this very subject in contrast to original meanings). On the other hand, based upon the many questions and comments I've received over the years, I think it's time we start answering the questions for which many haven't been receiving satisfactory answers.

Trust me, just like the current "Town Hall Meeting" trend in regard to America's Health Care issue, people are asking questions that their spiritual leaders aren't answering adequately. "Towing the party-line" is no longer sufficient and, frankly, is beginning to tick people off.

THE PURIFICATION PROCESS AND PURPOSE

The Bible says that it is appointed to men once to die, and after that the judgment (Heb. 9:27-28). It does NOT say, "after death all hope is gone!"

For example: Sodom's fiery judgment is "eternal" (Jude 7) UNTIL God "will restore the fortunes of Sodom (Ez 16:53-55). (For similar examples of "forevers" that lasted UNTIL, go to Jer 30:12-17; Micah 1:9 and Ezekiel 16:53; Zephaniah 2:9, Jeremiah 25:27 and Jeremiah 49:6; Deuteronomy 23:3; Habakkuk 3;6 and there are MANY other "forever-UNTIL" examples.)

The verses that speak of everlasting fire or judgment, must be understood in the light of God's love. They are "everlasting" - continuous and on-going UNTIL God's judgment serves to accomplish His unchanging will and purpose to unite ALL creation in Christ (Gen. 12:3, Romans 4:13, Heb. 6:17). Second Corinthians 5:19 tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world ("cosmos" or universe) to Himself; that's either true or it's a lie.

The point is, eternal torment was never on the mind of God nor was it ever implied in Revelation 21:8, "...But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

This defines most of us, doesn't it? Ever been afraid? Ever entertained doubt? Ever been immoral? Ever lied? Jesus said we murder when we don't love and commit adultery when we lust. The purification process is one we must all endure.

Pure, purge, purifying... all derived from "pur" - the Greek word for FIRE!

Don't fret. Now, as an Overcomer, you'll have no part of the second death. Those who have NOT yet overcome, yes, these WILL require that purification fire, a purification fire which began at Pentecost. Our God IS a consuming fire. As with the burning bush, anything unholy or impure MUST be destroyed (you may recall how the bush Moses saw was NOT consumed).

God's fire has one purpose: purification and cleansing. Gold, silver, precious stone are all purified by fire. An interesting note: According to Strong's concordance Brimstone, (#2303) comes from the Greek "theion" which, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, refers to divine incense, because burning brimstone was regarded as having power to purify, and to ward off disease. The Greek "theion" has the same root as "theos," meaning "God." In other words, it is God's judgment that purifies.

We are described as being "living stones." Those who stand before God with fear, unbelief, having not overcome, will be "salted" with His fire.

Here's a thought: God told Jeremiah that he'd put His words in Jeremiah's mouth and they'd become fire that would burn the residue of His people. Psalm 104:4 tells us: "[God] makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His ministers." With that in mind, we are ALL ministers of reconcili-ation; a royal priesthood; a kingdom of priests and kings. Could it be that our message - the Good News - is what will bring about the restitution of all things and restore the created to its Creator? If so, when will we begin that mission?

WHERE DID THE CONCEPT OF HELL COME FROM?

The eternal torment doctrine entered into Church during the Dark Ages. The Church brought people into bondage to this doctrine in order to keep them subservient to the Church. I call it "Systems Manage-ment." That Middle Ages church, the mother of harlots, birthed "many daughters" and even those who claim to be free today remain bound - fearful - by this teaching on eternal punishment.

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was a medieval Italian poet. His travels among the damned are recorded in The Inferno, the first part of his three-part Divine Comedy, an account of his imaginary journeys through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven.

Does life imitate art? Apparently so. Dante didn't get his concept from the Bible or Church doctrine. No, the Church got these ideas from Dante.

Though Dante's primary purpose in writing the poem was to satirize persons and circumstances of his day, the theology of his work is based firmly on the system of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Italian theologian and philosopher. The Divine Comedy is a relatively accurate dramatization of medieval Christian theology. Simpleton's of Dante's day actually believed he had visited Hell and was giving an eye-witness report. This writing made a tremendous impression on popular Christian thought to this day and has taken root firmly in our culture.

Dante's medieval picture of Hell was as an enormous prison camp - a nightmarish place of eternal torment, horrible beyond imagination, ruled by Satan and his demons. We KNOW Satan doesn't live there with his minions because 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "...your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Regarding the war in the heavenlies, Isaiah 14:12 says of Lucifer, "..."How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world."

Personally, I don't believe Satan and his army were tossed into Hell. They were thrown to Earth (there goes the neighbor-hood), bringing with them all the hierarchical systems of Heaven that were intended for angels, NOT man, who was intended to be the most liberated creature in the universe. This heavenly system pervades everyday life. The Army, for example, which has generals at the top of the pyramid and privates at the bottom, is a hierarchical system. Education, industry, medicine, politics... even Religion... have all adapted to the ungodly hierarchical model.

God never intended for any man to rule over another. The ONLY time we should look down upon another is when we're reaching down to help them up.

Long as I'm sharing my own opinions, it's my opinion Dante's Inferno was a cruel joke upon the Church that began over 700 years ago. To quote Don McLean's American Pie, "...I saw Satan laughing with delight..."

The concept of some type of Hell can be found in one form or another among all the world's great religions. Billions have lived and died over the millennia believing in - and fearing - a place of eternal torment and punishment. Many today continue to wonder, "Is there really a Hell?" and "Will I end up there?"

Perhaps this is why Hebrews 12:14-15 tells us, "Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to naught and make of no effect him who had the power of death--that is, the devil-- and also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives."

Gehenna's fires "are not quenched and its worm does not die" was a metaphor Jesus used that the Jews could relate to. Gehenna, like any other garbage dump, belched out smoke and fire and was filled with maggots.

Did you know that 33% of Manhattan is filled land created from household trash from the past two centuries? Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island is now a beautiful landscape built on 51 years of New York City trash. My own son - once a Texas garbage collector - was initially surprised at the extreme heat under all the trash as well as the pipes throughout the dump which allowed gas to escape.

Again, Gehenna's fires "are not quenched and its worm does not die" - UNTIL the restoration of ALL things which has been spoken of by all God's holy prophets (Christ included) since the world began. Jesus did not come to contradict His own prophets; He came to fulfill the law AND the prophets!

Acts 3:19-21 reminds us, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom Heaven must receive until the times of restoration of ALL things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."

Our Lord does not "cast off forever" (Lam. 3:31-32, Heb. 13:8). He who taught us to forgive and bless our enemies will surely do the same for His own. For every tongue will give thanks that in Him they have righteousness and strength. All flesh will bless His name forever and ever. Our Lord will not fail or become discouraged until He fulfills all of God's purpose, word and will.

Jesus tells us: "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt." (Mk 9:42-49)

The REAL purpose of our fiery trials is NOT to torture us, though they may bring torment for a season. The REAL purpose is to free us from that which keeps us in bondage. Do you see the demonstration of agape love in that? The Lord's disciplines do not CANCEL God's covenant to set us right with Himself. Our Father's "fires" are part of His means to FULFILL His covenant! They are NOT unending.

The Lord's fiery judgments and disciplines are only "everlasting" in the sense that they are THOROUGH. His purifying fires do not cease burning UNTIL they've done their good work. God's corrective disciplines continue until they help to ACCOMPLISH the restoration of ALL things "spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began," (Acts 3:21)

Those who disobey the Gospel and persecute Christians will suffer the consequences of "everlasting" (that is, continuous) tribulation, destruction and punishment UNTIL, by loving, persistent correction, God shows them their need for Christ.

What was written by the prophets WILL come to pass, that all shall be taught of God, and everyone who has heard and learned from the Father (eventually) comes to Christ. Thus, all the families of the nations will worship Him. All will submit to Him and sing His praises. God's promise will be fulfilled and ALL men shall reverence Him, proclaim His works, and wisely consider His doing (Ps. 22:27-28, 64:4-5, 64:9, 2 Thess. 1:7-10).

To me, that paints a beautiful, faith-inspiring, awesome, loving picture - so much better than the "eternal" torment which many ascribe to, Christian and non-Christian alike.

Without exception, the question always comes, "Does that include Hitler? Surely HE deserves God's fiery Hell!" Yes, God's mercy extends even to him... and Adam, father of all OTHER deviant humans ever born whose sins required a Savior.

The mind boggles at the depth and power of that kind of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Yet, as we cannot help but humanize God's attributes, most Christians struggle with anything short of extreme torment. Myself included, but truth is truth. (By the way, Hitler only punished the Jews for a few years. According to the "Christian" teaching on Hell, God will take those SAME Jews and burn them FOREVER in a pit of fire. Who's worse?) We struggle with these questions because we have imagined God in our own image, where all activity ends at the grave. Our (spiritual) life does not end there; our physical life, which is actually death, does. As Jesus said, "He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living...,"(Mark 12:27 KJV).

One more thing: at the risk of getting political, though Hitler and other tyrants - including Christian leaders - throughout world history have killed millions, let's remember that a handful of Supreme Court justices who've brought a death sentence upon FIFTY MILLION babies, 4500 daily, through legalized abortion.