Carguy, depends on the type of paint and conditions, let me know what kind of paint your using and I'll tell you.
Since its your first time flaming practice taping and painting on something else first. Flames are a bit tricky for a novice, getting them to flow smoothly isn't easy at first. Use 1/16 or 1/8 tape to do the flames, I use 1/16", depends on how intricate you get. If you plan on doing a few over and unders, plan it out before you paint or it could get ugly. A pencil sketch helps. Remember the finished flame with be the inside of the tape so don't make the mistake of including the tape in the finished look, you could make the flames to thin that way. To make a great flame shading is the key. After you get the basic flames on you going to want to outline it, either use a sword brush and a steady hand, or you could get some tape in the right color and go to your local meat cutter and get it shaved down to 1/16 or 1/24 and retape it before clearing it.
The key to a smooth flame is the taping, to make everything smooth and not flatsided or squigly DO NOT press down the tape with your finger. Just hold the roll about 4-6" away with your index finger as a guide on top of the roll and let your wrist and arm do the rest, if it needs to be snugged down after you get the shape smooth it lightly with your hand but don't press to hard there could be an air bubble caught under the tape and if you press to haard you could fold the tape over on itself and ruin your flame and have to do it over.
If you need anymore help or guidance let me know through e-mail or PM through here, I'll help you as much as I can over the internet.
Faust