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How to Make Flash Paper With a Flare

Magicians and actors use flash paper to create the illusion of throwing fire. Flash paper gives off no smoke, and it can be lighted with only the tiniest spark. Although preparing flash paper from scratch requires mixing dangerous chemicals not available in stores, including nitric and sulfuric acid, you can create flash paper instead by using road flares and a few common household items.

Things You'll Need

Mineral spirits
Flare
Toilet paper
Glass jar
Shallow glass container
Razor knife

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the cardboard housing of a flare with a razor knife. You will notice white crystals; scrape these into a glass jar. Use caution to make sure these crystals do not contact any heat source, such as the end of a lighted cigarette.
- 2
  Pour one-half cup of mineral oil into a pan and add 1 tablespoon of the white crystals. Heat the mixture on a kitchen stove turned to the lowest setting or a small propane heater, such as those that come with camp cook stoves.
- 3
  Stir the mixture regularly for an hour or until all the crystals have dissolved into the mineral spirits. After this time, the pan should contain a thin liquid at the bottom and a thick liquid at the top. Carefully pour the thick liquid into a shallow glass container.
- 4
  Take squares of toilet tissue paper and soak them in the glass container until they have fully absorbed the solution. Remove them from the solution and place them on a metal sheet to dry.
- 5
  Wait until the squares of toilet paper fully dry before trying to light them. To activate your flash strips, you can use any source of heat, including a lighter or match.

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