A Silicone Tail Making Adventure with Wesley

[Deepsea merman]

I really love your fluke and your sculpting, are so cute, I can´t wait to see more of you

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks everyone. Today is going to be busy so I won't get to do much today. I nee to buy some plaster I think.... Or shell shock? Does anyone know the pros/cons?


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[Anahita]

Shell-shock or fiberglass resin with a fiberglass cloth backing.

Plaster is really heavy and I've recently seen a lot of mers who made a mold with it and had to either do extensive repair work to it, or scrap it and start over again because of cracks. The weight of it in comparison to the strength of the material makes it a bit weak. Plastics or resins, on the other hand, are much lighter and more durable, and less likely to break when you try to demold.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ok thank you very much, Anahita. I will think about that.


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[Anahita]

No problem. I would just hate to see you have to re-do all your work because of a preventable problem

[Mermaid Wesley]

I was originally wanting to use plaster because that way I can sand out any imperfections in the fluke mold. But I think it would be better to just smooth the clay really well. I'm having problems with getting it smooth but I'll get better at it with some work, I'm sure


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[OceanRose]

Hey Wesley I've heard (a number of times) about artists using 100% alcohol to smooth their sculptures
http://americanfinearts.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/how-to-smooth-your-clay-for-a-clean-finish/


Brushing it on, and the wetness it causes allows the clay to be smoothed easier, and then it evaporates.

Oh but .... coincidence, I was just reading this morning that shellshock is able to be sanded (I read that on the Smooth-On website info on Shellshock page)

[OceanRose]

It seems like it would be better to get your clay perfect rather than have to sand all those nooks and crannys later (but I have done neither so this is just my opinion and I hope I am helping not confusing)

[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh thanks so much I was just worried that I'll be unable to get it 100% smooth and I notice things like that a lot. I don't mind if it isn't shiny smooth but I wouldn't want fingerprints or ridges


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[Mermaid Wesley]

OH MY GOSH GUYs. My almost uncle works for body glove an he just informed me that they're signing mermaid linden and he's met her and he's thinking that he might be able to have me meet her!!!!! THAT WOUL BE SO COOL. I told him that I lm making a silicone tail an he was like "oh really we're working on signing this girl with body glove. Her name is mermaid ummm... linden. " and I was like "I know her! Well I don't KNOW her but I know about her." And then he was like, "maybe I can arrange for you to meet. Were planning a trip with her soon" etcetera. He said she's very nice and energetic and unique and I'm not getting my hopes up but how cool would that be!!


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[MermaidBrandie]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this fluke. Can't wait to see it finished!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Has anyone figured a good way to smooth monster clay?


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[Anahita]

Sorry, the only way I do it really well is just heating it up. You can maybe use a hot water-warmed plaster spatula thing? (like a wood or plastic handled one with a metal blade)

[Mermaid Wesley]

good suggestions, thanks

[Mermaid Wesley]

Unfortunately, I'm thinking that my fluke is too small. I might have to start over. Also, I'm low on clay and the ridges are not right. They need to be rounded on top but totally flat on the bottom. I might be able to salvage some of my sculpt but I'm thinking I need to start over. I'm considering using some sort of flexible tubing cut in half long ways and then covering that in clay. Oh and my dad is all committed to this now so there is a chance that he will have his buddy at work 3d print my fluke instead. That would be.... Amazing. But I get the feeling that it would be really pricey and idk if I'm willing to spend that much. Either way, I'm not gonna quit until I'm happy with it. I'm committed to this and I'm going to do it right. Ok another question: silicone to lexan. Do I glue it? How?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Rubber tubing is starting to look promising


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[Anahita]

Just make sure the rubber is silicone compatible. If it's not, and it touches the mold, it could contaminate it for use with the silicone later.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I was planning on covering it in a thin layer of clay and/or plastic wrap or cloth. Latex seems to be common for this stuff so I will be very careful. I think it will make my fluke much more polished and neat.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-Corp-...-B35/100175565
This stuff might work, and its really cheap. I think I'm going to buy some on my way home. Worst case scenario, I dont use it and I lose like 7 bucks.... or maybe.. I'll wait until tomorrow. I wanna troubleshoot with dad first.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Okay. New plan. My dad and I are going to wok on it. He's great and supportive even though he wishes I would be into softball or fishing or building cars and not mermaid tails. :3 were going to roll out a flat price of clay thats as thick as the lowest level. And then another slab too. We will use a stencil-y thing to cut out the components and then stack them. I'll post pictures as I go to explain better. Then I'll smooth out the corners and stuff. I think I need more clay, unfortunately. Oh also can I ask again, how does one glue silicone to lexan? Do we know?


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