Painted Spandex Tail

[LindseyLu]

Hi guy! This was failry popular in the meryuku forum so I thought I'd bring it on over! This is a spande tail I made recently for my bf's little girl Bella. She is getting it this weekend so I will have more pics posted shortly with her in the tail and in the pool!!!

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I let her try it on before I painted it to make sure it fit! Fit's like a glove!!! :)

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Here's the final tail after the paint job!

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A close up of the glittery scale design!

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Side angle of the finished fluke!

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Another angle!

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Close up of some of the details!

If you are interested, here is how to make the scale pattern:

1. First, once the tail is sewn together (as yours is) you stuff it full of whatever you can find. I used old sheets... I shreded them first so there wouldnt be any bulges, than stuff the tail. This way the paint won't look different after you put the tail on, nor will it cause an issue with the paint cracking! :)

2. Next you will need fishnet stalkings. Because this is a childs tail I was able to use an old pair I had. You cut the toes off, and you cut at the top of the thigh, you end up with a fishnet tube. For an adult size tail I recommend buying some plus size stalking online, the bigger the better. SPANX makes great stalkings because they are almost impossible to tear, but they are more expensive (but worth it). Slide the stalking tube over the tail, pin the stalkings to the fluke to keep them in place. Now you are ready to paint! :)

3. I used tulip brand spray paint. If your tail is black neoprene do not use this paint, it doesn't show up well...even the white, I've tried several tests. Use the appropriate paint and an airbrush gun. If your tail is spandex this paint will work like a charm! Spray your desired colors all over the tail in the design of your choice. Do one side one day and the other side the next. Otherwise, the paint could smear as you are flipping the tail around.

4. Once the tail is completely painted and you have given it a couple days to dry you can remove the fishnet. If you are 100% sure the paint is dry you can slip the netting off. You will now see what I call your base pattern. You will have a great fishy look, so it's time to do some fine deatiling. Be creative, add extra colors in certain spots or outline the scales...whatever you want!


Hope this helps!
More pics to come next week!!! :)

[OrcaMatt]

Has it been swam in much? Curious how the paint holds up in the water, especially after multiple uses.

[LindseyLu]

I'm surprising her with the finished tail this Saturday so no, it hasn't gone for a swim yet. The paint I used is supposed to work like a dye so I'm anticipating it to hold up for a while! The dark blue definitely dyed the fabric, but we'll see about the white ;) The glitter will obviously need periodic touch ups...but lucky for her I've got enough glitter to cover that thing a hundred times!!! : D. I'll keep you posted on how it handles next week!

[New York Mermaid]

Ohh take pictures I would love to see her face when she gets it :)

[LindseyLu]

Oh you bet Lanai, there will be pictures galore!!! I don't think she has any idea, so it will be quite the surprise! She obviously know she's getting is eventually, but it's been a long wait so this weekend will be a total shocker! For now all the pics and vids I will have will be topside...but within the next few weeks we will be doing an underwater video. I just purchased an waterproof camera case today from Amazon, so I'll be sure to share that as well!!!!! :) YAY!!!!

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

Yay! I'm so excited both for her and for myself because soon we'll be able to see pictures! :) This is such a lovely tail and made with such good intentions behind it.

[LindseyLu]

I feel exactly the same Taylor! I can't wait for tomorrow!!!!! :):):) Promise I'll post LOTS of pics to enjoy!!! :)

[New York Mermaid]

^Yayz and thanks I cant wait to see !!

[LindseyLu]

Ugh...thanks to our lovely Oregon weather Bella's not getting her tail today :( The weatherman claims the rain will stop within a few days...fingers crossed!!!!

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

BAH! I guess it would be immature of me to throw a fit. XP Well, let's hope things clear up soon.

[New York Mermaid]

@LindseyLu Just a quick question, where did you get the tail fringes, or did you make them yourself.. :)

[CoralMoonMermaid]

Looks good I want to see more pics :)

[Spindrift]

One of my favorite tails :)

[LindseyLu]

@LindseyLu Just a quick question, where did you get the tail fringes, or did you make them yourself.. :)

Actually I hand fringed the tail with the extra material I had after sewing in the monofin :) I wanted it to have a special and unique look so I didn't want to use a store bought fringe... It was time consuming, but totally worth it!

[LindseyLu]

FINALLY!!!!!!! We have more pictures!!!! I would first like to let you all know, Bella is just learning how to swim so I couldn't get any really great shots of her mermaiding. I did do my best to get some underwater pictures, but the water was really foggy!!!

The entire experiance of giving her her tail was spectacular! She was totally blown away when she saw it! And when we went up to the pool, you could hear everyone whispering "look, omg, it's a mermaid!!!!". It was magical, seeing Bella so happy was an amazing experience for me. It is truly a gift to be able to make a childs dreams come true. I hope you all enjoy the pics we took, stay tuned for more!!! :)

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[New York Mermaid]

^wow good to know, I see with all the work you put into it, im sure its one big labor of love, especially when you saw the look on her face :)

[Mermaid Jewel]

Oh she's so cute! And the tail looks amazing on her :) and amazing in general :D

[AniaR]

how adorable! she's like a little mini Hannah Fraser how awesome! Start em young!

[gypsymer]

Wow, you did such an amazing job on this tail and she looks super excited and amazing in it!

[LindseyLu]

Awe :) thanks Jewel!! Now I just need to fly you up here so you can teach her how to swim like you!!!

[LindseyLu]

Thanks so much guys :) Im still anxiously awaiting more of your rusty pics Gypsy

[LindseyLu]

LOL!!! Raina, girlie u crack me up!!! "Start em young"...Bah-hahahaha!!!

[Taylor is a Mermaid]

Ooooo! She looks beautiful in it--the tail is really stunning! I've really never seen a fabric tail like it. I love how happy she looks in her tail. What a wonderful gift. :) This made my day.

[CoralMoonMermaid]

Wow I love it!!!!! :D

[APhishOutofWater]

*Speechless*

[gypsymer]

I just asked my boss if she can take some pics next week. She wants pics too. We've been so damn busy and so frickin' hot. I want pics too! Also, a friend of mine is wanting to do photoshoots of all sorts when I get to Minnesota later this month, so definitely then. Might have access to a really cool locale for underwater tail pics!

[LindseyLu]

I just asked my boss if she can take some pics next week. She wants pics too. We've been so damn busy and so frickin' hot. I want pics too! Also, a friend of mine is wanting to do photoshoots of all sorts when I get to Minnesota later this month, so definitely then. Might have access to a really cool locale for underwater tail pics!

SWEET!!!!!!! I can't wait to see some pics! :) Lucky, the underwater pics I took were to foggy :( That's how nasty our apartment pool is...ewe... I need to fin a better local! Can't wait to see your tail in the water and with some good lighting too!!!!

[LindseyLu]

I just wanted to post a quick update on Bellas tail now that summer's coming to an end. It has had a bit of wear and tear so here are some pics and information...

#1 - I would not recommend using lycra spandex...it does not hold up as well as nylon spandex! It may have a nice shine to it...just make sure the material you buy is nice and thick!




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Don't stand in your tail...it will take off your paint! Luckily, it is an easy fix...you just need to repaint and stay in the line! :)

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Close up of back of fluke, rubbed off paint
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I say to use a nylon spandex or a really thick spandex because this is what happens if you don't. Even though the tail is rinsed thuroughly after every swim, there are random holes developing on the front of the fluke...and the material is starting to bead up a bit too...

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Luckily, the front of the fluke is still looking good!!! A little glitter has come off and a bit of white paint has faded, but those are both easy problems to fix with a little touch up paint!


The most recent pictures are too big to post here, but you can see them in Bella Blue's album here:

http://mernetwork.com/index/album.php?albumid=10



Also, I am editing some video of her and should have it up soon! She has become quite the swimmer with her new found confidence! It apprears this tail has given her the drive she didn't have before! She went from clinging to the wall a few months ago to being able to do 3 flips in a row! <3<3<3<3 :D

[Alveric]

That is really cool!

Alveric

[Spindrift]

I wish there was a "like" button for this.

[Anaria]

Fantastic tail - love the paint work! What a lovely gift :) My daughter was reading over my shoulder and noticed the pics... I get the feeling she may be asking me to make her a tail sometime!

[LindseyLu]

Thanks for the love guys! :) Anaria, you should definitely make your daughter a tail someday! It's not as hard as you might think, and I can promise you the look on her face will make it worth it and some! <3 BTW, love your avatar pic!!!

[LindseyLu]

http://youtu.be/MeT1tm5DwuA

I finally got a video complete of Bella swimming in her tail!!!!!! Hope it's everything you would expect! :) Thanks forchecking it out!!!! <3


http://youtu.be/MeT1tm5DwuA

[Mermaid Saphira]

^ Aww she looks like a mini Hannah! :lol:

[Mermaid Clara]

That tail is beautiful! that is such a good idea with the fishnet stockings to make the pattern on the tail! I'll have to try it on my next spandex tail :)

[Marie Gremillion]

I just wanted to mention that is awesome, and she's wearing the same swimsuit I had a couple years ago! (I'm 14 now)

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