Upgrading from fabric tail

[Mermaid Neri Elvina]

Hey guys! So I really wanna upgrade from my finfun by next year but I'm not sure whether to go neoprene or silicone, I was also looking at Keiris' hybrid tail. Any advice?

Sent from my XT1021 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Kassandra]

It depends on your tastes and also on what kind of things you're planning to do so you may think to pick a lighter tail (like neoprene) or a heavy but realistic silicone tail.
And I think that also your budget, if you want to make it by yourself or not and the waiting time you're willing to tolerate are considerable aspects to think to.

[Mermaid Nelly]

I actually don't have a tail yet. My monofin is on its way and then I plan to make a neoprene tail. From what I've gathered, your 3 basic options are neoprene, spandex, and silicone. Silicone costs a couple thousand dollars to make and a few thousand dollars to buy. The neoprene tail I'm making should come out to be $300-400 dollars. That's including the monofin that I ordered for $120. Since you already have a monofin, it would be cheaper (unless you want to get a new one, if so, I would suggest a Mahina Merfin). I don't know much about spandex tails, but they seem to be similar to a normal fabric tail.... Silicone tails are beautiful, but to make them, it takes months and is very expensive and take a LOT of craftsmanship. Most of the people that I've seen successfully make a silicone tail that they are very proud of have a history of using silicone/are artists used to molding/have a relative or friend that has history and helps them a lot.... That being said, if you want to make a silicone tail, take your time, get as much advice as you can, and it will be beautiful!!!! I would like to get a silicone tail in a few years, but I want to buy mine so I know it will turn out just like I want it. The reason I'm doing neoprene is because it's high quality, significantly cheaper than silicone, and has the potential to look soooo realistic. You could either paint or sequin the tail and both look amazing!!! A lot of the threads have people going through the process. Here's my basic grocery list and where you can buy things if you're interested in a neoprene tail (I'm doing sequins, not paint... So I can't help you there, but just look for textile waterproof paint). Neoprene (Seattlefabrics --I live in the states so if you're uncomfortable ordering across seas, there's lots of other places!!), Mahina Merfin (just google it, they're based in Australia, but I ordered from Amazon because I didn't want mine to ship from Australia), neoprene booties (online or most dive shops), upholstery thread, thick needle for sewing machine, and a curved needle for sewing sequins (not sure, but probably Joanne's or online), sequins (Cartwrights -- I'm using the 22mm shell sequins to add texture and I like the look of big scales. There's other places you can go but Cartwrights has a really nice shine and as long as you don't buy the hologram ones, they last a while. I'm probably going to need around 5,000)... Ribbed shelf liner (menards -- this is for my fins), lubricant for needle (not petroleum based, doesn't go well with neoprene), zipper and Velcro (Joanne's), e6000 glue (probably Amazon). Final note, there's a big difference between neoprene and neoprin. Neoprin is a cheaper, less durable option. Lots of people use both! Just decide what fits your budget and taste. I know this was long, but hopefully it was helpful!!!!! I wish someone had laid this out for me instead of going to a million different threads [emoji5]

[Mermaid Alea]

Do you already know your dream design for a silicone tail? Of the many reasons why I can't justify getting and/or making my own silicone tail yet is that I still can't settle on a 'dream design'. Since silicone tails are the most expensive and last the longest, you want to be happy with the design you choose. Also, keep in mind that while silicone tails probably are super awesome, they also take more time to get on, more care, they are heavier, it is more of a big deal if it gets damaged, etc. I really want a silicone tail eventually, but for me personally I think I want to slowly upgrade. Right now I have a spandex tail. I really want to move on to a sequin tail with maybe some silicone fins and possibly a silicone fluke. Then after I am used to that I want a silicone tail. I really want to meet up with a local mer and see their silicone tail to get an idea of what it is even like. I have never seen one in person before.

There are some really beautiful neoprene tails out there that are just painted, and of course there are also some beautiful sequin neoprene tails and we all know there are beautiful silicone tails.

I think you should go for whatever you feel like you can handle at this time. I feel your struggle as I have fought with the same decision but I decided that I want my next upgrade to be a sequin tail because I am just so inspired by Hannah and Kariel.

In regards to making your own silicone tail of you are interested in doing that - I think the best advise I have read is to just do lots of tests before starting your actual tail. Theobromine just recently finished making an amazing silicone tail, and what inspired me the most was that she started off making silicone sea slugs, silicone cuttlefish, silicone tops, etc and selling it on Etsy until she felt comfortable enough with sculpting, molding, silicone, and painting with silicone to start her own tail. She worked on little projects so that when it was time for the BIG project, it wasn't as bad as it would have been if she had just jumped right in without much experience.

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