starting my journey....failures and all

[mermaid mazu]

So I have begun my tail. I've already run into issues that I've had to overcome. I'm making a hybrid neoprene and latex caulk tail. Originally I was going to use silicone but, enter failure #1. I couldn't find clear, paintable silicone at any store and I have myself on a time schedule so I didn't want to wait for it to come in the mail. I made a tail form by stepping into a large trashbag and wrapping it in packing tape and then filling it with foam (a method I received through advice on a different thread of mine) failure #2. I didn't fill it with layers of foam allowing it to dry then adding another layer, I filled the whole thing up at once. It has been days and it never set because it couldn't get air once the top cured. So, I made another bag/tape mold and just filled it with a bunch of fabric I had in a tote under my sewing table. Next, I sewed my neoprene, failure #3. I have never worked with neoprene before, and had never purposely made something skin tight. I over estimated the stretch and made it too tight. I had to open up the seams and sew in additional fabric. The tail is now glued to my monofin waiting for the e6000 to dry. I have traced out my monofin onto plastic and drawn my fluke design around it. I am currently testing the latex on a different piece of the same plastic to make sure it will actually peel off before I start on the fluke itself. So, that's where I'm at so far. I'll add pictures in a minute.

[mermaid mazu]

37797 failed horribly lol foam in a body form

[mermaid mazu]

37798 fabric filled body form worked much better

[mermaid mazu]

37800you can see my first attempt and how much extra I had to add

[mermaid mazu]

37801 fluke design. You can see where the monofin ends through the plastic

[Hydra1337]

Wait, you're using latex CAULK?? That stuff will literally make you sick. It's very toxic if you use it for a tail. Another mermaid on the site actually ended up in the hospital because of latex caulk. If you're going to use caulk it needs to be 100% silicone like what's in the link here: http://m.homedepot.com/p/GE-All-Purpose-Silicone-I-10-1-oz-Clear-Window-and-Door-Caulk-GE012A-24C/100091111

In a thread I posted a little while ago Raina actually confirmed that this kind of silicone caulk was safe to use.

[Hydra1337]

Sorry for the double post but my phone won't let me edit without deleting my first post. Anyway, your neoprene skin looks really good and the fluke shape came out really nice. What monofin is that?

[mermaid mazu]

I had seen not to use alex caulk, is it any latex caulk? I saw that silicone but it's not paintable. I thought it had to be paintable in order to take pigment.

As for my monofin, I don't know lol. It was the cheapest decent looking one I found on amazon. I didn't want to spend a lot not knowing if I would actually be able to pull this off lol. It's actually super fun to swim in!

[Hydra1337]

It's any latex caulk; it doesn't specifically have to be Alex PLUS caulk. You just need to make sure the caulk is 100% silicone, permanently flexible, and waterproof (NOT weatherproof).

From what I understand with the caulk I linked earlier it's okay that it says it's unpaintable since you're not using paint to color it. There are a few hybrid caulk tail threads floating around that explain how they pigmented the clear caulk with Pearl Ex pigments. I believe ReefFish and Momo are the mers I'm thinking of that made tails like this. Reading those threads will help you out. I actually debated on making a silicone caulk hybrid tail because of them.

[mermaid mazu]

Reef fish was actually my inspiration. I thought she used paintable silicone. Well crap, well my thread does say failures and all lol.

[Hydra1337]

I would double check the paintable caulk thing just to be safe. I very well could be wrong.

[mermaid mazu]

Ok, so I am now in problem solving mode (I find myself here a lot on projects lol) so I obviously bought the wrong caulk. It's fourth of July so no exchanging it today, and I live 45 minutes away from the store. I was really wanting to make progress today though. As I said in the original post, I have myself on a dead line. So I thought I would try an experiment. I tried finding a thread where someone has done this but this network is huge and I'm still learning it. So I'm doing it anyway...if the silicone is clear, why not just paint the neoprene and let it show through? Obviously it won't be as vibrant, and I may hate it but if I do then I just paint the silicone too, right? Here's hoping lol because I've already started.

[mermaid mazu]

37808 paint on my neoprene base

[Mermaid Momo]

Reef fish painted her tail with the same pigments i did i think, and i think i do remember her tutorial where she pigmented the fins before it cured. You can use a lot of different paints to add color before it cures (take a look at some deco den whip tutorials to see what is tried and true for coloring silicone without using pearl ex. Pigments)

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[mermaid mazu]

Yeah, I reread her thread and I was mistaken. I was so hung up on it needing to be paintable that I bought the wrong stuff. Lesson learned lol. I'll get the right stuff tomorrow. Ty for the advice, I will be looking into various tinting methods.

[Princess Pearl]

Seatan did something similar. He covered a Fin Fun tail with clear silicone and the colours showed through.

[mermaid mazu]

Yay! Good to know :D

[mermaidenspins]

I know from what I've been reading, finding a silicone that is safe for aquariums is the least toxic ( can't kill the fish). But, there are different brands. I would see which one ReefFish used. I believe all the merfolk that colored their silicone put the pigments in the silicone, then spread it on the tail with paint palette spreaders. I read someone mixed the color and silicone quickly, then put it into a pastry bag and had a pastry tip to pipe out the scales... All very unique solutions!


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[MerQueen Nerissa]

Doing clear silicone over the painted neoprene works just fine! I sell hybrid neoprene/ tin-cure silicone tails and that's what I do. It makes sure the paint job doesn't get damaged if you ever scrape your tail on anything. You'll just need to make sure that you don't make the silicone too thick, otherwise it'll get cloudy and your paint job will disappear a little.

[mermaid mazu]

Great! Ty so much. I'm so glad, I'm really liking my paint job

[mermaid mazu]

Ok, small progress update. I have made the trip to the city and exchanged my latex for the proper silicone. I have played around with some ankle fins to test out the silicone over the paint job and really like them. However, changing my color method forced me to alter how I'm going to make my fluke. Originally I was just going to make it from the silicone and sandwich it around the monofin, however, if I'm not going to color over the silicone then I can't do it that way or my monofin would be visible. So, I took some of my left over neoprene and cut out pieces to add to my monofin, painted them and now will be able to sandwich the silicone around the whole design. It's like 100 degrees outside (actual temperature) but I'm about to set up on a tarp in my yard to begin scaling. The fumes are too strong to do it indoors for the next three or four hrs.

Also, I have yet another failure to report lol. I believe this is #4 the top I bought to use was orange. I had already begun to decorate it. All I had so far was the Lions paws. Well after painting my neoprene, I wanted to try it on together...my orange in my tail is completely different. I peeled the not yet completely cured glued shells off and went and bought a black top instead. Lesson learned, have your materials with you when buying things you want to match lol37828

[mermaid mazu]

Progress on my silicone37830

[mermaid mazu]

37831

[Hydra1337]

Very nice. I love the close up of your paint job.

[Imogen Finnly]

Woo! Its looking good!

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[mermaid mazu]

Ty! I was originally concerned about how well the paint would show through the silicone but I'm really liking the look. I took the close up trying to capture the super fine glitter that I'm adding as I go. If I put in a long day tomorrow, I may be able to finish it :D

[IllynReaver]

I'm in love with your paint job and how the silicone looks over it.

[mermaid mazu]

Aww ty!

[MerQueen Nerissa]

It looks wonderful so far! Great job :)

[mermaid mazu]

Ty! I'm almost done with the silicone on the front :)

[mermaid mazu]

37832Ty! I'm almost done with the silicone on the front :) and just in time, mosquitos are getting bad

[Lilyrose Fish]

I love how this is turning out!

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[Hydra1337]

Omg I love it! The ankle fins snd fluke are sick!

[mermaid mazu]

You ladies are sure putting a smile on my face. Ty for all the compliments

[Lili]

Wow I love the effect this method gives it's so beautiful

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[merwandering]

WOW! Fantastic!! The fluke and little fins are great!

[Imogen Finnly]

Great! Youve been working on it so much!

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[Neptunie2]

Could you take a video of how you are putting on the silicone and making the scale pattern


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[mermaid mazu]

Lol yeah when I get excited about a project, I kinda dive head first and become a bit obsessed til I finish. I start back on 12 hr night shifts tomorrow night though so if I don't get it done before then it will be the weekend before I can work on it again.

I will attempt a video. I haven't tried loading one on here yet. It's really easy though. I'm just working in about three or four inch sections. I basically make a rough rectangle shape with the caulk, and make a bunch of squiggly lines inside then I use the little pointy putty knife to smooth it. Then I sprinkle on the glitter, and use the pointy part of the same tool to make the design in single lines at a time all the way across. I usually get about 4 lines per section.

[merwandering]

Support group for 3am tailmaking. Hi, my name is....

[mermaid mazu]

Lmao! The struggle is so real! And it's dark, not like I can go outside and work on it but that doesn't allow me sleep any better. I'm just as bad with a good book. I'll read a three book series in 4 days. I'll forget to eat I get so wrapped up. I haven't taken on a big project in years because I know how I get lol

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Can I ask the process you used to make the fluke I seen the plastic with the design but than that was it?


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[mermaid mazu]

I touched on it lightly when I was talking about my change in plans for the paint job. Originally I was planning on using just silicone and sandwiching it around my monofin and then painting it. Once I decided not to pigment my silicone, I had to rethink it. I took some of the left over pieces of my neoprene and cut them out to the make the additional shapes around the monofin. Then I attached them directly to the monofin using e6000. I did this on both front and back, attaching each additional piece to each other except for the center of the fin. There I only attached the edges. I left the end open there for drainage. Then I painted the neoprene and silicone over the in tire thing. When I silicone the back today, I will put a piece of plastic in between the drainage section so as not to accidentally close it.

[mermaid mazu]

37870

[mermaid mazu]

Oh, and after the original silicone set up I went back and bulked up the edges of each "fin" of the fluke to give it more depth. I added glitter into the extra silicone.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Thank you


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[mermaid mazu]

Sure :) I think it's awesome people are asking for my techniques lol that was me on other threads just last week

[Neptunie2]

The ankle fins are gorgeous! Could you explain to the technique you used to make it?


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[Marinus Mortimer]

You are very talented girl this tail looks amazing makes me want to make one before i start my extended tail so that i can bare the wait lol i might just doo it (question about how much did u spend on materials?) again congratulations on your new tail happy simming

[mermaid mazu]

The ankle fins...and the dorsal once I get to it, are made of neoprene and painted then covered, one side at a time, with silicone about an inch away from the end that attaches to the tail. Next I hand stitched them with embroidery thread to my neoprene tail before I scaled it. I simply scaled around them and up them slightly to finish covering them completely.

Ty very much for the compliments :) I'm really just winging it after reading a ton of other threads lol. Actual cost....hmm I've bought things here and there so I don't have an exact figure. I would say I'm out around $150. That includes my monofin, the neoprene (which is thinner and not scuba quality) the silicone (the majority of the cost) my paints and glitter. I did not include the maybe $20 I spent on the foam that I failed miserably at using for a form lol

[mermaid mazu]

I will say, I have sewing experience, and I'm not a very big woman. I only ordered 1 yard of the neoprene. So costs would increase based on your size. By the time I had to open my seams to add more fabric because I made it too tight at first, then ending up using it for my fluke, and making fins (I originally planned for it to be simple but couldn't resist) I have used almost every inch of that yard.

[mermaid mazu]

I don't know it I will be able to make progress today, which SUUUUCKS! I was planning about 5 hrs this morning but it's been rainy :'( I have to make myself sleep at some point today before I start back on night shift. Which means probably not going to finish it until this weekend. I really wanted to test it out on my first day off lol

[Lili]

I bought a yard of my neoprene, I still have lots left over for the extension in mine, I'm pretty sure there is a thread on how to measure yourself for a tail floating around somewhere...

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[Lili]

This tail is just looking so good...I'm in love with the scales

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[mermaid mazu]

Ty :) yes I took my measurements but I ended up not using them. I just made the base from my body form that I made. Which I guess was a mistake because I made it too tight to start with lol

[mermaid mazu]

37873 37874 no big progress today. The sun came out so I did at least get my dorsal fin made. It's just pinned in place right now. I need to stitch it on and then will encompass the base in silicone when I scale the back half.

[Hydra1337]

:D

[mermaid mazu]

No new progress yet because I've been at work, but I'm off in an hour then I have 4 days off! I'll finish it today after I take a nap. I have come up with another design I want to make though lol

[mermaid mazu]

Enter another "learning experience" I've decided not to call them failures anymore lol because it's actually turning out pretty well. I decided to try the tail back on before siliconing the back...I'm sooo glad I did! The silicone took out enough of my stretch that I can barely get it on! Time to make some slits and add more fabric

[mermaid mazu]

Ok, I Frankensteined in a piece of neoprene at the back of the ankles that I'll camouflage with my paint and then the scales should hide it just fine. It's also a bit too tight just above the knees now too...so if I'm going to open it up right there anyway, I may as well add a couple of side fins right? Lol

[mermaid mazu]

https://youtu.be/wthhvuVV1ZA

[Lili]

Oh my gosh I was wondering how you were making those scales the whole time, that's a neat way to do it

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[mermaid mazu]

It seemed like the easiest, fastest way to get the effect. I'd never done anything like this so I did a test patch and really liked it. It's how my tail is only taking a few days to finish. It'll be done tonight. I'll be water testing it on monday. I'm pretty excited!

[Lili]

Yay I'm excited, I hope all will be well when you test it out

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[mermaid mazu]

Me too! I borrowed an underwater video camera from a friend to capture how it moves

[Lili]

Yeees I love seeing underwater footage of tails, I wish i could do that with mine once it's finished but I haven't got access to an underwater camera

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[mermaid mazu]

I had considered taking one of my old phones that I just have laying around and putting it in a zip lock bag to try that way before my friend told me he had one. You can also by disposable underwater cameras at walmart for still shots

[mermaid mazu]

IT'S DONE!!

[Mermaid Momo]

Yess! Can't wait to see photos!

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[Marinus Mortimer]

:yay::dance::swoon::highfive:OMG i cant wait to see it congrats, and that video is soo helpful thanks.:biting nails::rollover:

[Lili]

Oh my gosh I can't wait to see it, congrats!

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[mermaid mazu]

37977 not part of my tail, but I just finished my top

[Marinus Mortimer]

Awesome top! And beautiful ink two.

[mermaid mazu]

Ty, I'm kinda covered lol

[MermaidClaudy]

OMG this is such a brilliant job !!! Just one question: When you scale, is it deep enough that the fabric is showing??? Or Not I was confused...

[mermaid mazu]

I don't take it all the way to the fabric but it's close in places (unintentionally) if I accidentally went too deep I just added a little more silicone to that section and smoothed it back out and redid the scaling process. If I noticed a spot that I went too deep on after it cured then I added a bit more just to the groove and shaped it with my point of my putty knife.

[MermaidClaudy]

Amazing ! I really can't wait to see it! Might do my tail like this instead of individual scales :) Thank you for the inspiration :)

[mermaid mazu]

Aww! That's awesome! We are heading to the water now for my first time in the water with it.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

Make sure to post pictures and video I can wait!!!!


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[mermaid mazu]

38003380043800538006

[mermaid mazu]

After swimming in it for a couple of hours, there were a couple of places around the knees that I will have to repair because I had the silicone too thin. It's an easy fix though.

[Imogen Finnly]

Wow wow wow! Its so pretty!! You look so good it that tail!

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[mermaid mazu]

Ty! I really like it bur I'm already thinking of my next one and how I will improve lol. I can't wait til tomorrow when we go to the local pool and I can get some video of me swimming in itd

[Lili]

Oh my gosh it turned out so well, congrats! I really like the pictures you took as well

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[mermaid mazu]

Ty! Lol I'm a bit old for a "photo shoot" but I was having fun with it

[Imogen Finnly]

Pish posh! Youre NEVER too old for a good ol photo shoot!

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[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Your tail turned out amazing, fantastic work!

[mermaid mazu]

Ty both...idk, pushing 40 is a bit old lmao. I should have done this 20 years ago!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Ermagerd!!! I love this! And it seems pretty simple for the most part. :) This might be my next tail before the Pearlie Method. Lol One step up the tail ladder at a time. Haha
May I ask what type and brand of silicone you used and where you got it from? I ask because I'm looking for a way to reinforce my fully sequined neoprene tail. I covered the entire thing in sequins from Cartwright's and my E6000 worked wonders, but the glue the company uses to attach the shiny foil to the back of the plastic did not so much. I'm planning on covering it in a thin layer of latex or silicone so that you can still see the details, but enough so that the sequins will stay on and be protected more from wear and tear. But I'm having trouble finding the right materials to use and at a reasonable price.
Again, I love your tail and the paint job is fantastic!!! <3 :) =D

[IllynReaver]

Your tail turned out beautifully mermaid mazu!

[Hydra1337]

It turned out lovely!

[mermaid mazu]

Ty ladies! I used GE brand 100% silicone caulk from the hardware department at walmart. I believe you can see a tube of it in one of my progress pictures earlier in this thread.

[Neptunie2]

A few questions. What monofin did you have? what did you use to extend it? What paint did you use on the neoprene?


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[Marinus Mortimer]

38003380043800538006

:swoon: you look stunning in that tail great pictures. :dance: you dont look a day over 20 many 30 even 20 year old wommen would kill to have your fisique you should be padding your self on the back...

[mermaid mazu]

My monofin is just a cheap one that I found on amazon. I just used regular acrylic craft paint from Walmart (like a buck a bottle) I go into how I extended the fin in this thread, kind of step by step with pictures.

Ty merman marinus I appreciate the compliment.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Ty ladies! I used GE brand 100% silicone caulk from the hardware department at walmart. I believe you can see a tube of it in one of my progress pictures earlier in this thread.
You're welcome and ah, thank you so very much. :)

[Mermaid Caspiana]

How many tubes did you use out of curiosity? :) I found the 10.1oz tubes at Home Depot for $5 something. :) <3

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

You are Never to old for a photoshoot and I think you would rock one. Love it the tail looks great :)


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[mermaid mazu]

I think I used 10 tubes all together. It's cheaper at walmart than home depot.

Ty lamonlyme :)

[mermaid mazu]

Wow, swimming in a tail really works out your lower back muscles! I feel like I went to the gym yesterday lol

[Hydra1337]

Wow, only ten?? You got great use out of what you got!

[mermaid mazu]

Yeah I was a little worried I went too thin but other than a couple of small spots by the knee that I went too deep when scaling it worked great! And those repairs will be super easy

[Merman Storm]

Aquarium silicone sticks to most anything. If your pigment is a dry powder, it will stick to that too. Mix it in and use it. With the pigment mixed into the silicone, you will get some depth effect to the skin. Also, a scratch will not remove the color, as its all through the silicone.

[mermaid mazu]

Merman storm, are you talking to me?

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

So any videos yet? :)


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[mermaid mazu]

Not yet, I called the rec center. I have to wait for the swim team to finish their practice before we head there.

[Lili]

I can't wait to finish mine, and start swimming in it, I'm happy to hear that it's one hell of a workout, I'm trying to get back into physical avitivity

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[mermaid mazu]

My lower back, abs, and hamstring are all sore lol

[mermaid mazu]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php? story_fbid=1143467929030485&id=100001018657040

[Hydra1337]

It said the content I requested wasn't available.

[mermaid mazu]

I just changed my fb privacy settings on my videos. I'm hoping it'll work now

[mermaid mazu]

I don't think it did :( idk how to load a video unless I make it a YouTube video apparently

[Hydra1337]

Yeah it didn't work. You'll get better quality uploading it on youtube anyway.

[mermaid mazu]

But then everybody can see lol

[Hydra1337]

Actually ReefFish posted her fin sculpt video with settings that would only allow people given the link to see it on youtube. I tried searching the video title without going through the link and definitely couldn't see it. Maybe you can look into how that's done?

[mermaid mazu]

https://youtu.be/es2tRrotQT8 ok, try this one. I'm not very graceful lol

[mermaid mazu]

Yep, I found the settings for that

[Hydra1337]

Trust me, you're WAY more graceful than I will be. Lol

Your tail has very nice flow underwater.

[mermaid mazu]

Ty :) my next one will have a better shaped fluke though. I'm not totally happy with the way this one moves. I think it doesn't have enough extending from the monofin

[Lilyrose Fish]

Did you mean the way it looks in the water or the propulsion it provides? I think it looks great an

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[mermaid mazu]

The way it looks, it's not quite as flowy as I would like. It actually gives pretty good propulsion. I'll have to load another video my husband took swimming behind me.

[Merman Arion]

I think you did an amazing job! Bravo! :clap: :hail:

I look forward to watch your next project.


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[mermaid mazu]

Ty :) I'll probably start a new one when I get back from vacation next month

[Neptunie2]

Do you think this silicone coating method would be safe/possible with a spandex tail? If not can anyone think of a way you could put spandex over neoprene and coat it with the silicone? This tail has given me so much inspiration


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[mermaid mazu]

Aw, I'm happy to inspire :) my neoprene isn't scuba quality, it's a blend with spandex so it should work just fine. I will say make sure you don't go too deep when making your scales. I've had to repair a few places that I had too thin. It is an easy fix if it does happen though.

[Iamonlyme@me.com]

I made my daughters with spandex as the base just posted underwater shots:)


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