Anyone has experience with polyester resin?

[Robynn]

Hello everyone,

Finfolk Productions stated on their website that they use resin for the scales of their mythic tails. I thought, that is actually a really good idea because you could create an awesome tail, way cheaper than full silicone, and in my opinion these scales look really realistic compared to other plastic sequins. I still don't have 700 dollars laying around however, but I do have time and patience to try to make it myself (Plus I want to see if I can try to actually get an ombre effect in the tails instead of the blocky colours. personal preference ^^')

Seen that this is just an experimental something, I'd want to try it out with polyester resin seen the fact that it's way cheaper than other resins. I wouldn't know however if this will a. hold up in the water and b. will be suited for the job. I don't need a perfect tail yet, I just want to try out the method to see if it would work. Anyone has any thoughts on this? I'm a complete newbie to resin so therefore I'm asking here. Any help would be appreciated!!

[Merman Storm]

By itself, its brittle and weak. A thin sheet, like you would use for a scale, could be easily broken with your hand.
Put some fiberglass in it, and it becomes much tougher. And of course, epoxy and fiberglass is better still.

[mermaidrobynn]

Ah okay, thank you so much!

[Mermaid Tula]

I haven't personally used polyester resin. Though I know it stinks to high hell. I've made a ton of stuff out of epoxy resin. Less stink, and everything I've made is pretty sturdy.