Painted Spandex Tail Help!!

[MermaidJaiden]

Hello all! I have some question on Painting Spandex. More like HOW IN THE HECK DO YOU DO THAT? I love how they look, and i was thinking of doing one. But i have no idea how to. What materials would you need? I would prefer the cheapest options though. How would you paint it? How does it hold up in water? Help?!?!

[Mermaid Clara]

Check out this playlist by Courtney Mermaid on YouTube, she doesn't use spandex but the same stuff she does can be used on spandex.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd96m53oYQcAtEc2v6J1sHhg9rpaiWRzd
you can substitute the fabric paint she uses for the Tulip fabric paint which is found at most craft stores, she also shows how to sew and make the tails!

[Sea~Phoenix Savannah]

Yes, there's a few ways to paint spandex. The only two i can think of right now though are airbrush and fabric paint, with the latter being way more accessible; and easy too! Just grab a brush (some paints like Tulip come in squeeze bottles so you can use them right out of the bottle if you want) and go!

[MermaidJaiden]

Thank you guys! I will check out those videos

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Sea~Phoenix Savannah]

Of course! Good luck and happy tailmaking!

[Dancing Fish]

I recommend stretching the spandex over something when you paint, or your paint may crack. Also it's difficult to get colors to come out right on dark spandex. My kid wanted green and gold scales on royal blue spandex and it was a nightmare! White/silver worked much better for some reason.

[Mermaid Tula]

You can use acrylic paints on fabric too. Just make sure that you mix it with fabric medium! My green shell top started out as a white bra until I mixed this awesome green metallic acrylic paint with fabric medium and brushed it on. I did 2 coats for my bra and the color was perfect.

http://www.hobbylobby.com/Wearable-Art/Paints-Dyes-Adhesives/Adhesives-Tools/Ceramcoat-Textile-Medium/p/20661 Is what I'm using at the moment. I plan on mixing a bit of this with some pearl ex powder to make rays on my fluke and fins. Just make sure you pin your fabric down so that it doesn't move around on you and mess up your paint job.