Full silicon tail in the works.

[Firemaid]

Hey guys!
First of all thank you so much for all the information you put out there!
It's wonderful! You are wonderful! I couldn't do this without you!
I'm starting my silicon tail next week!!
I'm very lucky to have a special fx mold maker helping me.
I've shown him the product lists from Kantis forum (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2089-Full-Silicone-Tail-Tutorial-In-the-works)and he told me he can save me hundreds of dollars.
I will tell you all everything.
I will clue you in to the products and proceses we use every step of the way.

He and I have a few big questions before we start getting our hands dirty. Someone may have answered this in the forums, but it's hard to dig through all the stuff about intellectually property. Ugh.
So Silicon won't stick to my mono-fin right?
I certainly don't want a pocket that can fill with water and drag! What is the answer?
I want the fluke to be a solid thing. Is there an epoxy that would stick it together?
Could I drill holes in the mono-fin so the silicon would stick to itself??
Also do you know anyone who has made a full silicon tail with no mono fin? I feel like that could be super pretty, but I'm worried about performance. Any answers to these questions would be really appreciated!
xoxo
Maria
P.S. feel free to pm me if what you want to say is off topic:)

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Silicone will not stick to a monofin. You have to use some sort of silicone adhesive. Smooth-on sells some.
The closest I've seen to a monofin-less tail would be one of Mike's recreations of the 13th Year tail. www.mermaidtales.net (http://www.mermaidtales.net)

Congrats on starting up a tail and I would love to see the progress. :>

[Spindrift]

Latexmans tails do not have a monofin in them.

[Winged Mermaid]

A lot of silicone tails don't have monofins in them. Instead they have a footpocket in a fluke of solid silicone, and the fluke is the thing that propels you. They work well! You can seal the monofin in the fluke by sandwiching it between the fluke pieces and sealing the fluke together with more silicone, just like any other silicone tail. Just make sure you seal all the silicone together and you won't have any issues with it :)

[Lyna]

neat! everyone's so ambitious!!

[Firemaid]

No interesting pictures yet, but keeping ya'll in the loop of the process.
So, I met with FX guy today!
We have decided on either a Foil (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O6ED4K/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3/191-8269021-9156135?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=17GN91XGM34AR2XQNAGY&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=B001GQ2BMC) or no mono fin at all with a the fin cast out of a harder silicone than the rest of the tail.
If we go the no mono route any advice about foot pocket?
We are going to paint it in blues with a touch of gold. Inspired by my neoprene tail.
Any suggestions on metallic pigments that have successfully been used with silicon?
A few extra small flowing fins by the heals and hips. ( i am sooo looking forward to sculpting those!)
We are making a mold of my legs. From there we are not 100% sure if we are going to try and cast around the mold or cast scale "sheets" and fit them to the mold. What do you all think?
Any advice on avoiding seams down the side?

He says we can can do it for pretty cheap and in two weeks? I have major doubts about that, but anything is possible? :)
I think we start work on monday. 8am to 2pm. 5 days a week. My other work is gonna suffer, I hope my partner doesn't kill me.
xoxoxo
I am pretty excited. I'm like crazy excited.

[AniaR]

I know a common complaint (really, the only complaint) with mike's tails is that the foot pockets are really uncomfortable. I think a finis monofin would be easiest for swimming and on your tootsies!

[Winged Mermaid]

Sounds awesome!! My opinion: you should do the leg casting and no monofin fluke. No one here in the community knows how to do that stuff, and you have a maybe once in a lifetime opportunity to work with an FX guy, so go for the gold!! Also you would document with pics and videos as you go you'd be our hero! Seriously! Just remember- don't rush. I see it time and time again with tails, people rush them for a deadline, then they're not happy with how they came out. The end up having to fix them later or even scrap them and start from the beginning again. I've done it with fairy wings and things, so I'm completely guilty. Just take your time and soak in the experience, and be picky!

[Winged Mermaid]

Also I've heard different things about the foot pockets. Some people don't like Mike's, but everyone I've known that's tried on or swam in the PAX Mermaid tails owned by Shimmerbaby said it was very comfortable and the tail swam like a dream. Linden has that and she says hers is very comfortable. I think maybe the trick would be to either encase actual fin or monofin foot pockets into the fluke, or make the fluke out of harder silicone but line the foot pocket with softer silicone. Either way, I think the problem with that is mostly sizing, but if the tail maker is right there or you ARE the tailmaker, you have much higher probability for comfort because you can tailor the fit.

[Firemaid]

First Day of mermaid tail making was super fun!! yay! we made a cast of my legs. We just used plaster bandages (http://www.brace-mart.com/podiatry-office/wound-care/plaster-bandage-roll-extra-fast-2x3yds-12-bx/).5095

We filled it with Fiberglass to make a long lasting mold.
I'll post a picture tomorrow!!

[Firemaid]

I guess I'm going with the foil for my monofin? But after looking at ravens new tail Im having some doubts. Ravens new tail (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=406863342703085&set=a.406863299369756.91877.178589958863759&type=1&theater)makes me green jello. WTF? its so pretty. Ugh. Oh yeah and I'm pretty much done with this old thing. If anybody wants to buy it/ Its in kinda bad shape, so I'll do it for $200 plus shipping.
5096

[Kanti]

I'm certain that the monofin Raven is using in the new tail is an Oceanika.

http://www.oceanikamerfins.com/welcome-to-oceanika

Their fins seem pretty nice :')

Also very interesting that all you used was plaster bandages? I always thought they
would be too weak to hold any significance but I guess with enough of them they're
good?
Pretty cool! Thanks for sharing! I really am going to look forward to this o_O

[Lyna]

it sure is.
and they are nice. i love mine. but they destroy your feet.

[Firemaid]

It's for sure a Oceanika. I'm not in love with the shape of the Oceanikas, But I love that it's one soft rubber piece. I want to make my own rubber fin. The Oceanikas are made in a factory in Malaysia? I looked into it a little. They are like $20 each, if you order hundreds that is. Ahhh. I might have to do it. Or try to cast my own at home?? I just want make the PERFECT tail...

[Spindrift]

I guess I'm going with the foil for my monofin? But after looking at ravens new tail Im having some doubts. Ravens new tail (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=406863342703085&set=a.406863299369756.91877.178589958863759&type=1&theater)makes me green jello. WTF? its so pretty. Ugh. Oh yeah and I'm pretty much done with this old thing. If anybody wants to buy it/ Its in kinda bad shape, so I'll do it for $200 plus shipping.
5096

Which old thing? Your tail?! The fin? What kind is it? How bad a shape is it in?

[Firemaid]

The tail!!! It doesn't have any strap on the mono fin (made out of old swim flippers and a hard plastic resin/not plexiglass) , so it's pretty hard to keep your feet in when swimming. Also the fin is buoyant as heck. It is pretty. The paint is cracked in places, but it is the same color underneath so this doesn't look too bad. This picture is from just a few days ago.

[Mahi Mermaid]

can you post more pictures of your tail, up close?

[*Celine*]

I guess I'm going with the foil for my monofin? But after looking at ravens new tail Im having some doubts. Ravens new tail (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=406863342703085&set=a.406863299369756.91877.178589958863759&type=1&theater)makes me green jello. WTF? its so pretty. Ugh. Oh yeah and I'm pretty much done with this old thing. If anybody wants to buy it/ Its in kinda bad shape, so I'll do it for $200 plus shipping.
5096

Could you give all the details about this tail like size and what kind of shape it is in because I'm interested in buying it

[Firemaid]

I sent you a PM Celine:)

[Firemaid]

Ok progress! We finished the mold of my legs!! We have cut out all the scales and built the mold box! yeah yeah. We start casting the molds on monday!

Here are the finished legs! we will build the tail on to it.
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This is what it looked like before we sanded and taped it!
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This was a lot of messy work, If i had to do it over i would have bought a dress form with legs in my size.

[Firemaid]

Today we made our first mold! we made it out of fiberglass and bondo. It got so hot it melted the foam circles! Yikes! Here is a photo!
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See how the circles are all little inside the mold! they got cooked in there. Luckily the mold set fast enough that it was no biggie.
I just hope all goes well when I cast my big scale sheet tomorrow!

[Firemaid]

THis is the scale sheet!
5272

[*Celine*]

Hi Firemaid, I got your PM. Were you able to sent all the details? I don't think I've received a message yet :-)

[Firemaid]

OK. Updates all around. The old tail is not for sale just yet! I need it for a gig. Sorry guys. I am going to burning man, so everything has to be put on hold, meaning the new tail won't quite be ready. Boo hoo :(
I have not chosen an adhesive to stick my monofin to my fluke yet.
I did find beautiful iridescent pigment though! It can be mixed with any color and it's great!
Here are the scales, they are unpainted!! I love them!
5517

[Spindrift]

This is awesome! Ahh I wish I could watch. :3

[ShyMer]

I like the size of your scales. It must be pretty awesome to finally get to wrap them around yourself <3

Have you had any luck yet with joining the seams? I'm interested in seeing how well you've managed to hide where you've joined them horizontally. I've noticed that few of us who've made a realistic tail so far have been able to pull that off well.

[WavyMermaidy]

Love the scales, shape and size. Very nice!!

[Mermaid Star]

Hey Firemaid!

I got your message. My suggestion, if you have a SFX guy working with you. Do an injection mold for your fluke. When you pour your two part mold, place your monofin where your want it into the mold. It would be easier if you had something to hold it and your mold right where you want it. Then pour your silicone into the mold. Be careful to not fill the foot pockets. You may have to place a filler into the foot pockets with a mold release to be sure to not have an issue later on. I would do this if I could, however I do not have the equipment to do it.

[Firemaid]

Huge problem! The rubber of my foil mono fin contaminates the silicon making it so it NEVER cures! fuuuu. Soooo. The plan is to glue lace to the fin....

[Firemaid]

So. My first ever silicon tail is done! I'll put pictures up soon!
I don't love it though. So I'm starting a new one today!!!
As soon as it's done I'll sell the old one!

[MerEmma]

Wow, you're quick. xD

[Kanti]

O: why not??
Also lets see it!! :'D

[Mizuko]

oh wow, I cant wait to see it! :D

[Mermaid Julianne]

Post some pics!

[Firemaid]

I will put a photo up once I finish the paint job, I promise!

Reasons I don't like it:
- Ugly seams. I realized pretty quickly that the way I planned on putting it together was the wrong way, but too late to turn back. The result is a lot of seams. :( I've be able to hide them pretty well with the paint job, but now that I know a better way to do it I just can't stand it.
- Fin. I used the finnis which was ultimately a mistake. The rubber stops the silicon from setting up and wont stick at all!! I ended up modifying it and used lace to help make it stick, I just don't like the result.
-Fit. It's a little too big. I made a mold of my leg using fiberglass, i laid on my back to make the front and my belly to make the back, and my fat fell both times making it a little bigger than me in the hips. It's not the tight fit i wanted. I'm going to make my new leg form out of foam. I think I'll get a better result.

Honestly, It's pretty, but I learned so much in the process that I just have to put my experience into making something better!

[Mizuko]

Oh, I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted :( But at least you've got lots of experience and can make an even better one! :D Which Finnis monofin did you use, if you dont mind me asking?

[spottedcatfish]

Congrats on finishing your first silicone tail!

[Mahi Mermaid]

dying for pictures!! And wondering what your selling it for?

[Firemaid]

Ok update update! here is a picture of my first ever silicon tail12737

I never painted it. Instead I ripped it apart and put it back together twice so I could work on my technique before seaming up my new one!

I'm feeling super confident and am going to seam up the new one this Sunday!!

I'm going to paint it first!!!!

[Mermaid Dottie]

WHEEEEE!

[Mermaid Allie]

EXCITEMENT SO MANY SILICONE TAILS <3

[Firemaid]

Woah!! Just found out some really important new information about silicon!!!

[Carolina Mermaid]

What?

[Firemaid]

I posted it here (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5680-Important-information-about-using-silicone)

[Firemaid]

ALSO did you guys look at my new paint job or what? It is soo princess barbie!!!

[Mermaid Marissa]

ALSO did you guys look at my new paint job or what? It is soo princess barbie!!!

I did :D It's soooo cute! Very princess barbie

[jazz2453]

Wow it looks really cool! It looks like cotton candy!! Did u hand paint it or use an airbrush. If so, what type of airbrush and how did u thin it down?

[shimmygoddess]

ok, just saw that big blister from the Oceanika. LOL I used mine 2 days in a row last week for about 2 hours each, plus did my aerobics class 2 days and I have 3 huge blisters. I could barely walk, as they are on my ankle bones and by the big toe. It has been a week and they still look awful. I was even wearing the neoprene socks b/c the fin is slightly too big. Is this normal to get blisters? LOL

[Firemaid]

Wow it looks really cool! It looks like cotton candy!! Did u hand paint it or use an airbrush. If so, what type of airbrush and how did u thin it down?

I used this air brush (http://www.harborfreight.com/deluxe-airbrush-kit-95810.html).

I thinned the paint with lighter fluid.

[emma11]

Mind if I ask what kind of paint you used? :]

[Firemaid]

nope. I used pigment mixed with silicone.

Also on the pink tail I used a kind of silicon called Gel 10.

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Beautiful! How much are you selling your neoprene tail an also your first silicone tail for? I'd you're still selling them? You did a grey job for being so fast too! :)

[Mermaid Dottie]

Woah. Today was crayfish. Got a lot done. I think in the end I will be able to pump out silicon tails in 32 hours and for $500 cost to me. No wonder they are so expensive! painting silicon takes forever!!!

Check out my instagram for a sneak peek at my paint job!

http://instagram.com (http://instagram.com/p/cCxnJ6nvsA/)
I'm now going to instastalk you. Just so you know.

[Mizuko]

I dont have Instagram so I cant see the photo >.<

[Shimerz]

Any chance you're willing to 'pump out' another tail anytime soon? You got skill, and its beautiful.

[Firemaid]

Any chance you're willing to 'pump out' another tail anytime soon? You got skill, and its beautiful.
LOL
I'm not there yet.

I am still not sure about a lot of things. I am still making too many mistakes to feel confident enough to make something for someone else.

[Firemaid]

12832

[Mizuko]

ahh its my favourite colour <3 :D Its beautiful!!

[Firemaid]

OOOh. Seams are hard...

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[Shimerz]

That is the most beautiful colored tail i have ever seen! And the way it sparkles, wow! And your seems are great! I can hardly see them

[Firemaid]

That is the most beautiful colored tail i have ever seen! And the way it sparkles, wow! And your seems are great! I can hardly see them
Thanks!

[Mermaid Varshana]

12886

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg8g5jBaro1qa9vqgo1_500.gif

[Ariel-Starfish]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg8g5jBaro1qa9vqgo1_500.gif

AGREED :jawdrop:

[Mermaid Caspiana]

That's so pretty!!!

[Patches]

Oh my god I cant wait to see more pics of this 0_0

[Firemaid]

1348213483

[Firemaid]

13484

[Anahita]

Oh my god... I'm jealous... It's gorgeous! I love the colors, they remind me of the cotton candy!

[Mermaid Oshun]

that is so pretty and girlie I love it!

[Ariadne]

Love Love Love!

[fawkes]

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How'd you get it so shiney?? :confused:

[Firemaid]

Yay!

Starting my next tail on monday!!

Can't friggin wait.

I haven't decided on colors yet..

I kinda want to do a Galaxy themed tail, with pinks, purples, blues, black, and stars...

Kinda want to do classic green...

[Kae]

So reading about how you want a tail with no monofin got me thinking, "why couldn't you just use some good quality training fins?". The silicone could seal to its self all around the foot pockets and give a very solid no bubble fluke, and the training fins could offer some (but not much) propulsion! AND they'd be super comfy!

http://www.finisinc.com/equipment/technical-products/training-fins/zoomers-gold.html

[Blondie]

:jawdrop: Mother of God....

[Ashe]

Oh my god... That's just... wow. :jawdrop:

[Ashe]

And one last thing.

:hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Fintastical!!! I so want to see it in action!!!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Oh and I think the galaxy one sounds amazing!!!

[Ariel-Starfish]

Omg love it! Reminds me of those Barbie mermaids <3

[Azurin Luna]

Wow, that is one nice looking tail, normally I don't like pink as a color, but this made a big exception :D

[Merman Arion]

WOW !!! :jawdrop:

Pink isn't my favorite color but i could totally see me with that tail, it's lovely ! I like the colors very much :D

I take my hat off to you :hail:

Nice job ! you ROCK ! :highfive:

[Psychic Tideborn]

Absolutely Gorgeous!!! Congratulations!

[Aziara]

I love the fluke shape!

[Mermaid Saphira]

Omg love it! Reminds me of those Barbie mermaids <3

Haha that's what I was thinking! It's so pretty and I love the fluke shape :D

[Firemaid]

I'm making a plan ol' green tail. I'll post pictures of the process.

I am not super excited, but I need a green tail for my little mermaid gigs and my tail making partner insists.

The paint job is the most fun part for me..

Any ideas of a way to make a green Ariel-ish tail more fun?

[PearlieMae]

I'm making a plan ol' green tail. I'll post pictures of the process.

I am not super excited, but I need a green tail for my little mermaid gigs and my tail making partner insists.

The paint job is the most fun part for me..

Any ideas of a way to make a green Ariel-ish tail more fun?

Chunky green metal flake glitter like they use on cars mixed into the silicone...maybe a handful of that rainbow-laser glitter for extra sparkle!

[Aziara]

I'd say use multiple shades of the same color green. As for chunky glitter, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the sharp edges of the glitter could punch through the silicone? I could be wrong.

[Merley]

So, I'm considering maybe making one tail for someone else at cost.

How much would you charge? That tail is gorgeous. I'm very interested.

[PearlieMae]

Hmmmm, I've never noticed that. I didn't mean that craft glitter from the kids crafts aisle, I meant the kind used in automotive finishes. Their chunky is a lot smaller, to fit through a spray gun.

[Firemaid]

oooooh. Glitter. Maybe I'll make the whole fin glitter coated..

[lasserine]

Such a pretty tail.

[Mermaid Dottie]

MerSea me!
I just might faint....

[Merley]

Hey Firemaid,


I tried sending you a PM but your inbox is full and the email address you sent me supposedly doesn't exist according to the mail delivery system. So, I'll just post this here. I am pretty serious about buying a tail from you. I recently purchased a meraidsrus tail (as you can see here http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5908-Tail-Falling-Apart/page3 ) and I just sent it back because she did a craptacular job. She was supposed to make me a new one, but she never contacts me and every time I ask her a question I get a misdirected response. I'm getting pretty frustrated so if I don't hear anything from her by the end of today I'm demanding a refund and I'd be more than happy to take the $700 I've already wasted shipping back her mistakes on a lovely tail from you. I have been oggling the tail in your profile pic since you posted your thread. I can't find the paper with my measurements right now, but I'm a pretty small girl.

[Firemaid]

Hey Firemaid,


I tried sending you a PM but your inbox is full and the email address you sent me supposedly doesn't exist according to the mail delivery system. So, I'll just post this here. I am pretty serious about buying a tail from you. I recently purchased a meraidsrus tail (as you can see here http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5908-Tail-Falling-Apart/page3 ) and I just sent it back because she did a craptacular job. She was supposed to make me a new one, but she never contacts me and every time I ask her a question I get a misdirected response. I'm getting pretty frustrated so if I don't hear anything from her by the end of today I'm demanding a refund and I'd be more than happy to take the $700 I've already wasted shipping back her mistakes on a lovely tail from you. I have been oggling the tail in your profile pic since you posted your thread. I can't find the paper with my measurements right now, but I'm a pretty small girl.

Sorry. It's Glitterfly, not Glitterfy I missed the L:)

[Mermaid Melusinah]

:jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop:


you make me want to just throw money (if i had it XD) and give free artistic freedom to you. you seriously have a huge talent. i am in awe!! O_O just wow so beautiful! when is your FB page going up cause i want to go "like" it so hard!!!!! LOL:lol: