Dragon Skin on Neoprene?

[Little_Orca]

I am looking for a silicone to use on neoprene for a future tail. I -do not- want to use ALEX, given it's overall nastiness, and I was wondering if dragon skin would adhere well to neoprene and if anyone has tried that before I have to shell out the money to try it myself.

[AniaR]

that's how raven's neoprene lined tails are done. So yep! :)

[Little_Orca]

Ok, good. :) Thank you Raina. *Adds more notes to her book for next year's LO tail.*

[Winged Mermaid]

In the past when we didn't know as much, the answer would have been no! But now we know more! Yay!

There are few people that have done dragonskin on silicone. Christel's tail (http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/299057_182127615191313_7434319_n.jpg) was a neoprene-silicone hybrid with just the fluke having silicone. She said she used lycra material, then just poured the silicone right onto the fabric and underneath the edge so it would bond together. Then they attached that to the neoprene body.

The general knowledge for dragonskin is that it won't cure on or even around latex or rubber. Thus why you need to have a fabric base either separate from the neoprene then attached later, or the fabric backing on the neoprene (most come with this). Although using the nylon backing on the neoprene may or may not be removed enough for curing success. Basically though you want to permeate the fabric so it will anchor itself on. Either that or you need to put holes the fabric and have silicone on top and underneath so it will bond to itself. Even if it won't bond do the material, if you sandwich it in this way it will bond to itself and hold on via those points. This is how Andrew made his silicone foot pocket monofin! (See here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?405-Andrew-s-Tail-Making-Journey&p=5386&viewfull=1#post5386)

Either way, it looks like just the nylon backing is enough. I would guess that's how Raven does the flukes of her neoprene and silicone tails (the scales are molded). Example (http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/582690_4598192072474_890209312_n.jpg).

Keep in mind that dragonskin is meant to be poured into a mold, so it's really watery. You may have to do many layers to get what you'd like without a mold. I would recommend using a silicone thicker like what smooth on stocks (http://www.smooth-on.com/Silicone-Rubber-Ac/c1128/index.html). When in doubt call the Smooth On guys and ask about it. They're awesome at answering questions like that!

When in doubt, always swatch test!