View Full Version : Putting on a Silicone Tail
Mermaid Lei Loni
10-27-2012, 04:14 AM
I just got my first silicone tail from Mermaid Creations! Yay! I'm very excited. Except for I ran into one problem when I tried it on (it fits like a glove though). It took FOREVER to put the darn thing on, and I about broke a finger trying to wrestle with the ankle straps. I have a competitor monofin inside, so I don't have to adjust the straps, but it's still very difficult to put on. Any tips or ideas on getting this thing on and working with the ankle straps? I was exhausted after just putting the tail on, and I didn't even go swimming! I did find that a little water and lotion helped, but it didn't help with pulling on the straps. If anyone has any tips or ideas, I would loooove the help.
Thanks in advance!
Winged Mermaid
10-27-2012, 05:16 AM
Raina has given some pointers many times that will help. 1) Use silicone safe lube or lotion/cream OR put it on in the water. For lube Merbella Studios recommends baby oil in light amounts. Always use silicone safe products NEVER silicone based- this will RUIN the silicone. If you're going swimming the best thing is to just put it on in the water. 2) Tie a string to the heel straps and leave it kind of long. Once you have your feet in the monofin, grab hold of the string and pull to pull it over your heels.
Good luck!
Mermaid Lei Loni
10-27-2012, 12:36 PM
Those are fantastic tips. Thank you! Hopefully that will make it easier to put on today when I take it for a test drive. I love the string idea. I don't think I would have ever thought of that myself. :D
AniaR
10-27-2012, 01:59 PM
I can't put my mermaid creations tail on by myself either haha. I think it's because they're so thick and I'm not used to that. Have a helper roll the tail down as far as you can. Put one foot in at a time. Tie something to the straps so you can pull them out hard and the strap will go behind your heel easier. Then put the other one in and do the same thing. Make sure you are super lubed up, or do it in the stairs of a pool. Then start unrolling the tail and pulling it up as you go. It's easier if you don't unroll it all at once, then you can make sure it's tight and no wrinkles. It's better to be patient and take the time to get the wrinkles out when you're putting it on- then to try and pull it up by the waist once it's on. It's a totally different beast from a fabric or latex tail because silicone tails are generally very thick and silicone sticks to everything.
I don't have video of me putting it on, honestly, I'd rather not show people it's pretty unflattering. But I do have some hilarious video of us trying to get it off my baby sister lol.
So far everyone who has worn mine has needed help getting it on except one girl who was much thinner. She actually got both her legs in at once in one try! I was shocked. lol
mermanjr
10-27-2012, 11:59 PM
best to put on in the water and because when i put mine on i always put it on that way and it geos right on with no problems
Mermaid Lei Loni
10-29-2012, 12:20 AM
The water trick is a good one. And I love the idea of putting strings on the ankle straps, but I'm still trying to figure out how to pull the straps on with the string. lol I'm still working on the "kinks" of getting it on, but it's good to know that they are naturally difficult to get on. I had a big problem swimming in it and keeping the top on. I think it was because I was wearing a 1 piece suit and the tail couldn't suction to my skin properly, because I had no problems with my legs. So far I've been avoiding changing at the pool, just because it takes so long. Luckily, I have a "mermaid mobile" aka a wheelchair so it's easy to get me there and back home. :) I really appreciate all of the tips! Thank you!
AniaR
10-29-2012, 11:29 AM
I find silicone grips better to fabric sometimes, I wear tights under my merbellas tail now that I've lost some weight to keep it from wrinkling. I dont think wearing a one piece would keep the top from staying up. You may need a belt or to have it taken in. My mermaid creations tail is tight and doesn't slide at all. LOL
Here's a photo of my mertender helping my sister get the tail on:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/560621_490511694316912_280204199_n.jpg
As a rule you shouldn't stand in tails but we haven't been able to get them on without it. Thankfully because they're so thick they're very durable. My mertender helped my sister get in and roll it up and right here he's just about to pick her up by the waist of the tail to pull it up.
Here's a video of us trying to get it off her. I'm a terrible sister, because I laugh the whole time:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152322662765425
Alveric
10-29-2012, 12:38 PM
It's rather like watching a birth.
Mermaid Lei Loni
10-29-2012, 12:47 PM
I would agree. It is like giving birth. Except for we laughed the entire time (mostly because of all of the "that's what she said" jokes that went with it!). I think the sliding was because the fabric on my suit couldn't stick to the silicone, Jesse was able to confirm this. The tail's wonderfully tight and suctions to my skin like a dream (except for the 1-piece suit). My friend noticed that the suits getting a little big on me, so that could have contributed to the problem too. So I purchased a tiny bikini brief (good thing it's going to be covered at the pool, I'd rather people not see THAT much of my thighs!) and we will test drive it tonight and try all of these tips for getting it on. I have a good feeling that this time it wont be so difficult.
Raina- that video was hilarious! I don't think you are a bad sister, I laughed too. :lol: But her poor feet!
Oh, and thanks again to everyone for their help!
The Harlem Mermaid
11-21-2014, 11:46 PM
great tips ladies ! im getting my silicone (neoprene) and was wondering how i was going to get in it without hurting myself
Sherielle
11-24-2014, 12:45 PM
I have a devil of a time getting into my mermaid creations tail. Raina is right. They are thicker than other tails. What I end up doing is putting it on in water, then getting one foot into the straps. Then I lube up my other leg and my arm to get that other foot in. My husband has to roll the tail down very far. And then when my feet are in, I'll stand up and he will pull the rest over my hips. it's very comical to watch. I need to get video of it sometimes.
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