Partial silicone tail in the works

[MerAnthony]

As some of you know I have a neopren tail that I made myself. Well over the winter I decided to give it a make over. I painted scales an did some work on the fluke. Now after some thinking I decided that I was going to make it partial silicone, an to tell the truth I am happy on how it looks so far. No I am not completely finished with it yet, but I plan on putting silicone on the fluke as well with ridges that follow the lines on the fluke. Now I have some shiny fabric I am thinking on using to also put on the fluke. Any ideas on that? Please comment.I used GE silicone II clear. An it works really well.

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[telzey.amberdon]

That is sweet!!

[MerEmma]

Looks great! :D

[Mer_Adella]

I just bought the same thing today. I am going to test on a top first and if that works out i am going to possibly do it on my tail. How did you get the scales? Did you angle the tube or did you make them while squeezing it out?

[MerAnthony]

I lined the scales with the silicone. Then I used a small old paint brush an feathered it. I started at the bottom an worked my way up. But I used a small tube of the silicone. 2.8 oz I just cut the tip off to get the smallest hole. I had bought 3 tubes of the silicone an only used almost 2 full tubes. Now when I do the fluke I bought 3 of the bigger ones. An I will be starting on that very soon. Maybe tomorrow.

[Mermaid_Aryana]

I like it.:)

[spottedcatfish]

I was wondering about your tail progress. I thought that was white paint... but that's really cool that you are using silicone! I hope it goes well. Do you have a link to purchase the silicone online?

[MerAnthony]

Cat the silicone I used is "GE silicone II clear" that you buy off the shelf at wal-mart or any hardware store. An the white you see is "Speedball screen printing ink" in opaque fabric pearly white for dark fabrics.. It was a little pricey around $9.00 a bottle. I am not sure on what size bottle it doesn't say.

[Kanti]

Looking badass Anthony!
Great work!

[Morticia Mermaid]

I may have to find some to "play" with. Recently found out I'm allergic to latex. I'm reading over the MSDS for this and I'm not finding anything saying it is, or has, any type of latex ingredients in it

[Kanti]

@Morticia - the GE 100% silicones don't have latex! Its the ALEX and regular caulkings that do! It's usually some mixture of silicone latex and acrylic, so just make sure its the 100.
And geeze that sucks! How did you find out you're allergic? Hives?

[Morticia Mermaid]

:D Awesome! Really going to have to look into trying it out ^_^

And I found out in a way that's not appropriate for all audiences xD Was not fun

[Ashe]

Looks great! I may have to steal your idea a bit in the future ;D Good luck!

[Kanti]

xDD
Ohhhhh I think I get it

[Morticia Mermaid]

^^' Yeah...

[Mermaid Tula]

That's look super awesome!

[MerAnthony]

:D Awesome! Really going to have to look into trying it out ^_^

And I found out in a way that's not appropriate for all audiences xD Was not fun:doh:
not good

[MerAnthony]

Thanks everybodyI am in the final stages now. The fluke is almost completely covered in silicone I have one side to do yet. But I am still debating on the side fins. Not sure if I want to put them on or not. What do you think?

[Ashe]

Would you be ok in sharing about how much all the silicone was to cover the tail?

[lynsea]

I LOVE the scales! They look fantastic. I think this is just the technique I'm looking for. Also, they are PERFECT. That must have taken a lot of patience.

[MerAnthony]

Would you be ok in sharing about how much all the silicone was to cover the tail?


I LOVE the scales! They look fantastic. I think this is just the technique I'm looking for. Also, they are PERFECT. That must have taken a lot of patience.
Kalani I only went to about my knees I had bought 3 tubes of 9.8 oz an 3 tubes of 2.8oz GE Silicone II Clear. I only used 1 of the larger tubes an 2 of the smaller ones, but for all 6 tubes I think I spent around $35.00 give or take . An Lynsea it took me longer to do the scales longer than what I would have liked. I have ADD an to keep my mind focused on doing something sometimes can be very difficult. I learned how to do the scales from a video that one of our members put on Youtube.Now that the tail is finished here are a few more pictures. I will have more later today of swimming in it. Taking the family swimming at our local YMCA today.

[MerAnthony]

Here is the video I learned how to do the scales.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJJTUDG_1LM
I tried to post some more pictures but it will NOT let me.

[MerAnthony]

10549Close up of the scales.
10550 Finished tail.

[MerEmma]

Looks fantastic, wow!

[Mermaid Saphira]

great job, it looks nice :)

[Mahi Mermaid]

This is the same effect Canadian Mermaid Marie used. I saw her tails at Merpalooza last year and I must say these pictures don't do it justice...the scale effect with silicone is AMAZING in person.10628

[Marilla]

That's the caulk I just picked up yesterday! Do you think it would work in thicker layers? Oh, and Lowes has this particular caulk buy two get two free right now: http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-1&storeId=10702&catalogId=10051&productId=4402711&store=1016&view=detail

[Mahi Mermaid]

How long is the B2G2 going on? Is it the right stuff?

[Marilla]

How long is the B2G2 going on? Is it the right stuff?
I don't know how long the price will last, but it seems to be one of the two no-moldicide containing caulks GE makes. I am calling the company to make sure though I couldn't pass up the price. If I am wrong I will return it. Remember, the mold-killing chems can be released for like eight years! You don't want that on your skin or anywhere near poor fishies!

Xoxo ~ Marilla