Working on Full LatexTail

[Mahi Mermaid]

OK so I've been wanting to do this for a while but fell in love with the silicone caulk that I didn't think I'd ever want to use anything else...but the scales weren't good enough for me so here we are...making a full latex (but looks like silicone) tail!

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I made each of the scales with an imprint from an actual seashell. I originally was going to use a small shell to have small scales, but then I just went for a bigger one which will, or should, give me a more pronounced scale-look when I pull the latex from the mold. I just pressed the seashell directly into the clay which hopefully helped me avoid the step of making the pumpking seeds, or foam circles for the mold.

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Today's the first day I started on this tail. The clay mold is drying. Today it was almost 85 out and suppose to be the same tomorrow so I'm thinking if I work outside layering my latex, each layer should dry pretty fast. I'm using Mold Builder from Michaels.

Here's the scales up close:

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I have a swatch drying right now to see how quickly (or should I say SLOWLY) the Mold Builder dries. I've learned to put it in SUPER thin layers, because what I did I thought was thin...but apparently it's drying on the surface, but all the latex underneath is still wet. So that was a learning process.

I also have noticed that since it takes so many layers to get even the thinnest layer of latex to pull from the mold, I'm going to be using gause after the first few "base" layers followed by more latex layers.

Has anyone used any of these products?
-Amaco Natural 10 lb Play in clay (from Michaels)
-Mold Builder from Castin' Craft 16oz

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I also purchased some releasing agent spray to spray onto my clay mold to hopefully keep the latex from sticking to it and hopefully avoid a "dirty cast".

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Let me know what you guys think. I already made my fluke out of recycled neoprene, 8mm (super thick stuff!!) and plan to use the 2 yards of Hancock Fabric's Lycra Nylon stretch fabric in white, as my body with the latex adhered to it.

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Thoughts? Trials/Errors with this method? Would love to know!

[Kanti]

Looking good so far!
I think my only suggestion would be that the mold release you have just bleh, for me it never works.
It's overpriced and just seems more like water.
I prefer petroleum(spelling) jelly. They sell it in little tubs almost anywhere. Works like a charm and will definitely help with the release a lot more than that stuff does

[Mahi Mermaid]

Also just to keep track of how much I've spent on this project...
-2 yards of fabric from Hancock Fabrics- at $16.99/yd (with coupon and military discount) came out to be about $23
-2 boxes of 10lb Clay to Play from Michaels at $8.99/box (one 50% off coupon) came to about $13
-2 containers of Mold Builder from Michaels at $16.99/16oz (used two 50% off coupons) came to $16
-1 release agent from Michaels at $9.99 (used 50% off coupon) came to $5
-recycled neoprene...FREE
Total so far
=just under $60

That's not bad if I don't have to buy anything else and if this stuff actually works

I do think I'll probably have to buy two more Mold Builder's because I figure it'll take two 16oz containers for each side of the tail. Plus I haven't decided if I'm going to latex the fluke yet or not since I already used silicone caulk on it and I think it looks pretty great. Pictures from that soon

[Mahi Mermaid]

I thought of that too, but was afraid of 'painting' on the petroleum jelly would 'smoosh' my mold or even worse, make it to where the petrolleum jelly fills in the ridges and would make the latex not able to get to them, causing the latex to miss out on the cool seashell shape?

[Kanti]

Oh yea to avoid that I honestly just used my fingers, but a very fine brush works too.
The jelly is so slippery you only need a tiny bit anyway and I really like how it works. But I mean you use what you want to use, I'm only offering my advice xD

But wow the fluke looks badass!! Did you paint it? O:

[Mermaid_Sarah]

The fluke is beautiful! I think me and my friend are going to use this method!

[Mahi Mermaid]

Thank you! And Yes Kanti it's painted, I mixed the silicone caulk with createx paint for the fluke. You can't tell from the picture but it's really sparkly. I'll have to take a better picture of it so you can see.

Question: if I try to add glitter to the latex, will the latex break down? How can I be sure it sticks?

[Mahi Mermaid]

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Pulling the latex from my test mold already! It's not at all dry, but the edges are getting there!

[Kanti]

I think you should be fine with adding glitter, it's not a huge deal.

And wow cool scale texture! That's a very original looking design! Can't wait to see the whole thing O:

[Mahi Mermaid]

I think you should be fine with adding glitter, it's not a huge deal.

And wow cool scale texture! That's a very original looking design! Can't wait to see the whole thing O:


Thanks Kanti, If I were to use Dragonskin on this clay mold, what type would I need? How much of it?

[ShyMer]

Wait, I'm confused.


Your mold is clay only? What is the mold builder stuff?
That and you're using a release agent to get the latex to come up? I assuming you're applying the latex directly to the mold.


I thought petroleum jelly causes latex to break down, where would she use this?

Also from what I know about latex and silicone, silicone won't cure if used a mold that latex was used in. You'd have to make another mold.

Maybe I misread something or I'm missing information.

[Mahi Mermaid]

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It's been nice out today, my latex has dried!! I just started pulling it from the mold and yes ShyMer it's a clay mold with latex painted on (Mold Builder).

[Mahi Mermaid]

OK here's one side---all done!10650

[Mermaid Kelda]

Looks gorgeous! I love how they overlap in different places, it looks so natural :)

[Mahi Mermaid]

10934 The base