Jazz's H2o Style Silicone Mermaid Tail Process

[jazz2453]

Thanks:)
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On Wednesday I will be swimming in it! I can't wait to see what it's like under water.

[Mermaid Allie]

Thats an awesome colour scheme!! I absolutely love the way this turned out!! Excellent job :)

[jazz2453]

Thanks:) I really didn't want to have that much yellow, but it's just the way things turned out. I proud that this is my first silicone tail though, and the first time I've ever sculpted or made a mold. It's all a learning experience.

[AniaR]

pretty freaking awesome for a first try I'd say.

[Firemaid]

Thanks everyone! Firemaid- It's actually a spray gun in which you can get at home depot or harbor freight. It works very well for covering a lot of surface area.

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Finfolk productions use a spray gun, but probably use an airbrush for little details, and their tails are beautiful!
Dude. yeah. It's rad. I'm buying one!

[Mermaid Julz]

Looks Great Jazz! Awesome job!

[Mermaid~Summer]

Wow, great job!

[Mizuko]

Seriously seriously inspiring, Jazz! You are so talented!!

[fawkes]

http://www.smooth-on.com/index.php?cPath=1369 This is a viscosity chart. As it says, silicone is a viscosity of 14,000-40,000 centipoise. Water is 1-3 centipoise. For each color/layer of paint I mixed 2 tbsp of part A and 2 tbsp of part B. Before you add part A, mix your desired pigments into B. I used pearl ex powder pigments. I mixed a lot to really get a bright metallic color. Next you thin down your silicone/paint mixture with toluene, xylene, or naphtha. Keep adding until it is very thin and liquified. I'd say my mixture was about 50 centipoise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29QgZVEhETo That is a video of thinning down psycho paint with toluene. It gives you the right idea though. Its pretty simple after that. You just have to spray!
Here is a video of painting silicone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzKZzGjKCbI They used naphtha to thin it down which is what I used (you can get it at home depot). I recommend using a spray gun for larger applications (like a tail) to cover more surface area quicker. For small details I would have and airbrush handy.

Cleaning process for spray gun:
This is really important because silicone cures, and you don't want to cure in your spray gun. Immediately after each paint session, run mineral spirits through your airbrush, this will help dissolve and clean anything. Also cover the tip (where the air comes out) with a paper towel and spray with the gun upside down so all the gunk comes out. Then run water through the gun and spray just to clean out any extra materials.
Hope this helps anyone.

Thanks Jazz! It looks so beautiful, I cant wait to see a video now that you've painted it!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Wow Jazz! You're amazing! This looks fantastic! I can't wait to see it swim!

[jazz2453]

Mistakes/Things I would change for my next tail
1a) Mirroring my fluke. I was so stupid! I knew I had to mirror my tail (so I originally did the whole paper mirror thing) but then I got carried away with sculpting and making it look like h2o that I forgot to make the sides even! GRRRRR It was such a trouble to seam the fluke! I did the best I could for what I had. And then I realized it would almost look like the tail has layers when I would paint it, so I stuck with the idea and it came out fine! They somewhat disappeared (kinda).

1b) I will sculpt my fluke evenly!

2a) Sculpting on the monofin. It was harder since the finis foil has ridges the rise up from the monofin. It also required more clay. Lastly, when I poured silicone in my mold I ended up using much more silicone then intended because of how it rose.
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Sculpted straight on wood with trace of monofin. Looks how high the edges rise. I tried to fill the whole thing!

2b) Will trace design on wood. Will make a mold wall to keep clean. (Keeping everything clean was a huge problem.


3a) Different clay. I found monster clay to be extremely hard to use in the fact of smoothing it out. I bought test trials of other clays like sculptex, van aken's klean klay alternative, and le beau touche hm. They are much, much easier to sculpt and smooth in my opinion.

3b) I will use an easier clay.

4a) Seaming. When I seamed my tail, I had no luck since it came out extremely large some way somehow.

4b) With a pattern of my legs, I will cut out 2 of my body shapes from the scale sheet. One will have an extra 4 inches. You know how when you make the cubes you need an extra piece to fold and glue underneath.
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Well that what I'm doing. I will fold the extra 4 inches underneath my original body shape of scales. I will clip everything together, and then do the "gluing" part with more silicone.

5a) Painting and following the design. The green in the front body of my tail came out slightly messy. There is way to much yellow! I hate the color yellow, but it like it when it blends with blue and green. The green it slightly faint (in real life it looks a lot better) and in the pictures I hate seeing mostly yellow and blue. I really dislike those colors when there are head to head.
Kinda what I wanted. What I basically got.
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5b) Really stick to your design and make sure it's the color you want before you spray it on. I will spray a more even line and will be more careful. The back came out much more of what I wanted and I was extremely happy!

Lastly, and most important- DO NOT rush it! This is a process that takes time and effort. I got extremely impatient and excited and did things I was really disappointed about. De-molding the shell shock from the fluke too fast and the whole corner of the fin cracking off! I had to fill it in with clay and it eventually came out fine. There were many moments where I really wish I had an undo button. But that's what this process is about. Learning and growing based on your mistakes. Just keep pushing through and trying to solve your problem. I wish everyone who is going to make a silicone mermaid tail good luck! I hope you succeed! It will make you feel very proud as I do right now. There will be hard times and many problems but keep pushing through. Overall it will be very easy if you have much confidence in yourself:)

As for my next tail!.... I recently posted a ruft draft, quick sketch design.
This is my color scheme:
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It's a beautiful tail done by finfolk productions! My tail will include a bubblegum pink though, and lighter lavender purple. I'm hoping that one day, I will be able to sell these tails at an affordable price to transgender kids. The money I receive would be donated to my foundation: http://www.transkidspurplerainbow.org/ Some of if would go to making more tails though. I'm really excited about this and I hope it works out! I'll be updating more on the new tail in a few weeks, and I will post a video of me in this tail soon. :) Hugs and kisses and mermaid wishes! Good luck on your tail!- Weeki Wachee Mermaids' before I was going to make my first spandex tail when I was 8.

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My 8th birthday at Weeki Wachee

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Lastly, a little boy at age 5 who always knew he was a girl, a true mermaid. And the moment when his dream actually came true!
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[Mermaid Saphira]

You are so sweet, Jazz and I can't wait to see more of the beautiful tails you plan on making. Good luck in your efforts little merling :3

That finfolk tail is stunning by the way ^-^

[Jessica]

Jazz,
I just checked out your website. I had no idea that was you! I'm proud of you for sharing your story and for working to help other kids like you. I honestly had no idea that you were anything but a normal girl.....well as normal as anyone making a mermaid tail can be!

Your tail is beautiful and you are a beautiful mermaid. :)

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Wow Jazz! You're so inspiring! I would not be able to tell a difference. You are a girl! And your tail is inspiring as well! You know you are encouraging me to want to make one myself! I would love for you to post how your uniqueness is going. :)
good luck with everything and u can't wait to see you finished tail swim! ;)

[Mermaid Oshun]

Jazz you rock!! And I can't wait to see your next tail.

[PearlieMae]

Jazz, you are such a wonderful inspiration on so many levels! And your tail, and sharing your progress, is simply amazing! Cheers!

[fawkes]

That made me cry Jazz! :) You're such a wonderful, talented young woman and such an inspiration! Cyber hug to you and your family for quite possibly being the most brave and awesome people ever! Keep it up little activist! You're hero to so many! :D

P.S. Those tail pics are awesome I LOVE the first one!!!

[Mermaid~Summer]

Wow, ur totally famous lol. Very cool, hey ur one of the most talented girls I have ever met. And seriously, u got to meet one of my favorite characters from Glee. That's Awesome!! Can't wait to see more videos of you in ur tail :)

[Jadestone]

Your tail turned out AMAZING!! I am so impressed you managed such a great tail on your first try, even if the colors didn't turn out exactly how you wanted them. And wow!! You were (and still are) so adorable! Such a beautiful young lady :) Quite the history of tails there :)

[AniaR]

<3 <3 <3 so Proud of you Jazz!

[LaNyah]

I remember watching that 20/20 special when it first aired. Never forgot it and told a lot of people to check it out because it so clearly shows this issue. You are indeed an extraordinary young woman.

[AniaR]

We did an article on Jazz in Tail flip a little while back :) And I did a thread about her on here before she joined the network too!

[Mermaid Cascada]

Wow! I'm so proud of you Jazz! And your tail looks beautiful. :)

[LaNyah]

Isn't FinFolk's beta tail amazing?!

As for the monster clay... I am thinking I'll use it as well. Before your post I had been doing some research for smoothing it and found this article:
http://www.therpf.com/f62/monster-clay-smoothing-casting-help-154473/

I was also thinking, since it can be melted, couldn't a very thin melted layer be poured onto the fluke (after the thicker basic build/shape is done)? Of course, precautions would have to be taken to ensure the mold box is leveled correctly. (this is just theory for me at this point. I'm in the research and planning stages at the moment)

[ShyMer]

Paisley, I would want to know if the clay would be thin enough to be able to pour evenly when melted. maybe if you used an old crock pot and a hair dryer to keep things moving, perhaps using an old credit card to try to spread it around.
Though I guess the best thing would be to call monster makers and find out what they think :)

You've done a fantastic job, Jazz. I had a similar problem with the pigments not working like I expected, but it's still a great first tail. I imagine the next one you make will be amazing!

Since you're still growing, do you have any plans for when you grow out of this tail?

[jazz2453]

Omg my god! Thanks everyone:) I could've have finished this without all your support!<3 I've seen that article. The clay does smooth, it just takes more time.
Yes if you trace your symmetrical fluke shape on wood, you can just pour the clay right on. I would keep a blowdryer on so it doesn't dry, it will get out of it's liquid stage really quick! I also used a putty knife (found at home depot) to spread it around. Thanks Shymer!:) I will keep it to remember this experience and what I have accomplished at this age.:)
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They are so useful!

[LaNyah]

Paisley, I would want to know if the clay would be thin enough to be able to pour evenly when melted. maybe if you used an old crock pot and a hair dryer to keep things moving, perhaps using an old credit card to try to spread it around.
Though I guess the best thing would be to call monster makers and find out what they think :)


On Youtube I found a video that also suggested using a crockpot - with the warning that it CANNOT be used for food again. I have also see others mention using a heat gun on other forums.

Here is the link to monster Maker's clay. If you read the description, you'll see how they mention pouring it:
http://www.monstermakers.com/product/monster-clay-premium-grade-html

[jazz2453]

There are also many other clays that I have found to like including sculptex, chavant nap, le beau touché and more. I found them easier to smooth and they have other qualities as well. Monster clay wins in being easy to apply over a large surface though.

[jazz2453]

And some pictures of my finally done mermaid tail! My pool was really dirty so you may notice that in some pictures.
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Bye!:) I should start my next tail in a few months. But for now it's back to school :( FUN!!! :(

[Mermaid Oshun]

You look adorable !! And your mertail was a great success!
I hope to one day have hair like yours :)

[MerEmma]

WOW! It's amazing, the tail is gorgeous and so are you! Maybe sometime you'll get to trick some people. :) It looks SO good.

[PearlieMae]

LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE! You have an awesome smile and your tail is gorgeous! Congratulations!!!

[Jessica]

Jazz,

your pictures are amazing! You look so beautiful! You are so natural underwater...a true mermaid! I'm so proud of you!!!

:)

[AniaR]

OMG JAZZZZZ I am so proud of you!!! wow!!!! you look fin-tastic!!! <3 <3

[jazz2453]

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[Mermaid Julz]

Great Pictures Jazz! your tail looks great! Best of luck on your future tails!

[Marie-Josie Cayer]

Congrats on accomplishing a beautiful mermaid tail! MJC :)

[Mermaid Cascada]

Wow! You look so comfortable under water! You're tail looks beautiful! Congratulations Jazz!

[Mizuko]

The photos are amazing and you look beautiful!! :D I am so blown away by how amazing your tail is!! Truely talented!!

[meremily]

Jazz, you said you didnt like Monster clay. i can recommand you another product, its a sculpting expert that recommended that to me, and its amazing
its : Permo-Plast Creme (without sulfur) i got it form Smooth on, there a store near my house but i know you can get it online
it doesnt crack, doesnt go dried, it very easy to smooth !!!!

[Keiris]

Jazz, what a BEAUTIFUL little mermaid you are! Your artistic accomplishment and determination is absolutely AMAZING! Congrats to you and it brought a big smile to my face to see you swimming in your gorgeous tail.

[Mermaid Allie]

JAZZ IM IN AWE THIS TAIL TURNED OUT SO GREAT.

[Nyx]

Omygosh your tail is gorgous! Awesome job :D

[Toxotes]

Just one word:
Fintastic!

[jazz2453]

Awww you guysss :) :) :) <3

[fawkes]

Amazing work gurl!! You look so purdy!!!

[jazz2453]

Although I shouldn't be molding and casting this tail for awhile, I have started with my pattern, design shape, and design colors. Right now I'm figuring how I'm gonna arrange the colors. Here is my pattern/fluke shape.
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This is a picture my colors are inspired by:
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Finfolk productions recently made a tail with similar colors.
Here are the paints I bought:
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I also ordered an aqua and raspberry color-
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[Ashe]

Cool!

[MerEmma]

WOW! Can't wait to see that one come along too<3

[Ariel-Starfish]

Super cute pictures!! :D

[jazz2453]

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I just found this pic in my camera roll! My hair looks cool xD I'm hoping that progress for the next tail will be starting soon. School has just started and I'm in 7th grade so I won't have as much time, but I try to fit making tails in my free time :)

[PearlieMae]

Awesome! You look great!

Good luck in 7th! When it gets tough, just keep swimming! ;)

[MerMarla]

Jazz your tail is fabulous! Even looks like you were able to make a transparent trailing edge on your flukes! Beautiful pix! Have a great time in school, that comes first before more tails! LOL!

(((HUGz))) & Bubble https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/e/B0C'z
Mermaid Marla

[jazz2453]

Tail repair. Adjusting the ankles to fit my size. I will repaint the tail sometime soon by adding some aqua and more green.
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[MerEmma]

Any updates on repairing the ankles? I'm curious about how that worked out!

[jazz2453]

I worked out great, I couldn't make it perfect, but I'll just leave it alone to show the mistakes a made on my first tail, and how I'll improve later on. I just painted part of my new tail though!
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[Jinx]

Love the new one! Tell me how much (pounds ounces or gallons) silicone did you use on each tail?

[jazz2453]

Last one I used 2 gallons, wasted a lot, made thicker castings. I recommend one gallon which is what I'm using for this tail, but make sure your castings are fairly thin and not too thick.

[Jinx]

Thanks!

[MermaidMyrthe]

Oh wow! This tail is so gorgeous! You are such a talented mer, Jazz! Do you sell these? Id love to buy one if i could afford the tails you make... they look soooo expensive! You must have worked so hard! And it turned out so beautiful!

[jazz2453]

I'm hoping to sell soon at an affordable price, but I need more practice since I'm new. Most of the money paid for each tail will be donated to my foundation: http://www.transkidspurplerainbow.org/

[Ashton]

I have a few questions
How was the drag from the water on the top of the tail?
Did you get any air bubbles in your tail?

[jazz2453]

It wasn't tight on my waist so a flap would come up near my butt. The new tail is made is extremely tight and nice and doesn't have that problem.

[PaolaMF]

hello, I have not understood very well how you've managed to paint, paint you used psycho?or you have added naphtha or I touleno to silicone with the pigment? I hope your answer, thank you very much.

[Raayvhen]

This thread hasn't been updated in two years. Maybe next time check the date before posting?

[Merman Arion]

Gotta love necro-posting.. :doh:

[MerlingLNereus206]

This entire website is basically dead, and this thread is one of the best threads available for tailmaking. Are we *really* going to get mad at people for asking questions here?