Latex or dragonskin?

[Mermaid Adriel]

Bad english, sorry :doh:

So, I'll get my Finis Wave monofin for Christmas (finally!) so I can make my lycra/spandex tail, just for familiarizing with the tailswimming when temperatures begin to get hotter here :p
But on the summer I'd like to make a realistic tail: I was thinking about a neoprene and latex one because it seems not so diffult to make, but I see that many mers on here make theirs in silcone, and home-made! I love how tails come out and so I'm also thinking: why not? But I've problems:
1- fear of not being good on making it
2- fear of not being able to collect enough money
3- many materials are not avaiable where I live

I feel like I were in a tunnel with no exit :( what to do?

[Mermaid Julz]

Claudia, dig and do some research as to where you can get all your supplies. Then I would suggest really looking over your budget. as much as I would of loved to do silicone, I ended up having to do latex due to my budget. This is my first tail also. I had no clue if i would be good at it. We never know though unless we try. Once you figure out what you can afford and do decide to do it, break it down into steps. Focus on each step, then when you finish it, then worry about the next.

You have some very nice and helpful people here that are willing to support you and cheer you along! Also, if you want a realistic tail by summer, I would suggest starting soon. Tails take some time to make.

feel free to ask any of us for help along the way. We will do our best to offer the best advice we know to help get you a solution to your dilemma. Also read the tutorials. They do help a good bit.


Good luck with your venture!!!
:) :)

[Mermaid Adriel]

Thank you Julz :'3 I'll try my best :rolleyes:

[jazz2453]

Doing a lot of small tests helps to build your confidence.

[Mermaid Adriel]

Doing a lot of small tests helps to build your confidence.

sure! :)

[PearlieMae]

Jazz is right about experimenting with materials to get used to how they work.

In the meantime, maybe make a fabric tail to get accustomed to swimming in a tail this coming season, and make a realistic tail for next season!

[Mermaid Adriel]

Jazz is right about experimenting with materials to get used to how they work.

In the meantime, maybe make a fabric tail to get accustomed to swimming in a tail this coming season, and make a realistic tail for next season!

It's roughly what I want to do xD I'll make my fabric tail as soon as I get my monofin; fabric seems perfect for starting, since I never swam in a tail. Now it's cold here and I don't think municipal pools give me the permission to swim with tails. Luckily I live close to the sea but I must wait until May or June >.<
But realistic tail is always been my biggest dream, and I wanna try to do one myself.

[Mermaid Adriel]

I've just talked with my mum and she said she and dad will let me keep enough money during these months :D
I'm more optimistic now :thumbs up:

[Mermaid Julz]

cool beans!

[Jessica]

So exciting Claudia! ;)

[Mermaid Adriel]

I'm looking at the materials prices right now, just for being sure. So, I need to know what kind of Silicone rubber is better, I wouldn't be wrong.

[PearlieMae]

Dragonskin, the brand name from the company Smooth On, is a platinum-cure rubber that is safe for wearing next to your skin. It's used for body prosthetics and special effects in the movies. You can safely use this rubber to make molds for candy and other foods, too. There may be companies near you that produce the same type of silicone.

Tin cure silicone is used for industrial applications and should not be used next to your skin.

[Mermaid Adriel]

Dragonskin, the brand name from the company Smooth On, is a platinum-cure rubber that is safe for wearing next to your skin. It's used for body prosthetics and special effects in the movies. You can safely use this rubber to make molds for candy and other foods, too. There may be companies near you that produce the same type of silicone.

Tin cure silicone is used for industrial applications and should not be used next to your skin.


Thank you very much!
I've seen that here I can buy a silicone rubber used for molds (something like this http://www.bramantearte.com/media/catalog/category/gomma_siliconica.jpg), I think it's the same...

[PearlieMae]

Speak to a company representative to be certain it is the same before you spend the money! I would hate to think you bought the wrong type!

[Mermaid Adriel]

Speak to a company representative to be certain it is the same before you spend the money! I would hate to think you bought the wrong type!

of course! I'll do it.

[Mermaid Adriel]

I dunno if I can make it anymore, maybe it will remain a dream...

[Mermaid Adriel]

*little update*

It's official, mers: my parents and uncles confirmed, this year we'll make my first silicone tail! :swoon:


Possible materials and prices (around)

-clay: 15 €
-metal grating (for scales): idk
-silicone: 35 € per kilo
-colors: various but not much expansive
-brushes: I have them yet
(tell me if I've forgotten something)
I don't think I'll put a monofin in it.

[Jessica]

Congratulations!! That's so exciting!! :)

[Mermaid Adriel]

@Jessica I'm sure your works will be very helpful for me ;)

[Jessica]

I'm happy to help if you have any questions! :) this will be so much fun for you! It's really neat making your own tail!

[Mermaid Adriel]

Just a little question: is the monofin necessary?

(prices: around 40 € for Finis Wave, around 45-50 for Finis Foil)

[emma11]

It depends. You might be able to get away with an extremely hard silicone on the fluke, but the monofin makes sure you can swim easily with your legs tied together.

Without the monofin you have no "grip" in the Ayer for lack of a better word. It's basically just tossing yourself into a pool with no way to use your legs.... Buy the monofin for safety


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[Mermaid Adriel]

*update*

Possible materials and prices
-clay: 1 € per kilo
-metal grating (for scales): idk
-silicone: 35 € per kilo
-colors: various but not much expansive
-brushes: I have them yet
-monofin: 40 €

and now I'm searching for a place where I can work! :D

[Imogen Finnly]

good for you ! Im about to start my first tail but it is so windy out here i don't to start it until it calms down. Good luck!

[Mermaid Adriel]

@jayy (http://mernetwork.com/index/member.php?2889-jayy) Thank you X3 good luck to you too!