Alarson's mermaid tail 1st attempt

[Ashton]

Hi there, I decided I would start a thread about making my tail too! I hope you like it and can give me advice along the way!
Hopefully I attached the watercolor photo of the tail I wish to create. For some reason I find that watercolor and nail polish are the best way to get mermaid colors when drawing them out. haha

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More to come!

~Ashton

Edit: I started off wanting to make a neoprene tail, but it turned into making a Dragon skin silicone tail.
I decided to take the plunge into it after talking to Jessica and learning about casting in art school. She convinced me that I could do it :)

(oh yeah, I changed my username from Alarson to Ashton, which is why it says Alarson's tail attempt.) :P

[Aziara]

That looks lovely!

[Rogue Siren]

Cool!

[Ashton]

Here are the things I got from Home depo and Lows, I got the washers from an OSH that was going out of business in my area.

I thought it would be helpful for others to see where to find these things.
I did not use binding posts, I used plastic nuts and bolts because I could not find anything other than that. After I drilled the holes I took everything apart and put washers in.

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[Ashton]

I glued the front part yesterday and the cut off the excess bolts today, and glued the back, it is drying and as soon as I get home from work I will take photos and upload them. :)

[teeth4u]

Looks awesome! I can't wait to see more :)

[Trident True]

It looks good so far. what I love about seeing other people making tails is the process and the road they take to get there. everyone may get inspired but one another and use the same technique but ive also seen alot of different ways people are making their tails. instance with your fluke. i would of never of thought of drilling into the monofin then attaching the entension. can you explain a little more on what the purpose of this is? is it to keep it in place while you add all the detail in etc. Im very curious as when i saw it I didn't understand it. I don't really have a set way on how i do things especially for my tail and I don't usually watch a full tutorial as i can be stubbon at times and when ive got an idea in my head i usually don't change it unitl ive done it. if it doesnt work out then thats when i go back to the drawing board. is your tail doing to be a full slicone tail or something different? I like the dots on the design.

[Ashton]

It looks good so far. what I love about seeing other people making tails is the process and the road they take to get there. everyone may get inspired but one another and use the same technique but ive also seen alot of different ways people are making their tails. instance with your fluke. i would of never of thought of drilling into the monofin then attaching the entension. can you explain a little more on what the purpose of this is? is it to keep it in place while you add all the detail in etc. Im very curious as when i saw it I didn't understand it. I don't really have a set way on how i do things especially for my tail and I don't usually watch a full tutorial as i can be stubbon at times and when ive got an idea in my head i usually don't change it unitl ive done it. if it doesnt work out then thats when i go back to the drawing board. is your tail doing to be a full slicone tail or something different? I like the dots on the design.

Well drilling into the monofin and using poly vinyl wall sheeting to attach and extend the monofin is add shape and definition to a Neoprene/alex tail (which is what I intend on making). One of the main reasons I am using it is because it looks nice and I personally don't like when you can see the monofin shape in tails. I feel that it gives away the illusion we are all trying to hard to ascertain. I tried to keep the monofin whole rather than shorting it or cutting it in any way- I feel that it is important to have it remain structurally sound- so I extended it using the sheeting. The sheeting is plastic and so are the screws, nuts, and washers. So there would be no rust. I need to sand/curve some of the pointy ends so that it does not rip the neoprene, but that will be done in the morning. (photos to come)

So all in all I am using this sheeting to in hopes make a more believable mermaid tail and hide the monofin well. It will most likely add a bit of drag but hopefully not much. I will take it to the pool tomorrow and see how it holds up - to make sure everything holds together well.

[Ariel-Starfish]

Oh I love these treads! I wish I was creative enough for making my own!

[Ashton]

Thanks :)
Graduating college from an art school does have its benefits sometimes :D

[Ashton]

Ok, I think its done curing! I hung it up in my studio (please excuse the mess)

I used E6000 to and it and the nylon washers had a weird reaction (not bad, just weird) it bleed the a color onto the poly-vinyl sheeting. It doesn't seem to be a structural problem, so I wasn't to worried.

Front:
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Things I need to do: small sanding and round edges to make them softer so they don't rip neoprene, tack the fluke tip (like just a pin head tack of glue) so that water can still go through.


Back:
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Things to do: sand/round edges.

I am going to go swim in it today to test how it works out. I will be back with updates! <3

[Ashton]

Neoprene came!
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I ordered 3 sheets (in 3mm) just and some extra that was in the clearance section for only $8 from foamorder.com!
Granted my tail is going to be aprox 90in so I wanted extra fabric in case I screwed up somewhere.

[Ashton]

Ok so back from the pool. I only got a few strange looks. lol. One lady asked what I was doing and I explained to her how it was a mermaid prototype. She just looked at me like I was nuts and walked off. Well, whatever. Haha I am sure a lot of mers get weird looks.

So here is what I learned:
-this is a great technique, BUT I cant tack with glue, I need to drill holes and tack with nuts and bolts. When I glue sealed the back side I wiped some glue inside the fluke to see if it would keep. In the pool it did not, it just pealed off. Most likely because the poly-vinyl has no real texture for the glue to stick to. So oh well, not real loss there.

-The poly-vinyl weighs down the monofin a bit, but not to bad. (it still kinda floats)

-Very flexible!

-My shadow looked amazing!!! (it was like I really was a mermaid!)

-Without the flue end tacks I could see the 2 panels of poly-vinyl. (the bolting will fix that)

Here is what it looked like after my swim test:
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The fluke ends are a bit floppy and not one single unit. (easily fixed with bolting)

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I got home and drilled holes in the places where bolting would be best for water to go in and out and strength of the piece.

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I realized I was out of washers. So on my way to work tonight I will go by Lowes and grab some. I have decided I will use 3 washers per hole in these parts because I don't want to much stress on the poly-vinyl. I want to be flexible and not get stress cracks. The washers are going to go on the front-middle in between the vinyl-back.

~Ashton

[Seatan]

Lol your shadow... Now I want pictures of mermaid shadows !!!!

[Trident True]

(One lady asked what I was doing and I explained to her how it was a mermaid prototype. She just looked at me like I was nuts and walked off) don't you just love when people ask stupid questions. I simply tell them stupid answers. Q why are you swimming in a tail? because im practicing my swimming as i'm going to be in a movie. how thick can some people be. :lol: looking good though. your Neoprene was quiet cheap. paid 110.00AUD for mine. but its was bought from a wet suit place and it its quiet thick too.

[Ashton]

Well the neoprene I got wasn't that cheap. The clearance stuff was. I got that so that I could just screw around with some and see what it was capable of. I got 3 sheets of 3mm thick neoprene for the price of 1.5mm cuz they were out of 1.5mm. It wasn't the cheapest thing in the world but I have been saving for a while and wanted to make myself a tail as a Xmas gift to myself.

I do like the dumb answers, I think I will start doing that as well.

[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/15/e4utude2.jpg
I went to Lowes to get washers and they had the same green color they had when I put the E6000 on. The guy there said that they use that when coloring the washers and 'it just happens' so that's good to know nothing is wrong with E600 and the washers.


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[Ashton]

Ok, so bolts on the fins of the fluke are a bust, good thing I tested it out before I glued them in place. I think they make the tail too stiff for my liking. Im sure if a mer who followed my technique and wanted a stiff fin for dry shoot would be good, but I want one that swims like a real fish tail. Even tho it slips it looks and feels like more of a fluid motion than with the bolts. My sister describes my tail method 'tail extensions' (like hair extensions) so I think I will call it that from now on. HAHA!

(video and photos to come next)

[Ashton]

Ok, hopefully this works. It is my first time working with iMovie and uploading to youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV71bOYYADI
please forgive me if is not any good.

But in the video the tail does not have the bolts in the extensions and it moves freely, when going forward it sandwiches itself together. but when doing turns it opens a little. I believe this problem will be solved once neoprene is put over it. With out the bolts it is far more flexible and less likely to break (unlike when the bolts were in it)

[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/18/8eje7unu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/18/u7a5ypu7.jpg
Mer-pattern an seam allowance down!


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[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/28/u3ame3e5.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/28/u6edu5ed.jpg

Catching up on my DVR and hand stitching my tail together! (Inside out)



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[Ashton]

In the midst of Girl code (MTV) and four wedding (tlc) a mermaid tail was born! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/28/7agy8age.jpg

I am taking it to the pool tomorrow!
My fingers are so soar, and I have bonded nylon thread everywhere!


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[AniaR]

congrats looking great!!!

[Ashton]

Thanks, I plan on swimming in it tomorrow , seeing how well it fits and moves. Then tailoring it after it dries off.


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[Mermaid Julz]

I love the colors in your drawing. and yes, showing the stuff like you did and where to find it will be most helpful to others. Binding screws half the time you will not find in store, but you can order them off the store's website. That is what i had to do. Foamorder.com i learned is one of the better places to get neoprene. I wish I would of know that when I started. Looking good. will be checking back to see your progress.

[Ashton]

Thank you :)
So I haven't edited the videos yes but here is what I learned:

-I need a weight belt ( it felt like the water was pushing my out of it with the tail on. I could practically Stand straight up in the water without treading) Jesus must have warn neoprene when he walked on water.

-I used way to much neoprene ( I had to fold the 'waist' part down because to came up past my boobs.) Gotta trim that! And I left to much seam allowance on the side of my leg so I have to take that in now, just by two or 3 inches though not too bad. but still surprising I've been sewing costumes for many many years and I don't know how to sew apparently too so it's strange. It must be the fact I've never worked with neoprene.

-I felt really confined, which makes sense; I'm pretty much in a mer-tube. I kept having to remind myself that I am ok and if I stop swimming I will float to the top. Mind over matter!!




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[Jessica]

It looks great! When I made my spandex fabric tail, I had to take it in more than once to get the fit right! Fabric stretches out even more in the water, so tails really need to be super tight!

That's great to know about the neoprene! I'm making two kids silicone tails in the spring and I'm using neoprene to reduce the weight. I haven't worked with it before, so thanks for sharing all your information!

[Trident True]

I love the shape of the tail. I used a sewing machine as i needed to sew in the zipper. but the negative to neoprene is you need the right needle and a good quality machine to sew it on. its not easy to sew. i wouldn't even attempt handsewing. but it looks great keep up the good work:)

[Ashton]

I love the shape of the tail. I used a sewing machine as i needed to sew in the zipper. but the negative to neoprene is you need the right needle and a good quality machine to sew it on. its not easy to sew. i wouldn't even attempt handsewing. but it looks great keep up the good work:)
What type of zipper did you use?

[Trident True]

this is the zipper i used. not the lenght but the same thing. wont rust and is heavy duty.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LONG-BLACK-MARINE-ZIPPERS-244-CM-/231125720459?pt=AU_Sewing&hash=item35d02a9d8b

[MermaidBrittany]

Wow that looks awesome! And I might have missed it but I was wondering, did you put an elastic belt on the interior of the tail at your waist?

[Ariel-Starfish]

Yaya, u go girl! =D

[Ashton]

Wow that looks awesome! And I might have missed it but I was wondering, did you put an elastic belt on the interior of the tail at your waist?
No I did not put a waist band in. I might have to now. I made it too long and it came up to my boobs, but I had to fold it down. so it stayed but it still needs work.

[Ashton]

Update: ordered a marine zipper on ebay and waiting for it to come in. I will be ripping out the seams on the left side of the tail (so much work gone to waste).
I tried to run the neoprene through my sewing machine and it did not work out that well. So it will continued to be hand sewn. Im a bit embarrassed and don't want to post the video of my swim in the neoprene, I think I'm beating myself up because I have been sewing costumes for about 10 years, and this isn't turing out the way I expected.... :(

[Mary Marine]

You're tail looks great so far! Seeing all your progress really making me want to get off my butt and start on mine. I checked out the neoprene on foamorder.com, but it looks like all they have left is just the plain neoprene without nylon, just the bare rubber. Yours have the nylon, correct?

[Ashton]

The type I got is neoprene with nylon on both sides, I think the size is either 1.5 or 3mm I don't recall off the top of my head. They only had that size so I took it. Granted they gave it to me at the price of a different one. Cuz that is all they had in stock. I'm sure they have more now.


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[Ashton]

Sorry for totally lack of updates, my foam circles came today! And I got a huge sheet (8x4 ft) of foam core from Michele's craft! (Framing department) for only 16$.
I plan on having my scales done and ready to be molded by late next week.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/14/zeraqeba.jpg


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[malinghi]

Awesome!

[Ashton]

My plan for the next few week:
Getting clay to sculpt my fluke Tuesday!
Tomorrow I am going to measure and cut the foam core, and start putting scales down!
Hopefully I will have all the scales down by at least by 23rd (its the 14th today... happy v-day everyone!)
And by the 28th have the fluke done...
Then I will be going up to Hollywood to get Dragon skin silicone and casting the mother mold :)

I got to set some timelines or I will be lazy and take forever. lol.

[malinghi]

Then I will be going up to Hollywood to get Dragon skin silicone and casting the mother mold

Are you going to Reynolds Advanced Materials? I went there a couple weeks ago and I really liked the place. My only complaint is that they may have sold me the wrong kind of pigment. I think the pigment I bought was for urethane. If you get pigments make sure its the right stuff.

[Ashton]

Are you going to Reynolds Advanced Materials? I went there a couple weeks ago and I really liked the place. My only complaint is that they may have sold me the wrong kind of pigment. I think the pigment I bought was for urethane. If you get pigments make sure its the right stuff.

Yes I was planing on going there. Good to know that they don't totally know their stuff.


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[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/15/he7urunu.jpg
My sketch of what I wanted the scales to look like.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/15/2y8uqy7y.jpg
Sticking them together! I'm at about #540/1260, but here is a sample on how i kinda want them to look.


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[Jessica]

I love your sketch Ashton! :) the scale design is going to be really unique. You're going to need a lot of glue to fill in all the spaces between the circles though...otherwise the mold material will run in between and make a huge mess!(this happened to me in a few spots on my scale mold!)

[Ashton]

Yeah I know, I have a gallon of Elmer's glue left over from art school. Do you think that's enough? Lol


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[Sirenade]

So excited for you! Looking forward to you documenting the process too! :D

[Ashton]

So I'm kinda getting freaked out. I put 45 scales out to see how big they would be when they are on top of each other and it only measures 5.5x6 inches.
I have 1260 scales. I would like to make my box mold 20x55 (helped determined by Jessica)
Do you guys think I should get more or do I have enough?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/16/aguhaguq.jpg
I just laid them out, they are not symmetrical or graphed out. I just wanted to see what they looked like and how they measured out. (all in no, they are not attached yet).
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/16/dedeze8u.jpg

Oh! and the 0.5in circles from Craftsuppliesforless.com are NOT 0.5! THEY ARE 0.4! I am slightly mad about that, but I will move on, no use in getting worked up over 0.1 inches of foam....

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[Ashton]

Jess helped me figure it out and make it 20x55'' :)

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[Ashton]

So this is what I did today:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/17/pudu5ame.jpg
Cut foam core, started making lines every 0.5 inches.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/17/yvehedad.jpg
Finished up and decided to start putting the foam down.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/17/tepupe4a.jpg

I've got about 585ish foam circles down, it's about a 12inches right now. I'm ordering more foam since I will be in need of it soon.


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[Jessica]

Looks great Ashton!! :) I love the double circle look. It's so unique!!

[malinghi]

I love watching these. Using silicone for a first tail is pretty ambitious, but based on the stuff you've posted in this thread and on the awesome cosplay stuff on your Facebook profile it looks like you know what you're doing.

[Ashton]

Thanks :)
I learned a lot about casting and sculpting when I was at OTIS but I am still nervous and whatnot, I still freak myself out because I'm so anal and a perfectionist. Which is good and bad it's their own ways.


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[Ashton]

After maybe 3-4 hours total I have now got all 1260 down (2520 if you want to count the small scales and large) the sheet is halfway done. Now to order more scales/ foam circles.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/18/e9ysaje4.jpg
There are small imperfections in the pattern but it's ok, it makes it look more realistic- not every fish scale needs to be symmetric (or at least that's what I keep telling myself when they don't exactly fit together)


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[selkie13]

That's so cool

[Ashton]

I made a quick 2 part silicone putty mold of my scales and tinted some resin to pour in. I want to insure the coolness of my scales.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/19/agugase8.jpg
Even tho it's just resin it's like a sneak peak of how they will look colored.


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[Mermaid Adriel]

I love the effect *_*

[Ashton]

Thanks :)


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[Mermaid Dottie]

That's beautiful! You're really doing a marvelous job, Ashton!

[Azurin Luna]

Looks really nice :D love the idea of using two shapes to form one scale :)

Good luck with the rest!

[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/20/a7anajyd.jpg
De-molded this morning, needs some cleaning up but it's still looks really nice :) I think I might make it I into a small key chain or something- since it's resin.


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[PearlieMae]

Oooh! Pretty! I LOVE the two layer dimension!

[Ashton]

Just cast the sample again.
Color test this time is metallic silver. I am testing different coloring products to see the difference between them. I will be doing the same when I get the dragon skin, but since resin is polymer (plastic) based it should have relatively the same affect.
For some reason it wont show up on camera right, but it should be done and ready to de-mold tomorrow :)

[Jessica]

Your scales are so pretty Ashton!!

[Mizuko]

LOVE the scale design! :D Its very pretty!

[Ashton]

Honestly this scale pattern has been a pain in the butt. I really would not recommend replicating it.
I am now trying to think of the best material to make the mother mold out of. I have been talking to the Tap Plastic people ( I love their products) and I am leaning towards fiberglass, but does fiberglass melt craft foam?

I have worked with ultra cal before and I just didn't want a huge block mold for scales that was fragile (even when reinforced) and prob heavy. I just really want to have a good mother mold that won't break.

I plan on using this mold a lot.


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[Ashton]

The Tap People people told me that if the craft foam reacts to acetone that it would be safe for fiberglass. I have don't a test square and will let it sit until i get off work.

[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/21/ubamezub.jpg
For some reason in the photo it's really blue. In real life it's dark gray with a slight blue hue.


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[Ashton]

Oh and by the way. The foam I put acid tone on had no reaction over the night. So that means it's safe to fiberglass.


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[Mermaid Isabel(:]

Wow that looks great! It's very unique :)

[Ashton]

Ok, Now that I am no longer covered in clay here is what I have done:
Note: please disregard my messy studio (I have a few other projects going on) and the silly pharmacy bag I have hanging; it hold my gloves.

Right side:
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Left side (upside down)
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Full:
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It is not totally symmetrical yet. And this was only about 2 hours of work into it, it is a good start off point and still have a lot more work that it needs.

And now to pick the clay from under my fingers :p

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Ooo!

[malinghi]

Looks good so far!

[PearlieMae]

Looks great!

[Ashton]

Here it is today, I am getting all perfectionist and anal about it not being symmetrical. Did anyone else go though a crazy phase like that?http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/23/e9abareg.jpg


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[Echidna]

Here it is today, I am getting all perfectionist and anal about it not being symmetrical. Did anyone else go though a crazy phase like that?

yea, I've thrown fits when something I worked on somehow turns out not perfect
(example; my mermaid-bag, I added the straps last and somehow the second wasn't symmetrical with the first).
I yell and throw things and have the urge to destroy the whole thing.

A few days later, I usually pick it up and repair the offending feature within 5 minutes lol.
So it's totally not worth the fit :p

btw, I don't really see the fluke is asymetrical.
At any rate, most fish flukes ARE asymetrical anyways.

[Ashton]

Yeah I think I think I am just being hard on myself. I think I will put it aside for today and maybe pick it up again tomorrow. In the mean time I'll will work on the other half of my scale sheet. Im sure if I just don't look at it for a while I will come back to it fresh and it will work out.

[Ashton]

So the sheet is done! And now drying with the first layer of sealant (1/2 Elmer's glue and half wood glue)

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Edited: photo
It looks a bit crusty right now but that is because of the glue isn't 100% done drying :)

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[Ashton]

Sorry about the bad photos, I'm on my phone (hence the tap talk ) I'll post better photos later.
But in the mean time I have been playing with accessories I have. What do you think?
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Edited: photo

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[OceanRose]

I really love the colours! Did you paint these yourself? They are very pretty how you've put them together <3

[Jessica]

I love the hair clips! So many pretty colors :)

I know how much work that scale sheet was! I can't wait to see how your scales look in silicone!!

[Mermaid_Dominique]

Your scales look amazing! :) Did you use a drawing to get your fluke symmetrical? Kanti has a video about it on youtube.

[Ashton]

My fluke base it symmetrical, I need to take it in and make it go along with the lines I have drawn. I have a bit more work to do on it today, it looks a lot better right now.

[Ashton]

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Working on my final coat of sealant for the foam! I will have to do only minor touch ups for undercuts when it dries.

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Fluke is pretty much done just minor details to fix, now I need to let it dry out a bit and seal the clay (water based clay).

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Here is my sample test of scales with its final coat of sealant on it. I should be able to to a fiberglass test run on it tomorrow.

[mermaidm]

awesome fluke design!! :)

[Jessica]

Looks great Ashton!

[Mermaid Dottie]

I'm lovin this!

[Winged Mermaid]

Lookin great so far!

[Ashton]

Thanks :)


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[Ashton]

Well I have some bad new. My fluke sculpt broke the other night :(
I keep telling myself that it's not that bad cuz I still have my scale to be molded soon and I have a much more clay. I will just make another fluke- and hopefully it will be even better.

[malinghi]

I'm really sorry your fluke mold broke. This is a shitty setback but you'll get past it.

[Mizuko]

:( I'm sorry! Its always heart breaking when something fails- I know exactly how that feels! <3

[Ashton]

Yeah :( but it's ok, I'm just happy it wasn't the scales. I've spent about 6-8 total hours on those and maybe just 3-4 on the fluke. And my Fiberglas test on the scales came out good.


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[Imogen Finnly]

You got this girl!

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[Mermaid Dottie]

Oh, Ashton... I'm so sorry. I know how much of a pain water based clay can be, and I've had my fair share of great projects that just busted at the greenware stage. I feel your pain.

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[Ashton]

I forgot to post my craft foam + fiberglass test mold came out wonderfully. I could have used a tad more release agent but it still came out very nice.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/06/yba3ubeq.jpg
It needs a small amount of clean up but I think that will be solved with more release agent.
There is 2small holes that it did get- but those can be filled with no problem. I will be molding the scale sheet Monday. Hopefully the fluke will be ready by then too.


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[Mermaid Dottie]

Yay, Yay, Yay!!!!!

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[Miyu]

Aww fufufu... That stinks that your mold cracked! Morticia's fluke mold cracked recently as well. :/ I think they may be on union strike or something... :P

I do love your scales! I like how you stacked them like that, they remind me of little bubbles or some fantasy creature/fish (Rainbow Fish maybe?).

[Ashton]

Update:
Fiberglass on clay test came out good. Just cleaning it out and going to pull a dirty cast on both scale sample and clay. Since I have left over latex from a different project.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/09/ugede2yd.jpg

Scale mold is going to be waxed and preped for molding tomorrow.

Fluke is just about done, needs to dry out and it will be sealed, and waxed tomorrow as well.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/09/5yne7yry.jpg

So molding on Monday and prob going to buy dragon skin within the week. :)


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[Ashton]

Update: gel coat and mold release on fluke! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/09/6unaby7e.jpg
Fiberglass soon!


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[Ashton]

Ok! Fiberglass was finished last night, here is a photo. I am going to de-mold it later today (I want to give it a full 24hours to cure)
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[Carolina Mermaid]

This tail is going to look amazing!

[Ashton]

thanks!

[Ashton]

Demolded and trimed, it's in the sun to make it Easier to clean clay outhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/10/4e3anutu.jpg


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[Nicoseamus]

This looks great! Your tail looks like it's gonna be fantastic. Your scale idea looks so cool and realistic, and very unique.

[Ashton]

Fiberglass scale mold done, de-molding tomorrow.

[Ashton]

Update: (images fixed cuz taptalk photos suck)

Cleaning out fluke mold
Old toothbrushes are my friend!
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Scale mold is almost done being demolded.
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For some reason the gel coat didn't cure all the way and left some sticky mess parts :( but it is fixed with a paintbrush and a bit of acetone! It cleaned it up a bit but took the small details away sadly. I feel like this can go unnoticed with a good paint job.

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Notes for next time: don't use foam core, that shit is irritating to get off. Even with a crap ton of mold release. I had to tear it off bit by bit.

Don't do a super complex scale design for your first mold.


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[Ashton]

YEAH! Silicone was shipped today! it was one back order for a while, I am so excited to play with it when it comes!

[malinghi]

Notes for next time: don't use foam core, that shit is irritating to get off. Even with a crap ton of mold release. I had to tear it off bit by bit.

Don't do a super complex scale design for your first mold.

Thank you for this warning! I wanted to try using craft foam for scales and to make a mold with fiberglass. Do you think if I cover the foam with a ton of shellac to make it smooth and non-porous it might come apart from the fiberglass better?

[Ashton]

Jessica told me to seal the scales with glue before I cast them, I used some wood glue I had laying around. You want to water it down to the constancy of a melted milkshake (1 part glue + 1 part water) and do about 3 light coats. It seals it very well. Anything more than that will start to kill the details.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

So exciting!! Were in the same area as the north Hollywood Reynolds advance materials is where I've gotta go too :) I will he watching this thread as I mentally plan my tail


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[Alcyone]

what else would you suggest for the scale pattern?

[Ashton]

@alcyone- I would plan on if you were starting a tail, just do the normal foam circles to start off with. And if you are not familiar with fiberglass to do the Ultracal. Fiberglassing requires a min of 2 people to do it. I made my sister help me and it takes alot of energy and time to coat in fiberglass.

[Ashton]

Hey guys, my dragon skin came yesterday. But I cant seem to open the containers.... Any suggestions?

[Jessica]

Nothing like opening silicone containers!

There are notches along the edge. Take a hammer and a screwdriver...stick the screwdriver in the notch and bang it with the hammer until it gets into the plastic and pokes through. Then work the screwdriver up so the lid lifts away a little. Pull the screwdriver out--you should have a small hole--then stick one edge of a pair of scissors in there and cut a slot to the edge.

after you do that all the way around, grab a metal jar opener and go around the edge until you get it to pry up!

Its really not much fun--and watch your fingers! I can't tell you how many times I've banged mine trying to get silicone open! good luck! :)

[PearlieMae]

If you have a pair of wire cutters, it's a million times easier. Snip each of the notches all the way around, and when you go to open it, pull up each section until it lets go of the rim, all the way around. Do this sitting on the floor, with the bucket on the floor - not on a table or in your lap. Because if it gets away from you, you won't drop and spill it!

[Jessica]

Pearlie you're a genius ;)

and here i am attacking buckets with a hammer, screwdriver, scissors and a jar opener for 30 minutes!!! I think it's time to find some wire cutters! :)

[PearlieMae]

Be sure to snip all the way up the notch, not halfway like the notch seems to indicate.

And since I use the silicone in small batches, I've found that getting a couple of PET (polyethylene) squeeze water bottles in different colors and filling them with the A and B parts very helpful. Don't use the LDPE or the kind for melt and pour chocolate that you find at the craft store, because the individual components will eat away at the bottle at the screw on cap area and you will be squeezing the bottle and the entire end will come off! WHAT A MESS!

If you aren't sure, look at the recycling symbol on the bottom of the Smooth On bucket and get bottles with the same symbol.

[PearlieMae]

Also, you can cut the notches with an Xacto, but be super careful!

[Ashton]

Thanks everyone, I did a test today! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/13/ze4udydy.jpg
Got a bit of a mole kinda thing, but I think it looks good.


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh yes, that would be a bubble. But otherwise it looks great!

[Ashton]

I poured 1/2 of the fluke yesterday. (1.5 Liters) it is a bit thin in parts. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/18/bu2erega.jpg

Here it is on top of the monofin.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/18/a8uguha9.jpg

What would be the best way to attach it to the monofin? I know I can glue the silicone to itself, but other than that any tips?


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[Ashton]

I did a dirty pull (with latex) on the scale sheet just to see what I would be getting. It's only about 1/4 the size of the scale sheet but I think it looks really nice so far! http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/27/9umerahe.jpg


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[PearlieMae]

I am hoping that I am wrong, but I think you may have some cure inhibition issues with having put latex in your mold before you did the silicone. you might have to seal the mold again before you decide to pour silicone into it!

Experts?

[Ashton]

I did it with the fluke and then cast it twice with dragon skin with no problems


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[PearlieMae]

Whew! That's a relief! Thanks!

It looks great!

[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/10/ezame7ap.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/10/bemypase.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/10/umevyjar.jpg casting is going slow, work is crazy and I just haven't has any time to prep the scale mold, I finally just buckled down and did it, I hope it turns out nice!


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[Ashton]

Pulled the scales! They turned out wonderful!!! There are a few air bubbles but that's an easy fix.



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sorry about the bad cell phone photos, I was just really excited.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hooray!!


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[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/19/ysuhagag.jpg
Seaming then going to start to paint!
(I'll upload a better photo later -sorry for the phone photo for now)


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Whoo!


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[Mizuko]

Yay! this is very exciting!! :D

[Ashton]

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Fluke getting some color!
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Better version of the seams getting done (other side to be done this week!!)

[PearlieMae]

Awesome work! Congrats! Can't wait to see it finished!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yay!!


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[Fifi Tigg]

Love the scales :)

[Keiris]

WOW! It really is coming along beautifully, Ashton! Very exciting to see the progress!!!:cool:

[Ashton]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/23/eha3ater.jpg
Seaming the right side! (Photo taken from phone)
Things to do next: trim excess, start blending colors, put monofin in, sandwich fluke, attach all parts, and blend colors onto fluke!!!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Awesome possum!


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[PearlieMae]

Freakin' YAY!

[MermaidKatrina]

Sorry if this is personal but about how much $ have you invested in this so far?


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[Ariel-Starfish]

Looks amazing so far! Can't wait for more pictures! How do you 'stick' the mofin to the silicone fluke?

[Mermaid Galene]

I'm really enjoying this thread. Your tail looks great! Thanks for all the detail. I was interested to see that you modeled your fluke in water-based clay. Most people seem to use oil-based. I've used water-based clay for years to make performance puppets, and I really prefer it to oil-based. I find water-based is so much less punishing to my hands, and it's so easy to get great detail. Also so easy to clean out of molds. I'm glad to know it works with the mold materials preferred by mers!

[Ashton]

My cost is about $890 so far, I don't plan on spending anymore, since I am sandwiching the fluke today! and soon to attache it all together!
It has been a very slow process, I told myself I had to do about a year worth of research and tests before I would attempt a full tail.

[Ashton]

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Attached fluke today, now to wait while it cures. Also ordered some pearl pigments that should arrive soon. All I have to do now it trim excess, attach fluke to body tube, and PAINT!

It has been a slow process because I work full time and come home late.

I do think I need to order just 1 small batch of smooth on, just the little sampler thing should be fine. Do to all my tests, screw ups here and there, ect, I seem to almost be out of silicone.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yay! It's great!


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[Ashton]

Thanks, I have been trying really hard, sorry for not posting more often and with more pictures :(

[Mermaid Wesley]

No don't apologize! Just work at your pace and it will be awesome :)


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[Ashton]

OK! I connected the front part together, now to wait for it to cure. Then I will flip it over and do the back.
I ordered a small batch of Dragon Skin Med 10 so that I can tweak it a bit (probably going to need to take it in a bit after I swing in it.
Before I paint it I want to swim in it so that I don't screw up the paint job when I need to cut it open in places.

I am very excited!


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I also want to add a bit more scale detail on the fluke.

What do you guys think? Any tips/ideas?

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ooh it's gorgeous! Great job so far!


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[Kishiko]

Looking awesome!!!!!!!!!

[Ashton]

Thank you :D

[Ashton]

Swam in it for the first time today!!!
It swam great! Now all I need to do is wait for the pigments to get in (next week-ish) and paint it!
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[Ariel-Starfish]

Omg this looks great!!! Do you have any tips for attaching the fluke and attaching scale sheets as your mesurments? I love this tread. :) Can't wait to pour silicone in August!

[PearlieMae]

Awesome job!!!It looks wonderful! How do you like how it swims? Are you going to have to do any alterations to the fit?

[Ashton]

It swims well, the only alterations I need to do is take it in a bit at the knees. My pigments came today! Does anyone know or recommend a type of airbrush? Mine is too small of a opening- I think I need one of those big spray ones you see at Lowes.

[Mermaid Kim]

Love Love your Tutorial! I have a question "Which Gel Coat product did you use?" I am getting ready to cast my mold soon for my fluke and wanted to make sure I have all the right product lined up ready to use. I casted the mold for my scale sheet out of Ultra Cal and very happy. i just wanted my Fluke not to be too heavy a mold to work with. This is my first Silicone Tail for a mom on a budget (:

[Ashton]

Love Love your Tutorial! I have a question "Which Gel Coat product did you use?" I am getting ready to cast my mold soon for my fluke and wanted to make sure I have all the right product lined up ready to use. I casted the mold for my scale sheet out of Ultra Cal and very happy. i just wanted my Fluke not to be too heavy a mold to work with. This is my first Silicone Tail for a mom on a budget (:

I actually learned that I didn't really need gel coat. All you really need is a good pva mold release on what you are trying to mold. I used TAP Plastic's PVA mold release http://www.tapplastics.com/product/fiberglass/mold_releases/tap_pva_mold_release_liquid/67
I bought the big jug and it works amazingly well.
Along with Smooth On, TAP Plastics has a variety of videos on YouTube!

[Mermaid Kim]

Thankyou will give it a try (: Can't wait!!!

[Ashton]

No problem, if you have any questions feel free to ask!

[Mermaid Kim]

Thankyou Mermaid Ashton :yay: SO EXCITED TO GET STARTED (: My kids and husband would like to see the Fluke Mold going outside and completed! Christmas Tree coming soon! I ordered 1 Gallon of the Mold Release. I do have a Fiberglass Resin left over from Home Depot. Would that be okay to use or is the Polyester Resin better? I have so many notes I am starting to get confused...

[Ashton]

I am pretty sure I use fiberglass resin from Home Depot as well. But something I did learn is that you do not need to put down a bunch of layers of fiberglass, just about 2-3 are fine. and make sure you do a 'beauty coat' first with a thin layer of resin so that you do not loose your detail. I learned a lot via the threads here and on Youtube watching as I have mentioned before TAP Plastics, Smooth On, and some special FX tutorials.

[Ashton]

My 2nd tail turned out a lot better than my first.

[Mermaid Kim]

Hello Mermaid Ashton 🐬 hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving (: I had a ? Ok I did a sample and it is kind of got a lot of green from the Mold Release and messy I was not 100% good at the resin mixing and tried a rigid mold but anyway.. I did look at the Tutorials on using the PVA Mold release might have used too much on the sample scale mold. Is there any tips you can give me (: trying to share pix phone says file too big argh!

[Ashton]

You need just a thin layer of PVA on the piece and make sure you let it dry (which was the hardest part for me cuz I am impatient.) it should say the drying time on the label.


I found this video was very helpful, I did not spray my mold release, I brushed it on.


https://youtu.be/TFdDg9kwKrM

[Mermaid Kim]

http://youtu.be/KS6f1MKpLGM Thankyou Ashton (: funny how some of the tutorial videos remind me of Ferris Bueller Day Off ...I'm a Hockey Mom and my Mermaid Time gets Ice Slots lol

[Ashton]

That is a great movie! I have lost track on how many times I have seen it.

[Mermaid Kim]

GoodDay Mermaid Ashton I have a Question?
Which of the two Types of Polyester Laminating Resin do you find work best for the Fluke Mold? My local surf shop and Marine store told me the Laminating Polyester Resin. I tried a couple samples with the Laminating. Just want to be sure I am doing it right. I also was a bit concerned if I was allowing the first Coat "The Beauty Coat" to set long enough before applying the layering coats and fiberglass matting. I watched one Video of a Mermaid who does this process and she mentioned waiting until it is Tacky then apply the following coats. I have a pretty large Fluke Design just soooo scared!
I purchased Polyester Laminate Resin by Composite at my Local Surfshop for my Samples.
Below was the Description of the two Polyester Resin's (: Thankyou so much for any imput ...I have my mold ready to go! All the Measuring Stuff and wish I could just pour and Go LOL


Laminating resin (Evercoat # 100560, 100561) is used for initial coats on wood or for multiple applications with fiberglass cloth or mat. This resin is air-inhibited which means it will cure to a tacky finish and does not require sanding between coats. This is desirable in laminating because the layers adhere to each other better. This product should not be used as a final coat unless measures are taken to seal out the air during the curing process.
Marine and Fiberglass resin (Evercoat # 100553, 100552, 100554, 100517, 100518, 105499, 105498, 105500, and 105501) is non air-inhibited or waxed resin. It is for the final coat. This resin cures with a hard non-tacky surface. When the catalyzed resin is applied as a final coat to the laminate coats of resin, the wax rises to the top, sealing off the air and allows the resin to cure to a hard finish, which can then be sanded, painted or gel coated.

[Ashton]

Because I am lazy and cheap I found that my local home depot and Lowes carry Bondo Fiberglass resin
http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Bondo-1-qt-All-Purpose-Fiberglass-Resin-20122/202077790

For the beauty coat I did a thin layer and waited for it to get tacky before I added the next layers. You need to make sure it is still tacky so it can still be able to grip and bond with itself.

When you do resin do small bits at a time, do not mix it all at ones, you need layers... like a cake. I found that in the end all you really need is about 4-6 layers.
I recommend you have a friend help you measure out resin for you while you are applying it, or have it all pre measured then mix it as you go. Make sure you pre cut your fiberglass before you start mixing any resin! Also make sure you and whoever is helping is wears GLOVES and an apron! Fiberglass resin does not come off any fabric.

I have always made my sister help me and she has gotten really good at it.

You can check out my 2nd mermaid tail adventure for more information. I learned a lot from my first tail, that I perfected in my 2nd.
All in all I saw do small test so that you can get the hang of what you need to do. And PREP WORK IS KEY!

[Mermaid Kim]

Thankyou Mermaid Ashton! Can't wait to post some pix of my progress (: I like cake lol! I'm in Miami for Hockey and Mermaid swim in the Florida Keys! Best of both worlds for me! Land of the Mermaids������

[Hydra1337]

Your tail looks awesome. I can't wait for the next update.