Plastic Scale Experiment

[mermaid|spark]

Hi everyone, this is my first post after reading the forums hear for a long time I finally decided to join! So I've always loved the H20 tails (maybe for no other reason than that's the show that made me fall in love with mermaids!) especially the colour scheme. So my old fabric tail is kind of worn out (but not unusable) however I come home today and find my bare mono-fin by the side of the door and when I come upstairs my tail is gone!!! No joke if my mum throws the mono-fin away as well (something I luckily can't see her doing because she paid for it) I will kill her. The only upside is that I've been toying with the idea of a new tail for a while and this has made me determined to do it before I go on holiday over summer. And, like I mentioned I am basing my tail on the H20 ones (well the colours anyway, mainly as my fin is already cut into shape).

The big issue for me is that I'm pretty much broke (hence the fact my mum dies if she throws my mono-fin away) but I want my tail to be at least reasonably realistic. Then I thought about how the actual H20 tails were made, by sticking individual scales on one by one. So that is basically what I've decided to do, using a thick Lycra, Acetate (the plastic sheets they use in old projectors), A Varnish to seal the plastic scales and then some Aquarium Grade silicone caulking to detail the fluke, not fully decided on this as it depends how much it costs. I've done a test piece using some leftover Acetate from Art and PVA glue to stick and coat the scales (just to clarify I have no intention to use this on my actual tail)

I started by painting the Fabric with Acrylic, then doing the same with the Acetate but leaving a few gaps in the paint. I then cut my scales out by hand and glued them on to the painted fabric. Just a few questions what sort of glue do you think I should use to glue the scales on and what kind of varnish would you recommend for sealing the scales?

Here is a Picture:
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[Mermiah]

Do you have access to a sewing machine? What I do with my scales (since I use a thin plastic that is smooth and easily sewn through) I just sew it on in layers :) no chance if it coming of that way :)
but you said your plastic is thick? Hmmm...I'm useless in the world of glue lol BUT a drill could turn them into sequins to be hands sewn (royal pain there)

but I love the look of the scales your using :) a mer after my own heart :3
They look so rugged and elegant at once :) I love the contrast of it


OHHHH!!! OHH! Light bulb!! (Feel free to ignore me) but you could use junk food bags!!! (Maybe...)
like Doritos and ones that are orange ish and sew 'em right on :3
(but it might look cheap or you know....look (hehe) trashy)
but if you get it to stick it looks beautiful as is :) best of luck and good fishes!

[mermaid|spark]

Do you have access to a sewing machine? What I do with my scales (since I use a thin plastic that is smooth and easily sewn through) I just sew it on in layers :) no chance if it coming of that way :)
but you said your plastic is thick? Hmmm...I'm useless in the world of glue lol BUT a drill could turn them into sequins to be hands sewn (royal pain there)

but I love the look of the scales your using :) a mer after my own heart :3
They look so rugged and elegant at once :) I love the contrast of it


I was thinking of getting a punch because I ended up with a massive indentation on the side of my thumb just from cutting these out! As for the sewing thing, the plastic is pretty thin, I meant that the Lycra was quite thick so the paint won't seep through as easily. I think I've found a glue that will work well, it's designed to be used to mend things like tents and wet suits so it's supposed to be strong but flexible at the same time.

[Mermiah]

Good good good :3
and you cut them out that evenly with SCISSORS?!? Oh my goodness!! That's amazing! I would be a WRECK without a hole punch lol

They are so so so pretty :) I love the way it looks

do you think you could dye it? I'll look up dyeing plastic real quick :3