Bayou Mermaid's Silicone Tail

[BayouMermaid]

I've been putting off posting things for a while, but now that I know I'm serious about making another tail (this time out of silicone), I'm going to start posting my journey on this thread. Please note that this is not a tutorial. I just want to share what I've learned.
Here's the plan: scales and fluke positives molded out of clay, fiberglass molds, and pigmented silicone with PearlEx pigments.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7No3PF4YIhU&feature=youtu.be

Molded Fluke:

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And scales:

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Colors:

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Lexan Monofin:

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I think I'm off to a pretty good start.

[ShyMer]

I love that you're using a cookie cutter for a scale mold. I'm wondering why I hadn't thought of that myself. I love your fluke shape too- it looks so sleek <3

Nice job so far!

[Marissah Liadan]

Can't wait to see it done!!

[mermaid|spark]

looks really good so far, love how the fluke looks :)

[Kelphinea_Kelp]

This looks like its going to be fun fun FUN! LOVE the tail fin!

[Kelphinea_Kelp]

Btw! Have you test swam with your lexan monofin yet?

[Aziara]

Fyi, I would say a pasta maker is definitely worth buying if someone is making clay scales and doesn't already have one. I got one at hobby lobby especially made for rolling clay through it, and it was about $25 (plus hobby lobby has a weekly 40% off anything, so I only paid about $15 for it). Love your fluke too!

[Alcyone]

I love it, it's such a good idea to use the cookies cutter! plus, this makes your tail so unique!!I've just subscribe to your channel to keep myself updated! Go girl!!!

[PearlieMae]

Excellent!

[Trident True]

The Fluke is flawless it just looks so smooth and realistic. the scales look awesome very profound and nice and sharp. this is going to be great to watch over the next coming months. GOOOD LUCK :)

[MerAnthony]

Very interesting I would say. You say it's not a tutorial but is a way it is. You are showing us on how you are making your tail. As of which is very informative on how you are making it. Can't wait to see more.

[BayouMermaid]

I guess I just didn't want to call it a tutorial because despite my research, I'm still a little fuzzy on how exactly I'm going to put this together. I do want people to see what I'm doing, including my mistakes, so that others can use this information.

I'm going to try to get a video of the lexan monofin on sunday because my brother is letting me borrow his underwater video camera. So, I'll be updating on that shortly.

You all are so sweet, and the positive feeling that I get from this community encourages me to push through the problems that I have had making this tail. Thank you for your kind words!

[PearlieMae]

So wonderful to watch your evolution with this! I just modified my lexan last night - again - but I think I'm nearly ready to cover it with the fluke!

And like you, I don't consider my thread a tutorial, it's more of a chronicle. :mermaid kiss:

[MerAnthony]

Bayou Mermaid that is what we are here for. Is to support each other in thier projects an endevers. Keep up the great work.

[BayouMermaid]

So I couldn't get a video recording because the gym that I swam at doesn't allow cameras because it can make some people feel uncomfortable. Not a problem. I can still tell everyone how the first swim went.

My lexan monofin consists of a piece of lexan 18x24 and TYR burner fins attached with polyzap glue. Total cost was around $70 USD ($24 for burners, $6 for polyzap, $21 for lexan, $20 to have it cut at a local glass shop.)

What I learned:

I should have placed the foot pockets further down on the blade so that they have more contact area with the lexan. I found that my feet experienced a wide range of flex with the placement of my footpockets.
Larger fins are easier to scrape against the bottom of the pool. Use caution when turning or flipping.

The good:
I have more propulsion with this fin than with my Finis Tempo (similar to the Finis Wave). Since it has foot pockets instead of straps, it stays on VERY well. No need to readjust at any point. I was able to swim 25 meters (the pool's length) easily on one breath.

The polyzap glue did not budge. It really works well.

It has a nice amount of flex. I would guess that my fin flexed at most 70 degrees.

I could not perceive any troublesome stress points. I think that the lack of a prominent center indent makes the design strong.

Overall conclusion: Pretty good. I like this fin, and I think I will use it in my silicone tail. I'll probably make another one in the future and fix the foot pocket placement problem.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Hooray! More praise for lexan! (Takes notes for my tail) did you use brand name lexan?


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[BayouMermaid]

Yes, it is brand name lexan. It has a protective plastic film on it that says "LEXAN" that you peel off.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Ok great, thanks :) that's not too pricey! Where did you get it?


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[BayouMermaid]

I got it from Home Depot. It is near the windows.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LEXAN-24-in-x-18-in-Polycarbonate-Sheet-GE-07/202038064

[Mermaid Wesley]

*giddy laughter* I'm gonna go to Home Depot on the way home :D


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[BayouMermaid]

Video on land of lexan monofin:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhDFMnmccLo&amp;feature=youtu.be

[JessieMermaid]

That is so awesome!

[PearlieMae]

Great video! You can take a bit of the scrap Lexan left over from cutting the fin shape and glue it to the back of your lexan to make a heel plate, even if it only goes a far as the arch of your foot.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I was just about to say that. Use your scraps!


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[BayouMermaid]

I just realized that I never updated this thread. Prepare for pics!

Scale sheet molded out of plastilina clay on a sheet of particle board. Sealed with acrylic spray and used mold release wax.

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Cleaning the mold took a few hours despite the mold release. I used fiberglass to create my molds. The silicone did have cure inhibition in these molds, so I had to spray it with several coats of clear acrylic (around 8 coats)
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[BayouMermaid]

With the completed molds, I poured my silicone and spread it out with a spatula. Then I laid powermesh into the wet silicone and allowed it to cure.

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Demold was easy. Nice and clean pulls.

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Seamed it all together with more silicone and pins.

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Seamed around my body mold. It came out a little too big and was later taken in.

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Tada! mermaid tail

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It had it's first swim at Merfest


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgaDvXYjdus

[BayouMermaid]

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Top left: my tail next to Venessa's tail (Merbella)
Bottom Left: underwater
Top Right: At the bayou
Bottom Right: Hanging with some of the Louisiana Pod

[BayouMermaid]

This is the most recent video. The tail was taken in after merfest to get rid of the bagginess. Much better now!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N49YwLcsv4

[SIF]

I love the way your fluke turned out.

[Celaeno]

That is a beautiful tail! The pictures of the process are really informative, too. I especially like the one of the tail on your body form.

[OceanWhisper]

Well done on the tail! It's lovely! And you have AMAZING hair!

[PearlieMae]

CONGRATS!!! The tail looks amazing! :clap:

You are such a pretty mer. I'm jealous of the big pool!

[BayouMermaid]

Lol Pearlie. The big pool was at merfest! You were there ;)

Thanks everyone. It was for sure a learning experience.

[PearlieMae]

I had a lot of tail issues, I didn't get to swim more than a few minutes! I didn't realize that was the Merfest pool!

All the water near me, lakes and pools, are so murky. I hate it.

[BayouMermaid]

Well I made another one! This one has a zipper in the back (hidden by a split dorsal).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW-FAEVWavk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW-FAEVWavk

[Mermaid Lieke]

Both of your tails are so pretty!