Quick backing question!

[emma11]

It's been a while since I've posted here!

I'm making a latex tail for my baby cousin, and obviously I don't want the latex to be laid against her skin. Does this inner lining have to be neoprene or has anyone played with something else?

I have a lot of black spandex that I haven't used yet that would do the job nicely, and I know latex bonds with that sort of material all too well.

Opinions?

[Kishiko]

I'm not knowledgable about this, but I'm wondering why no one has ever made a full latex tail, instead of being backed by neoprene or something?

[AniaR]

Mike did

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[emma11]

My concern for this project is that it's for a 4 year old and I'm a little unsure of how safe it'll be to have latex against her skin for that amount of time. We don't think she's allergic to it, but latex allergies can be finicky.


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[AniaR]

Latex allergies can be developed too. I remember a mermaid who had to sell her mike tail because she became allergic.

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[emma11]

Latex allergies can be developed too. I remember a mermaid who had to sell her mike tail because she became allergic.

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This is what I'm concerned about... :( She has enough health concerns as is. So a lining is definitely needed, now just to figure out what kind!

I suppose a rather off topic question would also be whether or not a four year old would be able to swim in a monofin. I know next to nothing about children but her mother says she's a fish!


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[Kishiko]

I would be somewhat concerned about a 4 year old swimming in a latex tail anyway. For one, they are harder to get on and off. If something happened and she got caught, it would be difficult for her to get out. Also, most 4 year olds aren't strong enough swimmers to use a monofin, plus latex tails are heavy. Finally, she is probably going to grow out of it in a few months anyway, that's a lot of money and effort for just a few uses

[emma11]

I'm not super worried about the safety , I'm more worried about the functionality of it. Her parents are extremely good about watching her and I'll give them a good run down on how dangerous a tail is. The little one is their world and I'm certain they'll be in the water with her.

As far as the difficulty for getting it on, I'm putting a zipper in the back that will go almost to the end of it so she'll be able to get it on with the help of her parents no problem. I'll make it a bit big for her so she'll get this year out of it. They live in Florida so I'm sure she'll use it enough this summer.

It's all left over latex from a tail I made a while ago, and I don't use slush latex in prosthetics anymore. Might as well use it! She's always wanted to be a mermaid, and I get to be the cool cousin who made her one!


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[MermaidBonnie]

I've made a latex tail backed by neoprene for a 4 year old with a zipper and it worked out well. I'm sure she will love it!

[emma11]

I've made a latex tail backed by neoprene for a 4 year old with a zipper and it worked out well. I'm sure she will love it!

Wonderful! Do you think neoprene is the only way to go it would something like spandex be acceptable?


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[XMermaidMarinaX]

I'd personally think a neoprene tail might be a little easier. I'm not a tailmaker or anything, so maybe I'm completely wrong, ignore me if you think so. But maybe it would be nice to just make a neoprene tail, paint the scales on, and just do a zipper down the back? I mean at least that way she won't be touching any latex, and it won't have the possibility of allergy..? I feel like I'm wrong, but still.. Ignore me if I am xD

[emma11]

I'd personally think a neoprene tail might be a little easier. I'm not a tailmaker or anything, so maybe I'm completely wrong, ignore me if you think so. But maybe it would be nice to just make a neoprene tail, paint the scales on, and just do a zipper down the back? I mean at least that way she won't be touching any latex, and it won't have the possibility of allergy..? I feel like I'm wrong, but still.. Ignore me if I am xD

You're not wrong for expressing your opinion!!

I have no experience with neoprene really, and painting the scales would likely take me longer than just doing a quick slush mold of the scales. Working with latex is certainly my comfort zone!


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