Important Question That Has Me Feeling Dumb... Silicone and Duck Tape?

[Seatan]

Does anyone know if silicone will cure when placed directly on Duck brand tape? I made a Duck tape dummy of my legs then went... Whoops, that has rubber in it. I don't think silicone will cure against it. Will it? If not, do you think it would be okay to make a plaster cast OVER my duck tape cast and then cut off the Duck tape so I don't have to awkwardly wrap myself again?

[Lily]

Best way to find out is to do a small test patch. Lay out a strip of duct tape, brush a small amount of silicone over it. If it cures okay, you're good to go. If not, you'll have to make a new mold, or wrap the existing one in something that won't inhibit curing. I've heard some mers have had success using clear packing tape instead of duct tape.

[Seatan]

I decided to play it safe. I am as I type standing in my backyard covered from waist to heels in plaster bandages.

[PearlieMae]

Now I started with the plaster bandages and it proved to be cumbersome. Saran wrap and clear packing tape, stuffed with plastic bags, packing peanuts, and pool noodles! Its lightweight, you can wrap the saran tightly so your tail will be snug. My tail fits extremely well!

[Seatan]

That sounds great Pearlie because I couldn't stand standing in the plaster long enough. It was too hot (100 degrees) and I chickened out and the whole thing collapsed when I cut myself out LOL! Live and learn!

[Aziara]

I've actually tested this myself. I smeared some dragonskin onto duct tape, and it cured completely with no sign of cure inhibition.

[PearlieMae]

I don't recall hearing of any duck/duct tape inhibition issues. You'd think you would have read something by now about it, no?

[Mermaid Meko]

Don't feel bad! There have been MANY moments in the last few weeks where Liz and I have looked at one another and had an "Uhhhhhmmmm" moment lol.
It has been so wonderful to have a whole community to learn from and support us in those moments of uhm...super happy that i have a definitive answer for you! :)


We did a test with a small piece of duct tape and put a small dab of silicone on it. It cured just fine and once it was dry, the silicone peeled right off! :)

Though Pearlie raises a good point as well; if no one else has come upon the issue then it probably isn't one :)

[spottedcatfish]

I'm guessing this will only work with the individual scale model of making a tail??

[Seatan]

I guess you could wrap your finished silicone scale sheets around a dummy and cut them to fit the dummy, but it's easier to just make a pattern from your body. I can't see it being useful for silicone scale sheet tails.

[Mer-Crazy]

Quick question, and I apologize since this may be seen as an old thread:

How does one make a duck tape dummy? I need to send one to my tail maker but I'm not really sure how.

[Yulia]

Quick question, and I apologize since this may be seen as an old thread:

How does one make a duck tape dummy? I need to send one to my tail maker but I'm not really sure how.
Wrap your legs and other parts you want to cover with plasticwrap or other similar material.
Wrap the plasticwrap with ducktape, until you have it all covered and it feels stable.
Make a cut along one of the sides and open it up.

[Mer-Crazy]

Wrap your legs and other parts you want to cover with plasticwrap or other similar material.
Wrap the plasticwrap with ducktape, until you have it all covered and it feels stable.
Make a cut along one of the sides and open it up.
Thank you very much <3

[deepblue]

Also, there's a thread here if you need more detailed instructions. :) (And caveats!)

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2080-Easy-duct-tape-mannequin-for-mermaid-tail

[MerEmma]

Trash bags work better and you can also just use old pants as well.

[Mer-Crazy]

So another question here, I'm slightly concerned about the elasticity of the duck tape affecting the fit of the tail? I mean I've made the thing but when I place it around my body now it's at least an inch or so too short around my body (meaning I can't get it to close back up properly). So for anyone who's ordered a tail using this method have you had the same problem and the tail still fit fine or should I redo it?

[MerEmma]

Where did you cut the seams?

[Mer-Crazy]

Down the middle of the back

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I'm guessing this will only work with the individual scale model of making a tail??
I actually tried using a one for scale sheets and, though possible, I didn't find it helpful. If anything, it was harder to work with.

Quick question to everyone. Has anyone ever had issues with their duct tape dummy exploding? I walked into the studio to find mine had literally just busted open and spilled it's trash bag guts everywhere. It was weird.

[PearlieMae]

Don't use duck/duct tape. Use clear packing tape. It doesn't stretch, it's cheaper, and lighter.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o4VVj25iCg

Please excuse how exhausted I look! :D

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I actually tried using a one for scale sheets and, though possible, I didn't find it helpful. If anything, it was harder to work with.

Quick question to everyone. Has anyone ever had issues with their duct tape dummy exploding? I walked into the studio to find mine had literally just busted open and spilled it's trash bag guts everywhere. It was weird.

You didn't use enough tape.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

You didn't use enough tape.
Well that'll do it I suppose. :P Thanks darling.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Was it hot? If it was air tight and if it got too hot if would expand and pop.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Nope, it was inside my house at the time, which was air conditioned. I think it must have been a combo of overstuffing and (as Pearlie said) not enough tape.

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

I use scale sheets and a dummy and had no issues. More akward then normal seaming I imagine, but my tail doesnt have seams so I dont really know for sure.

[Dancing Fish]

It wasn't a leg form, but yeah...we made a duct tape dress form for my kid, and it also stretched and popped seams when we overstuffed it. Wrestled it back into submission with more tape, but I wish I'd read the clear packing tape tip back then....luckily I'm making my tail form today and will definitely use clear tape!