Silicone tail making timeline and other tail making questions

[spottedcatfish]

Hi all,

I haven't been on here in ages, but I've been having a busy summer working. I just graduated from college this May, so I've been thinking about all of the things I've wanted to do but haven't had the time or resources to do them. One of these things is constructing a silicone tail. I have a few questions that have been on my mind in order to plan for this correctly.

First, How long should each step of the tail making process take, if using shell shock and dragon skin silicone and the more traditional process of making a tail. I'm also asking about waiting times for the shell shock and for the silicone to set. Also if I plan on making a very smooth and basic fluke, would I even need to make a mold? Will silicone set on foam in a foam box without the mold.

I'm curious for your answers.

Thanks.

[Mizuko]

I hope I can help a little! :) The type of silicone you get (slow, medium, or fast) will determine how fast it cures- most people go for medium which I think is 3-4 hours. Keeping in mind that the heat, cold, and humidity can alter this process! Shell Shock hardens within 20 minutes, then is completely set after an hour (I think), which is why it has such a short working time! The actual tail making process depends on how 'smoothly' it all goes, lol. Cleaning the molds of clay/foam can take days in itself, and I personally had fitting issues so spent a day and a half having to take my tail in a couple of times! lol!
As for the fluke, yes you will have to make a mold. Silicone is runny, it'll run everywhere before it sets! I wouldn't recommend in the foam, either, because it may inhibit the curing process, or even embed bits of foam into it!

[spottedcatfish]

Thanks for the reply Mizuko, lots of help! So it looks like whatever I make out of silicone will need a mold. But if shell shock takes 20 mins to harden, and is very expensive, what are the other methods I have to create a mold?

[Mizuko]

There is a lot of info about mold-making materials in the Tail Making thread :) there are lots of options!

[spottedcatfish]

Thanks again Mizuko. Could you give me some links?