Partial Silicone Tail - GE Silicone & Neoprene

[Raayvhen]

Hi all! I'm just going to document everything here.

Because I can!

So I got my neoprene today, paints are due to be here on Thursday. I took all my measurements and drafted a pattern today. Then I quit because it was way too hot.

In theory, tomorrow I'll cut my pattern out on my neoprene.

[Meilyn]

^_^ stalked

Can't wait to see ze updates!

[MarkF]

Are you going to integrate a belt in the top?

[Kishiko]

Yay!! I'm excited to see how it goes! My neoprene came yesterday btw (:

[AniaR]

Stalking. We are thinking of doing this for Mimi until we can afford a better tail for her. So I'll show her your thread. :)

[Mermaid Saoirse]

Definitely gonna follow this! I'm excited to see how it turns out. :3

[Mermaid Adriel]

I wanna see ^_^

[Raayvhen]

@Mark most likely. I'm going to wait until it's closer to done to decide. I know I'll need some form of weights. I just haven't decided between incorporated or not.

@Raina, I will definitely let you know how it turns out.

I did a couple tests on a corner of my neoprene and so far both are sticking fairly well to the nylon. When my paints get here Ill do a test on a painted piece and also with the interference tinted silicone.

Also Fedex says my paints are coming a day early.

[Kishiko]

@Mark most likely. I'm going to wait until it's closer to done to decide. I know I'll need some form of weights. I just haven't decided between incorporated or not.

I've been developing an idea to help weight neoprene tails that are actually in the tail, but can also be removed for drying, modifying, cleaning, etc. If you want me to share with you my results, id be happy too!

[Raayvhen]

What I was thinking is having pectoral fins hiding pockets inside the tail...

[Kishiko]

What about the fluke area? Thats probably going to be the most floaty part of the tail because there is no body mass to keep it weighted. Monofins generally float a bit anyway.

[Raayvhen]

Same idea, but with ankle fins.

[Raayvhen]

Bam! Progress for this morning.

23492

[MarkF]

Raayvhen the Pocket would stretch different and be pulled open, wouldn't it?

Weights for H2o, Mako and Splash were lead pellets in a cloth tube and set between between the thighs. Neoprene is less buoyant the deeper you go and they have to adjust the weight for 5 feet or 30. If your in the pool only it would be easy.

[Raayvhen]

Paints came! Color tests in progress.
2349323494

[SINicallyTwisted]

Subscribed! ;)

[Sherielle]

Im watching this too!

[Raayvhen]

So I've been a busy mer! I started laying my first coat of paint. I'll go in and soften the lines on the second coat. This tail is also going to have pink in it.

[Raayvhen]

So side one is mostly painted. It will be done tonight.

Side two will probably be done tomorrow.

[Raayvhen]

I know she doesn't look like much, but tomorrow I'll be adding lots of detail to this side.

[Mermaid Julianne]

I can't wait! It looks great so far!

[Slee]

This? This is exciting. Where did you buy your neoprene?

[Raayvhen]

I got it from hookloopoutlet

[Adalira]

Wow Raayvhen! It is starting to look so awesome! I love the shape of the fluke (if that is what it is called on the bottom part)
Can't wait to see further results! So excited for you :)
The Lumiere paint is an acrylic paint right? So i presume you need to seal it with something?

[Raayvhen]

You actually heat set it. What I plan to do is let all the detail I added dry and then use an iron on its lowest setting and put an old pillowcase in between.
As for the fluke I decided just to go with the natural shape of my mahina. I decided this side is going to be the back and I'll put a small dorsal where the gold in the middle is.

I'm on my phone and not at home but I added another progress picture on tumblr.

Raayvhen.tumblr.com (use caution there may be NSFW stuff on there)

[Mermaid Julianne]

Oooh I just saw it on your tumblr! It looks fantastic!

[Adalira]

Wow that is awesome.
It is already starting to look great!
What are you making the dorsal out of? Silicone?

[Raayvhen]

Thanks you guys!

The dorsal will probably be silicone covered mesh or if the paint looks similar enough on both sides I'll use scrap neoprene.

My other thought was shelf liner but I'm not sure how that would look on a silicone tail.

[PearlieMae]

Ooooh! fancy! I can't wait to see it finished and swimming!

[Raayvhen]

Who's ready for the beginning of the front?

this is first coat, still need to paint the white area.

about 1 hour straight of painting.

[Raayvhen]

And all painted, save for some detail. Now to decide on fins.

I'll post a picture in the morning after I add detail but for tonight I'm done painting due to a sore back from being hunched over.

Things to remember for my next tail. Neoprene eats paint for breakfast lunch and dinner. Spray a cheap coat of acrylic paint and let dry before using the lumiere paints.

[Raayvhen]

Okay I lied. Detail done! Tomorrow is fin Friday!
23610
Blurred on purpose.

[MarkF]

Raayvhey, your flying though this. How many have you made?

[Raayvhen]

First ever neoprene tail. I'm also free handing all the painting. I seriously went in only knowing the colors I wanted. I just instagramed/tumblrd a video of my silicone test with the blue interference pigment. I love it so much!

raayvhen.tumblr.com

[Adalira]

Wow! Talk about fast progress! It looks great Raayvhen!:)

[PearlieMae]

It's beautiful! Did you mix the IB into the pigment, or brush it on and cover it with silicone?

[Raayvhen]

The IB is the only thing mixed with the silicone. I think I'll use a little less when I actually coat my tail though.

[PearlieMae]

It's SOOOO pretty! (yeah, better to start with less...you can always come back and add more!)

[Slee]

Sili question- how does one get the silicone to adhere properly to the neoprene? (Assuming nylon laminated neoprene)

[Raayvhen]

All my tests have shown that the GE silicone sticks to the neoprene on its own.



Finssssssss!

[Dancing Fish]

I've been thinking of using GE silicone I over painted neoprene for my first tail, too. Are you painting first then putting a straight coat of silicone over it? Do you plan to do anything dimensional with the silicone? I tried my first tests today with a mesh (trying to emulate the Alex latex technique) and it was an utter fail. I think I let it cure for too long (10 minutes is too long!?) Anyway, yours is looking fabulous! Looking forward to seeing the final product!

[Raayvhen]

I will be using the Alex scale method I haven't figured out the perfect timing yet though.

I am painting the neoprene then after I heat seal it I'll put the silicone directly on the neoprene. I am pigmenting the silicone with the pearlex interference blue for an extra layer of dimension.

[Slee]

What specific benefit is a coat of non-textured silicone over neoprene? Is it just for fish-skin-like translucency?

[Raayvhen]

If you didn't add texture I think it would be a little bit like how the h20 tails don't have any texture. It would also help seal the color and it would add a smooth tactile effect.

[Slee]

(Yes, bi'm a billion questions girl, but I am plotting and planning my own creative projects, mwahahahahahaha)

[PearlieMae]

Slee, there are tons or tailmaking threads to read up on here! LOADS of information!

[Slee]

Yes! Have been doing so.

[Odette]

First off, I love your design Raayvhen!Those colors look peaceful. the white spots are such a nice touch. I can't wait to see the rest!
Did you tear and rip on the test pieces? I did this and if you to try to tear them apart, they do in time come apart, but only if you try and peel them apart. It's no problem, but don't let kids see that they can do that. Never had that issue, but best to be prepared =) maybe heat helps because I did not heat mine years ago.

Also, something that can benefit everyone working with GE silicone is that you can thin it out more if you like. Just mix a little sodium or potassium hydroxide (paint thinners) with the silicone. I never measure how much i used but i would add a few drops and mix until it got where i wanted it, but don't make it too creamy or it will take FOREVER to cure. It also feels softer.

[Raayvhen]

Thanks! I have to tear and pick at it really hard for it to come off
I'm not doing a scale sheet so I'm not too worried about thinning it.

[Adalira]

It's starting to come along so nicely. Can't wait to see more progress, so excited for you! :)

[Raayvhen]

So tonight I'll post pictures of all the fins I painted today. I did a dorsal, side hip fins, front fins, and ankle fins.

I'm starting to feel burned out after the past couple days so tomorrow is a no tail day. Then after that I just have to do silicone and sewing. I expect to be done by Tuesday.

[Dancing Fish]

Also, something that can benefit everyone working with GE silicone is that you can thin it out more if you like. Just mix a little sodium or potassium hydroxide (paint thinners) with the silicone. I never measure how much i used but i would add a few drops and mix until it got where i wanted it, but don't make it too creamy or it will take FOREVER to cure. It also feels softer.

OH, awesome! I was just going to ask if anyone knew what to thin it with. It's really gloopy right out of the tube!

[OceanRose]

I have thinned silicone in a tube with a product called "shellite" which is something similar to lighter fluid. Please wear a mask when you're mixing it up! Inhaling those fumes can't be good for us.

[MarkF]

There are many GE Silicones, which one did you use?
The video of the sheen was so smooth "Good job on the video", have you thined your silicone and if yes with what?

[Raayvhen]

I confess, I took two days off.

My body was just not okay with going back to work yesterday. Today I'm going to buy my silicone and start going to town. I'm probably only doing my fins today. New goal is to be done by Thursday.

Mark, I'm going to be using the GE silicone 1 window and door. The one without moldicide. I'm not going to be thinning it since I'll be adding scale detail just like the ALEX tails.

[Raayvhen]

So I've got a layer of silicone dry on one side of my fins and wet on the other side. I've also just laid my silicone on the front piece of my tail. I decided to go without texture and so far I like how it looks. I also bought waaaay too much silicone. Like enough to make two more tails.

[Slee]

This? This is exciting.

[MarkF]

Go Raayvhen - Go Raayvhen - Go Raayvhen

Oh, we need more pics.

[Raayvhen]

You shall get pictures when it's done! Gotta add some mystery!

[Raayvhen]

Second coat of silicone laid on the front piece!

[Raayvhen]

Here's the schedule for finishing my tail!

tonight: spread first layer of silicone on front piece of tail ✔
Thursday Morning: spread second layer
evening: if dry start sewing, if not, start neoprene top.
friday morning: If sewn cover seams with silicone and let dry
DONE!

[Slee]

how much silicone did you buy, and how much should you have?

[Raayvhen]

So I'm probably going to use 5 by the time I'm done and I bought 12.

[Raayvhen]

So I finished sewing tonight. I have to cut and resew. It's far too big, which is better than being to small. Still though...

[Raayvhen]

It is done!

[Rebekah.fish]

Yay!!

[Mermaid Melanie]

pooh Picture Timeeeeeeee ? :D x

[Raayvhen]

Its too dark for pictures and I have to wait for the silicone on my top to dry. I'll do a mini shoot tomorrow.

[Mermaid Melanie]

ah good stuff ! exciting times you must be dying to try it out !

[PearlieMae]

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT! WAKE UP! It's almost 9:30 am!!! TAKE PICTURES!

[Raayvhen]

I'm up! I have to finish a top and I think I might add heel fins to prevent folding..

[Raayvhen]

Ready for a quick and awkward video?

http://raayvhen.tumblr.com/post/96509874700/quick-and-awkward-video-of-my-tail

[Mermaid Julianne]

Aah I love it! It came out great!

[Ilyena]

Pretty!!! love the little fins :D

I love the idea of putting a clear coat of silicone over the paint...might have to employ that idea after I finish my paint job, don't exactly want it to get ruined :/

[MarkF]

It's looks great and like Ilyena said the clear silicone coat is really pro.
You've done so much in such a little time.

[Slee]

That's pretty freaking fab. I like the veininess of the fluke too, and listening to you describe it was an awesome. :-) Such an inspiration for this lovely September morning.

[Mermaid Galene]

It may be a quick and awkward video, but it's a fabulous tail! Congratulations!

[Raayvhen]

Thank you all for your kind words! I'll have to take it out in sunlight so you can see the sheen better from the interference blue I mixed into the silicone.

I'm really happy with it for a first non spandex tail. It definitely took a life of its own. Like I said, I didn't really have a design, just colors and it definitely turned rout more fantasty than fishy.

[Mermaid Saoirse]

The tail came out amazing! Was also surprised to learn that you're the same height as me xD

[Raayvhen]

Haha yeah. Is so weird to think that the tail is so long because of the fluke being so big.

[Raayvhen]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/5e7d0de0d75748eb8c0d8c0a73d5ab44.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/86c774d8a80373e79f2661576ea73cc8.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/2b190fb88de2c869b348a5f529563aae.jpg

[Imogen Finnly]

Amazing! *-* did you end up putting the dorsal fin on?

formerly jayy

[Raayvhen]

I haven't yet. I'm not sure I will based on how I roll the tail down.

[Imogen Finnly]

Like will it create drag or something. How does the Mahina swim?

formerly jayy

[Raayvhen]

The mahina swims beautifully. And not really concerned with drag but more with rolling down the tail when I put it on.

[Imogen Finnly]

Oh I see what you mean. I want the Mahina so badly! I hope urban still sells them online

formerly jayy

[Raayvhen]

They do! And always check for coupon codes because from what I've seen they can be used on the merfins.

[Vela]

wow great tail! I love the colors and the design is beautiful! I cannot wait to start my own!

[MarkF]

Raayvhen, it looks like a great swimmer too.
You'll need to get your camera team together for the swim shoot.

[Imogen Finnly]

Coupons! 😍😍😍 you've added joy to my world

formerly jayy

[Ilyena]

How does the layer of silicone go on top of the paint? as in does it stay on :P. I have a couple of trials but I'm worried about the thin layer on top discolouring after a while and hence making the paint work underneath icky :(

[Raayvhen]

I think that when you spread it, you need to make sure you press it in so it interlocks with the fibers of the nylon. I can't say anything about discoloration though because I haven't been able to take it for a swim yet due to sprained ribs and a cold.

[Ilyena]

Thank you.

Ouch, hope you get better soon then ^_^

[AmbrGlows]

Aloha, Raayvhen!

I know your last post here was in September but I was wondering how the tail held up or if you ever managed to go for a swim. The tail looks very shiny with that layer of silicone on it. Thinking it could be just whats needed to make my silver spandex tail look more like the skin of a dolphin.

[Raayvhen]

Its still holding up! I've gone for three swims with it so far. I did have to cut it smaller and insert a zipper because it was gapping like crazy. The reason my silicone is so shiny is because of that intereference pigment I mixed in. One suggestion I do have, is if you have some really thick cardboard use that for spreading the silicone. It makes cleanup so much easier.

[AmbrGlows]

Its still holding up! I've gone for three swims with it so far. I did have to cut it smaller and insert a zipper because it was gapping like crazy. The reason my silicone is so shiny is because of that intereference pigment I mixed in. One suggestion I do have, is if you have some really thick cardboard use that for spreading the silicone. It makes cleanup so much easier.
Awesome. I just found a store today that sells Jacquard's Pearl Ex interference pigment. Also found some other cool stuff that could make some awesome details on fabric tails. I'll have to start a thread when I start experimenting with that stuff.

[PearlieMae]

I cut the lid on a sour cream container and spread it with that. Once it cured, you just peel it off.