Tail wear and tear? Or, "I wish I had known sooner!"

[FaeryTail]

Hey again all!

I'd like to know how each of your tails (purchased or self-made) takes wear. I see a lot of pics/videos with mers standing on their flukes, which seems like a possible source of wear, and also would like to know which parts are notorious for stretching or cracking. If I can figure a way to work around that before putting the thing together, I would be most appreciative.

I'd also like to know what all you would have done different comfort/construction-wise. For example, was it heavier than you thought? Could you have used more ankle support? Does water get trapped in the end?
I just hate to see any of us lose hard work because we didn't know any better. (read: first-timers like me who can follow how-to's all day but won't recognize something that would cause problems until it's finished and in the water)

Thank you for sharing!

K

[Carolina Mermaid]

My tail gets worn along the ridge of my fluke...I put rubber cement along the edge to 'bullet proof' it.

[NixieOona]

My neoprene/sequins tail looses sequins in the heel area but no where else hope this helps I simply glue them on with e600 for a quick fix

[Mermaid Meara]

My tail lost a lot of sequins the first time wearing ( mostly loose sequins that weren't actually glued down, only stuck to other sequins). I also lose a lot in my heel area and on my backside from getting into it. Also, put a zipper in if it's sequin, will be easier to get into and you won't get a million tiny cuts on your hands getting it on.... *looks at poor hands

[Carolina Mermaid]

I know how you feel. *Looks at feet*

[NixieOona]

I put a zipper on from the beginning I still need 2 ppl to help me put it on xD

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I try not to stand on my fluke. The pool I go to, isn't very deep so I just pretend I'm kneeling but move arms like I'm floating so the knees don't rub on the pool floor. Or just flip over and rest on my back.

When I make my fabric tails, I don't sew across unless I need to, like where I want the monofin to stay in play, then I sew across. Everything is open channels. Its prob not needed for fabric tails to have open channels but I bought some fabrics recently, and it was some kind of new type that is water resistant, so I figured might as well have channels in them to let water flow in and out easily.

[Mermaid Meara]

Oh my, that's a tight tail! But then again, I've swam straight out of my monofin before, so, tights a good thing.

[Carolina Mermaid]

Took three to help me with my neoprene tail (RIP).

[NixieOona]

Oh my Carolina :o my tail isn't even tight its even a big big but I can't properly reach the monofin part so smb has to put that on for me and smb has to zip me up and turn me around etc :p its fun to see my dad and brother hassle around :p

[Carolina Mermaid]

I was a bit heavier in the hip region back then

[NixieOona]

Ohkey gotchya ^_^

[Mermaid Wesley]

My fabric tail has scuffing but it wasn't too expensive to make so I don't worry about it. Heels butt and knees.


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[Chrissy]

My fluke gets the most abuse. Most pools that I swim in aren't deep enough so hitting the bottom is always going to happen, so I notice the paint being worn a bit. Heavy, yes mine is 35lbs and while that is nothing for me to handle at the gym, it is a bit tough and aqward with a tail. I don't stand in my tail very much, even though the heel area is really re enforced with silicone I know that that is a weak spot so I try my best to avoid doing that. The hip seams on mine are very thick, but it don't notice it after the tail is on. I do get a bit aggravated with the ankle wrinkle that happens, but I have found cute ways of explaining that away. I have a finis trainer monofin in my tail and I knew I wanted a stiffer fluke I don't know if I was fully prepared for the stiffer and heavier fluke. But I have a ton of propulsion in the water. I find I have to really slow myself down to keep up with the kids!!!

[AniaR]

I've addressed a lot of this in the "what to expect with your first tail" thread :) Here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4156-What-to-expect-with-your-first-tail

I have what I believe to be is the 2nd most used silicone tail currently active. I believe Mermaid LInden is the only one who has used for the same amount of time and amount of gigs her silicone tail more than I have. My tail is shot now just after 3 years, but a lot of that has to do with it being a prototype, cast thin, and me using it constantly. I think if I can make my tail last that long in these circumstances, anyone can make a more expensive tail last long.

With cheaper tails, you get what you pay for. I'd expect a year out of most in between tails, and with fabric tails it really just depends on how often you use. I

also address some things in these videos:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZIXbE29Anpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_6VQEqlfLiw

[FaeryTail]

A very comprehensive response, Raina! :)

[Sandra Siren]

Thanks for posting this thread, I had a similar question, and thanks to Rains for having lots of answers :D

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

My tail takes the most abuse to the waist. The problem is two-fold. I cast the latex in my tail very thin, and did not put any powermesh in the waist area in an attempt to make more blended waist. Currently, I'm trying to fix the problem by casting new scales and glueing them over the old ones to double-up the thickness.

I've also managed to split part of my fluke (right in the middle, not sure how I did that) which I think I can also attribute to thin latex.

[Meilyn]

Waist, scales, and ankles cause my flukes super heavy. I've only had my tail for about a month but i guess i was too rough >_< managed to pull apart a little bit of the mesh/Seam on the sides, stretch out the ankles from the weight of the fluke, and somehow stretched a few of my individual scales.