Moongazer's Latex Mertailor Tail Makeover

[Moongazer]

Hey Everyone

So today I tried to replace the strap on my Finis Tempo inside my 2010 used Mertailor Tail. Well, in the end I ended up prying apart the end of the fin to get to the monofin. The monofin was barely attached and so I jut took it out. Turns out the monofin had melted together at some point and the middle connector point for the strap had to be cut back open. It all worked out in the end but now that I've taken the monofin out, I might as well take my plans to replaint/re-alexplus the tail into action.

So here is where the tail sits now.

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I had repainted it when the stripes faded to nothing. I will be coming up with a few designs tonight. I will be adding a zipper and maybe some fins and fringe.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

What a strange way he cut the monofin. Is there any propulsion when you did swim in it?

[Moongazer]

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I just went swimming with it and I get some propulsion. Not a lot but enough for me. It's more... Flowy then anything. I'll see if I can find a video I started and upload it to youtube.

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These are the melted foot pockets. I always wondered why it curved to one side when I swam. One is smaller then the other.

[Moongazer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fD6CTL2sQ&feature=youtu.be

Here's a video of what it looks like in the water.

[ShyMer]

Wow, that tail is a bit old now, isn't it?
Do you think the monofin has much life left in it? I don't know if I've ever seen one that used before. It's seen a lot of action, I suppose :)
Those melty spots...? Who knows.

I love tail makeovers! I'm excited to see what you do with it!

[Moongazer]

The tail is a 2010, so about 4 years now? Roughly since I don't know the exact date haha. I got it used.

As for the monofin, its actually not in that bad of shape. It looks bad because of the way it was cut and the melty spots but it actually still swims as well as it can for the cut. I'm pretty sure Alasea only used it lightly until she decided to sell it. Either way, I think it should last a while!

[Winged Mermaid]

I believe Alasea had that tail when I knew her on Myspace, back in 2008. Could be wrong though! Sh had one mertailor tail before that one too that she had when I first saw her online in 2007. Either way, it just shows how when the tails are made of real latex and neoprene they can really last!

[Moongazer]

I could be wrong on the date! I know she had one before this one that was mertailor but either way, it's still in decent shape!

Do you think it was real latex or alex plus? Do you remember or know what he was using back in 2008-2010?

[MermaidBrandie]

i'm surprised the latex is still attached to the neoprene! The last mertailor tail I saw, the latex was falling off.

....but then, I'm allergic to latex so I avoid it and don't know much about it.

[AniaR]

it looks like real latex to me. Mimi has my 6 year old alex plus tail. It's very obvious...

[Moongazer]

Cool!

so just started working on the tail. I decided to use fifi's method of scales. But I first coated the inside of the fluke with the caulk, because the ridges of the monofin have really done a number on the neoprin. With the extra caulk layer it should protect it more. I've done the front side tonight and will be doing the back tomorrow as I plan to wedge the monofin into the caulk.

Then comes the scales...

[Atlantisblue]

Looking forward to seeing it when your finished the makeover :)

[Moongazer]

Well now I'm being flip floppy. I don't know if I want to make caulk scales or if I want to glue sequins.... Urg. Haha

[Mermaid Kelda]

If you glue sequins there's the annoyance of them coming off and you having to re-glue them, but look stunning when finished; caulk seems easier, but can be not as safe for skin/marine animals. It all depends on where you're swimming/what you want to use the tail for/how much effort you can be bothered putting in!

[AniaR]

Even sewing they come off:(

[Moongazer]

I guess my best bet would be to caulk scales because I can always add Sequins after. Hope to have some progress pictures up on Sat. That's when I will be spending most of my day working on the scales.

(also Caulk STINKS. Holy carp. Vancouver whyyyy do you have to rain so much?!)

[Moongazer]

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This is the silicone caulk on the inside of the tail. As you can see the white lines are where the ridges of the monofin have worn away the fabric. I'm hoping the silicone will act as a protective barrier between the monofin and the neoprin/spacer.

[Yulia]

How are you going to reseal the edges?

[Moongazer]

I'm going to use velcro for now. I don't have another monofin and I'd like to be able to take it out of the tail for drying and storing purposes.

In the future I might seal it up with more caulk piped in and squished between the layers like Raina did with her mertailor for a while.

[Moongazer]

http://i57.tinypic.com/2qtjqco.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/34njo10.jpg

this is my progress. Or some of it. Going for a test swim tomorrow. We will see how it holds up!

[Yulia]

Looks great! Are you sure that the silicone will cure on top of the latex?

[Ilyena]

I was going to say the same thing Yulia, usually silicone hates latex as it inhibits its curing.

[Moongazer]

I'm not sure yet. But there is a layer of spray paint between. Fifi also did the same thing with an old latex fish butts and the silicone caulking worked. I'll see what happens tomorrow.

[MermaidRiver]

I'm sorry I'm not being rude but it's called caulking not chaulking. But regardless I hope this turns out well for you xx


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[Moongazer]

No worries! Thanks for that I'll edit all my posts soon!

[MermaidBrandie]

I thought the silicone caulking was unsafe for skin over long periods of time. Did you say there was some on the inside?
I like that fin.


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[Moongazer]

There is some on the inside but only where the monofin is. It's to protect the fabric from the hard edges of the monofin.

So swim test went wonderfully. The fabric that I added to the fluke and dorsal held up. The Velcro help up alright and the scales stuck like glue. There's no way those are coming off easy!

[Ilyena]

Awesome ^_^.

[Moongazer]

Modifications thus far

- Velcro added to the end of the fluke for easy access to monofin.
- fabric added to end of fluke for flowy look.
- zipper added to the back
- dorsal added to hide zipper
- front cut down into a v.
- scale test patch

[Imogen Finnly]

Pictures!

formerly jayy

[Moongazer]

http://i62.tinypic.com/rt1cuv.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/2n66ue8.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2nkuy6x.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/23icoq9.jpg

[Mermaid Alea]

The scales are really cool looking I like how defined they are. :thumbs-up:

[Moongazer]

Thank you!

[Moongazer]

Finally got somewhere. Surprisingly this amount of scales took two tubes. A small tail will take at least 7-8 tubes just for the scales. Good to know haha. Also this is the back so I don't feel so bad about it being a bit messy. Needed to practice piping while not wasting material. I like it so far!

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[Ashe]

Looking good so far!

[Moongazer]

Thank you!

[Rett]

Looks cool! Im excited to see it finished and in the water! :D

[Moongazer]

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I don't know how Fifi does this. Her hands must be made of iron now or something. Have gone through almost 8 bottles of silicone caulking on this side alone. Almost done though! Then to flip it over and do it all over again!

[AniaR]

I'm surprised the silicone is sticking to latex!

[Moongazer]

Me too honestly. But its sticking so well. It refuses to come off haha. I've tried everythingand almost tore the actual spacer.

[Seraphina Suds]

How did I miss this thread! I love your scales! Do you mind if I ask what kind of silicone caulk you're using? I just redid my tail in a similar way with aquarium silicone sealant. I totally feel you about squeezing cramps lol. Keep up the good work! I can't want to see it finished! Are you going to paint over everything too?

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[Sherielle]

Looking good!!!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Its probably sticking because you are using caulk. It's formulated very differently and does in fact stick to most surfaces. That's what it's for, actually. Think aquarium caulking. It's supposed to stick to glass, so latex should be easy so long as there's not cure inhibition :) which I think doesn't happen so much with silicone caulk. Platinum cure ones have the problems.


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[Moongazer]

I am using this stuff. http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Paint-D%C3%A9cor/Maintenance/Caulk-Coatings-Seals/Caulking/Silicone/300mL-Clear-Silicone-Sealant/_/N-1z141r2Z2pqfZ67l/Ne-ml1q/Ntk-All_EN/R-I2031205?Ntt=Caulk%2Ccoatings+%26+Seals

It's a tad more expensive then the 2$ ones but for some reason I like this one.

I plan to brush on some pigment in a pattern I like and then make a couple different mixes of caulking with turpentine with a base color to help paint it as well. I had to scale it before I could paint it but I really like how it's coming along!

And welsey you're so full of information it's awesome!

[Moongazer]

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98% scaled on one side! I found a much easier way to scale my tail then through a piping bag! I hope the other side goes much easier, nicer and faster!

[Mermaid Wesley]

That looks great! And thanks, that's kinda what happens when you mess around with silicone for long periods of time lol.


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[Moongazer]

So, the other side is scaled as well, but I didn't think it would make my tail... Less stretchy. Or that my tail stretched much to go on me in the first place.

And, that's a bit of a snag. I either need to lose a bunch of weight from my hips, or I need to figure out some sort of material I can sew in to give it 1-2inches extra from my knees up. Another snag, but eventually it will be finished.