Scale sheet theory

[Raayvhen]

Is it possible? I've been looking at ways to cut costs for making a silicone tail. Instead of casting a scale sheet, couldn't you make a negative impression in clay and just cast from that? Assuming there's an air drying sulfur free clay...

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Yes, technically that is possible.

[PearlieMae]

Use an oil based clay and you won't have to worry about it drying or a mold release.

[Raayvhen]

If I planned to use it again I'd want it to dry though, right? I'm sorry if that's an obvious question, I've never really done clay work.

[PearlieMae]

Well, I didn't think of that. :doh:

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Just keep in mind that some clays shrink when they dry.

[Raayvhen]

Good point. I'll try to find a minimally shrinking clay.

Pearlie, do you have any release suggestions for silicone cast in clay?

[BayouMermaid]

I believe that the project delphine tail was done this way. She used plastalina clay and did pebble style indendations in the clay.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I used Ease Release from Smooth-on/Reynolds Advanced. You don't really need one with silicone and clay though. The two don't really stick to each other that much.

[PearlieMae]

I've never cast silicone into dry clay, but if you seal the clay with mod podge (PVA, polyvinyl acetate...white glue) or spray it with a gloss coat of Krylon, it should just peel out of the mold.

[Raayvhen]

Thank you all so much!

[Fun123joker]

please post your results!

[Raayvhen]

I will! Everything from here on out will be posted in my tailmaking thread.

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?9606-Starting-a-second-more-realistic-tail