Jazz's H2o Style Silicone Mermaid Tail Process

I finished cleaning it out and filled that crack with clay. Does anyone know if you make a dirty casting for silicone?

Wow!! U go girl!! :o

Hi jazz!!

This is just amazing!! I'm so impressed that you're so young and so talented. Your fluke sculpture is incredible and looks just like the H2o fluke.

I didn't do a dirty casting with silicone and I don't think it's necessary. I just cleaned out my mold with a blow dryer and q tips (I used monster makers clay too). I cleaned it this morning and poured silicone in this afternoon. I used manns ease release on the mold before pouring the silicone.

I can't wait to see how your tail turns out! If I can help you in any way let me know!

What paint are you using? I'm using pearl ex by jacquard but I'm wondering what else would work well.

Thanks Jessica!!! As for the paints I found these cheap pigments on a site called mouldlife which I may consider and then Ill mix that with transclucent silicone. The paints you used sound much better though and have more color choices. As for the silicone to mix the paint with, are u just using dragon skin or something more transclucent?

I mixed my paint with dragonskin and it worked fine. I seem to remember someone posting to mix the powdered paint with part b first and the mix with part a. I just had some left over after I poured my fluke so I just threw paint in after it was already mixed. It cured just fine and I didn't have any issues.

do tests :D best way to know for sure.

Very true:)

Daily Update: I have a mold box for the scales. I'm using cardboard which I'm pretty sure will work if I coat the sides and whole thing in Vaseline. I also think I'm going to use Ultracal 30 like Mermaid Star for my mold. If anyone has a better option then please help. Thanks:)

Hi Jazz,

cardboard can work well for a base for your scale sheet as long as it is pretty flat. I couldn't find a piece big enough so I just used 3 sheets of posterboard taped together for mine.

Ive never used ultracal 30 before, but Star's tail turned out amazing.

Have you seen Mermaid Claire's mold? It's flexible and it looks perfect! I might try her method next time I make a scale sheet. For now I'm still trying to salvage the one I have but it's a tedious process!

http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...hlight=French+

Thanks Jessica. I found a huge box at BJ's which was the perfect size, so I decided to just stick with it since it was free ;)

Jazz, I am just blown away by your talent! I wish I had that talent now! You've come a long way in your design and tests, and final fluke design and mold. I'm not sure I could ever do that. Really really awesome! https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/e/B0C

Mermaid Marla

Awww thanks:) That's really kind of you!

This is going to look awesome! :D I love seeing these progress pics <3

I'm loving the H2O style fluke! I turn on that show all the time when I'm doing different cleaning chores and stuff like that to have some background noise and of course to just admire those beautiful tails! Your sculpting skills are way awesome! Keep up the good work! I hope all of my stuff comes out that great!

Hey Jazz, thank you for the inspiration <3

Is the base you sculpted your fluke on cardboard as well? If so, the shell shock didn't have issues releasing from it (with appropriate mold release of course)?

Thanks guys:) @Taz, I applied vaseline around the fluke so the shell shock would easily release, and I slightly removed the edges before it fully cured just to make sure. I then flipped over the mold, and peeled the clay out.
Also....I ordered my DRAGONSKIN! I'm so excited:):) I'm also just going to test out ultracal 30 for the scale mold, because Star's tail came out great! I also got it for really cheap, and I think fiberglass resin would eat up the foam. @Jessica- I checked out the Urethane rubber she used and it seemed great, but was just a little expensive.

wear a mask for the dust with the ultracal 30 and do not let it touch your skin at all. Maybe get someone who is really strong to help you mix it up. You are doing a great job!

Okay. Thanks for the information and support:)

I can't wait to see how your mold turns out! I spent about $130 on shell shock with shipping. How much did the ultra cal cost? I'd love to make more fluke molds but don't want to spend a ton considering how much the dragonskin costs.

golden pearl is right about protecting your skin. I've never worked with ultra cal, but you do not want to get shell shock or uncured silicone on your skin. I learned this the hard way and now I wear an old lab coat and vinyl gloves(not latex) every time. Just a tip....if you get uncured dragonskin on your hands use paper towels to remove it. Soap and water won't take it off ( the water just beads on top of the silicone) but you can rub it off with paper towels. You also can just peel it off after it cures....but I didn't want to sit around with gooey hands for a few hours!

Just a few questions if you don't mind....


what monofin are you using?
how big is your fluke?

Good luck!! This is so much fun watching your progress!

@Jessica- Ultracal 30 only cost me $27.00! Yea I use vinyl gloves too.
I'm using a finis foil, and my fluke is about 45in across and 30in up and down. My ends will have a flowing effect.