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Thread: First Tail Project - Neoprene Tail!

  1. #1

    First Tail Project - Neoprene Tail!

    So a few months ago, I decided that I would make a neoprene tail using the Hydra monofin I got for my birthday (modified by my boyfriend). We brought the neoprene and cutting it out to the shape of me wearing the monofin, but had to put it on hold while I went travelling.
    But I'm back now, and with summer coming I'm eager to get it finished! This is what we've done so far
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    And the monofin
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    Because I do most of my swimming off of the back of a small boat, I need to be able to put the tail on and take it off easily in the water. Which means a zip. We then thought of the idea of covering it with individual scales to conceal the zipper. I'm planning on painting the scales with pearlescent white paint and glitter to make them look a little more 3D effect, and painting the edges with gold to conceal the black. I'll use a similar effect on the fluke too.
    Here's the plans that I've drawn up
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    The next step from here is probably to find someone who can sew the two pieces of neoprene together and install the zip, because I don't have a sewing machine or the skills to sew neoprene. I'll keep updating this thread as we (hopefully!) make progress.
    I'm excited!

  2. #2
    Moderator Pod of Cali Mermaid Wesley's Avatar
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  3. #3
    So pretty! I love the shape you cut the hydra into. Are the scales going to be painted on or made of another material?


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  4. #4
    Thanks Mermaid Eva I'm going to cut the scales out individually out of neoprene and glue them on. My neoprene is only 3mm so it shouldn't make it too bulky

  5. #5
    Senior Member Pod of Oceania OceanRose's Avatar
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    I love your plans so far I'm excited for you!!

  6. #6
    Sounds beautiful, and off to a beautiful start! Can't wait to see more.
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  7. #7
    I love your concept as well. It looks amazing n.n

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  8. #8
    Thanks so much everyone
    I haven't got any updates, unfortunately. My boyfriend is still insisting that we get the main part of the tail sewn by a professional, and that he will organise it. But he hasn't done anything about it yet. Hopefully things will start moving again now that he's finished working two jobs.
    Once that's done though, things should start coming together a bit quicker

  9. #9
    Soooo one thing I'm unsure about, is how to adhere glitter to the tail. While I'll probably use some white pearlescent paint to add depth (particularly on the fluke), I want the main features to be the colour of the neoprene itself and glitter.
    I've been researching for a while now, trying to find the best medium but haven't had much luck.

    Has anyone got any suggestions?

  10. #10
    Senior Member North Pacific Pod Miyu's Avatar
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    Embed it in glue? as in, mix it with E-6000 or whatever glue you're using, and paint it on, then let it dry, and maybe put a clear coat over it to protect the glitter from falling out?

    Also, how does that modified Hydra swim? Does it still have similar propulsion to an uncut Hydra?

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  11. #11
    Would E6000 affect the stretch of the neoprene? The neoprene glue I'm using for attaching the individual scales to the tail base is black, so that wouldn't work.

  12. #12
    Senior Member North Pacific Pod Miyu's Avatar
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    Try painting it after you sew it together and stuff it to give it shape and stretch it only as much as it will be stretched - you said you were going to put a zip in it, so less stretch is needed than if you were making a fabric or neoprene tail with no zip. Even Lumiere fabric paints and the like will affect the stretch of the fabric, even if it's only because some paints crack when you stretch the fabric.

    E-6000 comes in clear, and it dries clear and flexible

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  13. #13
    Senior Member Pod of Oceania OceanRose's Avatar
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    I did a quick search and found these ... the base dries clear and they dry soft and permanent with no need to heat set:

    http://decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products....-Soft_Glitters

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Miyu View Post
    Try painting it after you sew it together and stuff it to give it shape and stretch it only as much as it will be stretched - you said you were going to put a zip in it, so less stretch is needed than if you were making a fabric or neoprene tail with no zip. Even Lumiere fabric paints and the like will affect the stretch of the fabric, even if it's only because some paints crack when you stretch the fabric.

    E-6000 comes in clear, and it dries clear and flexible
    E-6000 it is then! Thank you so much, Miyu. I've been stuck on this for weeks.
    I'll add it to my list of things to buy when I start getting paid again

  15. #15
    Senior Member North Pacific Pod Miyu's Avatar
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    Awesome! No problem, that glue is really super handy, especially for mer-stuff. It's actually pretty inexpensive as well, you can pick it up at Walmart (though I had problems finding ANY at Walmart last Christmas season, apparently it was "make-your-own-gifts year" in my town, LOL). I'd use it more often but I am so sensitive to chemicals that I pretty much only use it when I have no other choice

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  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by OceanRose View Post
    I did a quick search and found these ... the base dries clear and they dry soft and permanent with no need to heat set:

    http://decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products....-Soft_Glitters
    Hmm those look pretty good too. The website doesn't say how they hold up to washing though, so I'm a bit worried about how they would handle mermaiding.

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Miyu View Post
    Awesome! No problem, that glue is really super handy, especially for mer-stuff. It's actually pretty inexpensive as well, you can pick it up at Walmart (though I had problems finding ANY at Walmart last Christmas season, apparently it was "make-your-own-gifts year" in my town, LOL). I'd use it more often but I am so sensitive to chemicals that I pretty much only use it when I have no other choice
    LOL I wish I could pop down to Walmart and get stuff, I miss Walmart sooooooo much but we don't have them here in New Zealand. I did manage to find it on trademe though (kind of like ebay) but it's probably way more expensy.

  18. #18
    Senior Member Pod of Oceania OceanRose's Avatar
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    I miss Walmart and I've never been there ... everyone talks about it!
    Looks like you have a good plan, with the E6000 :-) I got a couple of tubes off umm Amazon or ebay I can't remember but it was $6 a tube I think ... One day I went into Spotlight and they had a tiny tube for some ridiculous cost lol.

    Regarding the glitter paint ... I wondered the same thing, I am thinking about asking them if it's water/wash proof ... but it looks like they don't ship to NZ which is a bummer because I really like their metallic paints (I can't get Lumiere anywhere)

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by OceanRose View Post
    I miss Walmart and I've never been there ... everyone talks about it!
    Looks like you have a good plan, with the E6000 :-) I got a couple of tubes off umm Amazon or ebay I can't remember but it was $6 a tube I think ... One day I went into Spotlight and they had a tiny tube for some ridiculous cost lol.

    Regarding the glitter paint ... I wondered the same thing, I am thinking about asking them if it's water/wash proof ... but it looks like they don't ship to NZ which is a bummer because I really like their metallic paints (I can't get Lumiere anywhere)
    I haaate it when you find something amazing online and then they don't ship to NZ. So annoying

  20. #20
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