Two-tailed project! One fabric, one silicone

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

Throw the smelly mold outside. Once it cures its weather resistant.
I like the scale tips. Looks more realistic.

[Dancing Fish]

There, I think I've worked out how to paint these... I really love this last batch!

[Dancing Fish]

Throw the smelly mold outside. Once it cures its weather resistant.
I like the scale tips. Looks more realistic.

And now that the weathers finally above freezing, I'll do that. I hope it's really cured and I don't have to resculpt that fin. On the other hand, the sculpting process is nice and relaxing.

[Mermaid Alea]

Great job! You definitely seem to have gotten the hang of painting the scales.

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

It should be cured in 24 hours at the most. Offgassing can take a week or two. Once its cured it can be subjected to cold temps. Canadian winters cant hurt them it seems I left my botched mold out there to see what would happen. Since bondo brand is meant for autobody work its pretty darn durable! The smell doesnt bother me. I grew up with it. If it werent for my family id probably do it inside my house.

[Dancing Fish]

Amazing the random tidbits you learn just browsing around here... Apparently it matters if you add pigment to part A vs. part B?! Wow. I was totally not paying attention.

Tomorrow I'm going to mess with thinners! I have to lock in that shiny top layer somehow.

[Dancing Fish]

It should be cured in 24 hours at the most. Offgassing can take a week or two. Once its cured it can be subjected to cold temps. Canadian winters cant hurt them it seems I left my botched mold out there to see what would happen. Since bondo brand is meant for autobody work its pretty darn durable! The smell doesnt bother me. I grew up with it. If it werent for my family id probably do it inside my house.

Well, I poked it, and it seems hard... I'm just worried that it didn't completely cure in that 24 hours, because I banished it to freezing temps while it was still gelling. I hope it's salvageable!

[Mermaid Alea]

Amazing the random tidbits you learn just browsing around here... Apparently it matters if you add pigment to part A vs. part B?! Wow. I was totally not paying attention.

Tomorrow I'm going to mess with thinners! I have to lock in that shiny top layer somehow.

Yeah I just recently read that to and thought that was interesting. With all of the info contained on this site, I worry that I will miss something! I figure I have many years before I could even think about seriously making a silicone tail though (if by then I would still be interested in the idea and have the funds) but all of the process just fascinates me. More and more I have become interested with working with more 3D art forms and since the show Face Off has been on TV, I have been very curious about special FX stuff, etc.

Good luck with your tail!

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

How did I miss those scales? They are beautiful!

It gets rock hard. I never had an issue with cold and not curing. It just takes alot longer which sucks whole bunches.

What color is the resin?

[OceanWhisper]

There, I think I've worked out how to paint these... I really love this last batch!

They're a beautiful color! The shape of them too is stunning

[Rebekah.fish]

Beautiful scales!

[JamesGunnels]

I cannot wait to see more progress! Beautiful work.

[PearlieMae]

Nicely done! I can't wait to see how it comes out!

I mix both A and B parts and the pigment all at the same time. Haven't had a problem yet.

I bought thicker Lexan, and it's quite stiff. But it lets me make a smaller fin and still has a lot of push, so my bigger fluke has some flowy movement.

Gluing the Home Depot Lexan with Polyzap works, but it does cloud. It still lets light through, it's just not clear. KEEP ACETONE AWAY FROM LEXAN! It will cause it to split and fracture like crazy!

Good luck!

[Dancing Fish]

Awesome, thanks for the advice!
Here's the latest progress! That weird multicolored bit is half a fluke, in technicolor! (Had to get different colors... And it looks like I'll need more!). I'm just loving this teal-copper combo so far!

[Dancing Fish]

Nicely done! I can't wait to see how it comes out!

I mix both A and B parts and the pigment all at the same time. Haven't had a problem yet.

I bought thicker Lexan, and it's quite stiff. But it lets me make a smaller fin and still has a lot of push, so my bigger fluke has some flowy movement.

Gluing the Home Depot Lexan with Polyzap works, but it does cloud. It still lets light through, it's just not clear. KEEP ACETONE AWAY FROM LEXAN! It will cause it to split and fracture like crazy!

Good luck!

may I ask how thick is the lexan you're using?

[OceanWhisper]

those scales are so beautiful!

[PearlieMae]

I bought some 1/4" polycarbonate...makes a very stiff fin. I'm still testing shapes with the .093" stuff from Home Depot.

[Dancing Fish]

McMaster Carr has so many types and thicknesses of plastic sheets to choose from! I'm tempted to experiment with other materials, but then polycarbonate is probably the popular choice for a reason.

You did a slime coat, right? When you thin it, does it dry with the same texture? I'm finding that smooth on's thinner gives it a gummier, softer texture that's more easily dulled.

[Dancing Fish]

ARRGH. I'm putting the veins on the fluke sculpture, and now I'm worried that it's too small. I did reduce it to 80% from the previous drawing. But I keep seeing all these gorgeous and much bigger flukes on other mermaids. I won't have a professional monofin under it, so I have flexibiliy in shape. I hate to scrap what I've done and start over. Decisions, decisions.

[PearlieMae]

What are the dimensions? Personally, I don't care for the huge flukes. Some a stunningly gorgeous, but not for me.

Cut out a piece of paper the size of your fluke and play with it on your feet to see if you think it's truly too small. If it makes you unhappy, do the work to change the sculpt.