Painting a Fin Fun tail?

**Ciriun** · 07-12-2015, 10:04 PM

I am looking at getting a Mermaiden tail from Fin Fun in the immediate future (Yaaaay!) and I was wondering if anyone has tried painting them for a more custom look? If so, how did it work out short and long term? What paints did you use? Would you recommend doing it?

Ideally what I want to do is give it a lighter belly area without completely obscuring the scale pattern, then maybe some markings on the back / tips of the flukes. Possibly even a darker dorsal stripe, again with scale pattern visible through it.

**Princess Kae-Leah** · 07-12-2015, 10:05 PM

That sounds really interesting!! I've toyed with the idea of upgrading my own FF tail from time to time too

**Ashe** · 07-13-2015, 12:13 AM

What I like to do is mix acrylic paints with water. In doing this, the acrylic won't crack as if you were painting it straight because the water thins it, and the acrylic literally stains the fabric (I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to try to get acrylic out of clothes!!). I don't know how you would lighten the belly area, but the darker parts will definitely do

**Ciriun** · 07-13-2015, 12:43 PM

I was figuring a white wash for the belly. The literal kind, not what that phrase means now. Do you know if that kind of paint would work on the material Fin Fun uses? And how well does it stand up to things like chlorine and abrasion? Also does it work for contrasting colors or would it be too light?

**Mermaid Jaffa** · 07-15-2015, 12:55 AM

Deco Art SoSoft does not need to be heat set. Just make sure to stretch out the fabric as you paint or can just wear it whilst you paint! Fabric remains soft and pliable after painting.

**Ciriun** · 05-11-2016, 12:19 AM

Finally returning to this since I am soon to have that Fin Fun tail I've been dreaming of. So after a bit of research on my own, here is what I have found.

A lot of people recommend Jacquard paints for fabric. Looking at their site, this seems like it could be a good idea since their textile color line promises to keep fabrics soft, can be thinned with water to increase transparency and reduce viscosity, and work well on synthetic materials. The only down side is the heat setting, which could be troublesome.

Since I've altered my plan a little to include wanting a blue gradient for the upper half of my Aussie green tail-to-be, I've tried to find methods for that. Most suggest dyeing the fabric, but apparently lycra and spandex don't handle being dyed well. RIT claims their dyes can do it, but I am skeptical, and I really do not want to mess this up. Maybe I could just dip it in really, really diluted fabric paint? Has anyone tried anything like that?

Anyway, here is a promising gradient tutorial I found: http://craftthyme.com/how-to-ombre-dye-fabric/

**Mermaid Jaffa** · 05-11-2016, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Ciriun

Finally returning to this since I am soon to have that Fin Fun tail I've been dreaming of. So after a bit of research on my own, here is what I have found.

A lot of people recommend Jacquard paints for fabric. Looking at their site, this seems like it could be a good idea since their textile color line promises to keep fabrics soft, can be thinned with water to increase transparency and reduce viscosity, and work well on synthetic materials. The only down side is the heat setting, which could be troublesome.

Since I've altered my plan a little to include wanting a blue gradient for the upper half of my Aussie green tail-to-be, I've tried to find methods for that. Most suggest dyeing the fabric, but apparently lycra and spandex don't handle being dyed well. RIT claims their dyes can do it, but I am skeptical, and I really do not want to mess this up. Maybe I could just dip it in really, really diluted fabric paint? Has anyone tried anything like that?

Anyway, here is a promising gradient tutorial I found: http://craftthyme.com/how-to-ombre-dye-fabric/

You could buy a fabric medium to mix it with regular acrylic paint. Liquitex makes one that doesn't need heat setting.
http://www.liquitex.com/fabricmedium/

Pretty sure there's other brands too, Liquitex is a very good brand, its not some cheapo stuff.