Lorelei's First Silicone Tail Attempt!

[Mermaid Oshun]

I am so sorry this happened to you. If it makes you feel any better, know that I had a leather skirt to split at the butt like that when in public once. Make it one size larger maybe by adding a zipper. Since yours split at the waist, maybe use a skin colored "latex waist cincher" (available on ebay)with it and cover it with a loose net to camouflage it. Order a "latex waist cincher" 6 inches too small for your current waist and it will pull you in nicely. These latex waist cinchers can actually spot reduce the fat in your tummy while tightening and toning the muscles if you apply a "thermal fat cream" to the belly before you put it on.

I will get one today myself off of ebay in prep for my upcoming mermaid tail!

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Well, it's not actually a problem with the sizing. I measured correctly and don't have much width on my stomach to lose. Thank you though.

[Cordelia]

Hmm... not too sure about the latex mixing with the silicon tail either - if it touches. Plus it would probably make it difficult to swim in.

I wonder if scoring the silicon on each side before bonding would help make a stronger hold. Good luck!! I hope you are able to find a relatively easy solution. ^^

[Mermaid Oshun]

latex and silicone can be beside each other once they are both completely cured/dried.

[AniaR]

latex + silicone do NOT mix. My smaller tail has latex on it (perma wet) and it peels off, and means I can't repaint is for touchups, because the paint wont bond on top of the latex :/

[Mermaid Oshun]

http://www.therpf.com/f24/sealing-pa...x-mask-130636/

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Thank you guys for your input.

Basically, yes, latex and silicone hate each other. Once silicone is cured, it won't melt or anything like that if it comes in contact with latex. However, latex will not bond to silicone permanently, in the case of perma-wet, or something like that. The only thing that sticks to silicone is silicone. However, latex can affect the ability for silicone to bond properly to silicone after the fact, such as Raina's case with her smaller tail. Over all, I just steer clear of latex wherever I can. If nothing else, I'd rather not gain an allergy from the stuff.

Cordellia - I've actually found a solution, but your idea is a good one. I might look into trying it sometime. :3

[MerCat]

Hi Lorelei! I'm starting a silicone tail of my own, i've got most of the little stuff done (laying foam for scales, trimming my mono fin) I have yet to buy shellshock and dragonskin FX pro. I think the hardest part for me is figuring out how to do the seams and how to hold the tail together until it cures. If you have any advice at all I'd be more than willing to listen! :3

[MerCat]

And btw your silicone tail is beautiful! I hope mine comes out just as gorgeous!!

[jazz2453]

Hi Lorelei I just wanted to ask, for your final paint job did use the psycho paint base from smooth on with the silicone pigments or a different type of paint?

[Mermaid Lorelei]

The psycho paint base is basically just more dragonskin, so no, I did not use it.

[MerCat]

I was reading somewhere that the Psychopaint was just a waste of money b/c it is, like you said lorelei, just more dragonskin....I mean, if ya have the funds you can get it but it's just a waste ;P I think when I come to the point of painting my silicone tail I will just use dragonskin and put the pigments in there. Also, have you seen the shimmer powder they have from smooth-on? It's absolutely stunning!

[jazz2453]

Oh Mercat, that makes sense. I'll probably just do that as well But what did you use Lorelei?

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Pictures!!!







The seam is back together! -happy dance- I'm about to paint it, but I couldn't help myself from going for a swim. Whenever kids asked about the patches and strange colors, I told them that I was shedding and about to change colors. :P

[jazz2453]

Magnificent! It's really amazing

[Mermaid Danielle]

Lorelei, this is beautiful!

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Thank you both!

[Jessica]

This is such a beautiful tail! I LOVE your fluke! Did you use anything to seal the silicone to the monofin or did you just seal the silicone together around the edges?

[Mermaid Oshun]

That looks so amazing Lorelei!

[Mermaid Lorelei]

Jessica: Thanks! I actually did both. I am experimenting with a silicone caulk, but I can't say whether I advise it or not since I haven't really tested it out yet. As for the edges, I just used more dragonskin.

Goldie: Thank you!