Jazz's H2o Style Silicone Mermaid Tail Process

[jazz2453]

Working away!

[fawkes]

That looks beautiful!!! I love the blue!! Did you have to mix the silicone with your paint? If so, how much did you use if you don't mind my asking?
You are so talented little lady!!

[MerEmma]

WOW! Amazing job so far, omg, it looks amazing!<3

[Firemaid]

Jazz. Beautiful work!
What kind of airbrush is that?

[Mermaid Meera]

So pretty! I don't know much about tailmaking, but this is gorgeous! Great job, Jazz.

[jazz2453]

http://www.smooth-on.com/index.php?cPath=1369 This is a viscosity chart. As it says, silicone is a viscosity of 14,000-40,000 centipoise. Water is 1-3 centipoise. For each color/layer of paint I mixed 2 tbsp of part A and 2 tbsp of part B. Before you add part A, mix your desired pigments into B. I used pearl ex powder pigments. I mixed a lot to really get a bright metallic color. Next you thin down your silicone/paint mixture with toluene, xylene, or naphtha. Keep adding until it is very thin and liquified. I'd say my mixture was about 50 centipoise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29QgZVEhETo That is a video of thinning down psycho paint with toluene. It gives you the right idea though. Its pretty simple after that. You just have to spray!
Here is a video of painting silicone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzKZzGjKCbI They used naphtha to thin it down which is what I used (you can get it at home depot). I recommend using a spray gun for larger applications (like a tail) to cover more surface area quicker. For small details I would have and airbrush handy.

Cleaning process for spray gun:
This is really important because silicone cures, and you don't want to cure in your spray gun. Immediately after each paint session, run mineral spirits through your airbrush, this will help dissolve and clean anything. Also cover the tip (where the air comes out) with a paper towel and spray with the gun upside down so all the gunk comes out. Then run water through the gun and spray just to clean out any extra materials.
Hope this helps anyone.

[jazz2453]

Thanks everyone! Firemaid- It's actually a spray gun in which you can get at home depot or harbor freight. It works very well for covering a lot of surface area.


Finfolk productions use a spray gun, but probably use an airbrush for little details, and their tails are beautiful!

[AniaR]

looks fin tastic, I am so proud of you, and so full of feels!!!

[jazz2453]

Thanks for all the support along the way Raina

[Seraphina Suds]

Your tail came out incredible!! @o@ I'm so amazed that you did all that by yourself and so young! I'm twice your age and haven't accomplished anything remotely close to this! Keep up the good work, little tailmaker!!

[jazz2453]

Thanks
Front

Back


On Wednesday I will be swimming in it! I can't wait to see what it's like under water.

[Mermaid Allie]

Thats an awesome colour scheme!! I absolutely love the way this turned out!! Excellent job

[jazz2453]

Thanks I really didn't want to have that much yellow, but it's just the way things turned out. I proud that this is my first silicone tail though, and the first time I've ever sculpted or made a mold. It's all a learning experience.

[AniaR]

pretty freaking awesome for a first try I'd say.

[Firemaid]

Thanks everyone! Firemaid- It's actually a spray gun in which you can get at home depot or harbor freight. It works very well for covering a lot of surface area.


Finfolk productions use a spray gun, but probably use an airbrush for little details, and their tails are beautiful!

Dude. yeah. It's rad. I'm buying one!

[Mermaid Julz]

Looks Great Jazz! Awesome job!

[Mermaid~Summer]

Wow, great job!

[Mizuko]

Seriously seriously inspiring, Jazz! You are so talented!!

[fawkes]

http://www.smooth-on.com/index.php?cPath=1369 This is a viscosity chart. As it says, silicone is a viscosity of 14,000-40,000 centipoise. Water is 1-3 centipoise. For each color/layer of paint I mixed 2 tbsp of part A and 2 tbsp of part B. Before you add part A, mix your desired pigments into B. I used pearl ex powder pigments. I mixed a lot to really get a bright metallic color. Next you thin down your silicone/paint mixture with toluene, xylene, or naphtha. Keep adding until it is very thin and liquified. I'd say my mixture was about 50 centipoise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29QgZVEhETo That is a video of thinning down psycho paint with toluene. It gives you the right idea though. Its pretty simple after that. You just have to spray!
Here is a video of painting silicone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzKZzGjKCbI They used naphtha to thin it down which is what I used (you can get it at home depot). I recommend using a spray gun for larger applications (like a tail) to cover more surface area quicker. For small details I would have and airbrush handy.

Cleaning process for spray gun:
This is really important because silicone cures, and you don't want to cure in your spray gun. Immediately after each paint session, run mineral spirits through your airbrush, this will help dissolve and clean anything. Also cover the tip (where the air comes out) with a paper towel and spray with the gun upside down so all the gunk comes out. Then run water through the gun and spray just to clean out any extra materials.
Hope this helps anyone.

Thanks Jazz! It looks so beautiful, I cant wait to see a video now that you've painted it!

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Wow Jazz! You're amazing! This looks fantastic! I can't wait to see it swim!