Fin Butts

I am having trouble with mache staying in place in the fin butts while mounting,If anyone can help with ways of avoiding this it would be very helpful.

Return to Beginners Category Menu

Use clay instead.

Mache' can be lumpy and never seams to stay, I went with a white clay years ago and stopped many of those problems, but also carve the fish body closer to fit.

Use white Critter Clay

Won't harden right away and allows you to taxi it back to where it belongs before it dries.

Don't use mache on the fin butts

If you cut enough off of the fin bases you shouldn't need mache or clay. If you must use something use white clay. I do use white clay where the body joins the tail to make a smooth junction. The clay dries slower and you can smooth the junction the next day or two if it looks lumpy.

Try

Apoxie sculpt

Working too wet

Mache will work if you insist on using it, although I do not recommend it. You are getting the mache too wet. Reduce the amount of water used to make the mix more stabile.

There are a number of slow curing compounds on the market that will allow you time to arrange the set after application. If you are employing a mannequin, they are fine. Epo-Grip's seam and repair putty is one, and Magic Sculpt is another that I endorse. Neither is cheap, but then, nor am I........LOL.

Adding ground cork to the water based clays will reduce the shrink rate and allow for them to provide a cushioning effect on the drying skin. If you are carving your own bodies, a kerf or slot made for the fin location will help alignment. Leaving a 1/4" of the spine bases will allow for close fitting, reducing material requirements to a minimum. Trim the bases away with a pair of utility shears or kitchen shears........Tab "A" into slot "A" follows.....