bobG

If it thickens the hot plastic, and makes it more difficult to pour, is it important to make sure the plastic is as hot as possible between pours? Is there a danger of scortching?

I presently pouring large plastic salt water baits using #500 formula. I'd like to toughen them up a bit. Has anyone had experience using the hardener? Does it compromise the color, pouring qualities, or overall integrity of the bait in any way? tia

I pour inside, with all the windows, doors and skylights open, and get very good ventilation. But, even at that, there still are some fumes. I want to buy one of those half mask respirators just to be on the safe side. What do you guys use? tia

About a week back, I took out all my POP molds, and applied 3-4 additional coats of 50/50 Elmers Glue and water. Brushed it on, let it sun dry, brushed on some more, etc. The molds became noticably shinier. Guess what? I just poured some sluggos today, and they were perfect, no bubbles. Looked like factory baits. Not to mention, the baits practically fall out of the mold when cooled.

I'm pouring large (9") sluggo style baits, and I'm getting intermittent surface bubbles. I'm pouring into a POP mold with 5 cavities. I'll pour all my baits, and after a minute, the bubbles appear? Sometimes it occurs in all 5 baits, other times in only a couple. I thought my plastic was too hot, so I'd let it stand a few moments before pouring. No difference. I thought I was pouring too fast, that wasn't it? Somehow I have a feeling the 'lumina' powder might be the root of this, but I can't be sure. It doens't effect the way the baits fish in any way, they just don't look perfect, and I'd like to do better. Thoughts?

I'm pouring some large split-tails. They are otherwise fine, except for the fact bubbles appear as I finish pouring each bait? Esp in the tail section. I don't think it will have any effect on how tha bait fishes, but it just sort of makes the finished product, look a bit off. I added scent oil to the plastic, could that have caused it? Or, I have a feeling I may have overheated my plastic? tia

I saw this stuff advertised is a catalog. You apply it after the bait is poured, and it gives your baits that "slippery, alive" feeling. Does anyone use it? Does it offer any advantage?

My baits are pouring well. But, I can't help but notice that they smell like plastic shower curtains from my college days. I'd like to add scent to them to cover this. What's the SOP for adding scent to large plastic baits these days? tia

You! Who told you I was hear, Big Cat?

Guys, all is well! I just wasn't heating the plastic enough. So, after I spent the afternoon, wiping out, and cleaning my molds, I gave it another shot. This time, I heated plastic up 'without' color first. Just right out of the bottle, to see the transition it makes from milky to clear. I did 3 minutes for 8 ounces on high. Then I added my color (black in this case), have it another minute in the m-wave, stirred a lot, and poued. My baits turned out perfect. I just poured some 2 tone baits. 9" sluggos with pearl oon the bottom and black on top, and they look fine. Thanks for your help guys. You saved the day.

OK, then another question. Can you overheat this stuff, so that the chemical properties no longer work, and it won't harden? I had 4oz in a pyrex beaker, and did 2 minutes in the microwave on high. It definately changed not only color, but viscosity, and the beaker was hot to the touch. But I will say, the stuff was pouring like water? I didn't expect that. So, if it doesn't set up, should I just scrape my molds down, and remelt the stuff? thanks all.

I'm using a pre-mix saltwater formula, so there's nothing to add. However, I did shake the bottle vigorously for several minutes, and I'm pretty sure I mixed everything thoroughly. It's been almost 1.5 hours, and it still has not set up?

Obviously something went very wrong. I'm pouring large saltwater "sluggo-type' baits. Molds look great. New pyrex measuring cups. I'm using the saltwater plastic formula, black dye. Real basic stuff. I pour 8oz of plastic in the pyrex cup, 10 drops of black dye, heat in microwave for 2 minutes, and carefully pour. My molds were not perfectly level, so the liquid ran a bit, but I could deal with that. However, the stuff will not set up? It's been a half hour, and it's still very tacky, and sticks to the touch. I thought this stuff set up in a few minutes? Did I overheat it? I wasn't expecting this.

I've never used liquid pearl coloring. I'll be pouring some large sluggo-type baits in the next few days, and just wondering if I need to be aware of anything out of the ordinary when using this product? I'll be using a m-wave to heat the plastic, and I realize some metalic flakes flare up in such. Just wondering if pearl has any such properties? tia

While my baits are turning out well, the colors are very basic. I'm trying to give my baits that real nice irredescent, pearly appearance you see in commercially produced baits. I guess I'm going to have to begin adding lumina and or pearl powders in order to get that same 'look'. Since I've never used it before, can anyone here help me shorten the learning curve? tia