Willy Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 I can't seem to get my pour colors to be see-through. When I add color, the plastic hardens opaque. Most of the best pours in the gallery here, and those I buy in the store, have a very nice clear look, while still keeping their rich color. What am I doing wrong? I am using MF superSoft, and Mf colorant. I only mix a few ounces at a time as I only pour for myself and two buddies, but I usually mix one drop of color for about 2-4 ounces of plastic. Any advice? Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 The only thing I know that will make your baits"frosted" is salt. Are you adding salt? www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojon Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Agree with Nova. Sounds like salt could be the problem,or maybe you can use less than a drop of dye.Stir.to remove the bubbles,and don't overheat.Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted May 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 (edited) Gents, I use no salt. I guess 'opaque' was a little misleading. The baits I pour are evenly colored, and the color is true, just not clear. Imagine a guiness vs. a sam adams. Both have good rich color, but one you can see light through and one you can't. My next effort, upon the arrival of new plastic, is to try to dip a toothpic into my colorant and stir it in, to try to use less than one drop of colorant. I was once able to mix a semi-clear bait that way but the color was very pale. Nova, on many of your baits your colors are very rich, but still clear. Bojon as well. Two questions for you fellas: 1. do you mix your colorant before or after heat? 2. Could I be heating my plastic too hot, and would that remove the see-through properties of my colors? I will fiddle around with trying to post a pic to show you what I mean, after work of course Thanks all, Willy Edited May 28, 2008 by Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickemslew Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Are you using transparent colors or opaque colors? You can see through mf strawberry-10, w. green-11, all transparent colors and a crap pot more. black, white, orange,...............and so on not so clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 If you get your plastic too hot it will give it a ginger ale look, plus it smells burnt. I use mf super soft with salt and my baits are pretty clear if I want them to be. Are you adding scent to the baits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted May 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 (edited) Shane, no scent, no salt. I think we may have an explaination however... Boy, will I feel dumb if I am crying about not being able to see through non transparent colors. Will they say on the bottle "transparent?" Or is it just common knowledge what colors are and are not? I am blending my colors from bottles of primary colors, ie. red, blue, and yellow. You may be onto somthig very simple that would make me feel very dumb slick... Willy Edited May 28, 2008 by Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Bait Co. Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 I think most colors can be a trasparent if you add a little color. Most everybody sell colors that are soild by one maker and transparent by another maker. Add florasent colors before you heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickemslew Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Thats going to be your problem. Most opaque colors, it seems to me are the basic colors black, orange, red, yellow, white, brown, pearl colors, flourescent colors, silver and more. All though I guess all colors could be transparent with very little color added, like smoke(black). Havent trid the crayons yet, but I would think they are all opaque? Not all transparent colors are marked "transparent" from the manufactures. Hope this helps and dont fell dumb.................oh and the slick... Willy might be a good name for the next will that comes along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Man, listen I have done some stuuupid stuff when I first started. We all do. Don't give up, its all good. post some pictures if you can we would like see some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 I always mix my colors before I heat. Willy what colors are you having problems with? www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDC Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 MF yellow and red non-bleed are not transparent colors. The blue is tho. Try their watermelon non-bleed or watermelon green, both are very transparent. Their strawberry is transparent (bleeds bad) and they also have a transparent yellow if you just have to mix your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojon Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 All my colors are added after my plastic is heated and the bubbles gone.I add my flouescent colors also after the plastic is heated.I only use Oil pastels for the Flourescent colors.Sick of the color transfer of the dyes.I like to keep what ever is left of a batch clear in the Pyrex so I can add more clear for another batch.I'm very consevative with my plastic.Always have been.The raw plastic is sure to go up soon because of the price of oil I would guess. I have dipped some two color tubes,using oil pastel Ochre color,that I made transparent to look like sand for the belly.Looked good.Just used a very small amount of the stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted May 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 (edited) Ok here's some pics, forgive my horrible photography. The reds, and greens on the top are what I am talking about. Great knowledge all! Now I have a few new ideas to try. Hopefully I can post some new pics with see-through colors! Willy Edited May 29, 2008 by Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
