Several Problems

[drof99]

I've been pouring a bunch of sticks, chunks, and now tubes. They are coming out great. I am having a couple of problems on color. I've noticed that I'm putting in more color than what the recipes call for. The color just doesn't look dark enough when I add the color while I'm heating the plastic. I'm usually only pouring with a cup or two at one time right now. Later the baits will darken up. So if I understand this right while I'm adding color to the plastic I'm heating it will appear lighter than the final product turns out the be? Does this seem to be the correct thinking? The other problem I seem to have is with glitter. There seems to be a lot of it settling on the bottom. I believe that I am stirring enough to keep everything mixed but it still settles. Any ideas on how to keep this from happening? I'd like to get a Presto pot but that won't happen until after the holidays.

[IGOTWORMS]

When it comes to color, what you see is what you get. I should not change, unless you are burning your plastic. If you are not getting a consistent mix with your flake or color you need to sturr-sturr-sturr. Then when you think its ready sturr a little more. Also make sure your color is mixed well before you even add it to your plastic.

[Richard Prager]

I would put your color in first. It won't look that way when the plastic is pourable so write your formulas down. Put your flake in when the plastic is ready to pour. The difference in the amount of color needed without salt to using with salt can easily be doubled to achieve the same color. I've never had any luck with the recipes posted. I just make up my own as I go along. There just seems to be too many variables thus creating a lot of waste. It's trial and error. You can use the recipes to get a general idea. This is what works for me.

[Delw]

In reading your post I am just guessing but I believe your plastic is a tad to hot.

the way I was able to tell was cause you said that your glitter sinks.

generally when glitter is sinking fast its due to plastic being too hot

[carolinamike]

One thing I have noticed on coloring is most of the guys on TU talk about using so many drops. This is fine but I've found you get far better results and whole lot more consistent product from pour to pour if you weigh your coloring. Gram scales are inexpensive and with a little practice you'll know exactly what weight of coloring to use everytime. For example, for 20 oz of plastic, I've found that around 1 1/2 gram of coloring always worked well for me. But I do use pure pigment and not the cut down stuff that other companies sell. So you will have to experiment a little bit to find out which works best for you. You can get small 50 ml beakers on popular auction sites and scientific supply sites. Weigh your beaker, add the weight of the coloring then set your scales to the total weight of the beaker and the amount of coloring you want. It's real easy to stay consistent that way. You don't have to worry about one drop being bigger than the other. The amount of coloring needed will always depend on the amount of plastic you are using.