10pounder Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I am having 2 problems pouring right now. I'm trying to match the green pumpkin color comparable to store bought. Does anyone have a good mixture ratio that has worked well for them? Also, my plastics are are coming out too soft. I am using the Lurecraft medium formula 502. I am also using Lurecraft hardener. I am currently mixing hardener at a rate of 2oz. per 16oz. of plastic and according to the instructions on the hardener's label. The end result is still too soft, so I was curious if anyone has a good ratio that is working fro them? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Let me ask before someone else does, are you mixing the plastic well? With a plastic that settles on the bottom of the jug you have to mix it well. As far as the Green Pumpkin everyones is differant but do a search on the forum, and you will get lots of recipies I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10pounder Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Yea, I am mixing it really well. I thought the first few times that mixing may have been the problem, but I sure that's not the problem now. I know I can eventually find the right mixture rate, but trying to find someone that can save me some time and money w/o alot of trial and error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastorshane Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I understand. I don't use LC plastic, sorry maybe one of these other guy's can give you more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10pounder Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks anyway. Anyone else have any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squigster Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 What type of baits are you making? Are you inspecting the baits immediately after pouring? The baits will firm up a day or two after you pour them. Green Pumpkin is almost endless. I think the standard is 4 drops or LC pumpkin to 4 drops lc watermelon per ? oz. of plastic. I cant remember if its 2 oz or 4 oz. You will have to look. Lurecraft and Del both make green pumpkin but they are not zooms green pumpkin if thats what your after, they are similiar though. Look at the cookbook in the top of the forum I think there is a few in there. Its all on preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Lure Craft 502 is a very firm plastic, and with the addition of hardener.........your baits should be VERY tough! I'm still convinced it's a mixing problem. What kinds of jugs are you buying from LC? 1 gallon? 5 gallon? If you're getting the 1 gallon jugs, I'll bet there's still a build-up of hardener on the bottom of the jug. The only thing that worked for me was a long screwdriver to break that stuff up. Just shaking the jug will NOT do the trick. If you're getting 5 gallon jugs, you will need something like an old tire iron or wooden baseball bat to break the hardener free; then make sure you transfer your well-mixed plastic into 1-gallon containers. Unless the plastic formulations have drastically changed since I poured, I just don't see how it could be any other problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcline Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I gotta agree with Alsworms, if it's LC plastic you gotta scrape the bottom of the container to get it mixed well., JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDBaits Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I store my LC plastic upside down so all the hardener settles inside the pour spout. I also add about 4 or 5 shiny new 3/4" nuts to the jug which has seamed to get me a more consistent mix, Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10pounder Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks, I'll check the bottom of the container again for a mixture problem. I'm using the 1 gallon size container and didn't notice any residue in the bottom. I'll also try storing it upside down in the future and see if that helps. I appreciate the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDBaits Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks, I'll check the bottom of the container again for a mixture problem. I'm using the 1 gallon size container and didn't notice any residue in the bottom. I'll also try storing it upside down in the future and see if that helps. I appreciate the suggestions. Just make sure that lid is on super tight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 i have been using 502 for over a year. i only add hardener to frogs and flukes. one cap per 4 oz. you have to scrap the bottom real good or store upside down and shake for 5 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 It doesn't matter which way the jug sits, LC will settle out over time. I have a gallon of 502 that is 6 or so years old. Last summer I poured half of the clear liquid out into an empty windshield washer jug and used a screw driver to scrape the bottom of the LC jug. Then I shook it a lot every day until there was no visible hardener on the bottom when I held the jug upside down. With the settled hardener back in solution, I have been shaking the jug every few days when I go into the shop and the hardener quickly goes back into solution. The key is to shake it every few days. Not a big deal if you are in the shop a lot as I am. If I decide to use LC again, I will put the clear liquid back in and shake it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDBaits Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 It doesn't matter which way the jug sits, LC will settle out over time. I have a gallon of 502 that is 6 or so years old. Last summer I poured half of the clear liquid out into an empty windshield washer jug and used a screw driver to scrape the bottom of the LC jug. Then I shook it a lot every day until there was no visible hardener on the bottom when I held the jug upside down. With the settled hardener back in solution, I have been shaking the jug every few days when I go into the shop and the hardener quickly goes back into solution. The key is to shake it every few days. Not a big deal if you are in the shop a lot as I am. If I decide to use LC again, I will put the clear liquid back in and shake it up. This is true it will settle out but if you store it upside down with a few big hex nuts in there you would not need to scrape the bottom with a screw driver. All you would of had to do is unscrew the cap and push the exposed resin ball back down into the solution and shake the day lights out of it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
