Curing A Pop Mold ?

[Pencils-n-flies]

Need some advice on curing a POP Mold.

I molded several POP molds in the past 2-3 days and they have been drying in my boiler room- warm dry climate.

What suggestions on next steps?

Do I heat them in the over first and then take them out and seal the molds with 50/50 mix Elmer's Glue & water? Or Do I seal the mold first and then place in the over?

Lastly, in regards to placing them in the over- is it approx 150 degrees for 10-15 mins? My molds are between 1.5-2 inchs thick.

Thanks for help and suggestions.

PnF

[TBaits]

I always put mine in the oven for curing. I don't recall the temp or time, but I know that you leave the door open just a tad to let moisture out.

Yes, 50/50 water and Elmers will seal them. Do it a few times and let them drain the excess off upside down so it doesn't pool in your cavities. This will give your baits a nice shiney appearance. You will know once you pour into them if they need further sealing because it will bubble up in your cavities. Check out the tutorials on making POP molds for the time/temp for curing. You want to make sure they are good and cured prior to sealing.

[Travis]

I have never messed with curing of POP molds in a oven. Too many guys have no patience and try to rush every aspect of lure making. Demold and just let air dry. As a test I took a mold as soon as I could remove it, sealed with devcon/acetone thinned and poured. The back of the mold sweeted profusely but the molds never had any issues.

[Vodkaman]

I built a PoP dryer box. Heated with 3x100W incandescent bulbs and two axial computer type fans to circulate the air. It is not as fast as oven heating, but it works great and gives perfect molds every time, with no danger of ruining the mold by over heating. Useful for drying out damp stock wood and waterlogged lures too. Other uses, dehydrating salt, brying billiard chalk and drying socks.

Dave

[Pencils-n-flies]

Thanks TBaits.

question- how long do you let your pop mold air dry before you place in the oven for final drying?

PnF

I always put mine in the oven for curing. I don't recall the temp or time, but I know that you leave the door open just a tad to let moisture out.

Yes, 50/50 water and Elmers will seal them. Do it a few times and let them drain the excess off upside down so it doesn't pool in your cavities. This will give your baits a nice shiney appearance. You will know once you pour into them if they need further sealing because it will bubble up in your cavities. Check out the tutorials on making POP molds for the time/temp for curing. You want to make sure they are good and cured prior to sealing.

[Vodkaman]

question- how long do you let your pop mold air dry before you place in the oven for final drying?

My thoughts are that you don't want to disturb the curing process. The plaster heats up during curing, so once the mold cools down, it is ready for the oven. Time wise, about an hour.

Dave

[Pencils-n-flies]

Thanks Dave. Appreciate the info.

PnF

My thoughts are that you don't want to disturb the curing process. The plaster heats up during curing, so once the mold cools down, it is ready for the oven. Time wise, about an hour.

Dave

[mark poulson]

Just remember to set the oven on it's lowest setting, and leave the door ajar.

Overheating POP or Drywall compound will return it to powder form.

[t-billy]

You can leave your molds in a 150 oven as long as you like with no ill effects. I dry mine at that temp for 3-4 hours. Same goes for sealing with elmers. Do yourself a favor and use ELMERS wood glue instead of the white glue. You'll get a nice ceramic like finish with one coat every time. Fill the cavity with the glue/water mix,let soak for around 15 min. drain,blow out exess with a straw and bake. I use aprox. 40% glue 60% water. I also seal the entire face of the mold for added durability. My pop baits turn out just as shiny as my aluminum mold baits. No release agent required.

[Pencils-n-flies]

Thanks T-Billy. Great info. Greatly appreciate your help/

PnF

You can leave your molds in a 150 oven as long as you like with no ill effects. I dry mine at that temp for 3-4 hours. Same goes for sealing with elmers. Do yourself a favor and use ELMERS wood glue instead of the white glue. You'll get a nice ceramic like finish with one coat every time. Fill the cavity with the glue/water mix,let soak for around 15 min. drain,blow out exess with a straw and bake. I use aprox. 40% glue 60% water. I also seal the entire face of the mold for added durability. My pop baits turn out just as shiny as my aluminum mold baits. No release agent required.

[t-billy]

Thanks T-Billy. Great info. Greatly appreciate your help/

PnF

You're very welcome. That's why we're all here. If you haven't already,you should check out Longhorns tutorial on pop molds. I've learned a great deal from him. All hail the great Longhorn. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Regards,Tim.

[Pencils-n-flies]

Tim-

Thanks for the suggestion. How can I find the Longhorn tutorial on POP molds?

Thanks

PnF

You're very welcome. That's why we're all here. If you haven't already,you should check out Longhorns tutorial on pop molds. I've learned a great deal from him. All hail the great Longhorn. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Regards,Tim.

[FuzzyGrub]

Tim-

Thanks for the suggestion. How can I find the Longhorn tutorial on Tutorial Sections

POP Part !

POP Part 2