Plastic Not Setting Up

[west point bass]

I picked up some 536 LC plastic, it came with some softener and a few bottles of color. My problem is when i use the plastic i heat it up and add color to it and pour it into my pop mold the stuff never sets up right it stays like runny jello. I remelt old used plastics and pour with no problems. I have been wanting to do dipped tubes but I am sure this plastic wont work. What do I need to do to fix this problem? Cant wait to get this figured out.

Edited January 23, 2012 by west point bass

[SHK]

make sure you stir the hell out of it or shake it really good and get a thermometer and make sure you are heating it to 350 degrees

[Jig Man]

I keep an L shaped wire next to my plastisol jugs. Before I use them I stick the wire in a drill and stir them till nothing except clear liquid is on the wire. The longer it sets between uses the more the hardner settles to the bottom.

[west point bass]

Thanks guys thats probably the problem here. Not sure I even shook the jug. Just a nembie to the liquid plastic. Will the 536 work for dipping tubes?

[MonteSS]

I think you are not heating it enough.

Starts out like milk.

Then turns to a gloppy white jelly

Then turns clear an like a thin maple syrup with no lumps.

stir stir stir

Then add your color and glitter.

stir stir stir

Nuke another 15-20 secs

stir stir stir

pour or inject.

Try not to let it smoke (overheated)

...Bill

Edited January 23, 2012 by MonteSS

[mark poulson]

I only use a microwave to heat my plastics.

When I first started pouring, I had that happen, too. I come here and asked what went wrong, and someone here on TU told me it wasn't heated enough.

I was so afraid of over-heating my plastic, I didn't get it hot enough.

I bought a hand held digital thermometer, and it's been a lifesaver.

It's the MT Pro, and I don't remember where I bought it, but it wasn't expensive.

And being able to heat plastic, and know what temp. it is during the heating and when I pour makes pouring simple, and much less stressing.

Coupled with the NorPro silicone cups, I can now pour between 325 and 340, and never scorch the plastic. The silicone cups heat the plastic more evenly, and keep the plastic hot much longer than pyrex, especially if you pinch the tops closed with a big paper clip.

Others (Frank) are wizards with pyrex, but not me. I'm more the Disney sorcerer's apprentice. Doh!!!