First Pour Attempt Nightmares

[mmanolis2001]

I just tried to pour my first set of baits last week and the outcome was terrible to say the least. I think I know the reason for my failure but I wanted to run my thoughts by the experts before I repeat the same mistakes.

My first issue was the plastisol never fully cured. I cooked it in a microwave on high for 1 min increments for 3 mins but did not have a proper thermometer to check and ensure it was at 350. The resulting pours remained gummy and sticky and never released from my mold thus brining up my second mistake.

I had made a mold out of rock hard water putty and it came out perfect. Unfortunately in my haste to get the bait poring rolling I forgot to seal the mold.......... Does the 50/50 Elmer’s glue method work with water putty or is that only viable with a POP mold?

My third mistake was thinking the plastic was not fully cooked and placing it back in the microwave for another 2 min burst. The result was some smoke and my nice clear chart plastic turned into a dirty brown mess. I pored one more bait just to see if it cured and the same gummy sticky mess happened.

Possible Cause

I think the issue with the plastic curing was related to the fact that I did not mix the plastisol at all before pouring it into the Pyrex cup to heat up. I was worried about introducing bubbles into the plastic and went on my merry way.

Question 1

Is the gummy sticky uncured plastic a result of not mixing the plastisol in the source container before heating or one of my other rookie mistakes listed above?

Question 2

Is there any method to remove the gummy plastic from my unsealed water putty mold or do I have to trash it and make another the proper way?

I learned allot about what not to do on this first pour.

Edited June 6, 2012 by mmanolis2001

[powerworm]

not so sure about ever getting the uncooked plastic and such out of all the pores in the mold to ever get anything to seal it 100%. as for the plastic you are on the right track you need to to thoroughly mix it then be sure you are cooking it thoroughly as well. as you are new to this and have caught on alot quicker tham others try cooking it in 30-45 second increments and watch as the plastic changes to a gel then back to a thin pourable liquid as you get used to the changes you can speed up your melting times but go slow for awhile to see what is happening to your material.

[CrabbyBass]

You definitely have to make sure the plastisol is fully mixed in the container before pouring into the pyrex. When you think it is mixed enough, shake it up some more. It also sounds like it was not heated enough. Three minutes is a good time, but every microwave is different and it also depends on how much plastisol you are using. I accidentally scorched 1/2 C of plastisol and it was in the microwave for 3 minutes. I would start off by going a minute and a half stop, stir and then go in 30 second increments. As powerworm stated, it will gel up and then thin out again. As far as cleaning out your mold, I don't know what to tell you as I have never had to do that. Maybe someone else will chime in on that. Don't give up and have fun.

[mark poulson]

Invest in a digital thermometer, and you won't be sorry. Harbor Freight has them online and cheap.

Once I took the guesswork out of plastic temps, I stopped having the same problems you're having.

[mmanolis2001]

I took the experts advice and picked up a digital thermometer on the cheap at Amazon. I will give it another shot after I make some new molds the proper way. Thanks for all the advice.