jkustel Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Hello gents, Not a lot of experience pouring soft plastics pretty much just been pouring tails for a line of hard swimbaits I've been selling. I have one particular bait that requires the tail to be relatively stiff (hold its shape and only flex slightly with the pressure of the water as the lure turns left and right). My question is whether its possible or feasible to take a saltwater formula plastisol and add additional hardener to achieve a stiffness comparable to a high duro silicone (50-60 shore a hardness)? Like I said, I'm looking for something that will only flex with pressure applied to it and rebound to its original shape once the pressures relieved. I would prefer to accomplish this task with plastisol over more expensive/long cure time silicone or urethane rubber. Also prefer all the coloring options of the plastisol. Thanks in advance for any insights. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveh Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Or just take the plastic you have and add hardener to it.I have made some pretty stiff plastic this way. You can add hardener to salt water plastic.Mix the hardener well so there are no clumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 I added powder paint as a colorant once just for giggles . Got a pretty darn stiff lure from that . Wasn't very shiny though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Prager Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 (edited) highlight powder with also stiffen it up a bit. I guess it does the same as the powder paint would but with the added effects Edited November 15, 2012 by 152nd Street Baits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Came across this old thread on a search... Im looking to copy and remold an old bait i made... Had a few problems keeping the tails in place while pouring/brushing plaster on them.... If i could stiffen them up a bit, i think my problems will be solved Id rather not have to order anything just for this, or use a quantity of something i would have to replace by ordering.... Something from the Walmart or Lowes i could pick up after work would be ideal Ive read the "no no's" of using certain typed of oils on (or in) plastisol for result of this effect... I know from experience that vegetable oil does this, but it takes several days/weeks... In my reading, mineral oil seems the worst (or best in my case) at stiffening plastic.... Was gonna pick some up and try it for myself, but figured I'd ask about it first Does the mineral oil do this over time like vegi oil? Or sooner?... Is there anything worse/better?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Scratch that... Went ahead and ordered some hardener... Only cost me $70....... This is why i try not to order stuff, you never get just one thing, too easy to click that "add to cart" button! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
