What Is Prop

[Jaw]

I've looked and used the search engine and finally gave up last winter but a recent post made me curious again. So what is prop and how/ where do I make it or get it. I usually use superglue but was wanting to try this as a sealer just for curiousitys sake

[Vodkaman]

Propionate refers to raw plastic pellets, as far as I can determine with a few minutes research (not TU).

On TU, it also refers to the dissolved solution or propionate solution, and also refers to the process of dipping in propionate solution, even if the dip was not made of raw propionate pellets.

Prop (propionate) solution can be made from any plastic that will dissolve in a solvent. Plastic cups are popular and the best solvent for the job is acetone, but not the only solvent that will get the job done.

Method - the lure is dipped in the thin solution and hung to dry. The solvent evaporates, leaving a plastic coating. At least 6 or more dips are necessary for a reasonable coat.

Dave

[hazmail]

To add to Dave's description - I have some propionate pellets here, only used it a few times and seems to be a good sealer, as a top coat it's a bit brittle--

A bit  (a lot really) of research many years back told me it is/ was used in  lot's of plastic apps, including those clear yellow chisel handles we use (very tough), sunglass and eye glass frames, for it's toughness and the weird property of always feeling like it is at body temperature when you put a pair of glasses on, (never noticed this until I read it)-----also used for spectacle lenses , so here's what seems to be the ideal plastic for our purposes.

But the best bit-------

Beg, steal, or bludge all the old sets of those cheap reading glasses from your friends (make sure they are not GLASS), pop the lenses out of the frames and place them on a piece of heavy cloth and cover with some more cloth, find a jar with lid, THEN bash the crap out of them (lenses) until you have reasonably sized pieces and tip them in the jar, then add some GOOD QUALITY  lacquer thinner (about 4 :1 mix of  -  thinners : lenses), shake it up and leave it for a few hours and shake it again and again for about 48 hrs, if it looks a bit thick add some more thinners and  you will have a jar of' "Prop"- thin it to your requirement and don't let it thicken too much, over time (weeks / months) it will turn into a clear solid lump, so keep an eye on it.

Also- DON'T just dump the lenses in the thinners without crushing them, they will stick together and it will take a week or two to dissolve.

Over time it seems to yellow a bit, just like all the other 'upmarket' clear coats we use.

Pete

[spoonpluggergino]

Here is a link to the Prop, where to get it and how to use it.  TackleMaking.com

Gino

[Jaw]

Thanks guys. I read about it some last winter but I guess I was a little confused or thought I had the wrong stuff/article. Most of the things I read just refered to using it. I got a little impatient and gave up went back to superglue. Not sure how many cheap reading glasses I can come up with seems the friends/ coworkers I have loose them before they break them. I would guess if you use the plastic / solo type cups you would want the clear ones, not sure if the red coloring would affect it but I would not be using it as a clearcoat, probably just a sealer. Not sure yet

[BobP]

There are several kinds of propionate.  The one we use in crankbaits is cellulose propionate.  I comes in little bluish white beads.  Where to get it?  The only place I know of, and this was several years ago, was from a TU member named Palmetto Balsa.  If you find some, I recommend you dissolve it in acetone.  Make up a thin solution and use multiple dips to coat raw wood.  The acetone evaporates quickly.  I dip 5-8 times with 2 mins between each dip and then let the crankbait hang overnight for the prop to get really hard.  Bottom line IMO, prop is an OK undercoating but there are plenty of other options so it's not magic or anything.

[diemai]

I've been using prop to my greatest satisfaction for quite a few years now , but the BIG problem about it is the lack of sources for those little plastic pellets !

 

The first two pounds of pellets I had mailordered from a British internet shop a few years ago , but which is no longer in business . 

 

If my memory serves me right , I had payed about 36 Euros including shipping back then .

 

A few months ago , ....my stock of these pellets was about to become used up , I had a look around where to purchase some new ones , but only came across an American Ebayer and a Finnish tackle shop .

 

Since I'm not that familiar to imperial measurements and pretty much unable to determine about the amount of pellets covered by the offer on US Ebay, I did not consider about ordering from that supplier .

 

Problem about the Finnish shop was , that they did not respond to my Email requests in English and German language(I do not speak any Finnish) , ...lateron , with the help of a Finnish friend , I had found out , that this shop would not ship outside of Finland at all .

 

But luckily that friend was willing to help me out and ordered two pounds of the pellets and sent them to me afterwards , but this way I had to pay double shipping ending up with about 60 Euros cost in total , ...not quite cheap , but still worthwile for me , since I really do not want to do without that lure sealer anymore , ....and those two pounds of pellets would last me for another few years of hobby lure carving .

 

Greetz , Dieter