oldyellerbaits Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 I'm starting making soft plastic baits does anyone know what to use to make them stronger but sill soft so they don't break with bigger fish.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPM Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 Plastic mfg should be able to tell the durometer of thier blends to help choose the desired firmness which will help make a tougher bait, also you can buy hardner to add to your plastic to firm it up and make it tougher. But I'm not aware of an additive that will keep the bait real soft and make it more durable? Not saying there is not something out there, just stating what I have experienced when I want to make a tougher soft plastic bait. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 I use Calhoun medium. My baits aren’t fragile. I’m not sure why you are concerned with that. The cost factor is so low plus you can remelt and repour so there isn’t much waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Young Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 What plastic are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OIR Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 plastisol in a ultrasonic cleaner make it softer and easy and cook on lower microwave settings. but is makes micro air bubbles (only made 2 test in cold water) still need a few test in hot water and Vacuum it.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 1 hour ago, OIR said: plastisol in a ultrasonic cleaner make it softer and easy and cook on lower microwave settings. but is makes micro air bubbles (only made 2 test in cold water) still need a few test in hot water and Vacuum it.. How do you do that? It sounds really interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Young Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 8 hours ago, mark poulson said: How do you do that? It sounds really interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OIR Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 still in test: took 2x 300 ml glass plastisol and heat it up to 40 degrees (hand hot 1min/200of700 microwave). took one and put it into the ultrasonic water (hand hot water) and gave it 10 min. the ultrasonic plastisol in Vacuum (3x3 min) made only 3-4 bubbles in total..!! the regular plastisol (3x3min) made the same number of bubbles as it usually does. put the 2 glass in the microwave 2 minutes on 400 (400 of 700 settings.) and microwave it 2 minutes/1 minutes/30sec/(500)30sec/30sec/30sec~ (the ultrasonic was 10 °Celsius in front of the reg all the time.) the ultrasonic hit 165 °Celsius and looked clear the regular plastisol was still in gel form..!! made the same attempt 3 times.(reg.plastisol in gel all 3 times) shot the ultrasonic in a mold..came out ..perfect (I feel like it was more running) the regular plastisol (after microwave it to 170~) came out..good (feels like regular running) the good news is the ultrasonic just take longer to harden up (but still softer vs reg. after 7 days) (from the cold test) that's what I've done so far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 (edited) After they are made and fully cooled (several days), place them into boiling water for a few seconds ....... maybe 10 seconds. A friend of mine does this with his lures that are store bought and swears it works to make them softer and sturdier Edited February 7, 2021 by rhahn427 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Use the boiled water method to straighten out warped bodies. Never knew it made them softer but will check that out. Thanks for the head up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21xdc Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 You might want to try MF Easy Stretch... It sinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Bought it. like it ! Question: I still have plastic in jugs at least 6 years old. Is it normal for some of it to yellow a bit before color is added after heating to 325 degrees? No problem if dye is added which covers it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 What I have noticed with older plastisol is the Heat stabilizer goes away so you mite want to add heat stabilizer to it. Other than that the old plastisol seems to be just fine . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 I think I still have some and when I find it will add it to see if there's any difference. Even a slight yellow tinge in my clear baits is no big deal considering the fact that clear lures aren't colorless underwater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowFISH Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Might wanna keep eye on it when you reheat it the first time if its that old.... I had about 1 quart left in a gallon jug sitting around that was probably 3-4 years old and it must have absorbed moisture from sitting - it didn't get over 300 degrees before it became a foaming/bubbling mess.... J. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Most times I keep the temp below 300, stirring to see of the plastic can be injected and is free from inconsistent smoothness. I've seen the bubbling,, stir the plastic and reheat it and it usually disappears. But thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
