2-tone senko

[Matt Becker]

I got my mold today. Tried getting some lamainates, got that down, but they arnt sticking together very good. I am pouring 1 color in 1 half of the mold, then putting the top on and pouring thee other color in. Im getting the color i want but the 2 colors arnet bonding good enough. How do i fix this? Thanks!!!

[The Dutchman]

Matt, Pour the bottom layer or belly and let set for about 30 seconds. Make sure the second color is hot - not scorching - but runny. The hot second layer will bond the first. Also, make sure the mold is warm, not cold, and this will help the bonding process. With practice, you will not have separation. If you do have separation, pull them apart and reheat the plastic. Hope this helps. Joe

[Matt Becker]

Thanks i'll keep playin with it

[BBC]

try doing one or two at a time until you figure it out. Also, you need to preheat the mold (I usually set mine on an electric stove burner set on low between pours). The plastic needs to be very hot for the second color or you will have issues with pouring the entire bait and/or delamination.

Eric

[One Sock]

I don't heat my molds, but I do make sure second color is very hot and I do 12 halfs, then put the molds togetehr and do the other halfs

[Willy]

Sock,

Do you pour the first half with the mold open?

Willy

[The Dutchman]

Willy, yes you do. Then put it together after the first half cools somewhat - so it doesn't run.

[earthworm77]

Here's a shad laminate I did recently-

[Matt Becker]

im still having problems. I tried heating the mold, i made sure the plastic was hot, but yet either i close it and flip it up to early and it rushed to the bottom, or i wait to long and it doesnt bond.

[bssmstr]

heat both colors to approx. 340F and pour your 1st color. stir the 2nd and put in the micro. after you fill the 1st half-reheat the 2nd to ~340F - 10-30 secs. or whatever it takes to get it back to 340 (consistency of hot pancake syrup-I always add heat stabilizer to my recipes) while the 2nd is heating put the mold together. When the 2nd is ready-stir and start pouring.

I use LC plastic and have had it as hot as ~390F- it will smoke but the stabilizer will usually keep it from burning. (I've only burned one batch - after that I use the heat stabilizer religiously and use a Sears lazer temp sensor-the candy thermos are too slow) If you do a 3rd or more reheats- add a little more stabilizer. 1/2 tsp is enough for 2-3 oz.

[houstondominant]

I pour 1/2 the mold, put it togerther, then pour the other half. After that I take my $20 Wagner heat gun from Wal-Mart and heat the outside of the mold while it is standing up in a small vise. This works with just about any 2 piece aluminum mold. I have never had any seperation problems when doing it this way. It is a longer cooling process, but the final product is perfect. This also lets you go at your own pace, no rush to pour the second color.

JD

[Richard Prager]

That's a great idea! I've done a similar thing but used the oven with great results. That's when I was single and didn't cook. I'm not allowed to use our oven since getting married.

What model heat gun are you using?

[GB GONE]

May have to have Del jump in here but I seem to remember if you overheat and cool the 2 piece molds excessively and repeatedly, they could warp a bit.

I may be way off on that as my memory may be (OK is) fading. Just hate to see that expensive mold become a paper weight!!

Jim

[Smallie]

I think you would have to get over 600 degrees F to cause any problems. I interpret the use of the heat gun to remelt or soften the two colors to make them stick. Play it safe and stay under 350. You will be operating in the range the mold is normally used to seeing.

[houstondominant]

I use a digital temp gun, and only take the mold to around 325 degrees. I was putting my mold with the plastic into the oven at 350 degrees on a cookie sheet for 5 minutes. At least until the cookie sheet bowed, and dumped the plastic into the bottom of the oven. Needless to say I lost my oven privileges. I got the Wagner heat gun idea while shrinking some heat shrink tubing. It is the Wagner Multi-Purpose Dual Temp paint stripping gun. It is in the power tool section of Wal-Mart. They have this one for $20, or one for $55. No real difference between the models. This way is much easier and faster than heating the mold in the oven, plus I do not need to leave my work bench where my microwave is located. I also use it to preheat my molds.

JD