baitman77 Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I am using lure craft 502 medium plastic but would like to soften it just a little bit. So is there a better way to soften a little without using the actual softner, I'm trying to prevent adding more chemical smell which softner is. Can I use anything else without changing the shine or appearance of the plastic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Worm oil will soften it. HD sinking additive will soften it some and make it more durable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I never really noticed much of an odor with softener? Stabilizer for sure, but softener shouldn't be a problem.........and you don't really need to use much. As mentioned, worm oil works, but it's much more expensive than softener (per ounce). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baitman77 Posted January 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 I'm just trying to keep it as user friendly as possible, as many chemicals as I can eliminate the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 One of my customer dips the baits in hot water and says it softens it up a bit. Mainly tails on swim baits. Might give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Frank, that's a useful tip for the bigger swim baits like the Huddlestons but it also works on the smaller bagged baits if they have bent tails. The hot water will straighten the tails back up but in my experience the plastic will retain its original stiffness once it cools back down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I would think ? that the 502 has some softener already in it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggun Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I shoot a lot of 502. I have never ran across something I would need to soften it up anymore for. What is it you are making? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 I would think ? that the 502 has some softener already in it . All variations of plastic have some degree of softener in it. I just had no idea how to soften plastisol without using either softener or worm oil. Never thought of the hot water idea............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Boys Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 adding a small amount more of softener should not add more chemical smell than it already has. also, back when I was racing slot cars in HOPRA & UFHORA the chassis on the race cars were plastic if we boiled them they would get softer if we baked them they would get stiffer it was different plastic than worm plastisol but mite be kinda where the hot water comes in ? I have had hand poured sticks with heavy salt that got firm after setting around , I boiled a few for 10 minutes, they were much softer after that, its been a while so I do not remember how long they stayed soft . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archery1 Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 worm oil . hd additive or glass bead media will make them softer ,, the hd add. will really cloud the baits up when added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinfish Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) I'm sorry if this is sacrilegious, but Has anyone ever used Do-it molds plastisol? Edited January 13, 2015 by rollinfish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archery1 Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 yes good results,.,.tried sample of there new ess. plastic and heats ,shoots nice.. will be ordering more 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Lake Lures Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 The hardener in Lurecraft plastic will settle, so you can get various degrees of hardness depending on how you mix the settled plastic. Hope this helps, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuckMaxx Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 How do you shake 5 gallon buckets to get the hardner to remix? I tried a drywall mixer with OK results. But that won't work it 5 gallon totes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 How do you shake 5 gallon buckets to get the hardner to remix? I tried a drywall mixer with OK results. But that won't work it 5 gallon totes. If you're not doing large volumes, I always thought it best to drill (mix) the 5-gallon jug, then transfer to 1-gallon containers. From there, shaking should work just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyD Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 Just mix the medium plastisol with softer plastisol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
