Issues when using white colorant

[jsbass]

When making white baits I have always had difficulty in keeping the plastic "White". By the time I am half way thru my batch, the plastic starts to turn dull or "Off-White".
I also cannot re-use my leftover plastic in my next batch, thus creating a lot of waste.

The only thing I have done that works is to make smaller batches and pour / inject quickly. (and I have used heat stablizers as well)

I have used Del-Mart, MF, and Lurecraft colorants but have yet to try the X2 Colorants from Do-it.

Am I the only one that has this issue?

Jack

[ctom]

Are you using a thermometer while cooking the plastic?

[jsbass]

I'm using the presto pots to cook with.
I set it for about 325 or so. I never touch the temp.

[biglewers]

I would say stop using the pot unless you have a stir system.  Also X2 white is pretty sweet.   I have kept it white for a long time.  Reheat after reheat.  What plastic are you using?

[jsbass]

I am using a stirring system on both my pour and injection system.
I use Lurecraft 536 plastic.

What temperature are you pouring at?

[ctom]

You need to get a thermometer like the ones sold here at Do-It. They are extremely accurate and will tell you exactly what the plastic temp is as it heats. I would bet that you'll find the dial for setting your pot temperature is going to be off by several degrees and is causing the plastic to scorch or the pot itself has a serious "hot-spot" on the bottom. You cannot get decent results unless you know precisely how hot the plastic is getting and when you're working with white only a couple too many degrees will hand you a mess of yellowed plastic. To find out how hot you are getting using the dial on your pot, use cheap cooking oil rather than your good plastic. Once you determine where the dial is heating to precisely with the cooking oil you can wash the pot and start with the plastic. Personally I wouldn't use one of those pot jobs, stirrer or otherwise. Microwaves are way easier to master.

Plastics are different between companies and what the threshold temperature is for each to set the plastic will vary. Do-It's plastics require the initial cooking to get to 350 degrees. If during re-melts or re-heats you add raw plastic to the cooked product you need to get that temp back to 350 to properly cook the newly added plastic. If you are simply re-melting already cooked plastic you do not need to attain the 350 degrees and it can be worked at substantially lower temps....320-330 instead. The mold/bait will let you know how cool the plastic can be and still get good results.

[RufNec]

The UV additive will help maintain the white, as well.

[Billmo]

The Lure craft plastic requires an initial temp of 340. I have used presto pots to inject big runs of white and have never had an issue.. My guess is even though you are setting your temp on the presto, the actual temp may be off. Use a thermometer and monitor the temp with your presto temp control set at 325. If you are actually seeing a constant temp of 325 then you have to look at other factors such as additives(softener, hardener, scent, heat stabilizer)

[Bob]

I'm using the presto pots to cook with.
I set it for about 325 or so. I never touch the temp.

the dials and thermostats on the presto are not accurate in any way shape or form, you must take the temp using a thermometer

[Bugpac]

Ive played with digital controlers on presto pots a whole bunch. Very first thing you notice is when it kills the power to the controller the temp still increases 20 degrees from set temp. As well as dropping about 20 before it puts power back on. To keep consistant you have to keep playing with it non stop. most accurate measure I found was a candy thermo from walmart if trying to use with the presto controller.

[MO QWACK]

For me with a microwave.....
I add LOTS of white, heat and shoot then, on the reheat I add a couple ounces of pure plastic couple drops of color and keep going. It takes a little more time but zero yellow and zero waste. I hate ivory lol