Using Softener

[SBuck88]

How much softener do you recommend to soften up my medium plastic for softer Senkos?
Thanks

[ctom]

That would depend on what plastic [Essential, Crystal Clear, ??] you are using and whether you're adding a compound to weight them up.

[Jkwbwca]

With essential plastic no HD (maybe 2tbsp glass bead media) I use 1 cap full of the pint size bottle in 4oz.  With 2 tbsp of HD in 4 oz I use 1/4 cap to 1/2 cap of softener.  Those ratios seem to work for me.

[olsarge]

When I make senkos I vary up the recipes but my favorite is 4 ounces medium plastisol and three tablespoons of softener.  The first time I tried this I thought I really screwed up when I demolded.  The baits just felt funky.  After curing however, they were just like I wanted them.

[SBuck88]

That would depend on what plastic [Essential, Crystal Clear, ??] you are using and whether you're adding a compound to weight them up.

I use Essential medium and add a tablespoon of salt and glass media.

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[ctom]

My personal feelings are that 3 tablespoons in 4 ounces is a bit much but with the salt and glass in 4 ounces I could see 1 1/2 tablespoons as a start. You can always adjust either more or less. I guess I'd find a starting point and make adjustments as to amount using more and less and keeping track of the results.

I make primarily small baits and one full quart of softener to a 5 gallon pail of Essential and get a real nice working plastic at that ratio. I've got Essential that has no additional added softener that I use for larger baits....walleye sized baits.  I don't add salt or HD or glass or anything to weigh down my plastic but I do know that some components used for weight also affect the stiffness or softness of the plastic.