Newbie questions

[ARfiser]

I have heard not to add glitter until after you heat. What about reheating or melting old plastics ?? Thanks for any help

[ctom]

I have recipes that are fixed and I add the glitter to the raw plastic. I know there has been some discussion about glitter colors that bleed. Purple seems to be a popular one, but I haven't had any issues in adding it to the raw plastic nor in reheats.

If you are concerned about the glitter thing, you can add it when the plastic is cooked.

Keep in mind that the glitters you order from CCM are all compatible with microwaving. Glitters gotten elsewhere are probably ok too, but if you happen to land on a metal-based glitter and toast it up in the nuke machine you are going to have fireworks. Play it safe and get the glitters here until you learn which ones you can use safely. Again, purple is a problem color in this regard and I think I heard of a pink thats got the metal base too.

Its probably a good idea to add anything to re-melts or old plastic until after it has been melted just to cut down on the liklihood that anything will go south on you.

[pjmcla]

You can add glitter before heating the first time.  Some glitters will want to bleed and discolor ( or color if you are expecting and wanting it ). Most glitters will curl or deform if you get them too hot.  I have glittered baits that have been injected from the 5th and 6th remelt.  They were not quite as pristine as the first baits if placed side by side; but,  still very decent looking and quite fishable.
My Keys to reheating -- With or without glitter.
Add sufficient stabilizer.  Watch your step temperatures.  Do not heat in major time amounts - ( like one shot - 70 to 350 ).  Stir at every time interval to avoid hot spots ( try not to introduce air while stirring ).  The plastic will get really thick and sticky around 280 to 310 or so.  That's when the next heat can really create scorching if you overdo it.  If there is a lot of smoke that comes off the plastic right after you start stirring; you have probably scorched at least some of the plastic.   

[andrewlamberson]

Glitter is often the first thing to bleed or change color. So add it after you heat your plastic (recheck you temperature) and heat another 15 seconds if necessary.

If you think about it...glitter is not going to absorb the energy from the microwave and the same rate as the plastic.

You can reheat your plastic, or remelt your used baits...but they may not look as "perfect" as everything being fresh.

Note: I ONLY reuse/reheat the baits I make. Many of the commercial baits use a plastic that really...really stinks and may not be up to my safety and quality standards.

[ARfiser]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think you all have answered my questions for now.