Had color go bad in the cup

[fish_4_all]

I made up my first batch of purple X2 and heated like I have all the rest. Got it to temp, about 350-355, then injected it into two molds. I go the molds done, emptied them, emptied the injector, got everything back together and filled the injector for the second batch.

Much to my surprise the plastic had burnt while in the Pyrex measuring cup! The first injections were perfect but the second ones looked more like root beer than purple. I did not reheat it between injections, it just sat in the cup and burnt. Kinda makes me wonder just how hot the plastic actually got.

It wasn't the colorant or the plastic because I did another batch and got 6 injections out of it reheating three times without even a noticeable change in color.

Guess there are things to learn and things that just seem to catch you off guard.

[412BaitCo]

What kind of thermometer are you using?

[biglewers]

Plastic will still continue to cook in the cup.  Did you use any heat stabe or any stabe at all?

[MonteSS]

Ya. Add heat stabilizer and no reason to get near that hot.

...Bill

[superharmonix]

Ditto on the heat stabilizer.  I use 21 drops per cup of plastic.  Yesterday I had a half cup of clear plastic sitting on the griddle at 320 degrees for a half hour with zero yellowing.  It really does what it is supposed to, and like someone here always says, it is cheap insurance!

-Shawn

[captian chaos]

Sounds like a hot spot from the micro. I had this problem with an old mic, did you give it a stir when you took it out i found this stopped it till i got a new one.Or use smaller time increments and check your temps more regularly
I'm sure others will chime in with different opinions, i am no expert but this was my experience

[fish_4_all]

I did not add any heat stabilizer, I neglected to get any in my order. Haven't needed it yet but might have saved that batch.

I did stir it after it came out of the micro. I am using a digital thermometer with a probe.

What I think happened is I heated this batch too long before stirring first time. It was still under 350 but was really close, I did one 15 second heat and got it to temp and then injected.

350 too hot??? I thought for a new raw batch that was where you had to get it to activate it properly?

The plastic was still usable just a major color change. I guess I will have to heat shorter times initially on new batches with my micro.

[Jason]

You are correct that the initial heating has to get over 350 (the entire batch) or the PVC resign will not cook correctly and your baits will have issues.

Jason

[andrewlamberson]

I always heat my plastic to 350...otherwise it does not completely "change state"...and you end up with sticky baits...etc.etc...

The key is to have a REALLY good digital thermometer....and consistency in your process.

[fish_4_all]

That's a picture of the color change. Can someone tell me if the plastic burnt or just the colorant? To be honest, I hope I can replicate this color in the future without "burning" it. I really like it but it will not be very easy to make it on purpose.

[412BaitCo]

Looks like it started to burn for sure. Burning looks like your slowly adding brown/motor oil to whatever color you're using in my opinion.

[412BaitCo]

I use the inferred thermometer and I can attest it is not accurate! Ive notice you have to stir first before it's even close. I just haven't had a chance to get to harbor freight and get the one the guys recommend.   

[biglewers]

Try using a kitchen thermometer.  They are like 8 bucks at wally world.  I use both.    I had the same issue at first m=with my plastic burning when I was using just the IR one.  Then I read on another post, that I should try a kitchen on.  Everything is fine now.

[fish_4_all]

I am using a kitchen thermometer, is very accurate so far. I think I just missed the mark on that one batch. I did stir it but I didn't take a middle temp which might have been way too high.

[kipbass]

Make sure you didn't hit the button that changes it to Celsius from Fahrenheit. Happened to me once.