Bubbles and the box

[wilks19]

Morning all.  I am almost done with my first 2 1/2 gallon box of CCM plastic.  I was loving this product until last night when I got down towards the bottom of the bag.  Now, every amount I try to make is just full of bubbles from the top of the Pyrex to the bottom.  I have tried taking the bag out and shaking it, rotating it, and any kind of motion with it for at least 2-5 minutes.  Is anyone else having problems with this?  When I started using this box, it was AMAZING.  The plastic had little smoke, very little odor, and was absolutely fantastic.  Now that I am towards the bottom of the bag, the bubbles are just cramping my style and driving me nuts  .  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[ctom]

You need to keep that box shook up on a regular basis right from the time you receive it. At one time I has 3 of the same boxes and took 20 minutes every other day to agitate all of them. All of the components in that bag can settle if not kept thoroughly mixed and being the milky white that the raw plastic is you'd never see the settling of the components by looking at it.

I cannot say whether heat or cold accelerate any settling [packing] of the raw plastic you receive, however soft, medium and hard formulas have different additives to make the plastic what it is along with stabilizer. Gotta keep the plastic mixed. 

[crappiezilla]

I had my first box to do this also. Shake it shake it!!! I will clear up. But wait alittle after you shake it up or it will have bubbles in it.

[pjmcla]

When I have that problem, I heat the clear plastic in slow steps once above 280 or so and stir well, 20 sec. more and stir well, another 20 and stir well.  Once you get to 350 stir real well until the temp drops to 325 or so and add your color only; and stir well.  Then go back to 340 or so and add glitters; and stir well some more.  This is on 6 oz batches.  It seems to help knock the bubbles out.   

[wilks19]

Thanks guys for the advice.  I am new to Do-It/CCM's plastic and I took the sticker on the box for granted.  I used Bear's before this and would always shake very well and never had an issue.  I will do the same with this and see how it goes.  I hope this resolves the bubble issue because I really do like and enjoy using this plastic.

[wilks19]

I was talking to Crabbybass about this issue too and he mentioned the humidity in the Chicagoland area possibly playing a factor too?  It has been very hot and humid the last 2 weeks.

[andrewlamberson]

Humid weather is playing heck with my plastic now too!

From the same box of plastic that molded perfect during the winter...I now having microbubbles ....but it's NOT from the plastic....it's from my pyrex cups and the air in my microwave.

I wipe out each cup with a paper towel, then heat it for 20 seconds (empty), and then no problems with bubbles.

When it gets super humid I have a cup of plastic that I reheat in the microwave to dry out the air in the microwave before I heat new plastic. (according the the microwave instructions you should never run a microwave empty).

I don't "shake" my plastic...I rotate the box...a few dozen times before using. I'm trying to mix the plastic without adding air bubbles. The bag (vs a a jug) seems to really help because there is not a bunch of air to shake into the plastic like in a 1/2 full jug. The bag also helps because it keeps the humid air away from the plastic (another reason I don't like jugs).

Andy

[gone2long]

you may also find that pouring it through a paint strainer used for automotive paint will solve the problem.

[wilks19]

I hear ya Andy on the humidity.  It is killing me.  I was having no issues at all up until yesterday.  I went home on lunch and tried a few of the tips the other gents had mentioned and it helped, but after getting it up to temp, there were still bubbles (not as bad as before, but a few).  They cleared up after stirring however.  Before I poured any in the Pyrex, I shook the bejesus out of it and then stirred like crazy in between.  I always clean my Pyrex's out after they are cool enough to pull the plastic out.  I will try heating them in the microwave before hand.  I love the box and the simple pour.  I had back surgery in October and I am trying to listen to the docs and not lift things too heavy or do anything "stupid" and reinjure my back.  Shaking and jittering the box is probably on the "stupid" category when it is a full box.  I will let y'all know what I find out.  I will be back in the shed after work. 

@gone2long-I will ask my buddy if he has any strainers.  He is a body guy so he should be able to get me a new one for a decent price. Thank you.

[wilks19]

Good morning all.  I wanted to give an update on the bubble issue I was having.  I am pretty much down to the last cup or so of my box and I am still having issues every so often.  It seems that every other cup was still giving me troubles.  I tried beating the bag, rolling the bag, and heating the Pyrex's before using and still get bubbles.  When I do get them, they are throughout the whole amount of plastic and not just on the surface.  After heating slowly and stirring like crazy, I am able to get the bubbles to disipate, but still have a very small amount.  When I get my next batch, I am going to make sure to shake, rattle, and roll that box every time and see if that helps as I get down to the end.  Thanks for all the advice.

Wilks19

[Denny Welch]

I agree with Tom's assessment of the problem.  You have to really shake up the box frequently.  If you don't, by the time you get to the bottom of the box you don't really have the same makeup of the plastisol as when you started.  I've had the same problem you had with all the bubbles, but no more since rotating the box frequently.

One other possible cause that no one has expressed...perhaps Chuck has come by your place in the still of the night and poured a bottle of beer into your plastisol.  Just a thought.

[MicroSpoons]

Humidity can play a big part as well, I have more bubble issues here in louisiana this time of year than I do in winter
 

[wilks19]

The humidity is a major factor because when it is humid out, the problem is at its peak. 
@Denny-I will remember this for next time and will shake that sucker as often as I am out there in the shed.  LMAO...I will have to ask Chuck, we work together and just got back from fishing.  He killed it today with 6 and me the big goose egg. 

@Micro-It is extremely humid down there in LA.  I was there in '09 and love the area, but that heat is something fierce! 

Again, thanks all for the help.

[CrabbyBass]

One other possible cause that no one has expressed...perhaps Chuck has come by your place in the still of the night and poured a bottle of beer into your plastisol.  Just a thought.

Denny, I am not telling you anything anymore!!!!   

[biglewers]

Im am getting down to the end of my 2 1/2 gallon box of plastic in soft and in med.  Both are giving me fits with bubbles.  I dont know what has happend.