cooking plastic

[kipbass]

What do you guys consider the standard procedures for nuking 4oz of plastic so it doesn't burn or bubble? For instance; microwave 1 minute stir, nuke another minute...etc Any solid, tried and true suggestions is appreciated.

[knifemaker3]

There is really no set standard as every micro will heat a little different due to wattage, elevation, etc. etc.

Basically you will need to work out your own system with you micro.

My routine is to heat for 1 minute intervals until it starts to go through the gel stage then back in for 30-45 seconds until it's ready to pour.

I've heard others say they put it in for X minutes and XX seconds with perfect results everytime.

So, again you will need to work out your own routine to work with your equipment.

Sorry.....

[ghostbaits]

For 4oz, somewhere around 1 minute 30 seconds will be good. I have both 1150 watt and 800 watt mics and that gets you close for most brands. This will get you where you can add your colorant and glitter, stir and heat another 15 to 20 seconds or so.

You don't want to stir CCM crystal clear plastic or many of the others to soon as you will introduce air into the plastic and you will get bubbles. Basically, if they are not at the liquid stage partially, don't stir. Gel phase will fold air into the plastic to be trapped.

This time works perfect for LC, CCM, M-F but not great for Lureworks. For their plastisol, I have experimented with different power settings and times. Soft is not hard to get cooked but medium and hard versions are still micro bubbling.

I agree with knifemaker3 also. Get close and refine your times. Note your wattage also. Microwaves die and then you have to go hunt something close in wattage so good to know.


Jim

[Jason]

Another thing that is critical but often overlooked is a way to check your temps.  I use a pretty nice infrared thermometer.  It is really important to get you plastic hot enough for it to work properly.  For most that magic number is 350, CC Crystal Clear it is 350 - 360, it has a little more heat stability - the trade off is it takes a little more heat. 

As Jim mentioned, with CC you just put it in and nuke it.  You don't want to stir it until it is the consistency of warm syrup (around 350 - 360).  You can stir it all you want prior to cooking it, but once you start it is really better to just let it cook.  The same goes for reheating used plastic.  I think we are unique in this regard.  It wasn't really something we set out for, it's just a characteristic of the plastic that is really pretty nice (saves time).  Once you know your times and temps it is kind of set it and forget it until it ready.  One last thing, it does heat faster than other plastic I have compared it to.  As a general rule I would expect around 30 seconds less depending on what you are using (on smaller batches - close to 1 min on larger ones).

Jason

[ghostbaits]

LOL.... I still have never used a thermometer as long as I have poured.

Note to self, get an infared thermometer some year!!!! 

Jim

[Jason]

It is helpful when you are just starting out, pouring laminates, testing plastic, etc.  It has a lot of helpful uses.  At some point I'm sure most use it less, but it is a good tool for most.

[jeffhill]

I am faily new at this too, but one thing that helps me is to turn the micro to defrost for reheating. This seems to really cut down on the scorching.

[kipbass]

  Hey I really appreciate all the info. I guess I was at fault for some of the bubbles. I thought it had to be stirred after each nuking; including the gel phase. I thought you needed to stir it to distribute the heat to prevent burning..I'll not stir once the plastisol enters the gel stage..Maybe if I back off the time a little, I can avoid the micro bubbles. Thanks again!!

[kipbass]

Well micro bubbles are still an issue. I made some nice looking frogs and let them set over night. Today I was nuking clear plastic for dipping and there are a ton of micro bubbles. I am upset with the myself for purchasing Chemionics plastic and still have 1/4 of a gallon left. To top it off, it's got a yellowish amber hue to what's supposed to be clear. My CC green 15 drops to 4oz of plastic has a brownish look about it, don't know if the plastic is turning colors or what..Can't wait till payday, then I can buy a gallon of Jason's. I hope it's worth the extra $20 vs other sites plastic! Results like this are frustrating enough to sell off your $H**!

[Jason]

I have never used Chemionics but if you can send me a pic or post a pic I may be able to give you some suggestions.

It can only be a couple different things causing this.

1) Your plastic is boiling (not really your plastic but something in it, probably a stabilizer)
2) You have moisture in your process
3) User induced bubbles (I can't help much here as I'm not familiar with the plastic)

I do have a couple questions:

Does it have micro bubbles or does the top have a froth on it.  Froth is definitely moisture related.

Does it bubble while you cook it, or once you take it out and start working with it.

1) Are you reheating plastic?
2) Has your plastic been sitting out or in the cup you are using?
3) Are your cups clean and dry?

All of these questions are to try and figure out if you got moisture in your plastic somehow.  It could be as simple as humidity or condensation in LA.

The fact that it is turning yellow just means you either over heated it, or heated it once the heat stabilizer had been depleted.

Every brand of plastic has different heat stability properties.  It really just comes down to learning the plastic and working within them.

I would be happy for you to try Crystal Clear.  It's a really good plastic and probably has a larger error margin = more user friendly, but most of the same principals are still going to apply.

Feel free to give me a call.

Thanks,

Jason

[Muskygary]

Once in a while I will have some trouble with bubbles in the Spike it soft easy pour, but since Im only making baits for myself Ill use it anyway to clear over the eyes. Might not look as pretty but the fish still eat them up!

[kipbass]

1) Well the plastic and other materials stay in the garage, it's not climate controlled. The plastic I'm using has some really bad issues with separation and needs to be shaken for several minutes, that creates bubbles on the top.
2) Adding color to the plastic prior to cooking requires stirring, again bubbles on the top.
3) Stirring again after plastic is fully cooked, bubbles and lots of em'. Using a butter knife to give it a couple go rounds in order to get any ingredients off the bottom, salt/glitter.
4) Left over plastic is stored in a plastic food saving container, lid included.
5) Never used heat stabilizer with reheating plastic. Now I know the yellowing issue you described Jason.
6) I wipe out the Pyrex cups, though this plastic or something else leaves a greasy residue on the inside of the cups.

I have never used Chemionics but if you can send me a pic or post a pic I may be able to give you some suggestions.

It can only be a couple different things causing this.

1) Your plastic is boiling (not really your plastic but something in it, probably a stabilizer)
2) You have moisture in your process
3) User induced bubbles (I can't help much here as I'm not familiar with the plastic)

I do have a couple questions:

Does it have micro bubbles or does the top have a froth on it.  Froth is definitely moisture related.

Does it bubble while you cook it, or once you take it out and start working with it.

1) Are you reheating plastic?
2) Has your plastic been sitting out or in the cup you are using?
3) Are your cups clean and dry?

All of these questions are to try and figure out if you got moisture in your plastic somehow.  It could be as simple as humidity or condensation in LA.

The fact that it is turning yellow just means you either over heated it, or heated it once the heat stabilizer had been depleted.

Every brand of plastic has different heat stability properties.  It really just comes down to learning the plastic and working within them.

I would be happy for you to try Crystal Clear.  It's a really good plastic and probably has a larger error margin = more user friendly, but most of the same principals are still going to apply.

Feel free to give me a call.

Thanks,

Jason

[knifemaker3]

Are you stirring in between heating cycles?  If so you will get lots of bubbles in most any plastic if you stir in the gel stage....it kinda folds air into the plastic which creates bubbles.

Another thing to try is to turn down the intensity of your heat cycle i.e from high heat to medium.  Takes longer but if heated too quick with too much heat it can cause bubbles as well.

Just a couple of thoughts that I've had troubles with in the past.  Oh, and stir your plastic really well before shaking.  I've been using calhoun plastic and have to stir and shake really really really well before even thinking about starting to heat it.  Otherwise you don't get it mixed well and it don't work right.  Could be some of your problem as well.

Good Luck!

[ghostbaits]

The vigorous shaking introduces bubbles as you know. You really have to wait a few hours almost after that to get rid of the dang bubbles. I even think you get bubbles (or make bubbles) from pouring from the wide jug mouth.

Moisture is a HUGE problem down this way also. South GA is HOT (over 100) and the humidity reaches 80+% from late April til late August (give or take a month or so!!)..

I think I still am experiencing problems with the Lureworks medium and hard versions due to micro bubbling from humidity and stabilizer. I know there is a humidity issue as I can turn my jug over and in an hour or less, there will be a wet spot of plastic. I have tighten the lids with a wrench even. You know if liquid can get out, air (full of humidity) can get in.

Brings me to a point... Check the CCM packaging... Spout built in, no lid. Chances of moisture getting in are zero to none as the spout is covered with plastic when it dispenses. No soft pack or hard pack to deal with either so no bubbles from shaking.

Get some CCM and compare to the other you mentioned, you will NEVER go back.

Jim

[kipbass]

Would love to stir it, but the gallon bottle isn't made for stirring; I would need to cut the upper half off. I will switch as soon as I get the opportunity to. I guess I should listen to the old lady and store my stuff in the house.