In this Blog we explain how to use our Plastisol in detail. We give you tips and trics and some nice recipes to start of. First we focus on the how to get started!

What do we need to get started?

A great way to get started is by buying one of our KITS. At this moment we have 3 in our shop. The first one is a basic kit, the second a kit to make Zander / perch baits and the third is for pouring Pike baits. Let's say you purchased the Zander/ Perch Kit. As you can read in the description on our website, the full Package contains the most components. In this kit you'll find: 1 liter Plastisol soft, 250ml hardener, small glitters, coloring, a mold to get started, RTV silicone to make your own molds, one pyrex cup, clay to make masters, mold oil and measuring spoons. 

Our recommended way to start with pouring softbaits is in a well ventilated area (outside is preffered) using a microwave. Microwave doesn't have to be a very expensive one. I use one that cost me €50 and I use it for over 5 years now. Two pyrex cups is minimum if you want to pour two colored baits as well. For one colored baits one Pyrex cup is okay. 

Components in detail :

Plastisol

We sell a soft floating one and a medium hard one. The first one is great for making small softbaits for dropshotting or vertical jigging for bass/ zander. The medium one is great for Large Pike Baits. The two can be mixed as well. The mix I prefer for zander baits for example is 50% soft and 50% medium. This 50/50 mix can also be obtained by adding approx. 15ml hardener to 1000ml Soft Plastisol. Recoomended temperature for pouring is between 165 and 175°C. 

Hardener

Adding 4% will make the Soft Plastisol turn into the Medium version. You can play around with this. Add before heating and stir in well. 

Softener

Adding 10% will make the Medium Plastisol turn into the Soft version. You can play around with this. Add before heatinga as well. 

(Polyester) Glitters

Available in several colors / sizes in small and big packs. Add glitters after heating to prevent that they sink to the bottom of your cup quickly. Glitters can withstand 200°C (ca. 400 °F). 

LUPA Coloring

Available in standard, pearl and fluo colors. Add before heating. Mostly 5 drops to 50ml plastisol is a good guideline. 

RTV Silicone Molds

Ready to use quality open pour molds at a low price. We sell several types. RTV mold silicone is flexible and strong, lasting much longer than for example plaster molds. 

RTV Mold Silicone (DC3481)

The best Material to make your own Silicone Molds. Add 5% Activator on weight base. So 5 gram to every 100 grams Silicone. 

Pyrex Cup

Pyrex is a glass that is heat resistant op to 220°C (ca. 425 °F). Perfectly fit to get the job done, as we heat our plastisol up to approx 165 / 175°C.

Fimo Clay

The best clay to make small masters. It doesn't cure by aire but needs a bake for 30minutes at 100°C. | 212°F. After it'sd baked you can easily sand it or use a dremel to get the shape you want. TIP: You can also add details afterwards and bake it again.

Measuring Spoons

5 stainless cups variyng in size. Helpfull tool to get glitter-consitency in your baits. 

Mold Oil

Is used to lubricate molds before pouring. Especially usefull when using Plaster molds or stone molds. Use only a few drops. 

 

3 things to keep in mind when working with Plastisol

To prevent getting burned by the plastisol it's advised to ware heat resistant gloves. You may also consider wearing safety glasses and a mask with filters. Especially when your working area is not well ventilated or when you work for days at a time with it.

So protect your air-ways, hands and eyes at all times!

 

===> The proces of making your own Molds with RTV Mold Silicone can be found in this Blog

Let's start Pouring!

Let's say we'd like to pour a shad like the one pictured below. A speckled green chartreuse shad with a Pearl White Belly. We take 2 Pyrex Cups and pour in a 50/50 mix Plastisol Soft / medium or Plastisol soft with 1.5% Hardener for approx the same result.

pyrex cup in microwave

Two colored baits need two cups

 

Recipe 1 : 

Pyrex Cup 1 : 50ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Fluo Green / add the smallest scope of medium black glitter after heating

Pyrex Cup 2 : 50ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Pearl White + 1 drop of fluo green

Now stir the coloring in with a tea spoon and put the two Cups in the Microwave for 3 minutes at 600 Watt. After that 3 minutes you see the color come up and the Plastisol starts to thicken (see picture). That's good.

Plastisol thickens   

Plastisol approx. half way the heating proces.       

 

Swirl glitter in and it's ready to pour...                                                 

Put the two cups back for 2 more minutes. Take it out again after two minutes and stir the cups a bit like you would swirl a glass of wine. Repeat this proces until the plastisol is thin again and there's a little smoke coming off. Now add the glitter to the 'green cup' and stir it in. 

Don't use a table spoon as this results in a lot of airbubbles. Just swirl it in. 

Time to Pour!

In this case we begin with the belly and fill that up. Immediatelly followed by the green color. Don't wait, because we want the two colors to merge a bit together. Fill the mold and wait 5 minutes. Depending on the size of the bait it could be 3 minutes, 5 minutes or even 10 minutes or more. When all goes well it should come out nicely. Put it for a dip in a bowl of cold water and let it settle there for half an hour. After the cooldown we lay the baits backwards on a piece of paper for about 12 hours. After that they should be ready to use and catch fish:). 

Mold comes loose at the thickest part... time to take it out

   

Rest material can be re-melted and used again                                                          

 

In a bowl with cold water to cool down

shads settling

Let it settle down for 12 hours, flat on their backs                                          

                             

Ready for use:)

 

Recipe 2 (Brown and black glitter /Pearl belly): 

Pyrex Cup 1 : 50ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Brown / add the smallest scope of medium black glitter after heating

Pyrex Cup 2 : 50ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Pearl White + 1 drop of Brown

 

==> Same way to pour as Recipe 1, but this is a natural color for clear water.

Nice zander hammered this bait 

 

TIPS for pouring Plastisol

  • TIP 1: When we need to pour small details it's recommended to heat up the Plastisol a bit further, as this higher temperature will result in a thinner stream when we pour in the Plastisol. Heat Stabilizer is highly recommended in that situation, as this liquid will prevent the Plastisol from burning at higher temperatures (approx 195°C) Adding 1% maximum. So max 10ml to every 1000ml Plastisol.

 

  • TIP 2: When your baits are cooling down in the mold after you poured them, and you're not sure if you can take them out, you can try to pull off the edges of the mold from the bait that's cooling down. When the bait let's loose at the thickest part, your bait is ready to be taken out. 

 

  • TIP 3: Write down your recipe's, as it's very easy to forget how you made a certain color.

 

  • TIP 4 : Shake your Plastisol and your coloring well before using. The Plastisol just needs a hand shake, but the pigment of the coloring may need another treatment. It tends to sink down to the bottom after a certain time. Make the pigment turn loose again with a small screwdriver and stir it up. 

 

  • Tip 5 : Wear heat resistant gloves when you pour your baits. Heated plastisol can cause severe burns. When you pour in non-ventilated areas it's recommended to use a mask with filters.

 

  • TIP 6 :  To add dots and other details to your baits, you might consider using our Softbait dip. It can be dipped or brushed on. It can also be brushed on with an airbrush by using a 0.3 nozzle. You can thin the dip by using acetone.

 

If you have any questions, or tips for us, please let us know at Lureparts@hotmail.nl or in the comments below. 

Have fun pouring!

 

Cheers, 

Oscar Wissink

Lureparts.nl