Reusing (Reshaping) Old Plastics

[fishinghusker]

Haven't seen a topic that is similar, but can you melt down and remold old soft plastics?  What tools would be required, and, if you have done it, does it save much money?

 

Thanks!

[Felix77]

Tried it and hated it.  It is a pretty simple process actually if you have a mold and a pyrex measuring cup.

 

• Sort your plastics into like colors (Black/blue fleck for example)
• cut it into chunks and put into the pyrex cup.
• Microwave in 1 minute increments until it's the consistency of a crepe batter.
• Pour into the mold.
• Remove the plastics and toss into cold water.

 

The smell is pretty strong and I wouldn't use your home microwave.

 

Lastly the stuff is extremely hot so do protect your arms, hands and face just in case you splash.

 

I guess if you end up with the same quality plastic you would technically save money over time.  It doesn't come out exactly the same IMO and the hassle is not worth the $2-$5 bucks I spend on average when I need a new pack.

[Felix77]

[Bassfishing375]

I never melt my plastics to "fix" them. I prefer using mend-it, before I started using this, i would throw out a lot of senkos even if there was only one tear.

[wnybassman]

Lately I've only been remelting and remolding baits that I poured to begin with because I know what's in it.

[NathanW]

You need to try the product Mend-It as noted above. It is a truly a miracle product and I promise you will repair 90% of your plastics like they are brand new.

 

It is some toxic stuff. The first time I used it it burnt a big hole on the inside of my Yum Money Minnow but after it dried I literally could not find the hole. It becomes pliable just like the existing bait and doesn't get hard like superglue.

 

Only thing I dont use it for is to keep the head of my bait in place on T-Rigs like you do with superglue. I am afraid it would eat right through the line if it comes in contact with the knot, have not tested this yet.

[doyle8218]

I have never bothered - baits are cheap enough.

[Wbeadlescomb]

What the heck is a crepe

[macmichael]

What the heck is a crepe

Little thin French pancakes.

[webertime]

I get bored and mend-it a lot of things... some successes include:

Cut the tail off of a hollow belly swimbait and mend-it to the tail end of a Sebile Magic Swimmer Soft. Moves like a drunk belly dancer (that's a good thing)

Attach craws to Fat Ika bodies once the tentacles get shreaded. Rage Craws and Zoom craws work well.

Yamamoto tentacles attached to the tip of a Pit Boss makes a sick spider grub.

[webertime]

When remelting, it is advised to add a bit of new plastisol to keep the baits a little softer.

[Wbeadlescomb]

Little thin French pancakes.

The only good thing that ever came out of France was the ménage á trois