First time pouring plastic

[scbassman28]

I poured my first baits today with a plaster mold.  The worms came out with a lot of air bubbles.  Am I not stirring it enough or what is going on?  What can get rid of this problem?  Also, the worms are real dull looking.  If I put them in a bag with some kind of oil will they shine?

[wickyman]

First of all, did you coat the inside of your plaster molds with some kind of sealing agent?  Some such things are; shellacs, or water based sealers.  If you did use that, then try brushing in some kind of fish oil, into the mold.  This will give you the glossy texture, do this every time you pour a batch.  I.e., each set you pour.  When you pour, pour it with the mold at an angle.  This will allow all the air bubbles to escape out of the hole.  Hope this helps you!

[earthworm77]

Plaster molds are notorious for giving off the air bubble effect. You need to seal them or switch to silicone and aluminum.

[Glenn]

Welcome back Earthworm!  

[NewScreenNameAdvised]

What are you stirring with?  Wood stirrers may create bubbles.

Another possible cause is moisture getting into your ingredients.

Seal the mold before you use.

[scbassman28]

I was stirring it with a wooden spoon.  I will try to do it again soon.

[earthworm77]

Go to any hardware store and get a 36" length of 1/4" steel rod. Cut it into 12" sections and you have three mixing rods which can double as tube dipping rods.

[Jeff C.]

I used to use a steel rod too.

But it seems to me that its easier to lift the salt & glitter off the bottom of the cup with a steel spoon..

Earth worm,,

are you the one I got the Fat-Zillas from ?

[earthworm77]

I am.

You shouldn't have much glitter on the bottom of the Pyrex. Salt does accumulate there though. But if you keep stiring it, you shouldn't have much waste.

[SENKOSAM]

Bubbles come from a couple of sources:

1. the plastic - Calhouns plastic has a big problem with bubbles and needs to be cooked, allowed to cool and cooked again to get the microbubbles out.

2. As the plastic contracts, it creates and air pocket at the top 1/4 in two part molds. Best way I've found is to pour 3/4 of the way and add the last 1/4 after 30 seconds. No bubble.

3. Never use wood to stir. I like a metal butter knife and like EW said, the salt and glitter will stay suspended for the pour. Fine salt (Diamond brand from the supermarket) is far better than large grain salt for suspending.

4. Keep the plastic stored in a dry room with the cap tight on the container. Moisture contributes to bubbles.

A gloss primer as was mentioned (Elmer Glue, wall primer, Devcon epoxy) creates a super shinny surface. Original Fish Formula oil works great to add to the gloss and helps as a bait release for deep detailed cavities, plus it's much cheaper than worm oil purchased from lure making supplers. If the gloss in the cavity is good from the primer, oil may not be needed.