Mend It Review

[bilgerat]

So I broke down and bought a bottle. It was on sale and I added it into my order. I had read the stories about evaporation through the plastic bottles in the past, they now package it in glass bottles.

The only other repair glue I had used in the past was Pro's SoftBait glue, which I wasn't impressed with. It dried hard and crusty, even in spite of my storing it in the fridge as recommended.

I had a big bag of torn baits accumulated from a couple of seasons. The tears ranged from hook holes to tubes nearly ripped in half. Some of these baits are tough to find now and they were great producers for me.

They now have a fine brush applicator as part of the cap. No tiny holes to clog up or drips and waste down the side of the container. When you initially apply it, it actually opens the tear up wider as the reaction of the glue to the plastic is instant. I really shouldn't call it glue, they say it catalyzes (liquefies) the plastic temporarily. In other words, it melts the plastic back together. You're supposed to apply it to both sides of the tear and immediately close the tear up. Then place the bait on a flat surface and let it sit a few minutes. That's it.

So far I'm happy with the results. In spite of the 'melting' that occurs, I saw no deformation at all on the baits I repaired. Among these were tubes that were ribbed, like a Yum Vibra King. The fine rib pattern stayed intact. It was difficult to see where the repair was. On top of that, the repaired areas were as soft as original. The real test will be after a few weeks if they stay as soft. One last thing is after they sit, there is no noticeable chemical odor. However, it does have a strong smell and is flammable, so don't use it in a closet while smoking I let them sit out overnight before putting them back in the bags with the other baits.

The main reason I bought it was I'm going on vacation for a week and if a particular bait becomes hot, I won't run out. There's really no decent tackle shops where I'm going and driving forever to find one while on vacation is out of the question.

[snapshotmd]

+1

I bought Mend-it last year and it works great! People keep telling me that a lighter would do the same thing, but would it be as easy and as fast? I've had repaired baits stored over the winter and they're still as soft and pliable when first repaired.

[Raul]

People keep telling me that a lighter would do the same thing, but would it be as easy and as fast?

The answer is ---> NO, a lighter won´t give you the same result, first of all, salted baits pop like popcorn when you apply the heat of the flame to them, the plastic melts ( and it gets holy crap ! hot ) but won´t have the same properties again when it cools down, it becomes a lot softer so it will break faster, then you have to apply the flame to the tear, sure, it can be done in the calm of your house, do it while fishing and .... can´t remember how many times I´ve burnt my finger tips while trying to mend a bait with a little wind blowing. Mend it does it in seconds, the baits retain their properties and you don´t have to fool around with a lighter trying not to burn yourself.

[grimlin]

I suppose if you have a big box full of already torn baits ready to be repaired,might be good stuff. Glad to hear they now putting them in glass bottles.Maybe the stuff will last longer.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

You can litterally reapair a couple hundred baits per bottle when you get good at using the stuff! Quickly pays for itself in no time when you are talking 3-7 dollars for bags of plastics

[MaxumBass]

I have been saving all my tore up bait in a ice cream bucket... When I feel I have enough to warrant buying a bottle,I'll try it again. Last bottle, which was plastic didn't last a month before it dried out. I bought some "Venom" worm glue in a glass bottle and it was dried up when I got home.Took it back and ALL the bottles the shop had were like that....so I still have doubts about the longevity of the stuff...

[Hammer 4]

After aboutn 5 months, mine dried up..I got 2 repairs out of it..At 11.00 a bottle, that wasn't such a good deal.

[A-Jay]

My bottle dried up this winter as well. But the few times that I did use it, it was effective. I'd be willing to give it another try after hearing that the bottle and the applicator have been improved. Nothing else I've used compares, especially on repairing swimbaits. Has anyone used it on the Rage Tail baits with success ?

A-Jay

[Scorcher214]

I might have to buy some. Today, my last rage craw got torn to the point of non usable and ya....

[bassdreamer]

I have been saving all my tore up bait in a ice cream bucket... When I feel I have enough to warrant buying a bottle,I'll try it again. Last bottle, which was plastic didn't last a month before it dried out. I bought some "Venom" worm glue in a glass bottle and it was dried up when I got home.Took it back and ALL the bottles the shop had were like that....so I still have doubts about the longevity of the stuff...

[CWB]

I'm sold.

I had a plastic bottle that evaporated. I called the company and for shipping cost they sent me a glass bottle. Not only works great but great customer service also.

See related post in "A Little Tip For Repairing Soft Plastics" thread in this section.

[deep]

My bottle dried up this winter as well. But the few times that I did use it, it was effective. I'd be willing to give it another try after hearing that the bottle and the applicator have been improved. Nothing else I've used compares, especially on repairing swimbaits. Has anyone used it on the Rage Tail baits with success ?

A-Jay

Use it a lot on rage craws and rage baby craws (for jig trailers) with good success.

Trouble is, the fish in my local lake figured out my little mend-it trick, and now they break off one of the pincers sooner or later lol.

[rubba bubba]

The answer is ---> NO, a lighter won´t give you the same result, first of all, salted baits pop like popcorn when you apply the heat of the flame to them, the plastic melts ( and it gets holy crap ! hot ) but won´t have the same properties again when it cools down, it becomes a lot softer so it will break faster, then you have to apply the flame to the tear, sure, it can be done in the calm of your house, do it while fishing and .... can´t remember how many times I´ve burnt my finger tips while trying to mend a bait with a little wind blowing. Mend it does it in seconds, the baits retain their properties and you don´t have to fool around with a lighter trying not to burn yourself.

Although I am a big fan of Mend-it, the lighter will work as needed. You don't apply the flame to the plastic, however, you apply the flame to a pocket knife or something metal. You then put the hot metal on the plastic, remove and connect to the other piece of plastic. Normally you can heat both edges of a blade and thus apply it to both sides of the plastic.

That being said, Mend-it is still better, imo.

[Avalonjohn44]

I'm on my third bottle of mend it. I have only ever gotten the plastic bottle stuff. Each bottle has lasted me at least 6 months before becoming very thick and eventually solidifying. Usually though I have already used 80% of the bottle by that time. I don't care, I will keep buying Mend-It. It has saved hundreds just on repaired Senkos and Sweet Beavers alone. That is well worth the price of a fraction of the bottle solidifying.

I have heard a little acetone will re-liquify the congealed Mend-It, but have not tried it yet.

[Raul]

When you detect the glue has thickened add a few drops of acetone.

[Hammer 4]

When you detect the glue has thickened add a few drops of acetone.

Where were you 2 months ago..?