Ethan Clarke
Plastic worms are commonly used as fishing lures, and they can be made and recycled at home. Melting down plastic worms can be a fun and creative hobby, but it's important to note that the process requires careful handling to avoid any mishaps. Heat is the biggest factor contributing to the melting of plastic worms, and it's crucial to store them correctly to prevent them from melting together. With the right equipment and knowledge, it's possible to melt, mould, and recycle old plastic worms into new lures, allowing for experimentation with colours, styles, and even scents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to melt plastic worms | To recycle old worms, create new color combinations, or make money |
| Materials required | Plastic, hardener/softener, colors, glitter, warming pot/pan, molds |
| Cost of materials | Plastic: $35 per gallon, Hardener/softener: $35 per quart or pint, Colors: $3 per bottle, Glitter: $3.50 per color, Molds: $8-10 for a two-lure mold |
| Process | Purchase materials, melt plastic slowly until liquid thickens and becomes clear (at approx. 350°F), add hardener/softener, color, and glitter, pour into molds |
| Tips | Store soft plastic lures correctly to prevent melting, mix only same-colored worms, add fresh plastic to improve melting, use fiberglass resin and hardener for molds |
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What You'll Learn
Melting plastic worms for moulds
Melting plastic worms and using moulds to create new lures is a fun and creative way to recycle old, worn, or torn worms. It is also a cost-effective method to obtain new worms, as purchasing the materials required for melting and moulding is generally cheaper than buying new lures.
To melt plastic worms, it is recommended to use a stove and a pan. First, ensure you are in a well-ventilated room. Then, shake the plastic well and pour it into the pan. Be careful not to fill the pan too much, as it will be difficult to pour the melted plastic evenly. Heat the plastic slowly until it reaches approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit; the liquid will thicken and become clear. Avoid overheating to prevent scorching the plastic.
Once the plastic is melted, you can add a hardener or softener to vary the toughness of the final product. A hardener will make the plastic stiffer, while a softener will make it more pliable. You can experiment with different amounts to achieve your desired consistency.
After adjusting the toughness, it's time to add colour. A small amount of colourant is sufficient to colour a large quantity of plastic. Shake the colourant well before adding it to the plastic, and stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution. You can also add a small amount of glitter at this stage if desired.
Now that your plastic is melted and customised, it's ready to be poured into a mould. There are various types of moulds available, including aluminium injection moulds, RTV silicone rubber moulds, and plaster of Paris moulds. Each type has its advantages, such as the superior detail and finish of aluminium moulds or the durability and ease of use of RTV silicone moulds. You can purchase moulds specifically designed for creating fishing lures, or you can create your own moulds using materials like fibre-glass resin and hardener.
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Storing plastic worms to avoid melting
Soft plastic worms can easily melt if not stored correctly. The biggest factor in the melting of plastic worms is heat. Therefore, it is important to keep them in a climate-controlled environment. Some plastic worms, such as Gulp®, need to be stored in bags, while others can be stored without.
To avoid melting, it is recommended to keep plastic worms in their original packaging. This is because different types of soft plastic lures are made from different materials, and they may melt together if they come into contact with each other. For example, Zman lures should not be stored with any other brand. If the original packaging is not available, an alternative option is to use a separate tackle box for each lure brand.
Another way to store plastic worms is to use a worm binder, which saves space and keeps lures organized. It is also important to separate the worms by type and colour to avoid disorganization. Boxes with adjustable compartments can be useful for storing a variety of worms and baits.
To prevent the worms from drying out and becoming deformed, an oil-based fish attractant such as menhaden oil or Pro-Cure can be added to the bag.
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Melting plastic worms with salt
Materials and Preparation:
Firstly, gather your materials. You will need plastic worms, a heat source such as a stove, microwave, or grill, a container for melting the plastic, a mould for shaping the worms, and iodine-free salt. You can also add glitter and scent to enhance the attractiveness of the lure.
Before beginning, ensure you are in a well-ventilated area. Prepare your mould by making a slit in the middle and freeing it from the baseplate. This will make it easier to pour the melted plastic into the mould and remove the final product.
Melting the Plastic:
Place the plastic worms into your container and apply heat. If using a stove, shake the container to ensure even melting and pour the plastic into a pan. Heat the plastic slowly until it reaches approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir continuously to prevent burning. You can also use a microwave, heating the plastic in 30-second intervals and stirring in between.
Adding Salt and Customizations:
Once the plastic is fully melted, it's time to add the salt. The amount of salt added can vary according to your preference, but a general guideline is to start with 4 to 6 ounces of worm salt per quart of plastic. You can also add glitter at this stage to make the bait more attractive to fish. Additionally, a few drops of scent can be beneficial, especially if you plan to use the lure in saltwater.
Pouring and Setting:
Have someone assist you by holding the mould open while you slowly pour the melted plastic into it. Ensure the plastic fills all the crevices of the mould. Close the mould and allow it to set for about 10 minutes. After it has dried, carefully remove any excess plastic and peel away the mould.
Your recycled plastic worm is now ready for use or storage. You can repeat this process to create a stockpile of lures, experimenting with different colours and styles to find the most effective combinations for your fishing endeavours.
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Melting plastic worms with colour
Materials and Preparation:
Firstly, gather your materials. You will need plastic worms, preferably in similar colours to start with. You can purchase plastic in various colours, or recycle your old worms by melting them down and reusing the plastic. Other materials include moulds, colours/dyes, glitter, a warming pot or stove, and a pan for pouring. You can purchase moulds or create your own using materials like plaster of Paris or fiberglass resin.
Melting and Colouring:
When melting the plastic, always be cautious and avoid overheating. If using a stove, shake the plastic well and pour it into a pan. Heat the plastic slowly until it reaches approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the plastic will thicken and become clear. It is important not to overheat the plastic to prevent scorching.
Once the plastic is melted, it's time to add colour. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and adjust as needed. Shake the colour well before adding it to the melted plastic, and stir thoroughly to achieve your desired shade. You can experiment with different colours and even mix them to create unique shades.
Pouring and Customization:
After achieving the desired colour, you can add glitter to give your worms some extra sparkle. Again, a little glitter will go a long way, so add it sparingly and stir well. Once you're happy with the colour and glitter, it's time to pour the mixture into your chosen moulds. You can also adjust the toughness of the plastic at this stage by adding hardeners or softeners.
Storage and Maintenance:
Finally, allow your newly created worms to cool and harden. To prevent your plastic worms from melting or deforming, proper storage is essential. Keep them stored individually and separately from other lures, especially those made from different materials. Storing them in their original packaging or using a worm binder can help keep them organised and protected. Additionally, consider using an oil-based fish attractant like menhaden oil to keep the lures slimy and prevent drying out.
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Melting plastic worms with glitter
Melting plastic worms and adding glitter is a fun and creative activity that can also save you money in the long run. It is a great way to recycle old, torn, or ripped plastic worms. Before you begin, ensure that you are in a well-ventilated room.
To melt plastic worms with glitter, you will need plastic worms, a warming pot, colours, glitter, and moulds. You can purchase plastic worms or recycle your old, torn worms. It is recommended to melt only same-coloured worms together. You can buy a warming pot for around $8. Colours can be purchased for around $3 per bottle, and glitter for approximately $3.50 per colour.
To begin, heat the plastic slowly in the warming pot until the liquid thickens and becomes clear, which will happen at approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid overheating and scorching the plastic. At this point, you can add a hardener or softener to vary the toughness of the plastic.
Now, you can add the colour of your choice. One ounce of colour is sufficient to colour up to a gallon of plastic. Shake the colour well, add it to the plastic, and stir thoroughly. Once you have achieved your desired colour, add the glitter. Remember, a little goes a long way! Fluorescent colours are best added when the plastic is cool.
You can make your own moulds using fibreglass resin and hardener, or you can purchase moulds for around $8 to $10 for a typical two-lure mould. If you are making your own mould, mix the fibreglass resin and hardener according to the directions and pour the mixture into a suitable container. Press the worm you want to "copy" into the liquid resin until just the top surface is left exposed. The resin will get hot when it cures, so be sure to use a container that won't catch fire. After it cures, pull the worm out, and you will have a mould that will last indefinitely.
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Frequently asked questions
Heat is the biggest issue when it comes to plastic worms. It is important to store your plastic worms correctly to avoid them melting.
To store your plastic worms correctly, keep them in their original packaging. You can also use a worm binder to save space and keep lures organised.
If you're heating the plastic on a stove, pour it into a pan and heat slowly until the liquid thickens and becomes clear (at approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Try to avoid overheating and scorching the plastic.
You can pour the melted plastic into a suitable container or mould. You can also recycle old, torn-up plastic worms by melting them and pouring them into plaster of Paris moulds.
