Maya Ellison
Friendly Plastic® Modeling Pellets are lightweight, flexible, and easy to use. They can be melted using heat sources such as hot water, an oven, or a heat gun. The melting process involves raising the temperature of the thermoplastic pellets above 150°F. Once melted, the plastic can be shaped by hand, moulded, or decorated. It is important to work quickly as the plastic will harden within about 10 minutes, depending on the size of the piece. The hardening process can be accelerated by dipping the plastic into cold water. Additionally, colour can be added to the plastic by using colour pellets, alcohol ink, or paint powder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting Methods | Hot water, an oven, a heat gun, or a hair dryer |
| Melting Temperature | 150 °F |
| Reusability | Can be re-melted and re-used multiple times |
| Stickiness | Sticks to itself and some plastics like ABS, acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC, and vinyl |
| Non-Stick Surfaces | Wax paper, parchment paper, a silicone sheet, or a glass top |
| Adhesives | Super Glue or epoxy for non-compatible surfaces |
| Shaping | Can be shaped by hand, with a mold, or by dipping into hot or cold water |
| Hardening | Hardens in about 10 minutes, depending on part size; can be accelerated by dipping into cold water |
| Translucency | Translucent, allowing light to shine through if not too thick |
| Coloring | Can be colored with pellets, alcohol ink, or paint powder; food coloring is not recommended |
| Painting | Can be painted with acrylic paint, spray paint, or Sharpie markers; flaking can be prevented with polyurethane or an undercoat |
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Using hot water
To melt friendly plastic pellets with hot water, start by heating a bowl or pan of water on the stove or in the microwave to a temperature above 150°F (66°C). If you are using a microwave, allow the water to cool slightly after boiling to prevent burns. You can heat the water first and then add the pellets, or add the pellets to the water before heating. If you are creating a large piece, start with a small number of pellets and gradually add more.
The pellets will turn clear after a few minutes in the hot water and will begin to stick together. Remove the softened pellets from the water using tongs, a spoon, or a fork, being cautious to avoid burns. If you are sensitive to heat, wear heat-resistant gloves. Shake off any excess water. Parchment paper or a glass dish can be used as a work surface to prevent sticking. Be careful not to let the hot plastic come into contact with certain types of plastics, fingernail polish, fabrics, or metal, as it will stick.
Begin shaping the plastic with your hands or craft tools. You can also press the plastic into molds or apply it to existing objects. If the plastic begins to harden before you achieve the desired shape, place it back into the hot water for a few seconds to soften it again. You can also use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften specific areas.
To create a two-dimensional or layered design, place sticks on a spatula and gently lower them into the hot water without fully immersing them. Add more sticks as needed. You can incorporate textures using tools or household items, such as kitchenware, shells, coins, or gears. You can also add decorative elements like feathers, rhinestones, glitter, sequins, or photos.
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Using a heat gun
To melt friendly plastic pellets with a heat gun, follow these steps:
First, ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area and take necessary safety precautions, such as wearing protective gloves and eye protection. The plastic pellets should be placed in a heat-resistant container or on a non-stick surface, such as wax paper, parchment paper, a silicone sheet, or a glass top.
Turn on your heat gun and adjust the temperature setting to a level suitable for melting plastic. The ideal temperature for melting friendly plastic pellets is around 140°F to 150°F (60°C to 66°C). Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific heat gun model to determine the appropriate settings.
Hold the heat gun at a safe distance from the plastic pellets, typically around 6 to 12 inches away. Continuously move the heat gun in a back-and-forth motion to evenly distribute the heat across the pellets. It is important to be cautious and avoid overheating or burning the plastic.
As the pellets begin to melt, you can use tongs or heat-resistant tools to carefully manipulate and shape the plastic. If you are joining multiple pellets together, heat the surface of one pellet and attach another pellet to it by pressing them together. You can create various shapes by using moulds or pressing the plastic onto existing objects.
Once you have achieved your desired shape, you can use a heat gun to make final touches and ensure a smooth finish. At this stage, you can also add colour to your creation by using colour pellets, paint powders, or alcohol inks. However, be cautious as the plastic will become harder to work with as it cools, and reheating may be necessary to maintain its mouldability.
Finally, allow your creation to cool completely. You can speed up the cooling process by dipping it into cold water. Once cooled, your friendly plastic creation will have taken on a strong, permanent shape.
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Using a hair dryer
A hair dryer can be used to melt friendly plastic pellets. However, it may not generate enough heat to properly melt the plastic and it is recommended to use a heat gun instead as it can achieve higher temperatures and provide more control. If you do use a hair dryer, it is important to exercise caution as the heat from the dryer can cause the plastic to warp, discolour, or even catch fire. It is recommended to work outside when melting plastic with a hair dryer.
To melt friendly plastic pellets with a hair dryer, start by placing the pellets in a heat-safe container. Ensure that the hair dryer is set to the highest temperature setting and turn it on, directing the airflow towards the pellets. It may take some time for the pellets to melt, so be patient and maintain a safe distance from the hot air stream. Once the pellets have softened, use a heat-resistant tool to stir them and prevent overheating in one spot.
During the melting process, be cautious and avoid touching the hot plastic directly, as it can cause burns. If you need to shape the molten plastic, use heat-resistant gloves or tools to handle it safely. You can also use moulds to shape the plastic into your desired form. It is important to work quickly as the molten plastic will start to harden within minutes. If you need more time to work with the plastic, you can reheat it with the hair dryer or dip it into hot water to soften it again.
When melting plastic pellets with a hair dryer, always prioritise safety. Ensure that you are in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any fumes released during the melting process. Additionally, be mindful of any flammable materials nearby and keep them away from the heat source. Always monitor the melting process closely to prevent overheating or potential fires.
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Shaping and setting
To shape friendly plastic pellets, you must first melt them. You can do this by raising the temperature of the plastic to 150°F (65.5°C) or above. Common methods to achieve this include using hot water, an oven, or a heat gun. You can also use a hair dryer, but a heat gun will give you higher temperatures and more control.
Once the plastic is clear, remove it from the heat source and shape it with your hands. It should be warm but not too hot to handle. You can also use scissors, shears, or a box cutter to cut the plastic to your desired shape. If you are creating jewellery, you can press the softened plastic into a jewellery setting. You can also use the warm plastic to decorate other objects, such as porcelain.
If you want to add colour to your plastic, you can purchase coloured pellets and melt them together with clear pellets. Alternatively, you can melt the clear pellets and then knead coloured pellets, alcohol ink, or paint powder into the molten plastic. For a single colour, you can also use spray paint designed for plastic, such as Krylon Fusion paint. If you want to create a new colour, you can soften and knead together non-metallic plastic sticks.
To bond two pieces of plastic together, soften them in hot water until they become tacky, then press them firmly together. You can also use Super Glue or epoxy to attach pieces, but this will not work for all surfaces, such as wood or nylon. To speed up the hardening process, you can dip the plastic into cold water.
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Adding colour
Colour Pellets
One way to add colour to your plastic is by using colour pellets. These are small pellets of concentrated colour that can be added to your clear plastic pellets before melting. The colour pellets are available in various colours, including blue, red, yellow, black, and white, and you can follow the provided colour guide to achieve the desired hue. You can also create lighter colours by mixing the coloured pellets with white pellets. The number of colour pellets needed will depend on the amount of plastic you want to colour. It is recommended to drop the colour pellets into the hot water along with the clear plastic pellets and then knead them together with your hands. You can also flatten the plastic and use your fingers to break the colour pellets before kneading to ensure a more even blend.
Paint
Another option for colouring your plastic is by using paint. You can use acrylic paint, spray paint, or markers such as Sharpies. Paint can be applied once the plastic has hardened, and you can finish with a coat of polyurethane to prevent flaking and chipping.
Alcohol Ink and Paint Powder
Additionally, you can add colour to your plastic by using alcohol ink or paint powder. These can be mixed into the molten plastic as you work with it. Both options are available at craft stores.
Combining Colours
If you are combining colours, it is important to work quickly as the plastic begins to harden out of water. You may need to reheat the plastic in hot water to soften it and continue blending.
Other Considerations
It is important to note that food colouring is not an effective method for colouring plastic and should be avoided. Additionally, when using any colouring method, always ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area and wearing protective gear, such as gloves, to avoid any potential hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
Friendly plastic pellets need to be raised to a temperature of over 150°F to melt.
Friendly plastic pellets can be melted using hot water, an oven, or a heat gun.
To colour friendly plastic pellets, you can add colour pellets, alcohol ink, or paint powder to the molten plastic and knead it with your hands.
