Plastisol Softener SaBoFlex (1 kg)

Product detailed description

SaBoFlex Plastisol Softener is a liquid softener designed for targeted adjustment of plastisol firmness and flexibility before heating. It is not a standalone plastisol, but an additive that allows you to move the base mixture towards a softer body, greater flexibility and livelier soft lure action. The package contains 1 kg.

It is most useful when the original plastisol is too firm for a particular lure design. A thin tail may be difficult to activate at slower retrieve speeds, small appendages may not respond sensitively enough or the entire lure body may require more natural flexibility. The softener is therefore suitable for making smaller shads, minnow-style soft baits, finesse lures, trout soft baits, worms, craws and other lures with delicate active sections.

The manufacturer recommends an approximate dosage of 3% by weight of the base plastisol. In practical terms, this means adding 30 g of softener to 1 kg of cold plastisol. This amount should move the original SaBoFlex plastisol roughly one firmness grade towards a softer mixture.

This ratio is a starting guideline, not a guarantee of exactly the same result with every lure. The final softness is affected by the original plastisol grade, body thickness, tail design, pigments, glitter and other additives. It should also not be automatically assumed that adding 6% will make the plastisol exactly two firmness grades softer. Every new recipe should therefore be tested separately.

How to add the softener correctly: first homogenise the base plastisol thoroughly and shake the softener well before use. Weigh the required quantity on an accurate scale, add it to cold, unheated plastisol and mix slowly until the material is completely uniform. Avoid vigorous stirring or whipping, which would introduce unnecessary air into the plastisol.

If you are still developing the recipe, we recommend starting with several small separate samples:

→ first sample: 1 g of softener per 100 g of cold plastisol

→ second separate sample: 2 g of softener per 100 g of plastisol

→ third separate sample: 3 g of softener per 100 g of plastisol

Only the third sample corresponds to the manufacturer’s approximate dosage of 3%. The lower concentrations form a conservative workshop test series that helps you find a suitable intermediate firmness without wasting material. Pour all samples into the same mould and record the exact weight of both the plastisol and softener.

Compare the results only after the lures have completely cooled and ideally after they have been left flat for at least 24 hours. Evaluate not only how soft the lure feels by hand, but also tail activation, movement of small appendages, hook retention, shape stability and resistance to stretching.

Softening plastisol always involves a certain compromise. Softer plastisol can respond more sensitively and activate at slower retrieve speeds, but excessive dosage may reduce shape stability and tear resistance. The lure may become more vulnerable around the hook or deform when stored incorrectly. The aim is therefore not to create the softest possible mixture, but to find the softest recipe that still retains the required strength and durability.

Softener or a ready-made softer plastisol? SaBoFlex Plastisol Softener is ideal for fine-tuning a specific recipe, creating custom intermediate firmness levels and preparing smaller production batches. If you regularly need larger quantities of a significantly softer mixture, it may be more practical to use a suitable ready-made SaBoFlex plastisol grade. A complete plastisol grade makes it easier to repeat the same result, while the softener provides more freedom for individual recipe adjustment.

Always follow the processing temperature specified for the base plastisol. The softener does not establish a new temperature range, does not replace a heat stabilizer and should not be heated separately or added to plastisol that is already hot.

Use suitable protective gloves, long clothing and eye protection when working with plastisol. Heat plastisol only in a well-ventilated workspace and use containers and equipment that are not used for food preparation. Store the softener in its original sealed container and protect it from heat, moisture and direct UV radiation.

Frequently asked questions – SaBoFlex Plastisol Softener

Is SaBoFlex Plastisol Softener a standalone plastisol?

No. It is a liquid additive designed to adjust the firmness and flexibility of base plastisol. It should not be heated or poured into a mould on its own.

How much softener should I add?

The manufacturer recommends approximately 3% by weight of the base plastisol, which corresponds to 30 g of softener per 1 kg of plastisol. For a small test batch, the same ratio is 3 g of softener per 100 g of plastisol.

Should I measure the softener in grams or millilitres?

The recommended dosage is specified by weight, so the most accurate method is to weigh the softener in grams. Converting the dosage to millilitres introduces an unnecessary calculation and may reduce recipe repeatability in normal workshop use.

Will 3% always make the plastisol exactly one firmness grade softer?

Not exactly. This is an approximate change because the final softness is also affected by the original plastisol grade, lure shape, body thickness and the other ingredients in the recipe. Always test a new ratio on a small separate batch first.

Can I add the softener to hot plastisol?

We do not recommend it. Add the softener to cold plastisol before heating and mix it thoroughly but slowly. This produces a more uniform mixture and a more repeatable result.

How will the softener affect lure durability?

A softer body can create livelier and more responsive action, but it may also reduce shape stability and tear resistance. For every lure design, you need to find the correct balance between softness, hook retention and overall durability.

What is the difference between Plastisol Softener and Floating Additive?

Plastisol Softener primarily changes the firmness, flexibility and action of a soft plastic lure. SaBoFlex Plastisol Floating Additive is a powder additive designed to reduce the density of the mixture and produce floating or slower-sinking soft plastic lures. These are two different plastisol adjustments and the products cannot be used interchangeably.

Will the softener make the lure float?

No. The primary purpose of the softener is to adjust softness and flexibility, not to intentionally increase buoyancy. Floating Additive is used to reduce plastisol density. However, the final behaviour is still affected by the lure shape, amount of additives, hook, weight and complete final rigging.

Can I use the softener with plastisol from another manufacturer?

SaBoFlex Plastisol Softener provides the most predictable result within the SaBoFlex system. Plastisols from other manufacturers may use different formulations, so any such combination should first be tested in a small separate batch. The same ratio may not produce the same final softness.

→ All detailed technical information can be found below in the Product parameters table.

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