FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Why do my baked toys come out sticky, partially liquid, or tear easily?
These are all classic signs of underbaking, or undercuring. This means that the goop was either not baked for a long enough time, or it wasn't baked at a high enough temperature.
If you are used to baking with the original Thingmaker, then switch to using the Toymax BugMaker, the baking time will be much longer, as the light bulb doesn't get nearly as hot as the Thingmaker.
If you are used to baking with the original Thingmaker, then switch to using the Toymax BugMaker, the baking time will be much longer, as the light bulb doesn't get nearly as hot as the Thingmaker.
What is the baking temperature for Patti-goop?
Any brand of goop made for the Creepy Crawler molds will bake or cure at 325-350 degrees F. How long it needs to bake is determined by the thickness of the mold and goop.
Is shaking the bottle of Patti-goop enough, or do I need to stir it?
If you haven't used the goop for a few days, it is best to stir it. If you see separated layers of color in the bottle, you must stir it thoroughly before use, until you see that the color is uniform.
If you are using Nite-Glo glow-in-the-dark Patti-goop you must stir it very thoroughly, before each use, for at least 3 minutes, while scraping the bottom, using circular movements with a metal rod such as a small knitting needle or screwdriver.
If you are using Nite-Glo glow-in-the-dark Patti-goop you must stir it very thoroughly, before each use, for at least 3 minutes, while scraping the bottom, using circular movements with a metal rod such as a small knitting needle or screwdriver.
What is the best way to stir Patti-goop?
I like to use a USA number 5 knitting needle, or any small diameter metal rod that doesn't bend, such as a screwdriver. Something wooden would probably break, and it would absorb the goop unless it was sealed. Take the cap off the bottle of goop and insert your stirring tool. Scraping the bottom with each pass, use large circular strokes, scraping the bottom and lifting up and back down in a circular motion. If the goop has been sitting for months, stir for at least 3 minutes to stir completely, or until the color in the bottle is uniform and you feel no thick goop in the bottom.
I don't have a Thingmaker or a BugMaker oven.
Can I bake goop in my kitchen oven?
You could but I wouldn't recommend it. It would be better to have a dedicated toaster oven for baking goop only. Be sure and put some aluminum foil underneath the mold to catch any spills.
Are there other ways of baking Patti-goop?
Yes, you can use a toaster oven, set on 325-350 degrees F. Use aluminum foil to set the molds on to catch any goop drips. For many years I used a hot plate, (single electric burner) with a skillet or griddle on top to set the molds on.
Now my favorite method is to use an electric griddle. The surface is nice and big and flat, so you can bake several molds at once!!! I cover the molds with a clear glass lid from a saucepan to hold the heat in and it helps to bake the goop more evenly. Then you can also watch it bake! For the Toymax molds, I move them off and on the griddle with a pair of pliers.
Do not use the microwave for baking goop. You can't use metal in a microwave.
Now my favorite method is to use an electric griddle. The surface is nice and big and flat, so you can bake several molds at once!!! I cover the molds with a clear glass lid from a saucepan to hold the heat in and it helps to bake the goop more evenly. Then you can also watch it bake! For the Toymax molds, I move them off and on the griddle with a pair of pliers.
Do not use the microwave for baking goop. You can't use metal in a microwave.
Sometimes the thin areas in the mold bake and burn before the thick areas are done. Is there anything I can do to prevent that?
Yes, it is easy if you are baking with the hot plate or electric griddle method, as I described above. I use an old glass lid to cover the molds as they bake. This holds in the heat for even baking. If you are still having trouble with extra thick parts, when the toy is almost done baking, you can scoop out the liquid unbaked goop with a Q-tip on the extra thick part. Let it bake for at least one more minute before removing.
If you are using the Thingmaker to bake, you can simply place a piece of aluminum foil over the mold while baking to hold in the heat. My preferred method is the small glass lid, so that you can still watch the goop bake. Fun!
If you are using the Thingmaker to bake, you can simply place a piece of aluminum foil over the mold while baking to hold in the heat. My preferred method is the small glass lid, so that you can still watch the goop bake. Fun!
How can I tell when the goop is done baking?
If you watch goop bake, you will notice that it bakes from the outside of the mold first, then to the inside. If you are using Fluorescent Transparent Patti-goop it will turn transparent as it bakes. If you are using regular Patti-goop, it will turn darker. So when you see a consistent color throughout the toy, it will be done. Different brands of goop may have a different look on the back of the toy when it is done baking. When using Patti-goop, you may see a subtle swirling look on the back of the toy while still in the mold. It should also look consistently shiny.
What is the best way to clean Creepy Crawlers molds?
There are several methods, so it would depend on the severity of the oxidation, (white powdery look), or if there is just old goop still on the mold which may be baked or unbaked. Most molds can be cleaned by several bakings of goop. Each baking will take out another layer of unwanted material. There may be "trouble spots" on a mold, that would leave a blemish on the toy. It may look like a spot on the mold that has a dull appearance, as opposed to a clean and shiny mold. These can usually be cleaned by scrubbing the spot with a wooden toothpick.
If you are still having trouble spots, or if your molds are severely oxidized, you can use a metal polish made for aluminum. I found a good one made by MAAS, Mfg #91403. Squeeze out the polishing cream about the size of a pea onto your mold, and scrub in tiny circles with a brass brush. The brass will not scratch aluminum. This can take quite a bit of elbow grease and patience. Periodically, wipe the grime away with a clean dry soft cloth. It will look like gray grunge coming off and there will be a lot of it. Add more polishing cream as needed.
If you really want to get serious about it and make it easy. You can buy a rock tumbler and use 1/4" pyramid shaped Dark Green plastic pieces made for polishing metal.
If you are still having trouble spots, or if your molds are severely oxidized, you can use a metal polish made for aluminum. I found a good one made by MAAS, Mfg #91403. Squeeze out the polishing cream about the size of a pea onto your mold, and scrub in tiny circles with a brass brush. The brass will not scratch aluminum. This can take quite a bit of elbow grease and patience. Periodically, wipe the grime away with a clean dry soft cloth. It will look like gray grunge coming off and there will be a lot of it. Add more polishing cream as needed.
If you really want to get serious about it and make it easy. You can buy a rock tumbler and use 1/4" pyramid shaped Dark Green plastic pieces made for polishing metal.
What can I use if I don't have a cooling tray?
I like to use an 8 x 8 inch glass baking dish, so that I can cool several molds at once. Simply fill with cool tap water about 1/4 inch deep or more if you are using thicker molds. Do not let water get on top of molds. If it does, dry mold thoroughly before baking goop again. Goop and water don't mix. (similar to oil and water) If you are really having a big goop party, and are baking for hours, you can add ice cubes to the water a little at a time to keep the water cool and to replenish what was used or evaporated.
Why won't my glow-in-the-dark toys glow?
It is because you didn't stir, or didn't stir long enough. It is normal for the glow substance, to settle to the bottom of the bottle. I like to use a number 5 knitting needle for stirring. It is strong yet slender enough to fit easily into the bottle opening. With the stirring rod, start by loosening the layer at the bottom of the bottle, then using large circular motions scraping the bottom of the bottle and lifting upwards, close to the top of the bottle and repeat this circular motion. You must continue this stirring for at least 3 minutes. You should mix until you feel no thick spots in the bottom of the bottle. The better the stirring, the better the glowing result.
One of my wise customers told me she mixes the glow goop in the dark, so she can see when it is thoroughly mixed. I haven't tried it, but it makes sense.
One of my wise customers told me she mixes the glow goop in the dark, so she can see when it is thoroughly mixed. I haven't tried it, but it makes sense.
How do I activate my toys to make them glow?
For the best glow effect, place your goop toys under a light source, such as a common light bulb, or the spiral energy efficient bulbs for a few minutes. This process is called "charging." The phosphorescent substance absorbs the light, and then will glow-in-the-dark. Typically, the longer you leave them under the light to charge, the longer they will glow.
Does the glow substance in Patti-goop ever wear out?
No. The glow substance only needs to be ''charged'' again in the light, to reactivate and glow.
Is Patti-goop safe?
Yes, it is safe and non-toxic, but don't eat it! Patti-goop is the safest goop on the market today, and is the only brand that I know of that complies with new federal toy safety regulations.
Will you be making any new products?
I have always tried to make the products or colors that my customers ask for, which is evident in my products such as, Superplastic, 3 more Glow-in-the-Dark colors, Deetail Patti-goop, (Goop FX), Plasti-Metal, (similar to Toymax Plasti-Steel, and Glitter Goop. However, none of these new products were large sellers, so I discontinued them. So, I need your help in knowing what you want. How about a new color of goop? Please write to me at through the Contact page, and let me know what you want.
Since Patti-goop is from the same manufacturer as Mattel used in the 1960's, doesn't it have hazardous ingredients?
No. It was reformulated in the 1980's to remove any hazardous ingredients. There have been new laws passed in recent years to change the standards for toy safety. In May of 2018, Patti-goop was reformulated to comply with new federal regulations. The smell, which most people found to be nostalgic, unfortunately is not there any more.