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Topic: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding! (Read 6381 times) |
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eugenia
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F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« on: Apr 6th, 2005, 3:17pm » |
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Sara started an idea for this thread on the OT board. Hopefully the mods can compile it into a new section. Just pop in some of the most FAQ's.
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(Note from RobinN: Let's keep all the posts in the FAQ format:
Q. This is the question? short..
This is the answer.... short and concise
Mods will change posts into that format if necessary, and delete extraneous posts/questions so it doesn't wander off). These tips will be organized later, so don't worry if you see "inconsistencies". Remember rules are made to be broken 
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Q. How many votives can I make with a pound of wax?
A. 8 2 ounce standard votives
Q. If the specs for my wax say that it has a fragance oil retention of 8%, what does that mean?
A. Wax is like a sponge. It can absorb just so much fragrance oil. Additional oil will just leak out.
Q. How do I figure out how much 6% is?
A. Lets say you have a pound of wax and and 1 ounce of FO. That's 17 ounces. 1 ounce divided by 17 ounces =.0588 or 5.88%. A hair short of 6%. For most uses, that's fine. For large batches, this might make a difference. I use the formula 6.4% of wax weight for 6% of total weight (comes out to 5.99%) and 8.7% of wax weight for 8%.
Q. Should I measure the fragrance oil in a measuring cup?
A. No. Fragrance is measured by weight, not volume. So if you were using 6% of 16 ounces of wax, that's .96 ounces (weighted). Rounding off to 1 ounce is fine.
Q. My wax is a "preblend". Should I add anything to it?
A. No, with the exception of UV inhibitor, which will keep the colors from fading in sunlight.
Q. How do I know how much wax my mold/container will hold?
A. Fill the mold/container with water. Pour the water into a measuring cup. Note the volume. Multiply the volume amount times .8 and you will get the solid weight of wax that you will need to fill that mold.
Q. What is vybar and what does it do?
A. Vybar is a polymer that can be added to wax to help the fragrance oil bind to the wax. There are 3 types, for solid candles (103), container candles (260) and mottled candles (343).With the exception of 343, vybar will make your candles opaque.
Q. How much should I use?
A. Typical usage is 1/2-1 tsp. per lb. Note-too much vybar can "lock up" the scent. Don't use vybar if your wax is a preblend-it's already in there.
Q. What is stearic?
A. Stearic increases firmness, aids mold release, 5% will aid mold release; 10%-30% will impart opacity.
Your turn
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| « Last Edit: Apr 9th, 2005, 9:23am by RobinInOR » |
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Linnyeg
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help!
« Reply #1 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 3:28pm » |
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Q. What is UV Inhibitor?
One thing you can (and should imo if you're selling) add to your wax (including if it's a pre-blend!) is UV Inhibitor. It helps prevent candles fading. And no, it doesn't affect the burn.
(edited by RLN: let's keep the FAQ pattern,it's a good idea)
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| « Last Edit: Apr 7th, 2005, 11:30am by RobinInOR » |
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*Lindsay
www.lindsayscandles.com
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Scented
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Got mouse anyone?
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help!
« Reply #2 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 3:54pm » |
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Q: What are wick pins?
A: Wick pins are used to leave a hole in pillar candles. When the candle is cool and dry, remove it and thread your wick through the holes. Sometimes you will need to widen the hole a little bit. This can be done by shaving the inside hole to widen it a little at a time to help accommodate the wick
Q: How do you use a wick pin?
Attach some plumber's putty or mold sealer to the inside of the disk of the wick pin, thread the pin through the wick hole of the mold and press to seal. You can cover it with tape to seal it more or let it stand as is, as long as you have sealed off any potential leaks.
Q: What are votive wick pins?
A: Short pins similar to wick pins and used to form a wick hole to thread wicking through once the candle is cool and has been removed from the mold
Q: Where do I stick it (the votive wick pin). It's still confusing to me?
A: Drop it in the cup.
Q: Can I use a wick pin with a container candle?
You shouldn't as you won't be able to remove it to wick the jar.
Q: Where can I get a heatgun?
A: Try Wal-Mart (adding usually in the paint department). They have them for about $20. It doesn't matter how many settings are on it.
Q: How do I get a white candle? Should I buy a white dye block and where can I get one?
If the fragrance oil you use does not discolor the wax, you don't need to add anything. Steric, vybar, UA and luster crystals will all help to make the candle white and harder. Peak offers a white dye block and the link is to the right.
That's it for now!
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| « Last Edit: Apr 7th, 2005, 9:02am by Scented » |
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Terrie
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help!
« Reply #3 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 4:10pm » |
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Q. How much FO should I use per pound of wax?
A. 1 oz per pound is what most of us use.
Q. Where is the best place to buy wax?
A. Try to find the supplier nearest you for your wax to save on shipping charges. Same goes for glass containers.
Q. Who has the best FO?
A. The sponsor of this board, Peak Candle Supply, has top-notch products and service. See the link to your right.
Q. Which wax and wick should I use?
A. Picking your wax is a highly personal decision. Everyone has a different wax preference. Find the one that works for you, is fairly close to you, and work with it until you perfect it. As far as wicking, you must test, test, test to find the best wick for YOUR application.
Q. Do I have to test every wick, wax, and FO combo, even if I am using the same jar for all of them?
A. Absolutely! Always test every candle you make!
Q. What is a presto pot?
A. Click on the link to your left titled "Budget Wax Melter." It is located under "General Info". This will explain what it is, what it is used for, and how to make one. It is a candlemaker's best friend.
Q. Can I remelt a container candle?
A. Yes. Just put it in the oven on a cookie sheet on Warm.
Q. How can I get leftover wax out of my container/pour pot?
A. Again, put the container in the warm oven on a cookie sheet. If there is only a small amount of wax in the container, line your cookie sheet with paper towels and put the containers in upside down. The paper towels will absorb the wax as it melts and runs out.
Q. Why do you pour your tester container candles wickless?
A. When testing, it is best to pour wickless. When the candle cools completely, take a skewer or knitting needle and poke a hole down the middle where the wick will go. Take the wick that you want to test, pop it out of its tab, and stick it down in the hole. Go back with a heat gun and zap the hole to fill it in. If you begin testing the wick and don't like the way it is burning, simply pop the wick out and put another one in.
Hope this helps somebody. 
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| « Last Edit: Apr 7th, 2005, 8:08am by RobinInOR » |
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eugenia
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help!
« Reply #4 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 5:35pm » |
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Q. Can I use my pillar wax for votives?
A. Yes. Typically pillar waxes have a higher melt point than votive waxes but will make fine votives.
Q. Can I use a votive wax for pillars?
A. No. A wax meant strictly for votives has a lower melting point (typically in the 130 range) meant to liquefy quickly and will tunnel in a pillar.
Q.Can I use continer wax for votives/pillars?
A. No. Container wax is generally softer and not suited for other applications.
Q. What kind of wax can I use for tarts/melts?
A. Pillar wax or votive wax. 25% container wax may be added if desired. More may make if difficult to unmold.
Q. My candle is stuck in the mold. What do I do?
A. Make sure that the mold is cool to the touch. You can place the mold in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes or so to aid in unmolding. Longer can make the candle crack.
Q. Do I really need to measure the temperature of my wax?
A. Yes
Q. What kind of thermometor do I need to use?
A. Nothing fancy. A candy thermometor is fine.
Q. When I melt the wax, how hot should I let it get?
A. Check the specs on your particular wax. Most waxes should not be heated over 200 degrees and heating wax over direct heat can cause a fire.
Q. I have a dark pool on the bottom of my jar. What is that?
A. Probably fragrance oil that did not get incorporated into the wax. You may have added too much fragrance or it was not properly stirred. This candle is not safe (the excess oil can ignite) and should be remelted.
Q. My candle has been burning for a few hours and their is this giant blob at the top of the wick. What did I do wrong?
A. The "blob" is caused by carbon deposits and is commonly known as a mushroom. A mushroom is a gentle reminder that you need to trim your wick. Extinguish the flame and let the candle cool. Trim the wick to 1/4" and relight. Certain types of wicks are more prone to developing mushrooms, zinc in particular.
Q. When making a glass container candle, do I need to heat the jar? How do I do that?
A. Heating the jar can aid in the wax adhering to the glass. If you are in a cold environment, it's a necessity (A/C or unheated room). Hot wax poured into cold glass can shatter the glass. You can place the jar in the oven on warm for 15 minutes or so or use a heatgun.
Q. Do I have to attach the wick to the jar? What can I use?
A. Yes, the wick must be firmly attached to the base of the jar. You can use a high temp glue gun (lo temp may come loose) wick stick-ems or silicone from the hardware store.
Q. I'm using a tin container. Do I need to heat it?
A. No. Same goes for ceramic.
Q. I poured a bunch of different colors and scents in the same type jars. Some are burning well and some are not. What's up with that?
A. Heavier fragrances and darker colors may require a larger wick. This is why you have to test every color/scent combo.
Q. What is a "heavy" fragrance?
A. A heavy fragrance has a greater density and usually smells very strong. If you were to take a weighted ounce of a heavy fragrance and a light one and pour them into a measuring cup, the heavy fragrance would have less volume.
Q. I just unmolded my candles and they have tiny little pinholes all over. What's up with that?
A. When you pour too hot, you can get those holes. Try pouring a little cooler.
Q. How do I clean my molds? Soap and water?
A. No. Take an old cookie sheet and line it with a double layer of paper towels. Place the molds and wick pins on the cookie sheet and place in the oven 175-200 degrees for about 10 minutes. You can wipe out any residue that remains with a paper towel.
Q. Can I melt wax in my microwave? I don't have a Presto Pot.
A. NO. You can use the double boiler method. Place the wax in a pot that fits inside the larger pot. Fill the larger pot with 6 inces or so of water and put the pot of wax in that pot to melt on the stove.
Q. What can I use as a pouring pot?
A. Just about anyting that can withstand the heat of the wax. A pyrex measuring cup or even a clean coffee can with the edge pinched for a spout will work.
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| « Last Edit: Apr 9th, 2005, 4:57am by eugenia » |
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Alohagirl
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Posts: 1133
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #5 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 6:58pm » |
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Q. Why do my candles have a rippled surface?
A. Too much vybar is usually the cause.
Q. How can I stop my mottled pillars from sweating?
A. Two tablespoons stearic per pound of wax helps absorb oil. Alternatively, you can just wipe with paper towels and the sweating should stop in a few days.
Q. How do I make a "rustic" pillar?
A. The directions for Cold-Pour/Rustic are listed under the heading "Techiques and Ideas" on the left of your screen.
Q. How do I make a "mottled" pillar?
A. Add at least .5 ounce of fragrance oil or mineral oil per pound of straight paraffin. Pour hot (180 degrees or higher) into a preheated mold and allow it to cool slowly. Preblended waxes will not mottle because they contain vybar, which prevents mottling.
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Elizabeth
Elite Member
Posts: 6012
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help!
« Reply #6 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 7:10pm » |
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Q: What are wet spots and how can i get rid of them? Is there any special wax or additive I can use to eliminate them?
A: Wet spots are those areas on a container candle that appear as if there is a bubble between the glass and the candle. This is actually an area where the wax has receeded a bit from the container or where condensation has formed due to ambient temperature changes in the environment.
Wet Spot Prevention - there is some evidence to support that preheating the empty containers prior to pouring the wax will aid in wet spot prevention. Slow and even cooling is also believed to help prevent wet spot occurance.
There are some container waxes(J300, igi 1945, comfort blend igi4627) that make the claim to produce a "wet spot free" candle and although these waxes do seem to yield less wetspots, they are not 100% consistent in producing a wetspot free candle. It may appear as if you have succeeded in eliminating the wetspot, but they can pop up days after you've poured the candle.
Although wetspots are a bit unsightly, in reality, they are near impossible to avoid. They do not affect the performance of a finished candle.
Bottom Line: Learn to live with the wet spots.
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shutterbugg79763
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #7 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 7:52pm » |
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Q How do i cut my wax?
A Most people use a hammer and chisel. You can freeze it for a while and then drop it on the ground.
Q How do i change my avitar?
A
After you've added the photo, look at the top of your post, and you'll see a link to your pic. Click on it, and it will open it up in a new window. Select that address and copy it. Then go to your Profile, tell it you have your own picture, and paste the address.
Your pictures will scale better if they start off square. The board resizes them to 80x80 automatically. And don't use huge pictures, crop them or make them as small as you can to save bandwidth
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| « Last Edit: Apr 6th, 2005, 8:25pm by shutterbugg79763 » |
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Get 'er done!
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HopelessFOaddict
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Posts: 5861
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #8 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 8:35pm » |
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Q. What do I put in my presto pot?
A. This is personal preference. Many people only melt wax, weigh out the wax into their pouring pot, then adding necessary additives, dye and FO. You can also melt wax and add UV, other additives, dye and FO.
Q. Which is better dye: Liquid, blocks or chips?
A. Another personal preference that you'll have to try to see what you like. Each type has its pros and cons. Many chandlers use more than one type of dye.
Q. How do I clean out my pouring pot?
A. Paper towels. Lots of them!
Q. How do I find local suppliers?
A. Use this link when trying to find certain suppliers close to you:
http://www.candleandsoapstuff.com/Suppliers_by_State.html
Q. Where do I find ..... fragrance?
This link will be helpful when you are trying to find a specific scent or dupe:
http://www.geocities.com/lwoollen_25/FragranceFinder/index.html
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| « Last Edit: Apr 7th, 2005, 8:06am by RobinInOR » |
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moonrise
Full Member
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #9 on: Apr 6th, 2005, 8:51pm » |
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Q. Can I use soap/lotion coloring, or food coloring, in my candles?
A. Nope! You'll end up with a blob of coloring floating around in the melted wax, and NO amount of stirring will get them to mix!
(Don't ask me how I discovered this!  )
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Myssi
Elite Member
Whhhat??
Posts: 1658
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #12 on: Apr 7th, 2005, 7:20am » |
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Q. Can I mix your own FO’s
A. Yes you can blend any type of FO to your own liking.
Q. What if you don’t know if two FO’s will smell good together
A. The best way to try this is to dip a q-tip into one scent, and another q-tip into another scent.
Place them both into a small plastic baggie and let them sit, Go back and smell them later. This
will give you idea if you will like them or not.
Q. Do you have any ideas for me on blending new scents?
A. Over to the right of the page where the links are, go to general candle making and there is a link
Called Scent Mixing Ideas.
Q. I cant smell the candle I just made, why is that?
A. You may have what a lot of us candle makers refer to as candle nose. In other words you have been
around the scent so long that your nose has adjusted to smelling it. Either go outside for a walk and clear
your sinuses, Sniff some fresh coffee grounds/beans. Or have someone else that was not around during the making of these candles see if they can smell them.
Q. Can you use EO’s (Essential Oil’s) to scent candles.
A. While you can use many EO’s to scent your candles they will not be as strong as FO’s and some EO’s are very costly.
Q. How much EO’s do you use per lb?
A. This will vary on the type of EO you are using, but a good starting point is between .5 and .8 oz. per lb.
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Myssi
If at first you don't succeed, give up, no use being a fool.
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SatinDucky
Elite Member
I love Peaks & candletech!
Posts: 2161
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #13 on: Apr 7th, 2005, 7:26am » |
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Q. Do I need to spray my molds and what can I use?
A. You might need to spray plastic molds, but usually you wont need to with metal molds. Both generic Pam (cooking oil spray) and silicone spray work fine. Wipe out any excess after coating.
Q. What is wicking up and wicking down?
A. Wicking up is using a larger size wick for a larger flame. Wicking down is the opposite.
Q. What is a full melt pool?
A. For pillars it's usually about 1/2 inch deep with a wall of about 3/8 inch. If the wall is too thin you may have a blowout (hole in the side with wax pouring out) and too thin it will likely tunnel down the center. Ideally the walls should be consumed as it burns down. For containers it's the same depth but no wax on the sides of the container.
Q. What is hugging the candle and why do I need to?
A. Hugging is gently squeezing the top of pillars after they soften when burning. It helps the candle to be completely consumed.
An example:
http://www.candletech.com/cgi-local/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=gallery;action=d isplay;num=1116507834
Q. Can I test burn votives my votives in any container?
A. No. Votives need to be in a tight fitting container for a proper burn. Think of it as a container candle without the container.
Q. How do I make the layers in my pillar tilt?
A. After you pour your wax in the mold sind something to set it in at the angle you want while it sets up. An easy and inexpensive holder is a large bowl or pan filled with dry beans, rice, sand, etc.
Q. How can I keep the wick in my container centered and straight?
A. Dab a bit of hot glue on the wick tab when you put it in the container. A pair of chopsticks or skewers with a rubberband at each end work great to hold the wick taught as the wax cools.
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| « Last Edit: May 24th, 2005, 5:41pm by SatinDucky » |
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raginabr
Senior Member
I love candletech.com!
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #15 on: Apr 7th, 2005, 9:44am » |
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Q: I just unmolded my candle, and it has air bubbles all over it. What did I do wrong?
A: Check the temperature at which you are pouring, most waxes should be poured between 175-185 degrees. Heat your molds before pouring. When pouring, try pouring on a slant (like pouring a beer) and tapping the mold when finished.
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| « Last Edit: Apr 7th, 2005, 9:46am by raginabr » |
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Scented
Elite Member
Got mouse anyone?
Posts: 17870
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #16 on: Apr 8th, 2005, 9:11pm » |
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Q: I can't get my votive pins out. I put them in the fridge, but they won't come out. What do I do?
A: Let the votive come back down to room temperature and try to remove them again. They should slide right out.
Q: I've made my votive with a wick pin. Now how do I get the pin out?
A: Turn it upside down and lightly push. It should slide right out. You can lightly tap it to try to get it out of the candle. You can also put your votive in the fridge for a few minutes if the pin won't release. If you don't leave it in too long, it should slide out.
Q: What's the advantage of using a wick pin?
A: Makes centering the wick sooooo much easier As long as the pin is straight
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| « Last Edit: Apr 9th, 2005, 12:06am by Scented » |
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Janelle
Senior Member
Yeah, Baby!!!!
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #17 on: Apr 9th, 2005, 10:08am » |
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Q~ What are Clamshells?
A~ The clamshell is a four or six cavity plastic container..most of them will hold 3 oz. of wax. This wax is used in tart melter the same as the conventional 'tarts' that we make.
Q~How do I make Clamshells?
A~The same as you would make tarts, except usually with no repour. Just be careful not to pour too hot or you may melt the plastic.
Q~What kind of wax can I use in Clamshells?
A~ The same blend you would when making regular tarts.
Q~ What are some of the advantages to Clamshells Melts compared to conventional tarts?
A~They are just as good as conventional tarts although they have some conviences one mainly because they have their own container and you don't have to worry about packaging.
Q~ How do you use Clamshells when they are finished?A~ When you are ready to use one, just open the lid, pop it out of the plastic holder, and break off however many squares you would like to melt, like a Hershey bar.
HTH
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| « Last Edit: Apr 9th, 2005, 10:09am by Janelle » |
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That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
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PrairieDweller
Junior Member
Bad to the Bean!
Posts: 25
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #18 on: Apr 14th, 2005, 8:47am » |
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Would like to make an ammendment to the Q: How much fragrance oil should I use?
Q: How much fragrance should I use?
A: Every wax has an oil load threshold. Some waxes can hold 10%, while others can only hold 5%. Find out the specifics of the wax you're using.
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sharyl55
Elite Member
Tiki says 'Wicking is a PITA'
Posts: 1823
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Re: F.A.Q. Please Help by Adding!
« Reply #19 on: Apr 23rd, 2005, 11:54pm » |
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Q. How do I clean liquid dye stains off my hands and countertop?
A. Goo Gone found in most grocery stores does an excellent job of removing liquid dye stains.
Q. Can I fill molds in my kitchen sink or use it as a water bath?
A. Only if your spouse is a plumber. Murphy's Law says that sooner or later liquid wax will end up going down the drain, solidify before exiting your pipes and result in a major plumbing bill.
Q. Do I need to buy a hold a mold?
A. Hold a molds do not work for all molds. You can wear gardening gloves or an OveGlove to carefully move your mold to the water bath.
Q. How can I hold a mold down in a water bath?
A. You can use any type of weight to hold your mold down in a water bath. Chain or angle iron work great
modified to say help, I can't seem to bold the answers
modified to add: I did it for ya
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| « Last Edit: Apr 25th, 2005, 8:53am by RobinInOR » |
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Sharyl, retired and lovin' it
Hurricanes - 1260, tarts - 6228 and J223, containers - J223 and CD wicks, 2005 goal votives.
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