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Help! Palm wax won't unmold!


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Molds were old. One is a large polycarbonate pillar and I sprayed it with vegetable oil. One is a moon shaped metal and I sprayed it with silicone based mold release. Have tried freezing, even left overnight. Just tried warming the polycarbonate mold and seemed to release some spots but not others. I will most likely be throwing away and replacing the polycarbonate mold but the metal mold I want to keep.

 

Really upset :( Just restarted candlemaking and got offered a space in a small town mall.

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That's really odd for a Palm wax to behave like that. Because it's so high is stearic content, which can also be used as a mold release, they will usually just slide right out of the molds. 

Were the molds dented or scratched at all? That is the only think I can think of why something like that would happen. 

Even in molds that are not seasoned for me, any candle I make with palm slides right out (as long as it's a pillar wax  that is - are you sure you used pillar palm and not container??) 

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Did you ever get the candles out? If not, try turning the oven on low and place the candles upside down in a cookie sheet lined with paper towels. Heat the candles to warm the containers just enough to release the candles. You should also be able to do this with the polycarbonate one as long as the oven is low and you keep a hawk's eye on it.

 

I would then check the molds very carefully as JCandleattic suggests to see if there are any indentations, scratches, etc. on the mold, inside or outside. Then I would examine it from top to bottom to see if perhaps it was bent so the shape is no longer perfect.

 

To save and use the rest of your wax, buy some stearic (Candlewic carries it too), and add that to your next batch of palm candles.

 

If the molds have any imperfections it may be time to buy a new one.

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I was just reading on Candlewic's website that they recommend you use only aluminum molds for palm. Mine are aluminum and I never had any problems. Palm pillars just slide right out of the molds. Not all metal molds are made of aluminum so you may want to check your source on your metal mold to be sure.

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I use polycarb for my spheres and some votives and metal for my pillars.....the only time I have ever had an issue is the wax was poured too cool or if the mold was too cold or the candle cooled too fast......if you turn over your molds and tap them on the bottom that should knock them out ;-) 

Edited by Cassi
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  • 2 months later...

I also had this problem with a soy pillar last night.  I tried the fridge, no go, I did the hot water thing, nope, I even broke out the heat gun to no avail.  Candybee's  ;)  method is all that worked and I was pleasantly surprised that the candle finish wasn't marred or disfigured either.  I hope you got it out! 

 

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~ Maya Angelou

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I ordered some new palm wax to try (starburst), I usually use the feather palm from Peaks.  This Starburst was from Lonestar.  I had a horrible time getting the candles out of the metal molds.  Contacted the company and they did stay starburst was a bit more difficult.  Figures I had ordered 55 lbs.... I had one candle in the freezer for a week, it finally came out.  Then I have to leave it to thaw out for a few days.  It is really strange, I have had a few come out fine but most of them get stuck, even though I use mold release.

 

Cindy

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I ordered some new palm wax to try (starburst), I usually use the feather palm from Peaks.  This Starburst was from Lonestar.  I had a horrible time getting the candles out of the metal molds.  Contacted the company and they did stay starburst was a bit more difficult.  Figures I had ordered 55 lbs.... I had one candle in the freezer for a week, it finally came out.  Then I have to leave it to thaw out for a few days.  It is really strange, I have had a few come out fine but most of them get stuck, even though I use mold release.

 

Cindy

 

Starburst is like that. Just include 2% stearic acid or 4% feather palm. The candles will drop right out of the mold and will have fewer/smaller air pockets. Don't use any mold release when you do that. More information here:

 

http://www.craftserver.com/topic/85514-how-to-use-and-wick-starburst-palm/

Edited by topofmurrayhill
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Wow, just went back and read all of the information.  This is good to know.  I really liked working with Feather Palm and never had problems with it.  I just wanted to try the Starburst and didn't know there was such a difference.  Thank you for the information.

 

Cindy

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Wow, just went back and read all of the information.  This is good to know.  I really liked working with Feather Palm and never had problems with it.  I just wanted to try the Starburst and didn't know there was such a difference.  Thank you for the information.

 

Cindy

 

There is information on Feather also:

 

http://www.craftserver.com/topic/85511-how-to-use-and-wick-feather-palm/

 

However, as you said, it's really a pleasure to work with. Between the ease of use and the great appearance, totally my favorite pillar palm.

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