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[HELP] Candle Additives - Stearic Acid VS Universal Additives


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Just started on my candle making hobby and there are much to learn in order to perfect this art. 

 

Came to a point whereby I need help on the above topic, as I am very particular about the chemicals which I mix into my candles.

 

1) What exactly is an Universal Additive (for candles) ?

- I search literally through dozens of pages using google, but there isnt a conclusive answer. 

 

2) Is it safe to mix into a candle and to burn it?
- I have spotted no big corporations or wax companies selling such universal additives. Most are selling this product via Etsy, small ecommerce stores or eBay. 

 

3) Can the Universal Additive replace Stearic Acid, UV inhibitor, Vybar all at one go?

- From a website, it states that the UA has properties of these 3 separate additives. 

- Is it really that miraculous? 

 

It just that I find the whole "Universal Additive" very murky... Can't really find any information on these.

 

Any recommendations / your thoughts on this matter? 

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You probably will do better contacting one of the places that sell all the above additives.  I use USA in C3 because it behaves better with it but you use it in a very small amount, like 1-2 tablespoons for 5# of wax.  I do know

that it does not replace UV inhibitor.   I don't use UV except with some heavy vanilla fo's and many of my melts change color under fluorescent lights.  They probably wouldn't if I used it all the time. 

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Guest OldGlory

Before I can answer your questions, I have to ask:

1. Which wax are you using to make candles?

2. What kind of candles are you making? Pillars, containers, votives, melts...??

3. Why do you want to use additives?

4. Where do you live and what are the laws/regulations regarding the making and/or burning of candles?

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Here is a basic explanation of UA:

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/candleglossary/g/univadditive.htm

 

Stearic:

http://www.candlewic.com/store/product.aspx?q=c11,p167&title=Stearic-Acid

 

Vybar:

http://www.howtomakecandles.info/cm_article.asp?ID=ADDIT0002

 

Many waxes intended for candle making already include additives so you will want to be certain that you know what you are adding in addition to what may already be in the wax you use.

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Before I can answer your questions, I have to ask:

1. Which wax are you using to make candles?

2. What kind of candles are you making? Pillars, containers, votives, melts...??

3. Why do you want to use additives?

4. Where do you live and what are the laws/regulations regarding the making and/or burning of candles?

Yes, will be glad to answer!

1) I am using paraffin wax

2) Currently, I am focusing on pillar candles

3) My pillar candles seem abit soft, thats why I wanted to add UA to harden the final product

4) I stay in Phoenix AZ. Not too sure about the laws/regulations but my candle making is purely recreational... Don't think there will be laws against such recreational making/burning

 

 

Here is a basic explanation of UA:

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/candleglossary/g/univadditive.htm

 

Stearic:

http://www.candlewic.com/store/product.aspx?q=c11,p167&title=Stearic-Acid

 

Vybar:

http://www.howtomakecandles.info/cm_article.asp?ID=ADDIT0002

 

Many waxes intended for candle making already include additives so you will want to be certain that you know what you are adding in addition to what may already be in the wax you use.

Well, I got my wax from a local supplier and she mentioned that the paraffin wax is pure with no additives.

 

Perhaps I should consider getting waxes that has already pre-blended with additives. 

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Guest OldGlory

Ask the supplier for a preblended paraffin that has all the qualities you are looking for. There are lots of good waxes out there.

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