geekrunner

I used to play around with blending 415 with J50 at various percentages, and fouind that it had to be at least 75% 415 to 25% J50 to get rid of frosting, but then I had problems with no adhesion. I gave up and went with KY parasoy and like it much better. geek

I use the CDs in KY Parasoy which is close to the GL, and if you overwick it can pull alot of wax up the wick and leave you with huge mushrooming and long fire-breathing dragon of a wick. If you wick down to a 10 and it is underwicked, I would retry the 12 and trim it to 1/8 inch instead of 1/4 inch and see how it burns. geek

I have used CDs and like them in KY parasoy but for my 415/402 blend I double wick in 3 1/2" jars with either HTPs or LXs. I don't like to single wick in 3 1/2" with HTP due to flamethrower issues, but CD22 is pretty close to cleaning that jar. geek

HOLY COW! I'm away for a few weeks, and I miss out on this hot thread?? Now I need to try this out! geek

I do like the GL parasoy but very pricey to ship. I use the KY parasoy (close to 50/50) which is closer to me and works nearly as well. Definitely need to double wick a 4 inch jar, as it is on some FOs I can barely single wick a 3 1/2 inch jar using the flamethrower sizes (CD22, HTP1312, LX30) HTH! geek

I have tested the Greenleaf 70/30 in 8 oz jj with Indonesian Teak, and it takes an LX18. The switched to the KY parasoy (app 50/50) using LX18 and it seemed to be a tad hot. Haven't tried the LX16 yet. Probably would be good to test the 50/50 with a wick size smaller, due to increase in paraffin. geek

LOL you ladies are nuts geek

BTW to answer your question why you switched, it's because you are a Mad Scientist at heart like me! geek

I can see adding USA to the 415, but you are definitely adding too much stuff to your blend. Usually if you blend 3:1 paraffin to soy you don't need any additives. I ran into the same issue when I was trying to blend J50 with 415. If you want a good parasoy try the Greenleaf or the KY parasoy. If you want to try a known quantity try blending the 415 with 2% USA or 3% beeswax. geek

In KY Parasoy and 8 oz JJ I can use LX18 with 7% Indonesian Teak, and it is almost too hot, but LX16 is not quite up to the job. geek

I use the 16 oz keepsake I get from the Candlemaker's Store. It is 3 1/2 inches wide, which is almost too wide to single wick soy successfully. I usually double wick, with 2 x LX14 up to 2 x LX18. I have successfully single wicked some MC FOs at 7% load, but I've had to use HTP 1312, or Premier 798. Another one that comes pretty close is CD22. HTH! geek

I know I haven't been around much lately to post, but I hope maybe I gave you some decent advice in the past. BTW soy is just like paraffin, only different. *super banana* geek

Aren't RRD wicks square braid also? geek

Wow, that is one strong candle. I can smell it from here! No, wait. That's my lilac candle Good job! May I call you rottn? Do you have Rotts? geek

The 415 is used alot by various suppliers as their house brand. If you get a box of soy wax that says 415 on it then it is the same stuff. The only difference between them would be the lot numbers or mfg dates. There shouldn't be any or much difference between batches to necessitate retesting between batches. That doesn't happen too often (knock on wood). Unless you get a new box and everything you pour burns alot differently. Some people like to pour a test candle when they get wax from a new batch, just to make certain it burns the same as the old batch. HTH! geekster

I'm glad everyone was able to help you, but... Somebody's gotta do it! BTW I've done that myself too. Pliers work well. geek

Another thought is how many burns are you doing before you determine that yhe cottons don't do the job? ALso, is it leaving a scum or a sizeable hangup? geek

Typically the cottons will burn pretty hot, as will the RRDs. If you have RRDs, you could try the 50, or 55. I have used the RRD47 in 8 oz Jelly jars, and they are about 2 inches wide. If you try the HTPs, try a 126, or a starting point for 2 1/2 inch in an LX would be a 22. HTH geek

There really is no one wick that works best for a particular wax. It depends on alot of variables, such as type of jar, FO used, dye used, ambient temp of burning environment, etc. You can use a certain wick that will clean the sides, but if it cleans the sides in 30 minutes to an hour, and gives you a two-inch deep MP in a four hour burn, that is way too big a wick. It takes alot of experimenting to find the right wick for a given combo of wax/FO/jar. A better question would be to identify the jar you are using, then ask for a good starting point for a particular wick, such as HTP, LX, RRD, zinc core, cotton core, whatever you might have or are interested in trying. geek

More noobs! Welcome and don't be afraid of asking seemingly dumb questions. We are by nature a helpful bunch. We only flame those who want to be spoon-fed everything we know It's been close to a year since that happened. geek

In my experience as long as the jars are not ice cold, pour with jars at room temp, then when they set up enough move them to a room that is at least 75 degrees, and they will cool slowly enough you won't get any wet spots. At least till you take them into a colder room, then they will wet spot like crazy! I guess they cannot be totally avoided without taling alot of time consuming steps. I have noticed though, that if you put a jar candle on a warmer, after repeated heating/cooling cycles, the color is very uniform, no frosting, and no wet spots! Even after putting in a cold basement. Probably has to do with the tempering that occurs with the repeated heat/cool cycles. Hmmmm. Sound like time for some Mad Scientist action! Bwahaahaahaa! geek

geek

Hello there Tasha! We like noobs. If I may be so bold as to recommend the GB 415 or 444 to start with, if you can find a close supplier. Alot of suppliers carry the 415 as their own house brand, and it is a versatile wax that throws well, and blends well with other soys and other ingredients, such as USA or beeswax. Good luck! geek

I have used the parasoy from KY and I like it alot. If I had my choice, money no option, I would buy the GL parasoy. But for the price, the KY parasoy is very good stuff! And they are much closer to me than GL. I use the parasoy with FOs that don't smell quite right in soy. For some scents, they do throw better in a parasoy than plain soy. your geek

I was visiting one of my old HS buds yesterday, and his Mom used to own a craft store. She loves candles, and told me about how she loved the smell of Yankme candles, but didn't like tht it sooted so badly and didn't burn all the way across. Then mentioned she burned one of mine her son gave her, and she loved that it was fully consumed. I heard that Yankme uses a really soft inexpensive paraffin that looks awful and burns worse, but holds a decent amount of FO. geek