Kshaler,
In my experience, no matter how you phrase your question, you can expect to get contradictory answers here. I have stopped asking and started making notes and here is what I have found with 464:
You should not be burning candles you made yesterday and making judgements based on that... let them sit at least a few days. I have read anywhere from 2 weeks and up is the cure time, but give it a few days, at least. I have settled on a week.
Some fragrances simply DO NOT WORK with soy, buy testers before you buy bulk, if one does not please you, move on.
I use 2 ounces FO per 1lb of wax, even though people have told me that they would never do that, and that more fragrance oil will lessen the throw. I have not found that to be the case and also find the idea ridiculous as well as the "pseudo-science" explanations people give for skimping on FO.
I use a double boiler although I purchased one of those Rival Cookers on someone's recommendation, it's a huge mess, don't do it.
Heat the wax in the double boiler until it melts, remove from heat, add the FO/color stir for maybe a minute, both ways, then pour. The temp will most likely range from 180 at fully melted, to 160 during stirring to 140-150 while pouring... it's all fine. Your conditions may be different, but I have found NO validity in smoother tops with a hot pour OR with a cool pour. Just heat the wax and make the candles, don't rush, don't stall, take some notes, find your groove.
I wouldn't abuse the wax with heating it too high, but I have had no ill effects from heating over 200 the few times that it has happened.
Disregard flash point, disregard people who tell you that the wax and the oil have to be at a certain temperature to bind.
My candles have been much better since I started using my thermometer to stir rather than gauge the temp and since I stopped taking the myriad crazy recommendations found on line.
Just heat, stir and pour.... just be sure you are standing on only one foot when you pour.
good luck!
I