ViperSBT

What all can attribute to poor scent cast? I have tried a variety of different strengths and am not getting a good hot scent cast? Cold scent cast is pretty good...

J225 Wax (I know not many are using it)

Does the method of mixture effect scent cast? I would believe it does. I am using a bamboo skewer for stirring small batches. I stir until I can no longer see any trace of the scent oil in the wax, then I stir awhile longer.

I heat my wax to 180, pour, add scent, stir, let set, check cold scent, add wick, and burn... Sometimes there is a good cold scent, but almost nothing on the hot scent. I am generating a decent pool...

Where to turn???

OK, the topic may not be quite what I am looking for...

As I look around at all the scents that are out there, and there are a lot, I have found 16 (I know I haven't scratched the surface) different suppliers on the Internet for scents. Does everyone make their own scents or are there 4 scent makers that everyone is repackaging?

If I can't find a scent I am looking for, or what I do find doesn't meet my criteria, how/where does one go to make their own scent?

OK, while we are on the subject, all kinds of places sell UV Inhibitor, but I don't see a manufacturer on it. Are there different kinds/grades/qualities of UV Inhibitor? Is there anything special I should be looking for in the UV Inhibitor?

Of course I have some work to do on nailing down the right wick(s) to use. According to what I have read I have several options with J-225 on wicks but I don't know much about the specifics of the different types of wicks. In reading the "FAQ" section I found this:

"aroma-lite" (for candles w/ a high FO load)

cotton (rigid wick)

paper (wick more rigid than cotton)

zinc (maximum rigidity; coolest burning wick)

So that tells me a little, but not enough to make a decision on which way to go. Also in looking at wicks there are all kinds of numbers describing them. Is there someplace I can decipher what those numbers mean (ie. 62-52-18)? When talking about wicking up or down I am guessing up would be larger numbers and down would be smaller numbers.

OK, I have been playing with some different formulas and started thinking, I could tell because the burning smell wasn't one of my candles...

Let me preface this with I am using J225, which I know not a lot of people have played with yet, but I think my questions should be common enough to suit other waxes.

1. If I am pouring containers, tin in this case, that are not clear do I need to concern myself with a UV Inhibitor?

2. Because you can't see into my container, I am considering skipping using a dye. I am much more focused on scent and container than color. So, if not using color, is there a reason to bother with UV Inhibitor?

3. I made an assumption that I would want to use Vybar, but after doing more research I read that Vybar in a pre-blended wax could cause the scent to "lock-up". Well I think I am experiencing that. I didn't put one and one together when looking at J225 and seeing that it was a "premium blended wax" = "pre-blended". The scents I have produced are nice, but require a lot of oil to get out of the candle. So I am guessing I shouldn't be using the Vybar, correct?

Thanks for all the great input. I don't know why I didn't think of this myself...

OK, I made my first test batch. I wanted to make another test batch of a different scent and realized I only had one Mix Pot. Since the wax was still warm and sticking to the inside of the pot I got to thinking I may just need to keep a mix pot per candle scent/dye combination, or figure out a way to clean them. So, how do you clean them? Mine is a fairly simple aluminum mix pot that I got from Michael's. I am using J225 wax.

OK, the rest of my supplies should be in tomorrow to begin my first try at making my candles. In thinking about the process I have a couple of questions:

1. Most of what I have read says that I should remove the wax from the melting pot and put it into a mixing/pouring container, then add the additives and FO. Is this necessary? Can't I just mix in the melting pot and fill the candles (container) from the spigot?

2. How to mix? What do you use to mix? How much do you mix? Should I break out a blender (probably a bad idea) or do I use a whisk? Do I have to concern myself with air bubbles at this stage from mixing?

3. Measurements, when talking about the wax, it is measured by the pound so that is weight. But, when talking about additives (liquid) they refer to ounces per pound. Are the ounces volume or weight?

I hope these don't seem to dumb, but I am still learning.

Thanks, that appears to open a lot of options that I thought may be closed to me.

You guys are great. I am really glad I found this place!

What about different metal containers? I see a lot of aluminum and some that say they are tin, but they all look the same.

Some sites say their FO is safe for Gel or designed for Gel. I am using Wax, if it is OK for gel, is it OK for wax?

Well, I placed my first order for containers and am just getting some simple ones to do testing with. But, in thinking about what I want to present to my friends and family, I want something a little different for containers. What are some of the different containers that you have used? Where should a person that is new to this look to find good collections of containers? And finally what should one be looking for in a container? Does it have to have a lid?

I have seen several people refer to a Pipe Tobacco FO, but I haven't been able to find a source. Does anyone have a recommendation?

I am looking for a good FO that would be reminiscent of a walk through the forrest. Not overpowering pine, or pine cleaner, but some woody and earthy scents, pine can be there, just not overpowering. Any suggestions?

OK, so I am an admitted newbie and have just ordered my first batch of materials except for my FO. I am really excited about the possibilities of making my own candles and blending scents to my own liking.

My question here is what do I need to look for in a FO? How do I know if the FO is compatible with my wax? (I am going to use Astorlite J225) I have seen FOs that say they are fine for soaps and lotions but not candles, why is that? The scents I am going for are not traditional so I need as much variety as possible to create what I am looking for.