smcatharine Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Hi, everyone! Last year I got 15 taper molds from Candlewic. I have been sucessfully making beeswax tapers to sell in our shop. I use wax from Bulk Apothecary. I use both the natural and bleached. Now I am making advent candles. I color the wax with liquid dye. I can't seem to get a nice, even finished look. Sometimes they stick a little which is another issue but also they just don't look "smooth". Maybe the natural candles don't also but I can't tell. I'm starting to panic as we're getting calls about when our candles will be ready. Last year I used tin molds and that had its own set of problems but I'm begining to think I got better results. Candlewic said to pour at about 190-200. I haven't noticed this helps much. Am I being too picky? I can't really show in a photo the finish of the candles.I use silicone release spray and am just starting to use a release powder. Are the mold release sprays different than silicone spray? THANKS!Sister Mary Catharine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Are your new molds urethane rubber? Those stick sometimes on me too. I Get them as clean as possible, then spray lots of silicone release spray. Once they are primed up with release spray i can get several tapers out cleanly before needing to spray again.Seems the pour temp recommended is awfully high. My beeswax gets to maybe 150-160 tops. If poured too hot i find they don't release very well. I don't let them get completely cold or they do stick more in my urethane molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I agree with TallTayl, as soon as my beeswax is melted I pour. I don't check the temp. anymore, but it's around 150. I used to use those urethane rubber molds from Candlewic, but had to much sticking for my liking even with lots of silicone spray and powdered mold release. I have Mann Lake's silicone molds now and like them much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcatharine Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 ChrisR you're not the first person to say that Mann Lake molds are better. Unfortunately, I have 15 CW ones!I contacted CW about the molds and they told me to pour at 180-190. As a whole the candles stick a lot less but it's the finish I'm not happy with. When I pour in a metal or plastic mold I get a nice smooth and even finish but not in the taper molds. Is this a problem with Mann Lake molds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 ChrisR you're not the first person to say that Mann Lake molds are better. Unfortunately, I have 15 CW ones!I contacted CW about the molds and they told me to pour at 180-190. As a whole the candles stick a lot less but it's the finish I'm not happy with. When I pour in a metal or plastic mold I get a nice smooth and even finish but not in the taper molds. Is this a problem with Mann Lake molds? I haven't had any problems with the finish on the Mann Lake tapers. Even with the Candlewic tapers I never poured any higher than 150-160. I can't help you with why you're not getting a good finish on your tapers, as I never had that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chefmom Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I haven't made beeswax tapers in molds yet, I have only hand dipped them. Have you tried taking the finished taper that you are not satisfied with and then dipping it into really hot beeswax to give a perfectly even outer finish? I would try that to at least be able to use the molds you have on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcatharine Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 An update! I poured a set at 180 and another at 170 and I notice a much better finish. Using mold release powder helped a lot.When I started I wasn't using any mold release spray. When I contacted CW I wonder if they were thinking parafin, not beeswax candles. Thanks, everyone, for your help! I have about 30 sets of tapers on order to make in the next few days besides the Advent candles so I'm super grateful!God bless you!Sister Mary Catharine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplybeelightful Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I think you are pouring way too hot. I usually pour around 160 degrees in a very warm room. The longer your candles cool, the better results you will have. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.