Quentin Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 What happened here? I'm having continuing problems with 444 and 464 wax. The photos you see here were left to cool slowly overnight on their own. The ambient temperature when I left them for the night was 92F at 8:19 PM, and the humidity was 36% (low humidity for my area). I'm getting these results with this wax more often than not. The tops look dried out and have a rippled, cracked appearance. The tops appear similar to a severe case of chapped lips. I didn't pour too hot. Pouring was done SLOWLY at 135F or less. Wax: GW 444 Heated to 190+ and added dye, then stirred for a full two minutes. Added 12% fragrance at 185F, then stirred for a full two minutes. I let the wax stand until it cooled to 135F, and then I poured. If this is the way these two waxes are supposed to look, then I can live with it or is there something I'm missing here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 That’s crazy looking. Ok try an experiment. I have better luck with 464 pouring hot. Dig out wax and pour 170, 160, 150. See results. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Also start fresh LOWER fragrance load to 6, 8 percent. Pour container hot 170, then 135. It could be the waxes, the fragrance, the color, the temp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Def try lower FO. Believe it or not, they hay have cooled too slowly. Various additives in those waxes have different drop points. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 8 hours ago, TallTayl said: Def try lower FO. Believe it or not, they hay have cooled too slowly. Various additives in those waxes have different drop points. I wondered about that. The candles stayed in my garage workshop all night, and it never gets cool if it's heated up all day. Now that I think of it, this type of problem wasn't so frequent back in the winter, when the garage was heated by a wall heater about 15 feet away. Please translate: "Def try lower FO." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Translation: Definitely try lower fo. 🤣 try cooling the hot pot of wax with a fan before pouring. Stir often to keep it smooth. It’s what I need to do in summer months when wax melters are hot all the time . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 8 hours ago, TallTayl said: Def try lower FO. Believe it or not, they hay have cooled too slowly. Various additives in those waxes have different drop points. I wondered about that. The candles stayed in my garage workshop all night, and it never gets cool if it's heated up all day. Now that I think of it, this type of problem wasn't so frequent back in the winter, when the garage was heated by a wall heater about 15 feet away. Please translate: "Def try lower FO." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 Did I mention the little aluminum foil tent that I placed over them to keep them from cooling too fast? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 1 10 hours ago, NightLight said: That’s crazy looking. Ok try an experiment. I have better luck with 464 pouring hot. Dig out wax and pour 170, 160, 150. See results. Can this wax be salvaged? 10 hours ago, NightLight said: That’s crazy looking. You should see it in real life. It looks somewhat like Zombie skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I’d break out the heat gun myself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 1 minute ago, TallTayl said: I’d break out the heat gun myself. You must be a mind reader. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 10 hours ago, NightLight said: That’s crazy looking. Ok try an experiment. I have better luck with 464 pouring hot. Dig out wax and pour 170, 160, 150. See results. I was using 444 not 464, but they're pretty much the same thing aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 Here's the good news on my hot and cold garage shop: In about two weeks I'm having a building constructed behind my garage. It will be wired with sockets all over the place, insulated walls, 48 feet of shelving, and best of all, a through the wall A/C and heat unit. An LED lighting system will cover the ceiling, hang over the workbench, and under the top row of shelves. The lower level of shelves will be at countertop level at the same height as the workbench. That will create a horseshoe-shaped assembly line sort of operation. I'll be close enough to connect to the Wi-Fi in the house and will have an intercom so I can continue to monitor my 93-year-old father. I'm his caretaker. There will be a computer in there to access my formulas, notes and other information. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to reach the wireless printer. That way I can produce labels while waiting for things to cool down or heat up. This arrangement will also give me the ability to jump into this forum and get information plus watch YouTube videos on candle making. An added benefit is that I can watch my favorite college football team have another losing season and end up in the cellar of the SEC again. If any of you have some refreshing suggestions as to what else I can put in there, please let me know. I might put an 8-track stereo system in as well. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesinflorida Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I think those “wrinkles” on your wax could be thanks to the heat emanating from the foil above it. In fact, the wax wrinkles look exactly like tinfoil ripples. As the wax was cooling (and therefore shrinking a bit) the wrinkled heat areas caused the candle to solidify unevenly. No more tinfoil hats for candles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, candlesinflorida said: I think those “wrinkles” on your wax could be thanks to the heat emanating from the foil above it. In fact, the wax wrinkles look exactly like tinfoil ripples. As the wax was cooling (and therefore shrinking a bit) the wrinkled heat areas caused the candle to solidify unevenly. No more tinfoil hats for candles Didn't think of it that way. Yes, the aluminum foil tent in 92 F temperatures was pretty stupid on my part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesinflorida Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Btw I always use 12% FO with 464 (and now 444 too) and have never had kooky tops like those. Once in a while if I am lazy about stirring, the tops will be a tiny bit mottled or have a tiny little divot. But not anywhere near the grand canyon situation you’ve got going in those pics. Pretty sure it was the reflected heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesinflorida Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Just now, Quentin said: Didn't think of it that way. Yes, the aluminum foil tent in 92 F temperatures was pretty stupid on my part. I bet that those orange wrinkles are MIRROR images of your tinfoil wrinkles. (...hmmm maybe I should be wearing the tinfoil hat lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebleo Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I am so envious of your new building!!! I have a small building I can clean up for candle making. But I have to get it rewired and it’s not as close to the house as I’d like. Congratulations to you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebleo Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 3 hours ago, Quentin said: Can this wax be salvaged? You should see it in real life. It looks somewhat like Zombie skin. Will it still burn well? If so, now you have discovered how to make Walking Dead themed candles!! Yessssss!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 I would dig out the wax repour at different temp, and try cooling differently. You don’t need foil if it’s that hot in space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary in Canada Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 17 hours ago, Quentin said: Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to reach the wireless printer. That way I can produce labels while waiting for things to cool down or heat up. If it doesn't reach your printer, you could always try an extender. Plug it in somewhere between your router/modem, printer and computer and it will extend your WiFi signal.. Otherwise you get get an inexpensive printer BUT buy your cartridges on Amazon. My orignal Canon cartridges cost $199 (Cdn) for a set.... now I buy 5 sets for about $40. on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenni Wix Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 444/ coconut wax 50/50. FO 6%, I think. You can't really see the color accurately, but it was natural colored wax that discolored to yellow, then brown after several burns. This picture doesn't really do it justice. This is after it I made it all pretty, poked relief holes, heat gunned, cured and burned it a few times. It set up that way after one of the burns. It's 444, man. (But great throw 🙃) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClassicModern Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 @Jenni Wix my 50/50 coconut/444 blend looked just like that after the first burn. I noticed that I got some discoloration with that blend as well, but I think it was because my wick was too big. I'm going to nix using that much soy and probably go with another ratio. For me, I think 50% of soy is too much and gives it the typical soy look because there is already soy in my coconut wax, so I'm going to try 90/10 coconut/soy and 85/15 coconut/soy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandleRush Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 I’m not sure what to say here. Maybe it’s the 444 wax? Some of you know I blend 464 with Lab co or Northwoods coconut wax, 50/50 for a year now and have never had bad results. Smooth tops, no holes, smooth after each burn to the end.I have tried 464 at higher percentages with the coconut wax and they were ugly which is why i use 50/50. Recap: When I upped the soy they got ugly. One soys characteristics is bumpy tops after you burn. So I would try lowering your percentage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesinflorida Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 23 hours ago, Jenni Wix said: 444/ coconut wax 50/50. FO 6%, I think. You can't really see the color accurately, but it was natural colored wax that discolored to yellow, then brown after several burns. This picture doesn't really do it justice. This is after it I made it all pretty, poked relief holes, heat gunned, cured and burned it a few times. It set up that way after one of the burns. It's 444, man. (But great throw 🙃) Our candles are twinning. mine looks just like that after one burn today...I couldn't figure out what I did wrong. Normally I use 464 but decided to switch it up and get 444. Hmmm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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