ChadTaljaardt Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 Hello, I have been trying to make concrete candles and had an issue where the wax was falling out of the container if it is turned upside down. I have tried making a container without putting sealant on it to make it waterproof, and the wax doesn't fall out anymore, I have concluded the sealant was stopping the wax from adhering to the container. Id like to ask what sealant everyone else uses who put candles inside concrete containers? This is the one i am currently using : https://boldmakerstudio.com/collections/tools-for-concrete/products/medium-gloss-concrete-sealer-concentrated-1-pint Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandleRush Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 I would email the company and ask. Are you using their concrete as well? Sometimes products are meant to work together. They sure have some nice products!🌸 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandleRush Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 Cement is porous so I think the sealant is the issue. You could seal the outside of the container but if you are having success I’d skip the sealant all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 Have test burned candles without sealant? If the cement is thick enough it may not ever be an issue. I had to imagine that the wax fills certain pores in the cement, and then it’s a done deal. Have not tried its theoretical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pughaus Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) This is the challenge with cement containers and candles. There are plenty of concrete sealants but finding one that won't seep into your melt pool when it heats up exposing you to god knows what fumes is a hurdle. Without sealing you'll find that very often oil spots will appear on the outside as you burn the candle- and sometimes before. I've made quite a few concrete candles and some seeped a little, others did not. But I pretty much stopped making them until I could figure out the sealant part.. Edited July 6, 2019 by pughaus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnKush Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) Do not put it inside the jar, it is only for the outside. They use it to shine up the jar and make it look good, its also a sealant. Edited July 6, 2019 by CaptnKush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadTaljaardt Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 On 7/5/2019 at 8:25 PM, CandleRush said: Cement is porous so I think the sealant is the issue. You could seal the outside of the container but if you are having success I’d skip the sealant all together. On 7/5/2019 at 9:02 PM, NightLight said: Have test burned candles without sealant? If the cement is thick enough it may not ever be an issue. I had to imagine that the wax fills certain pores in the cement, and then it’s a done deal. Have not tried its theoretical. On 7/6/2019 at 12:09 AM, CaptnKush said: Do not put it inside the jar, it is only for the outside. They use it to shine up the jar and make it look good, its also a sealant. The problem is the dark rings on the outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadTaljaardt Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 On 7/5/2019 at 10:44 PM, pughaus said: This is the challenge with cement containers and candles. There are plenty of concrete sealants but finding one that won't seep into your melt pool when it heats up exposing you to god knows what fumes is a hurdle. Without sealing you'll find that very often oil spots will appear on the outside as you burn the candle- and sometimes before. I've made quite a few concrete candles and some seeped a little, others did not. But I pretty much stopped making them until I could figure out the sealant part.. Did you ever figure out what worked for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadTaljaardt Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 On 7/5/2019 at 8:21 PM, CandleRush said: I would email the company and ask. Are you using their concrete as well? Sometimes products are meant to work together. They sure have some nice products!🌸 I dont think they have cement on their website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnKush Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 That pic is with sealant inside jar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadTaljaardt Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, CaptnKush said: That pic is with sealant inside jar? No, there is no sealant at all in that jar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnKush Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 Did you wash the jar out before you poured the wax? That pic looks like it might be Portland cement residue that might have still been lightly coated on inside of jar. Another thing you can do is message some of the people on Etsy that make those jars, maybe they can help you out better. Wow, I hope you get this one figured out because I love the look and price of those jars. Keep us posted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadTaljaardt Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 57 minutes ago, CaptnKush said: Did you wash the jar out before you poured the wax? That pic looks like it might be Portland cement residue that might have still been lightly coated on inside of jar. Another thing you can do is message some of the people on Etsy that make those jars, maybe they can help you out better. Wow, I hope you get this one figured out because I love the look and price of those jars. Keep us posted. I am very sure that i did, but ill try with another container i have and just make sure. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pughaus Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 3 hours ago, ChadTaljaardt said: The problem is the dark rings on the outside is the ring around the wax inside a problem? I've been selling paddywax cement candles for years and no one cares, nor even mentions the interior of the vessel appearance.. it's concrete after all, not ceramic and some porosity is inherent in the material. But any oil spots on the outside of the container are a concern and look really messy. I have spoken to makers of another popular candle line that uses terracotta containers and they have been using a mineral oil soak to help decrease seepage. Apparently it works according to them, although it does somewhat darken the container. I haven't tested this method myself thoroughly, I wiped some down but didn't have enough min oil on hand to do a full soak. I'm not sure if it really helps to seal the concrete or if it just hides the oil stains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandleRush Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Nice looking container! Yesterday while shopping I noticed cement vessels with candles in them. It looked like they had a tiny gap all the way around for what that’s worth. I would use a sealer that is specifically for concrete, only the outside. But keep us posted if you’ve come up with anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadTaljaardt Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 I tried washing it and poring the wax again to no avail, i also let it stay melted for a longer time to see how the concrete held up, and the results were bad. I'll try mineral oil next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnKush Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 (edited) I suggest you let it sit for 20-30 days. That is how long it takes cement to cure. That might be the cause of your problem. Edited July 10, 2019 by CaptnKush 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandleRush Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Yup, bet that’s it! Needs to cure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pughaus Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 (edited) 37 minutes ago, CandleRush said: Yup, bet that’s it! Needs to cure! Unfortunately, the length of cure did nothing for me. Doesn't matter how long it cures, it's a porous material and the oil will still seep in and stain it. Just like it does on a driveway or garage floor. RE: sealing the outside, that helps it from getting dirty from handling and fingerprints, but any oil that seeps from the inside>out will still be visible, you just end up with oil spots that are now sealed in. Edited July 11, 2019 by pughaus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pughaus Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 4 hours ago, ChadTaljaardt said: I tried washing it and poring the wax again to no avail, i also let it stay melted for a longer time to see how the concrete held up, and the results were bad. I'll try mineral oil next. try coating the interior with water based modpodge https://www.amazon.com/Mod-Podge-Waterbase-16-Ounce-CS11302/dp/B001IKES5O it's the least toxic, easy to source, solution I could find. It helps keep the oil from penetrating to the outside.( most of the time) It does melt into the wax a bit but I didn't notice any effect on the candle performance or appearance the few times I used it. But I could feel the modpodge getting moist and melty as the candle burned. There are also fireplace concrete sealants that can hold up to heat, hopefully without any toxic fumes, but that needs further research and they are not easy to find, much less purchase in small qtys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraftsAplenty Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Has anyone found a good sealer that is safe to use on the cement candle vessel? I have searched and searched and there are so many differing opinions on the matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnevale Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Hi, Has anyone found a solution for the oil spots? I used sealer inside (solvents free) and worked like a treat but I am not happy to be inhaling fumes and sell them. Has the mineral oils worked? Thanks, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maui Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 From what I have gathered, cheng sealant can be used outside and inside a cement vessel. However, it's really expensive for a 500ml sealant - $30. I have not tried it myself yet, but I think that is the best option as is it non-toxic, food-safe, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kass Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) So glad I found this page, I've been trialing using a plaster for casting candle containers and have exactly this issue. I was going to try waterproof PVA (I'm in the UK so I think that's modgepodge in the US). I'm using coconut wax which has a low melt point so the result is total discolouration as it melts. I shall update you on the trial! I'd post a pic but I can't work out how to do that.... Edited January 13, 2021 by Kass Add photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Why don’t you try melting high melt point wax and coating inside use carnauba wax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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