the_amber_woods Posted August 7, 2005 Share Posted August 7, 2005 Accidently posted this under the wrong forum *silly me*Regular Votive Instructions can be found here : http://www.candletech.com/votives/ I'm interested on ideas for Layered Votives... I'm thinking that maybe I can pour the first layer at 165 into pre heated Votive Molds *niffty heat gun* Second Layer 180 while the first layer is still a bit warm Top off layer at 190 after everything has cooled down? Does this sound about right? Anyone have any suggestions, temp corrections, ideas for 3 layers in a votive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Angela7 Posted August 7, 2005 Share Posted August 7, 2005 You don't want to wait till a layer is cool before you pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_amber_woods Posted August 7, 2005 Author Share Posted August 7, 2005 You don't want to wait till a layer is cool before you pour. When the wax has completely cooled, it will have shrunken a bit, leaving a sink hole that needs to be filled.Layers should still be warm when you pour... however the very last pour, what I call the top off pour, the votive should have cooled down before you pour this. It gives it time for the wax to sink in and settle, the top off pour fills in the dip left by the cooling wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatinDucky Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Layers should still be warm when you pour... however the very last pour, what I call the top off pour, the votive should have cooled down before you pour this. It gives it time for the wax to sink in and settle, the top off pour fills in the dip left by the cooling wax.Is this a question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawaiiansun Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 test it and see if it works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_amber_woods Posted August 8, 2005 Author Share Posted August 8, 2005 test it and see if it works Well here's how my test went:Poured first layer at 165 into a pre heated moldPoured Second Layer at 180 while first layer was still warmWaited till cool and dip had formed and poured first layer around 190-195The bottom layer isn't smooth.... it's pitted and looks like there were a million bubbles in the waxSecond layer has a few pits in itLast Top off layer is smooth and creaming.The layers blended together well. No jump lines and no seam lines between layers.Am I correct in thinking the low temp of the first layer is what caused most of the pits? Would it work better if I did first layer at 170 Second at 180 and top off at 190-190? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 You're correct about the first layer.I have never seen 2 sets of votive making instructions that are alike. If those instructions were for making layered votives, they would be scattered even more widely across the map. So I encourage you to keep experimenting, but I'll offer a few thoughts...Probably the minimum pour temp you'd want to use for a nice surface is 175 as per Alan's (message board owner's) instructions and you will find instructions that suggest as high as 190. Since you're layering, aim a little more toward the high end. Why not make it nice and simple and pour each layer at 185 and see what happens?If that works out, you can also experiment with the amount of time between layers to control how much the colors meld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Just a note that sometimes if you pour too fast you'll get the bubbles too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyl55 Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Don't know what wax you are using. I pour at the mfgr. suggested temps. For votives you can hit the bottom layer with your handy dandy heat gun before pouring the second layer. Same with the top layer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatinDucky Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Everyone has different experiences, but I find the pitting is usually from warming the mold too much beforehand. Keeping in mind that I don't make huge batches of votives at one.... if I want a smooth finish, I don't heat it before pouring, BUT... I do hit it with the heat gun after I pour (from the side so I don't blow wax out) just enough until I see the wax the solidified on the wick pin has melted. Then wiggle the pin a tad to release the air pocket underneath. Just my way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_amber_woods Posted August 8, 2005 Author Share Posted August 8, 2005 Thanks guys. I'll make up a few batches this weekend and let you know how they turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scents for me Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 The first layer is poured the hottest, second and third layers 5-10 degrees less, and yes, you can wait until each layer cools a bit or run the risk of the layers running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 I heat my molds before pouring. I use 6228. If I don't heat the molds, they get rustic looking with bubbles and jumplines. I heat them with the heat gun then pour. I've always made layered votives but I don't worry so much about the pour temps. I pour the additional layers when the first layer is still kinda warm. For the next layer, I hit the top of the votive with the heat gun in a circular motion until the top gets "wet". Not melted and running, just melted and shiny. (Does that make sense?) This helps the next layer to adhere and warms the mold. It's all expiramentation. What works for me may not work for you. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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