ally Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I have been making mottled candles for a while now, but have had a problem getting a shiny finish. I have always wrapped the molds before I pour them, so they will cool slower, so I am not able to use my heat gun on them. My question is, if I use the heat gun on them, and heat them up pretty good, but do not wrap them, will they still mottle as good? I have just been so envious of the shiny mottles in the gallery, I want mine to look like them.Thanks for any help.ally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I use a heat gun to take any chill off the molds. Have to be careful not to get them too hot though, just warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryinCary Posted August 20, 2005 Share Posted August 20, 2005 You did not mention what kind of wax or additives you are using, but I get a great mottle (with 1343 & 1/2-1oz FO pp) by just warming my mold with my heat gun. Only time I wrap or "insulate" the mold is when I work with Palm wax. I would just keep the pour temp around 180-185, making sure the mold is warm when you pour and keep them out of any type of draft while cooling. Even when I do rustics, I can end up with a mottle pouring at 160 ~ go figure! HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted August 20, 2005 Author Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hey thanks. I am using 1343 with 1 1/2 TBS of stearic. Are you saying that I really don't need to use the stearic? I may just have to do an experiment on this tomorrow. More reasons to play? I will let you know how it turns out.Thanks both of you for your help.ally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted August 20, 2005 Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hey thanks. I am using 1343 with 1 1/2 TBS of stearic. Are you saying that I really don't need to use the stearic? I may just have to do an experiment on this tomorrow. More reasons to play? I will let you know how it turns out.Thanks both of you for your help.allyAlly, anything above 3% is going to bleed out in 1343 w/out the stearic.e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted August 20, 2005 Share Posted August 20, 2005 I have been making mottled candles for a while now, but have had a problem getting a shiny finish. I have always wrapped the molds before I pour them, so they will cool slower, so I am not able to use my heat gun on them. My question is, if I use the heat gun on them, and heat them up pretty good, but do not wrap them, will they still mottle as good? I have just been so envious of the shiny mottles in the gallery, I want mine to look like them.Thanks for any help.allyWhat does your surface look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted August 20, 2005 Author Share Posted August 20, 2005 The surface is just kinda dull. Not shiny and smooth like I would like. The mottle is real good though, very even. They also burn real good. That's why I don't want to change the recipe. I just want to get them to look better as far as the finish. I hope I have made sense, b/c I sound to myself like I'm rambling:confused: Thanks.ally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted August 20, 2005 Share Posted August 20, 2005 The surface is just kinda dull. Not shiny and smooth like I would like. The mottle is real good though, very even. They also burn real good. That's why I don't want to change the recipe. I just want to get them to look better as far as the finish. I hope I have made sense, b/c I sound to myself like I'm rambling:confused: Thanks.Sorry, I have more questions. It's hard to take a shot at providing a helpful suggestion without a more detailed description.(1) Is the surface just dull instead of shiny, like it has a dull film on it? Or is it kinda rough instead of smooth?(2) How dry (or not) are the candles when they come out of the mold?(3) Does the finish improve at all if you let them sit for a few days?(4) What kind of wax is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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