Margaritamama Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 I have a 4" Saturn ball mold made by Pourette, and I've used it twice. Now the inside is all pitted and rough, and I'm assuming it's from the FO.Pourette states - and I quote from their website : "Excessive use of fragrance or essential oil will shorten the life span of all types of molds for candles. It will dry plastic and acrylic molds and make them brittle. It may also cause softening, discoloration and pitting in all types of candle molds. This may shorten the life of your mold. Please use care." My question is this: How much is too much FO?? I'm just using the standard 1oz per pound of wax. What is the correct amount for these plastic molds, or should I be using no FO at all???I love my ball candles, but now I'm wondering if I can still use this one, or whether I have to replace it. Will the candle stick in the mold now that it's discolored and pitted? HELP...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerrie Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 I know how you feel, it happened to me too, after just one use of the mold. It's the FO, and I really don't think you can use FO with these molds. For the life of me, why would you want to make a candle without scent :undecided The more you use it with FO, the worse it gets Mine discolored also, but found that I could still use it without transfering color from it to a different colored candle. I think someone said the best way to use these molds was to pour the unscented palm wax in them, they're already textured, so the pits won't show. I got Peaks aluminum 2 piece ball to try, but have yet had a chance to pour it, I'm hoping that will perform the way I want, without the worries of pitting and discoloring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 Those molds are crap. Pourette should fast forward to the 21st century. When I read their warning the words translated "don't buy these" to me.You have nice alternatives though:For super glossy check out http://www.candlewic.com/Store/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=Candle+Making+Supplies&category%5Fname=Designer+Shaped+Molds&product%5Fid=DSM%2D13.For extra durable check out http://www.candlescience.com/site/shop/molds/miscellaneous/misc-candle-molds.php.I just ordered one of the aluminum ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaritamama Posted September 27, 2005 Author Share Posted September 27, 2005 Those molds are crap.Just what I've been thinking!!!! Thanks for those links. I think next time I order from Candlescience (they're also in NC ) I'm going to order one of the aluminum molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerrie Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 I have to say that I have several of those polycarb molds from Candlewic and they were ruined after my first pour....FO eats them up too. I think the best thing is to stick with the metal ones, or use the plastic type molds for unscented candles. Thanks for that link topofmurryhill, those are great prices on some of the molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donita Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 I buy mold from everyone....I do buy the molds from Pourette. I have to get my teardrop mold from them, but luckily, I don't care if they are pitted. I do chunk candles then crackle them.....they are weak at the seams and split, so I found that some goop put on in a tiny bead makes them last longer. They have to be "stretched" so much to make that shape as well as the saturn. Iuse those too but for canes, so no FO's. Donita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted September 27, 2005 Share Posted September 27, 2005 Does anybody know the best way to clean the polycarbonate molds? Somehow a heat gun doesn't seem like a good idea. Should they be used with silicone mold release? I never use these but recently picked up a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victoria Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 yup...I ruined mine the first time I used it with scent. I still have it...its a ball mold, I use it to make my grubby snowball candles now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanya Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Does anybody know the best way to clean the polycarbonate molds? Somehow a heat gun doesn't seem like a good idea. Should they be used with silicone mold release? I never use these but recently picked up a few.With polycarbs I just use warm water and soap to clean them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amberlei Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 You can use scent with plastic molds, just not at high concentrations. I use 3% or less, depending on the fragrance. Vanilla seems to be really bad with plastic molds, so I use it very sparingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 With the polycarb molds you can use a heat gun........short burst and wipe with a paper towel. I've had some for 3 years and have had no problems cleaning them that way. I personally don't like soap and water on any of my molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donita Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 I always wipe them out with Pam. Hot soapy water works to get out the wax too. I have used mold cleaner then sprayed them with Pam. I had to do this when I used beeswax in them...what a mess. Donita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted September 29, 2005 Share Posted September 29, 2005 I have to say that I have several of those polycarb molds from Candlewic and they were ruined after my first pour....FO eats them up too. I think the best thing is to stick with the metal ones, or use the plastic type molds for unscented candles. Thanks for that link topofmurryhill, those are great prices on some of the molds.What did you pour? I guess I don't want to this to be true because I thought of something useful to do with these molds and it would eliminate the possibility. I thought they were supposed to be resistant compared to acrylic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanaE Posted September 29, 2005 Share Posted September 29, 2005 I wonder if there's a huge difference in quality from one polycarb mold to another? I just bought 4 large ones and they are incredibly thick. I used to make votives with polycarb molds, but they had a tendency to stick, so I threw them away. I'm going to spray the insides with Pam before I use them (and wipe clean) but I'm just curious if the thickness of the plastic will make a difference...We'll see. I got mine very cheap (on sale) at candlesandsupplies.com, so if they get ruined on the first use, I'll either throw them out, or use them and grubby the pillars afterwards. Or I could make rustic pillars with them; that should hide some of the imperfections.DanaE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Yesterday I poured into a polycarb mold with 8% FO.Glad to report it seems unharmed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Just what I've been thinking!!!! Thanks for those links. I think next time I order from Candlescience (they're also in NC ) I'm going to order one of the aluminum molds.Mine just arrived. Beware the aluminum ball mold. You'll need a drill press if you want to use that one.Actually it's a great piece. Built like a tank. Unfortunately there's no provision for wicking it. You either have to drill the candle (which I believe is what's intended), or drill the mold and devise some way of wicking it. The bottom is flat so you'd have to find a way of keeping it level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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