VickiB in CA Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 I've read that either 3% BW or 1 TBS Universal Additive pr lb will make the tops smoother in soy candles. Is it necessary with Soy/Veg blends too? And does one work better than the other? Or is it best to use both? One more: Does using them cause you to have to wick up. I'm messing myself up because I'm testing a new wax, new wicks and playing with the additives all at the same time! I just have customers waiting for my new soy candles and I'd like to at least get 2 or 3 of my Christmas ones on the shelf before too long.Thanks for any help - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Vicki I would try just the beeswax alone to see if you get the results you are looking for. I don't see why you would need any Universal Additive at all, as I personally don't see any benefit to it used in soy wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickiB in CA Posted October 7, 2005 Author Share Posted October 7, 2005 Thank you! I was needing some direction there. I really didn't see much difference with the UA in my testing. Will try to beeswax. Did you notice having to wick up after adding it? If so, I'll just wait until I get my beeswax or I'll have to start testing all over again.Thanks again - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 In my personal dealings with soy and beeswax, I think they both wick about the same. I would start with the wicks you presently use for the soy alone, once you add the beeswax, and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniedb Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 As long as you don't go over 3%, I doubt you'll have to change wicking. I never have, as long as I stay at 3% and not more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 For those who might care, let me point out that UA contains paraffin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickiB in CA Posted October 7, 2005 Author Share Posted October 7, 2005 Thanks for sharing that. Myself, I'm not really so concerned whether there is paraffin or not. It's basically a marketing type of deal. I was using J223 (paraffin blend) in the past and my customers loved it.So I guess for anyone claiming there is no paraffin in their soy candle, they better not use it - my claim is that my candles are "Crafted from a 100% Natural Soy/Vegetable Wax" so as long as I stay within those boundaries I guess I'll be ok. It's all in the wording Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VickiB in CA Posted October 7, 2005 Author Share Posted October 7, 2005 Another question before I dart out the door. I ordered my beeswax from The Sage, but while I'm waiting is there anywhere I might pick up some beeswax locally. I hate waiting! I was thinking maybe Walmart or Michaels?? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvnmt Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Not if you want to pay an arm and a leg for it . It is pretty darn expensive, but if you just need a little to test it might be ok. Try swans candles, ther are based out of Tacoma, WA. Their prices are ok, and the shipping might not be that bad to CA. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geekrunner Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 I just picked up some beeswax from Michael's to try out. It was pricey, ab five bucks for half pound, but I have it now for testing rather than waiting five days to ship.I have tested S1 and have enough to complete my Christmas candle project, but I am testing Mill Creek soy for next year sales, and my goal is to get a soy that will pour as hot as possible and still have smooth top. I have tried UA at 2%, poured at 135 deg but still had rough top and sinkhole. I even tried 2% UA and 5% 147 MP paraffin, poured at 115 deg and had the Grand Canyon in my test jar! After heat gunning them, the top was silky smooth, but I needed to wick up and the throw was not much better than straight soy.We'll see how beeswax works now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinInOR Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Cierra might be the closest to you online (Reno), they've got beeswax pastilleshttp://www.cierracandles.com/beeswax.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Bug Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Just wanted to add my two cents worth (or less, LOL) but I think the UA Candle Soylutions and Just By Nature sell are all vegie and have no paraffin. At least that is what they told me. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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