I did something wrong, but what?

[hfitz5051]

Hi, new here, but I have a question. Last night I made some votives, I put the wicks into the metal mold with sealer so that they stuck to the bottom before I poured. They turned out ok. Then I read on here to let the wax cool a little then put the wick in, so I tried that and when I repoured the wax covered my wick.

Why did that happen?

Can I get the wicks to come out the right way now?

Thanks

Heather

[SatinDucky]

Howdy, and welcome to the board

As a general rule, you don't attach the wick tab to the mold. The sealer is for sealing the wick hole in pillar molds. Letting the wax cool some before putting the wick in can help hold the tab in place, but it doesn't work as well unless you're using a stiff wick, like a zinc core that will stand up by itself.

When you say the repour covered the wick, do you mean the wick was too short or that it leaned over? You can use a number of things to hold the top of the wick in place, like a popsickle stick and clothespin. I use two wooden skewers rubberbanded together when I need to hold the wick up. Granted you can't pull it tight or you'll pull the wick out. Also depending on which wax you're using, as it shrinks it may pull the wick over too.

If you're planning on making a lot of votives, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches by using wick pins

[hfitz5051]

Thanks, I think the wicks just leaned over too much. How do I use the wick pins? Can I melt these down and use the wax again, or will that ruin the wax?

[jillgunter]

Get ya some wick pins for making votives. They are the best thing ever invented lol. The pin goes in the mold before u pour votive. When it is completely cool, just slide pin out and stick in your wick. You will have a centered and straight wick every time.

[SatinDucky]

No, remelting wont ruin the wax, but you don't want to get it too hot to keep from burning off the scent. I usually don't go over 170 or so in remelting. Everyone has thier own views on it though...

[Bev]

I agree ... get some wick pins. They come right out with a light tap and you have a perfectly centered hole in your votive to insert your wick into.

[butterfly]

I agree with everyone else. GET some wick pins for votives. You can get them from Peaks etc... where ever you get your molds(usually). You won't go back to the way you are doing the wicks now. And yes, by all means remelt those babies in a low( about 150 degree) oven and reuse that wax. Waste not want not!!!!

[hfitz5051]

Thanks guys! I remelted and poured them, these are for my little ones so they don't have to be perfect, they can't burn them lol. When you use the wick pins, do the wicks fall back out? I have had some candles before where the wick slides right out of the bottom.

[SatinDucky]

Occasionally they may fall out, but you can always melt the bottom a bit before reinserting them. Usually they wont. The thickness of the neck on the wick tab usually makes it fit in there snug