pr0vidence Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Greetings all. New to the board, pretty much new to candlemking, just kind of getting into it.Anyway. I got some 10 lb slabs of wax from an online supplier. I filled a couple of mason jars and let them cool. When cooled I noticed that there's a large hollow spot right at the top, but about half an inch below the surcafe of the wax. I don't have a digi cam (but I can borrow one if you need pictures) But just looking at the candle you wouldn't notice anything is awry. However, if I press my finger onto the top of the wax, it pushes through and there's an empty air-hole in the wax for about an inch, then there is wax again, presumably solid all the way to the bottom. Does that explanation make sense?Anyway what gives? Is it bad wax? too hot? cold? anyone have this problem? Some skimming thorugh the forums didn't reveal much but I admit I didn't do any heavy searching.Thankspr0v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candle Man Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 That is normal for some wax to do that, it is called air pockets. To lesson or avoid them, before the wax has completly cooled, use something like an ice pick, pice of wire coat hanger sharpened to a point and poke relief holes next to the wick. Then when you top off / repour the top wax they will fill up.Also read some of these siteshttp://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+make+candles&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatinDucky Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 It almost sounds like it's a pillar wax. Some containers waxes to shink a good bit, but It should sink in from the top some too. It would help to know exactly what wax it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0vidence Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 Hi, thanks for the replies.here is a link to the wax and a description of ithttp://www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/wax.html#IGI-4630It claims to be a single pour, I figured that meant that I would not have to re-pour after the wax has cooled. This is not true?The advice is appreciated.-pr0v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SatinDucky Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 A true one pour wax shouldn't shrink that much. How hot did you pour? Part of the nature of wax is that it expands with heat and shrinks with cooling. Even wax that doesn't shrink much will shrink more wihen it's poured a lot hotter. Possibly that's the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freezin Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 HI and welcome to the board. That is the wax that I use to pour my containers and it has always been a true one pour wax. I love this wax. I have never had to poke relief holes in my container candles. Pillars for sure, but not my containers. I pour this wax @ about 170 dg into slightly warmed containers. I use three different sizes and have not had a problem with this wax. What temp did you pour it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0vidence Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 I have poured this wax 2 or 3 times now each time has been between 180-185. Is it too hot? I am pouring it into both large mason jars and small glass hex jars. The big mason jar obvioulsy gets the biggest hollow spots. However the small hex jars (4 oz jars) get air pockets as well.Should I pour cooler, around 170 degrees?Thanks, you guys are the best.-pr0v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Have had this happen to me several times. Now I pour around 165 and put jars in oven right away to cool. This lets them cool slower than sitting on counter. No more air pockets. Before I was putting the jars in oven after I got them all poured and some were starting to set up. Those would be the ones with the air pockets. This works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fern Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Hi and welcome! You don't have to repour your jars...there's an easy fix for that. Enlarge the hole and then heat the surface with a heat gun until the wax liquifies and fills in the void, then let cool. I know it's one more step that you probably didn't want to have to do but it will fix your immediate problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0vidence Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will try the heat gun trick and then try making some new ones, but pour at a cooler temp. We'll see if it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindym Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Welcome to the board. Are you from Providence Rhode Island? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0vidence Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 Hi Cindym, Nope, I am from Connecticut. pr0vidence is a name I chose as a wee one for the wrong reasons, now it is just a name. Nothing to do with Rhode Island at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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