Cracking around wick

[PAgirl89]

I poured four 7oz straight sided lug jars with GB464 (from CS) and used their suggestion of a ECO 4 wick. Two of the jars came out looking great. No wet spots, smooth tops and great color.

The other two, I got cracking around the wick.

Melted wax to 175 and added FO and color. Poured at 145.

I poured all 4 jars within minutes of each other and I'm a little curious as to why 2 of them cracked around the wick and the other two didn't.

[EricofAZ]

Sometimes the device I use to hold the wick centered gets jostled, especially when I release it (bobby pins) so that can cause cracking.

Glad you have good tops with soy. Hard to do.

Lots of folks end up using a heat gun to smooth the tops and that would certainly fix your crack.

[Faerywren]

That is just the wax pulling away from the wick as it cools. A heat gun will fix it right up.

[PAgirl89]

Thanks guys! I guess I'll have to invest in one of those heat guns. This is the 3rd type of soy wax that I've tried. And it's the first one that didn't frost on top.

Happy Turkey day to you!!

[EccoLights]

I would say you got some good candles there =) Despite the little cracking. A simple heat gun as suggested would fix it, or go the route of if anyone asks when sold, this is the beauty of hand made. Little imperfections but one heck of a product =)

Happy Turkey Day to everyone =)

BTW, Love the colors =)

[WillowBoo]

I get cracking anywhere in the jar. Vertical cracks. I was told I'm pouring too hot.

[PAgirl89]

What size heat gun would you suggest? I can get a 1200watt with temp control for about $13. Is this a good size?

[jaxxcandles]

Yes, that is a good size. It is what I use and it works great.

[lsg]

No need to buy a heat gun. I use my hair dryer on the high setting to melt the tops of the candles.

[CandlesforConnie]

I am new (poured my first candle three days ago). Luckily, my first two candles have smooth, perfect surfaces. I will more than likely come across the same problem in the future - cracking around the wick. How do you use a hair dryer to fix the cracks? How can I be sure that using a hair dryer won't mess up my candle more?

Just want to be prepared for the inevitable.

[Candybee]

Hair dryers blow too much air and can make the wax splatter. Get a heat gun. Its what the professional candle makers use. They're cheap and do the job. Don't know where I'd be without mine!

[Maggie]

I agree...heat gun. When I first started...years ago...I tried a hair dryer and as candybee said the wax spattered too much. I then tried my embossing gun that I bought for stamping...same thing. My heat gun has 3 settings...low, medium and high. I use the medium setting to smooth any funky looking tops. Low takes too long and high is too hot...I've scorched the wicks a few times. I bought mine at Lowe's with a gift card my FIL had given me for Christmas...it was $50.00. And hubby and I DID use it one time for it's intended purpose...to remove wallpaper that wouldn't come off using the wallpaper removal liquid and tool.