C3 100% Soy Wax Chaulky Appearence

Mon, 08/13/2007 - 09:33 — LauraD

Hi All,
I am a candle maker in Southern California. I started using C3 soy wax from Genwax.

I have a problem since using this wax. On [b]some[/b] candles I am getting a chaulky appearence either all over the top or sometimes just around the edges and around the wicks. It actually appears to be dry and chaulky with a faded appearance of the original color. Please note this does not happen on every candle or with any specific scent or color.

I prepare the wax in my 8lb melter between 180-200 degrees. I transfer to my melting pots to add color and 1oz per lb FO. I pour around 160-170 degrees.

I did a test, but of course everything came out perfect. I poured 1 candle at 150, another at 180 and a final 1 at over 200 just to see if it would happen. They all came out great.

I then did another test exactly how the manufacturer stated. I melted the wax to 160, added color and dropped temp to 150. I added scent and poured. I then did the repor with the same wax around 4 hours later. I reheated the wax in the pouring pot in water to 130 and poured. Of course these came out great too and i poured them Friday. I am waiting one week to see.

So there are the things I have thought of. Melting temp, pouring temp, color, scent. Has this happened to anyone else? I hate to not get my wax local and spend the extra money on shipping.

Troubleshooting

Thu, 01/10/2008 - 19:14 — tlmassey

Chalky tops.

First of all, you should never melt soy wax above 175 deg F. I use Cargill C-3 soy wax, melt to 170 deg F. I add my liquid dye and let the wax cool to about 130-135 deg F. then I add my fragrance oil and stir until the temp reaches about 125 deg F and pour. I get excellent results almost every time. If the tops are a little chalky at times, who cares, customers like a little inperfection sometimes. These are all natural soy candles and sometimes you have to deal with the characteristics of the wax. Oh, by the way, you can wipe some of the chalkiness way with your finger. I hope this helps.

Tue, 10/16/2007 - 15:58 — CW