The following article contains three topics that are related to candle making: How to Break Up a Slab of Wax, How to Secure a Wick in a Container Candle, Candle Additives.
HOW TO BREAK UP A SLAB OF WAX
Wax generally comes in 10 pound slabs. How do you break up the slabs?
If it’s a slab of soft container wax – a sharp knife can be used to cut the slab into pieces.
If it’s a slab of hard wax – place the slab in a sturdy trash bag and lay it on a sidewalk or cement floor. Place a piece of lightweight cardboard on top and then break up the slab with a hammer. The trash bag keeps the wax clean and keeps the pieces in one place – and the cardboard prevents the hammer from tearing through the plastic bag.
CANDLE ADDITIVES:
Vybar 103 – Opaque wax hardener. Use in high meltpoint waxes (pillar and votive candle wax) / raises the meltpoint of the wax, making the wax harder / softens dye color and increases opacity, giving candles a creamier look / reduces seepage of the fragrance oil from the wax / eliminates mottling.
Vybar 260 – Opaque wax hardener. Use in low meltpoint waxes (container candle wax) / raises the meltpoint of the wax, making the wax harder / softens dye color and increases opacity, giving candles a creamier look / reduces seepage of the fragrance oil from the wax / eliminates mottling.
Stearin (also known as Stearine or Stearic Acid) – Opaque hardener. Stearin raises the meltpoint, making the wax harder / softens dye color and increases opacity, giving candles a creamier look / reduces seepage of the fragrance oil. (Vybar is generally preferred in place of Stearin).
Gloss Poly (Polyethelene) / Luster Crystals – Opaque hardener. Improves glossy appearance.
Translucent crystals Translucent hardener. These crystals can be added to straight paraffin to make it more translucent. Increases the meltpoint of the wax.
Microcrystalline (Micro Wax) 180 – Translucent hardener, increased elasticity. Increases the hardness but not the opacity. Elasticity makes wax less brittle.
Microcrystalline wax (micro wax) 195 – Translucent hardener. Micro 195 will increase the hardness, raise the melt point, and reduce or eliminate mottling. Recommend for pillars and tapers.
UV Inhibitor– A small amount helps reduce fading and discoloration from exposure to light (especially sunlight).
CONTAINER CANDLE HOW TO SECURE A WICK IN A CONTAINER CANDLE:
First, place the candle wick in a length of drinking straw that’s about ½” shorter than the wick itself. This makes it easier to place the wick tab where you want it to go.
Apply a drop of hot glue – or super glue – or double sticky tape to the bottom of the wick tab and then secure the wick tab in the center of the container and remove the drinking straw.