What are wet spots on candles? How effectively wax adheres to a container surface is referred to as adhesion. Containers can be made of pottery, glass, metal, or cement. To maximize the volume of candles they produce, some candle companies use wicks that allow them to keep the wax in constant contact with the bottom of their containers. When the wax becomes too wet, it may adhere to the containers' sides instead of staying at the bottom. These so-called "wet spots" are sometimes called "adhesion issues."
Although wet patches are mainly cosmetic, they can tip over the candle when held without a lid in severe circumstances. Candles that aren't meant to be used as decorations or containers don't require strong adhesives to stick well.
Even yet, it isn't very pleasant to see something you invested time and money in not turn out as you had hoped. I do have some good news, though.
You may take various actions to resolve this issue and stop it from occurring again with future candles. We'll examine your alternatives now.
Any number of things could cause wet spots in your candle wax.
Wet spots may occur if you pour your wax at an improper temperature. These include situations where you ran your wax into a cooler-than-ideal environment or if you poured your wax into an improperly sized vessel.
Another common reason for candle wet spots is dirty container lids. If your containers are dusty, filthy, or grimy from the factory or storage facility where they came from, then even if you use clean containers, you may experience wet spot issues. Even if the side walls of your containers are covered with dirt, filths, or grimes from the factory or warehouses where they were stored before you purchased them, adhesion issues may occur, no matter the temperature at which you fill your expensive candles.
Wet areas can also be caused by improper cooling and curing. Allowing your fabulous candles to cool unorganized might disrupt heat distribution and lead them to cool unevenly, badly impacting adhesion. Similarly, allowing them to cure in an area where the temperature swings during curing can cause adhesion issues in your wet candles.
The improper wax used to produce standard candles could be the source of wet patches. Try out different blends of candle waxes designed specifically for containers.
Although there is no way to eliminate damp patches, there are measures that can be taken to reduce their impact:
Prep your containers by washing them in hot water with dish soap and white vinegar. Before putting any wax into the jar, ensure it is dry by inverting it on a cloth or blasting it with a heat gun. The presence of any moisture in the container is strictly forbidden when creating candles.
A smaller temperature difference between the wax and the jar can be achieved by pouring the liquid at a lower temperature into a container that has already been heated. If the side surfaces are too cold, they may not adhere well to the hot plate.
Many commercial waxes advertise superior adhesion. Manufacturers of wax spend time determining the optimal ratio of additives to boost performance, and occasionally they even use this data to inform the ideal pouring temperatures for their products.
If you want to know if a certain wax on the market causes sticking issues, you should consult the community or other candle manufacturers who have experience with that wax. Wax mixing can become more difficult than worth it if additives react badly. As usual, extensive experimentation is the best approach to mastering these habits.
Due to its sensitivity to temperature changes, candle wax experiences noticeable shifts whenever the thermometer is adjusted. Achieving the ideal conditions for pouring and curing is a big step forward in the fight against adhesion issues, but it is only the first step in a long and difficult battle. Temperature changes might cause the wet candle to lose its hold, so a steady temperature is best.
Moreover, if wick mushrooming attracts, we have written an article about wick curling. It will help if you read it.
A heat gun can remove wet spots from floors, but it usually causes more damage than fixes. If you use concentrated heat on the place, the wax melts until the gap is completely closed again and the hot spot is pushed up.
Unfortunately, such a sharp shift in cooler temperature raises the possibility of additional adhesion or icing problems. Wet spots are best left alone because they are aesthetic and have no bearing on performance.
Candle makers usually don't realize or care about their candles' imperfections, which is a nightmare for candle makers. You can find wet spots on almost any regular candle at a store. Poor adhesion issues with your candles shouldn't be a source of worry because they only serve to divert attention from the rest of your process. Even if you have complete control over the environment, they frequently find a way to manifest themselves during storage, delivery, or customer care. Instead, concentrate on developing high-performance, secure candles.
Moreover, you should also read our article about wicks, and what are candle wicks made of.
Candle sweating can occur for many causes, but the oil content of the candle glass is the most frequent one. Some candles have fragrance oils added, while others are made of natural waxes like soy or coconut, which naturally contain oils that can sweat occasionally.
In essence, putting a candle glass in the freezer helps the wax freeze, which slows down the melting process. Most of the time, freezers are used for food goods, but there are a few non-food uses too! Less time in the freezer is required for thinner candles.