Troubleshooting Pillar Candles

You have lots of flexibility when making pillar candles as they can be tall or short. However, when you're a novice, things can go wrong and then you need a little help. This section is there to help you with your pillar candle making problems.

Mottling (Snowflake Effect in Candle Wax)

Possible Causes:

  • lack of additives
  • too much candle scent was used
  • too much oil in the candle wax
  • the candle cooled too slowly

Possible Solutions:

  • make use of additives such as Vybar 103, Poly, or micro wax to add to your candle wax when melting it
  • reduce the amount of candle scents that you add to the candle wax
  • make use of a candle wax with a lower oil content
  • use a cool water bath to reduce the candle cooling time

No mottling

Possible Causes:

  • use of additives
  • not enough candle scent or parol oil
  • candle wax problem
  • candle cooled too fast

Possible Solutions:

  • do not use candle wax additives
  • increase the amount of candle scent or parol oil that you add to you candle wax
  • some candle waxes will not mottle; use a candle wax recommended for mottling
  • insulate or warm the candle mold to extend the candle cooling time, or use a warmer water bath

Sink Hole or Shrinkage in Your Candle

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax contracts as it cools

Possible Solutions:

  • this is unavoidable to some extent; poke relief holes around the candle wick and refill the holes at a later stage
  • reduce the candle making pour temperature

Lots of Candle Wax Re-pours Needed (3 or 4 is Common)

Possible Causes:

  • repouring the candle wax too soon
  • candle cooling too fast
  • the candle pour temperature too high

Possible Solutions:

  • wait until previous candle wax pour has almost stopped shrinking
  • insulate the candle mold or use a warm water bath
  • reduce the candle pour temperature

Re-pour(s) Separated from Candle after Removal

Possible Causes:

  • repoured too late
  • repoured too cold

Possible Solutions:

  • repour while previous candle pour is still warm
  • repour the candle at a higher temperature

Pits

Possible Causes:

  • dirty or dusty candle mold
  • dirty candle wax
  • the candle mold is too cold
  • the candle pour temperature is too low
  • lack of additives

Possible Solutions:

  • inspect and clean the candle molds before using it
  • keep the candle wax clean
  • warm the candle mold to at least room temperature before using it
  • increase the candle pour temperature; 190° F is recommended for a smooth finish
  • use or increase the amount of candle making additives such as Vybar 103, Poly, and micro wax

Bubbles in Your Candles

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax was poured too fast
  • the candle cooled too fast
  • the candle mold was not tapped
  • the candle pour temperature too low
  • lack of candle making additives

Possible Solutions:

  • pour the candle wax slowly and steadily
  • cool the candle at room temperature, or use a warmer water bath
  • tap the candle mold gently a minute after pouring the candle wax to release all air bubbles
  • increase the candle pour temperature; 190° F is recommended
  • use or increase the amount candle making additives such as Vybar 103, Poly, and micro wax

Dark Spots on Top of Candle

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax was not stirred well enough
  • dirty candle wax
  • pigment added to the candle wax instead of dye

Possible Solutions:

  • stir the melted candle wax thoroughly before pouring
  • keep the candle wax and melting pots clean; pour through a cheesecloth to filter
  • do not use pigments for solid coloring; use it for overdipping only

Poor Scent Throw

Possible Causes:

  • not enough candle scents used
  • the candle scent was not compatible with the candle wax (e.g. essential oils)
  • the candle scent evaporated before pouring
  • too much candle making additive
  • the candle wax melt pool is too small

Possible Solutions:

  • use more candle scent; ½ to 1 oz. per lb. of candle wax
  • only use candle scents made specifically for your type of candle wax
  • add candle scent only about one minute before pouring the candle wax, and mix it in well
  • use less additive (e.g. Vybar) to allow more of the fragrance of the candle scents to be released
  • use a larger candle wick, or multiple small candle wicks to make the melt pool as large as possible

Frost Marks on the Candle

Possible Causes:

  • candle stuck to the candle mold
  • the candle pour temperature is too low
  • the candle mold is too cold
  • too much stearic

Possible Solutions:

  • use kemamide release powder and silicone spray
  • increase the candle wax pour temperature; 190° F is recommended for a smooth finish
  • warm the candle mold to at least room temperature
  • reduce the stearic percentage

Candle Sweating

Possible Causes:

  • too much candle scent or parol oil
  • lack of additives

Possible Solutions:

  • reduce the amount of candle scent or parol oil that your add to your candle wax when melting it
  • use or increase candle making additives such as Vybar 103, Poly, and micro wax; they allow the candle wax to hold more candle scents or aromatherapy oil

The Candle won't Release from Mold

Possible Causes:

  • lack of candle mold release
  • repoured above original fill line
  • the candle wax did not contract enough
  • the candle wax formula is too soft
  • the candle cooled too slowly
  • the candle mold is dented or misshapen
  • the candle is not finished cooling

Possible Solutions:

  • use kemamide release powder and silicone spray
  • do not repour over original fill line
  • use candle making additives such as Vybar 103 and stearic to increase shrinkage and harden the candle wax
  • place the candle mold and candle in refrigerator for 30 minutes
  • heat the candle mold and stuck candle in the melting pot until released (last resort)
  • throw the candle mold away if it is damaged
  • wait until the candle has cooled completely before attempting to remove it from the candle mold

Candle Cracking

Possible Causes:

  • candle cooled too quickly or too much
  • candle too cold for repours

Possible Solutions:

  • allow the candle to cool slowly, at room temperature, or use a warmer water bath
  • insulate or warm the candle mold prior to pouring
  • do not put the candle in freezer
  • re-pour while previous candle pour is still warm

Candle Mold Leaks

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wick hole not sealed properly
  • leaky seam

Possible Solutions:

  • use candle mold sealer liberally; pull candle wick taught or use new gasket for jiffy wicker
  • use miracle seal to patch the leaks

Candle Sides Caved In

Possible Causes:

  • the candle cooled unevenly
  • surface of the candle was not poked to relieve tension

Possible Solutions:

  • avoid drafts in cooling area
  • use a room temperature water bath for a more even cooling of the candle
  • poke relief holes around the candle wick before repouring

Rings Around the Candle (a.k.a. Cold Pour Lines or Jump Lines)

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax was poured too cold
  • the candle mold was too cold

Possible Solutions:

  • raise the pour temperature of the candle wax; 190° F is recommended for a smooth finish
  • warm the candle mold to a least room temperature, or heat it up with a hair dryer

Colored Layers Bled Together

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax was repoured too soon
  • the candle wax was repoured too hot

Possible Solutions:

  • wait until a rubbery surface has formed on previous layer
  • reduce the candle wax pour temperature of layers

Colored Layers Separated

Possible Causes:

  • the candle wax was repoured too late
  • the candle wax was repoured too cold
  • the candle wax formula not tacky enough

Possible Solutions:

  • pour the candle wax while the previous layer is still warm and flexible
  • raise the candle wax pour temperature of layers
  • add micro wax or beeswax to the candle wax mixture to increase layer adhesion

Single Bubbly Ring in the Candle

Possible Causes:

  • the water level in the water bath was too low

Possible Solutions:

  • raise the water level to the candle wax level or higher

Do click on the Troubleshooting Novelty Candles link to check other candle molding problems.