Author: Tannya de los Angeles Gómez Villa Gaite Did you know that you too can make your own candles? With this course and a little imagination not take long to become an artisan of wax. Here is information on common materials and procedures to carry out this process. Materials
- Paraffin: For candles (it is a hydrocarbon derived from petroleum).
- stearin: Used to sail over 5 cm. In diameter (an additive and has the form white scales, melts at 70 ° and placed before the paraffin at the time of dissolution, with a ratio of 10% in paraffin).
- wicks: For candles (wicks are cotton fabric).
- Dyes: Aniline grease, wax crayons and others that are to oil.
- Aroma: special fragrances for candles (used by 6% compared to paraffin).
- Eyelets: For candles (are made of aluminum or other material, the candle goes out and does not damage the foundation upon which is placed).
- Moulds: Designs desired (may be brass, stainless steel, plastic and silicone rubber to withstand heat, rubber, or mold and base if you want a rustic design bamboo cane can be based on the knot and cut the height that you want).
- Release Agents: Special candles can be spray or glycerin which is placed a piece of cotton or paper towels drying that has to feel the touch.
- Containers: For use in a water bath, a large and a small container that the base does not touch the bottom of large bowl, ie the air has to be that you have to put water to boil and newfound power in small bowl melt the stearin and paraffin.
Procedure
1) The proportion of paraffin is almost proportional to the amount of water to be placed in the mold to be used, ie if the mold has 100 cc of water will need 90 grams of solid paraffin. Always dissolve the paraffin in double boiler, not exceeding 80 ° C (you need this at 75 ° C for a normal wing and about 65 ° C or rustic finish some details as the blast (this technique will see later), and put food coloring if you want a certain color, and to prove this to be scooped out some paraffin in a container of white, can be a plate, a tile, etc., to see if the desired color tone once you already have the color turn off heat and use. Before pouring the wax mold diluted placing the aromatic essence, this is also election but is now placed, and should mix and not beat that can create bubbles.
2) Before using the mold chosen, it must have a release agent so that the sail can go without damage, and place the eyelet (we can help with a drop of silicone so it does not move stick on the base) with the wick and with a rod that is perpendicular to the surface of the mold, tie the wick so that it focused, or use metal rods with a small support base as it does not move and the diameter of the wick to use, the same as must have a release agent to remove and place the wick and the wax has been completed by the end if a hole.
3) Carefully go pouring paraffin into the mold to get elected and do not flush the level, and give a small tap the mold if you have created a bubble of air.
4) Allow to cool but not quite (hand feel that is warm) and proceed to carefully mold release, if there is some relief on the surface even with a knife.
Chapter 3: Decorative candles
can use dried flowers, dried fruits, spices, details with the same candle (in color and form). It is recommended that the base color of the candle is not stronger in tone than the designs. There must be a contrast to make it more visible design.
to the surface design
Once you have the candle you want, go with a hot spoon sinking enough to put the flower, stem, etc., That you want, giving the application the desired design, and immerse in paraffin was used with a larger pan that has only one touch, ie the mold and get out (holding the wick), this is well covered for the chosen design.
more deeply Design
If a mainsail to 5 cm., height and diameter, place flowers, leaves, fruits, stems, etc.., to the extent that empties without letting it cool enough to not move the applications. Design
different colored paraffin
1. In a flat pan (the size depends on the amount of figures you can get to use) beforehand with mold release, pour the wax in the desired color can be 2 or more designs to choose degrade tones or contrasting tones. Expect cool enough for a knife to cut and that the design does not suffer any change in their way, if you have mold earlier this sheet and cold, you can use the hair dryer and go until softened a bit and be able to cut (square, rhombus, rectangle, etc.)..
2. In the mold chosen to go empty the wax that is lighter than the designs and go slowly putting designs without clumping. Expected to hold enough and keep emptying the paraffin, let cool otherwise it will compact the casting is made. Design
paraffin or two color
1. As in the previous color scheme, you can simulate leaves, stems (eg bamboo cane leaves) or geometric figures. All designs in paraffin.
2. Once already have the design and mold release agent previously, heat the base of the design and hit the base of the pan and drain the rest of the paraffin.
Using a common white candle not too thin to about 2 cm. In diameter and 15 cm., High (once made this model can use a greater thickness for more colors or wider the candle). Additional molds have other wider than the original candle and paraffin desired colors (these molds will be according to the number of colors you want to have the candle).
1. Sailing White must be kept in the mold you want in the background is the color. It grips the wick and is introduced in this color. Once the candle is cool, re-enter the same color, give at least 3 bathrooms and come to have a thickness of the color of 2 to 3 mm., And continue with the chosen colors.
2. Once you have bathed dry sail with all the colors chosen, using a wave-shaped cutter or knife. Heat and start cutting from the top down but at distances of 4 cm., First one side then the other, forming an elongated sheet. With the help of the fingers gradually open the aperture to be making out with the movement that is desired, may be all out, twisted, stuck the tip to the base of the leaf, etc. These cuts have to be collated so that you can wear the colors that have the candle. Candle
caladuras
1. For this type of candles, you can use milk cartons (plastic to hold heat) after placement of the release agent. It can be melted paraffin with different colors or one color, this choice.
2. Place crushed ice of different sizes trying not to reach the wick and pour paraffin stained with paraffin ice will cool rapidly and can be removed by first draining the water.
- Use a common white candle with a little less than the desired final diameter, melt paraffin desired color and allow to cool until it forms a layer on the surface of the paraffin. With a spoon make one side a little of that layer and remove the paraffin to be emptied with a spoon dearriba paraffin to the base of the candle up to get the desired diameter.
- Have a candle color and diameter desired, less white and paraffin wax which will make the design must be dyed white, so will the contrast between the background with white beads. You can use the above method or use a drip (trickle) glass make this drip. The same can be sparse or dense, for this type of sailing is better to start from the bottom and follow up as thoroughly as is sailing, not to be covered in full. It is used only to details given with the drops.Chapter 6: Candles in the shape of fruit
1. You can use a spherical mold. Before closing with little adhesive tape having to go through the release agent. The painters is recommended. Empty paraffin color bank.
2. Once demolded sailing, with a hair brush with plastic bristles strike the entire surface of the candle to obtain a non-smooth texture.
3. With using a small sponge and acrylic colors (yellow and lime green), paint the entire lemon yellow and lime green color, dab on the top and bottom of the candle, or where more mottled.
4. In case of oranges, tangerines, etc., Always paint with two colors similar to each other a little clear and dark.
5. If you want to make the cherries (or other small fruit), it is not necessary to have molds. Cherry wax is melted and cooled until it is malleable to a point (that is touched with the fingers and feel the consistency). Take small portions of paraffin and with the help of the fingers mold and shape the cherries, until the desired size and with an awl or stick (on pass with release agent) to puncture the center of each cherry and a paraffin dip. The paraffin temperature must be at 80 ° C for Aliza all traces that are left. Once the candle dry, remove the core or stick and place the wick with the help of some slack if necessary
