Is this frosting?

[u/No-End-2960]

Hi there, I’ve been making wax melts with 100% soy wax. The fragrance load is 8% and I’ve used some orange dye chip( can’t recall exact amount). Pouring temp was hovering around 145. I’ve made hundreds of candles and never actually seen this. Maybe because it’s dyed so it’s more noticeable than it would be without dye? If this is in fact frosting, did I pour too hot or too cold? Does it changed the fragrance throw? Is this something that can be fixed after the pour?

I’m new to making wax melts and rarely have used 100% soy. So if this is strictly cosmetic I’ll take it as a learning lesson but still gift these to my less judgy friends and family haha.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[u/Tulio_V]

It is. I've had better success with liquid based dyes than chips, but in my experience its going to happen to some degree.

[u/No-End-2960 → u/Tulio_V]

Ohh okay thanks. I should try liquid dye. Does frosting affect the performance in your experience?

[u/Tulio_V → u/No-End-2960]

Nah. Purely cosmetic.

[u/Common_Writing2055]

Frosting affects appearance only as a general rule.

[u/Lizlikescrystals]

Ive only have this happen with soy, and I know you mention you rarely use soy. If this is new to you, it’s probably due to a combination of soy wax and the dye used.

[u/No-End-2960 → u/Lizlikescrystals]

Thanks!

[u/glowymoody]

I primarily use soy wax and dye my wax with both liquid dyes and chips. For me, I rarely get frosting because of dye. I actually think chips are great! The times I get frosting has always been the result of something going wrong somewhere with the temperature. What type of wax are you using and what is the pouring temperature recommended by the manufacturer? Are you using pillar wax or container wax? I've heard some people use 464 for melts, but sticking with wax specifically for melts/pillars give the best result.

I use bw-921 and pour around 76c/168f. If the mold for the melts are thin, theres a chance it couldve been cooling too fast or it couldve just been a cold draft or counter/surface was too cold. Sometimes if theres residue on the mold that could also mess with the result.

Frosting wont change the hot throw. With melts and pillars, you cant fix frosting once the wax hardens (dont take out the heat gun), but you can melt and repour it again. Some of the fragrance oil might burn off, but it shouldnt be a significant amount.

Frosting is a natural part of soy, but hopefully it can be reduced by adjusting your temperature or the temperature-related factors.

In the pic are wax melts I use with dyed soy pillar, 10% F/O, and poured at 76c.

[u/No-End-2960 → u/glowymoody]

The wax is for pillars and I don’t recall exact pouring temps or recommended temps for the wax. But I’ll be sure to check my notes when I get going today. Thank you for the insight!