How to Use This Guide
Find your problem. Check the likely causes. Try the fixes in order.
Surface Problems
Wet Spots (Container Candles)
What it looks like: Wax pulled away from the glass, creating gaps or cloudy patches.
Causes:
- Cold containers when pouring
- Poured too hot
- Cooled too fast (drafts, AC)
Fixes:
- Pre-warm containers
- Pour at lower end of temperature range
- Cool at steady room temperature
Frosting
What it looks like: White crystalline patches on surface or sides.
Causes: Natural in soy-based wax. It's polymorphism - the wax crystals rearranging.
Fixes:
- Pour cooler
- Accept it - it's cosmetic only
- Use a heat gun to temporarily smooth (it will return)
Sinkholes / Craters
What it looks like: Holes or depressions around the wick after setting.
Causes: Wax shrinking as it cools. Air trapped under surface.
Fixes:
- Poke relief holes when skin forms
- Do a second pour
- Pour at cooler temperature
Rough / Bumpy Tops
What it looks like: Uneven, bumpy surface instead of smooth.
Causes: Air bubbles, poured too cool, cooled too fast.
Fixes:
- Pour at higher end of range
- Tap container after pouring
- Heat gun to smooth after setting
Cracks
What it looks like: Lines or splits in the wax surface.
Causes: Cooled too fast. Temperature shock.
Fixes:
- Cool at room temperature
- No refrigerator
- Away from drafts
Burning Problems
Tunnelling
What it looks like: Burns down the middle, leaving wax on the sides.
Causes: Wick too small. First burn too short.
Fixes:
- Size up the wick
- Instruct customers: burn until full melt pool on first use
Mushrooming
What it looks like: Carbon ball forming on wick tip.
Causes: Wick too large. Too much fragrance.
Fixes:
- Size down the wick
- Reduce fragrance load
- Customer should trim wick between burns
Smoking / Sooting
What it looks like: Black smoke, soot on container rim.
Causes: Wick too large. Too much fragrance. Wick not trimmed.
Fixes:
- Size down the wick
- Reduce fragrance to 8%
- Include wick trimming instructions
Drowning Wick
What it looks like: Wick falls over into melt pool, flame dies.
Causes: Wick too small. Too much fragrance (wick drowns in oil).
Fixes:
- Size up the wick
- Reduce fragrance load
Flame Too High
What it looks like: Tall, flickering flame. Container getting very hot.
Causes: Wick too large.
Fixes:
- Size down the wick
Fragrance Problems
Weak Cold Throw
What it looks like: Can barely smell the candle when not lit.
Causes: Not cured long enough. Fragrance added at wrong temp. Low fragrance load.
Fixes:
- Cure 2 weeks minimum
- Add fragrance at correct temp (usually 75°C)
- Increase fragrance load
Weak Hot Throw
What it looks like: Burning candle doesn't fill the room with scent.
Causes: Melt pool not reaching edges. Fragrance added too hot. Poor quality fragrance.
Fixes:
- Check wick size (need full melt pool)
- Add fragrance at 75°C, not higher
- Try a different fragrance supplier
Sweating / Oil on Surface
What it looks like: Oily beads or slick on candle surface.
Causes: Too much fragrance. Added fragrance when too cool. Stored too warm.
Fixes:
- Reduce fragrance to 8%
- Add fragrance at correct temp
- Store under 22°C
Colour Problems
Fading
What it looks like: Colour fades over time, especially in sunlight.
Causes: UV exposure. Some dyes fade naturally.
Fixes:
- Store away from light
- Use UV-stable dyes
- Warn customers about sunlight
Bleeding / Migration
What it looks like: Colour spreads where it shouldn't (e.g., up the wick).
Causes: Too much dye. Dye not compatible with wax.
Fixes:
- Use less dye
- Use candle-specific dyes only
Yellowing
What it looks like: White wax turns yellow over time.
Causes: Vanillin in fragrance. Natural oxidation.
Fixes:
- Use vanillin-free fragrances for white candles
- Add UV stabiliser
- Accept some yellowing as natural