I was struggling so bad because one of my customers sent me a video of the candle she got from me sinking so bad ☹️ I felt so stressed out I was looking for a video that could explain to me what was happening and found you!! Thank you so much you saved me!!
I’ve watched like six videos on how to prevent and fix sink holes but this is the only video that actually explained them and showed how to fix them. Thank you!
This video is a life saver. I've already heard that heat guns are perfect to use for this situation but I wanted to know exactly how they help before I purchase a heat gun. This will save the candles that I make. Thank you for sharing!
Just seen this and it has saved me so much stress. I made 6 candles today for the very first time, and every single one had a sink hole. I couldn't find my heat gun and used my hairdryer and ended up with wax all over the worktop and running down the jars. I eventually found the heat gun and it worked a treat. Thank you so much. I now know to do this before the wax sets completely.
Thank you so much for that quick fix on sinkholes; i think that will stop my candles from drowning on too much wax and putting itself out, too! It was drying me crazy!
Thank you so much! I love learning about the issues I’m having and how to fix them as well as prevent them. Love that you explained everything in a short amount of time. Subcribed to your channel!!!
3.10min packed with information. Are you a Salesman or a Teacher? You articulate very well, on this subject. I learned so much from you. Thank you very much. I wished I had found your video before I made my first batch of candles. But, I refilled them with a different colour wax once the sub layer had soft set. Then, I used a heating torch to melt the candles like you did. The top wax (different colour) melted down and formed a really nice blended tone and pattern of both colours. It looks really cool. I think I might have stumbled on a neat technique.
Isolate your candle by storing them in a closed box or cover them and avoid ventilation. AC and Fans can accelerate the cooling process and cause your candles to shrink and sink and also preheat your containers so that it is adequate enough for the pour and doesn't shock your hot wax. (You can preheat them at a low temp in your oven or double boilers.
ThaSikeChick This is my candle channel account. I’ve never been a fan of preheating jars. Slows the cooking process and with certain waxes you will still get some sinkholes. I’d rather pour hotter and fix in post.
This video is amazing… I did what you suggested.. but now can’t get a smooth top on my candles… after I melt them with heat gun.. they then look all bumpy on the top.. maybe I need to reserve some wax after the initial pour to top them off after the sink hole is is fixed… who said candle making was easy! Thanks
I think I poured too hot, so I will try you're temp and see if that makes a difference. I didn't know there was a sink hole as it wasn't visible until I lit it and clearly saw it. My first time making a candle and it came out great for my first try. I also had to calculate my own wax weight with FO and was spot on. It's so much fun🙂
If I have any residual wax left over, I heat it up, fill the sinkhole then when the wax is completely level, I blow the hair dryer over the surface (hot setting) and it levels out, leaving no tell-tale filling-in lines. Simpler.
Thank you! I just started making my own candles and made a beautiful skull jar candle. It made a sinkhole so I’ll be reheating and pour it back once it’s cooler!
Very helpful video! It's very informative and it lets people know exactly how to fix the issue without to much trouble as well as the best way to fix it along. Also thanks again for the encouragement about the wax earlier today. (BTW I'm Ravin Luna).
I did what you said with the heat gun, and yes it worked, It then appeared to crack the wax on the top, looked dry if that makes sense? Have you had any problems with that and if so how do you make sure that doesn't happen??
I get a lot of tiny bubbles and like a frost on top I use dye block for coloring my candle which I think my be part of the problem. I heat my glass container before pouring wax Am I hearing them too much or too little 😅need help.
Can you use a microwave to fill in the sink holes if you don't have a heat gun??? And if so please tell me because at this moment I don't have a heat gun.
I'm new to this self-made candle. Idk why no matter how much I reheat the candle and poke the sinkhole, my candle won't come out perfect on the surface 😫 I read from other comment, is it because of 100% soy wax? I used 100% soy wax. Should I add other type of wax too?
when using the heat gun method, what temperature do you pour at? Is it 130 to 125 or higher? Thanks for the video btw, heating jars still weren't working for me.
My issue is using the heat gun and getting a bumpy top, what can I do? I dont want to burn off the scent by continuing to use the heat gun. Also, how can I prevent this from happening?
Awesome i choose pouring at a cooler temp and added scents then to have a better scent throw even if scents are bottle string but weaker in a candle. I can shears go back and top off the candles.
Jeff, I accidentally used wrong wicks on my candles. They have been curing for a week. Can I remelt them and pour them in the jars with the correct wick? Do I need to add more fo?
Just getting into candle making problem is I don't have a heat gun and starting up is already fairly expensive so the hair dryer is gonna have to work for me
Ok so I’ve tried ALL of these methods, the hole poking, the heat gun, I’m even pouring my wax at 110 degrees, and I’m studio getting a rough texture upon setting, and holes throughout the wax. I’m at a loss 😩😩
Hi please can you let ne know how i can prevent tunnling. Everytime i make my scented candles they only burn through the middle and leave the sides and it creates a tunnel look. What can prevent this from happening? ive tried pouring at a lower temperature Is it possible that it could be how much fragrance oil i out it?
Thanks for posting! Do you know if paraffin wax will sink hole more than others? I've done it and "fixed" them twice now, and still the same result. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with my wax...
Home Depot is where I got mine. www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Power-Tools-Heat-Guns/N-5yc1vZc2fe Also, here is my actual candle channel if you're interested. :) ruclips.net/channel/UCK209qaDN10QU0OEB9E099w
What about sink holes that happened after the candle was lit? Example: I lit a candle for 4 hours yesterday. Let the wax cool. When I looked at it today, there were sink holes in the cooled wax. What do you think that is from?
Thanks for the video! Have you ever dealt with frosting on your candles? When I hit the tops of my candles with a heat gun to fix sinkholes, they end up with ugly frosting and/or uneven.
This is usually the result of heating too hot, most of the time this happens when you pour too hot or cold. I haven't had this happen from a heat gun yet. Soy has this issue more than most. Are you using 100% soy? How close and how hot are you heating the tops?
I have to ask, How much do you charge per candle? Ive been making them for a few months and thinking about selling them. Also, What company do you buy your fragrance from? I bought some on ebay and I barely smell them. Thanks.
Tired Old Man Sorry for the delayed response, I never get notifications from this account. Lol I charge around $8-$12 for my two different candles. I buy my fragrance oils from Candle Science, Aztec, Maple Street and Lone Star. I have a few more videos on my Candle channel @standleyhandcrafted
I do. Heat any residual wax you have left over, re-fill the sink-hole, (You may have to do this more than once) then when it's dry and to the level you want, get rid of those tell-tale refill lines by heating the surface of the candle gently, with a hot-air gun, or a hairdryer set to the hot setting.
Love this. Now can you use a blow dryer on low heat ? Also can you fix this hole problem any time after it cools or does the problem need to be fix within like a 24 hour period ?
This is my actual candle account. A blow dryer does work but it's got much more force and can blow the wax all over. A heat gun gets much hotter and works alot better. :)
I tried EVERYTHING. I MEAN EVERYTHING! I've played with the temp. If mixed less because of air bubbles...I tried using different wicks, I've tried using different temps. I've tried pouring slow. I tried pouring faster. This is STILL happening!! It's sooooo frustrating 😢😢😢 Like what am I doing wrong? This isn't my first Rodeo I've been doing this for a while and for some reason I just can't get the fucking sinkholes to stop forming. And it's always in the damn middle. So what you've taught me here is if it's in the middle it's probably something to do with my wick? Is it the wick size that could create this? If you have too much of a big wick in too much of a little jar will it create sinkholes in the middle of it? I guess that's a really good question and it pretty much is the only thing I can think of of why my candles are still doing this after so much effort
![6 Mistakes Candle Makers Should Avoid & How To Fix Them [Updated]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-qEby8J59DA/mqdefault.jpg)
![6 Mistakes Candle Makers Should Avoid & How To Fix Them [Updated]](/img/tr.png)
Thank you for not doing a 10 minute intro and just going straight to tips! 🙌🏼
Six years later, this video is still helping candle makers. THANKS!!
I was struggling so bad because one of my customers sent me a video of the candle she got from me sinking so bad ☹️ I felt so stressed out I was looking for a video that could explain to me what was happening and found you!! Thank you so much you saved me!!
I’ve watched like six videos on how to prevent and fix sink holes but this is the only video that actually explained them and showed how to fix them. Thank you!
Thank you soooooooooo much ... you saved my business so much money!!!!
This video is a life saver. I've already heard that heat guns are perfect to use for this situation but I wanted to know exactly how they help before I purchase a heat gun. This will save the candles that I make. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! First time trying to fix another candle problem and found this problem.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THIS VIDEO!!!! Thank you so much. I thought it was going to be much more complicated to fix this!!!
Just seen this and it has saved me so much stress. I made 6 candles today for the very first time, and every single one had a sink hole. I couldn't find my heat gun and used my hairdryer and ended up with wax all over the worktop and running down the jars. I eventually found the heat gun and it worked a treat. Thank you so much. I now know to do this before the wax sets completely.
Finally! These are the no-nonsense answers I was looking for- thanks heaps :)
Thank you so much for that quick fix on sinkholes; i think that will stop my candles from drowning on too much wax and putting itself out, too! It was drying me crazy!
Most helpful vid I’ve found on this so far! Quick, to the point, and perfectly illustrated. THANK YOU!
Thank you for this video! As a newbie this is very straight to the point & helpful!
Brilliant! thank you so much. My candles have sunk and I was about to give up and then I found this video. Great, informative and to the point.
Awesome and thanks. I have just made a few for Christmas gifts and I will be doing this as I have divots around just about every wick.
Pouring at a lower temp is a great suggestion. Can't wait to try and imagine this is a big reason I'm having major issues
That’s super duper nice info. Thanks for sharing.
Sinkholes have been driving me crazy! Thanks for this
Great video! Question-do I fix the sink holes before or after the wax has cured? Or does it matter? (I'm using soy)
This wax amazing! straight to the point and i was able to fix my candles straight away!!!! thankyou
This was super informative. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much! I love learning about the issues I’m having and how to fix them as well as prevent them. Love that you explained everything in a short amount of time. Subcribed to your channel!!!
Mia McNeal This is me as well. Subscribe to my candle channel. I go into much more detail and more videos!
this was quick easy straightforward, plus I already have and use a heat gun for other crafts so this is great advice. Thanks!
3.10min packed with information. Are you a Salesman or a Teacher? You articulate very well, on this subject. I learned so much from you. Thank you very much. I wished I had found your video before I made my first batch of candles. But, I refilled them with a different colour wax once the sub layer had soft set. Then, I used a heating torch to melt the candles like you did. The top wax (different colour) melted down and formed a really nice blended tone and pattern of both colours. It looks really cool. I think I might have stumbled on a neat technique.
Isolate your candle by storing them in a closed box or cover them and avoid ventilation. AC and Fans can accelerate the cooling process and cause your candles to shrink and sink and also preheat your containers so that it is adequate enough for the pour and doesn't shock your hot wax. (You can preheat them at a low temp in your oven or double boilers.
ThaSikeChick This is my candle channel account.
I’ve never been a fan of preheating jars. Slows the cooking process and with certain waxes you will still get some sinkholes. I’d rather pour hotter and fix in post.
You have been a tremendous help Jeff thank you
This has been my problem for so long, and I just make them for fun occasionally. Tried pouring at 180F. I’ll try lower and a heat gun! Thanks!
This video is amazing… I did what you suggested.. but now can’t get a smooth top on my candles… after I melt them with heat gun.. they then look all bumpy on the top.. maybe I need to reserve some wax after the initial pour to top them off after the sink hole is is fixed… who said candle making was easy! Thanks
Heat gun! Now why didn't I think of it! Thanks for making this video! 💯👍
I think I poured too hot, so I will try you're temp and see if that makes a difference. I didn't know there was a sink hole as it wasn't visible until I lit it and clearly saw it. My first time making a candle and it came out great for my first try. I also had to calculate my own wax weight with FO and was spot on. It's so much fun🙂
Thank you so much for this information!!! This is exactly what I was looking for and it helps me so much, can't wait to try it all.
If I have any residual wax left over, I heat it up, fill the sinkhole then when the wax is completely level, I blow the hair dryer over the surface (hot setting) and it levels out, leaving no tell-tale filling-in lines. Simpler.
Wow so simple! How did I not think of that!
Thank you! I just started making my own candles and made a beautiful skull jar candle. It made a sinkhole so I’ll be reheating and pour it back once it’s cooler!
Thanks for explaining that. I'm making wax molds in silicone & wondered about the cause & fix.
Cheers!
Can you use a blow dryer instead? Victoria
How soon/late after poured do you heat and poke?
Thank you much for this! I've been making candles for almost 10 years and didn't know of this. What an easy fix
Can you use a hairdryer instead of a heat gun?
i recycle left over wax from my own candles for use so im not super good at this stuff, would it help if you maybe put wax in layers?
Thanks for the tips jeff👌🏼
Awesome, thanks, Jeff!
Very helpful video! It's very informative and it lets people know exactly how to fix the issue without to much trouble as well as the best way to fix it along. Also thanks again for the encouragement about the wax earlier today. (BTW I'm Ravin Luna).
Absolutely! I'm glad it helped!
do you do this after the are cured? or can you do it a couple days later
Extremely helpful! Great video! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome. Thank you for sharing this!!
Yes very informative. Thank you
I noticed bubbles form on the top of the candle when I heat them up with a heat gun. Any way to prevent them?
I did what you said with the heat gun, and yes it worked, It then appeared to crack the wax on the top, looked dry if that makes sense? Have you had any problems with that and if so how do you make sure that doesn't happen??
I get a lot of tiny bubbles and like a frost on top I use dye block for coloring my candle which I think my be part of the problem. I heat my glass container before pouring wax
Am I hearing them too much or too little 😅need help.
Thank you so much for making this video has helped me so much ...
Hey Jeff, I'm wondering at what stage you do this, e.g wait 4 hours until they've completely solidified?
This is AWESOME!! Can you please tell em the wooden wicks that your using with this jar?
www.woodenwick.com
IM NEW TO MAKING CANDLES, AND ALTHOUGH I'VE USED A HEAT GUN TO MAKE THE TOPS SMOOTH...THEY STILL DON'T COME OUT SMOOTH 😬😬😣🤦🏾♀️ ANY HELP WITH THAT?...
dont the mason jar explode when heated too much while the candle is burning? did you make some experiment to find out?
Can you use a microwave to fill in the sink holes if you don't have a heat gun??? And if so please tell me because at this moment I don't have a heat gun.
I'm new to this self-made candle. Idk why no matter how much I reheat the candle and poke the sinkhole, my candle won't come out perfect on the surface 😫
I read from other comment, is it because of 100% soy wax? I used 100% soy wax. Should I add other type of wax too?
If you don’t have a heat gun, how can you fix? Or is a heat gun the only and best option? Thanks :)
when using the heat gun method, what temperature do you pour at? Is it 130 to 125 or higher? Thanks for the video btw, heating jars still weren't working for me.
For soy I pour around 125, parasoy I pour much hotter around 145-155
Jeff Standley thank you so much!
How are pillar candles different than candles that are in jars?
My issue is using the heat gun and getting a bumpy top, what can I do? I dont want to burn off the scent by continuing to use the heat gun. Also, how can I prevent this from happening?
Awesome i choose pouring at a cooler temp and added scents then to have a better scent throw even if scents are bottle string but weaker in a candle. I can shears go back and top off the candles.
Jeff, I accidentally used wrong wicks on my candles. They have been curing for a week. Can I remelt them and pour them in the jars with the correct wick? Do I need to add more fo?
Just getting into candle making problem is I don't have a heat gun and starting up is already fairly expensive so the hair dryer is gonna have to work for me
I use that same wax and I used a small wic and it doesn’t burn well should I have used a medium wood wic
Ok so I’ve tried ALL of these methods, the hole poking, the heat gun, I’m even pouring my wax at 110 degrees, and I’m studio getting a rough texture upon setting, and holes throughout the wax. I’m at a loss 😩😩
Love your vids but ive poured at 120. 140 an still sink holes. Why? I use paraffin wax. Ty
Paraffins will almost always shrink more as they cool, even if poured cooler. The harder the paraffin the more it shrinks. :)
On my candles after they sit and harden they have water on the bottom and slide out of the jar. Do you know why that happens
Direct and to the point! Thankyou so much! Your my new hero! LOL
Could you put them in the oven for a min? I don't have a heat gun.
Jon Baszkiewicz you could probably just use u hair dryer too
I don’t have a heat gun so I’ll use my blow dryer on hot?
great tip with chop stick, thanks!
No problem! Glad it helped. I have a few more videos for candle making on my candle channel if you're interested. ruclips.net/user/standleyhandcrafted
Ty I’m going to this as well great tip
Hi please can you let ne know how i can prevent tunnling. Everytime i make my scented candles they only burn through the middle and leave the sides and it creates a tunnel look.
What can prevent this from happening? ive tried pouring at a lower temperature
Is it possible that it could be how much fragrance oil i out it?
Lubna Shaheen Tunneling is usually due to small wicks. Try going up one size and see how that goes.
Hey, Jeff! What do you use to cut the wood wicks?
Mrs. A I use a large set of wire cutters that I picked up from the Home Depot.
Hello! Do you have a heat gun you recommend... I don’t know where to go to buy one. Thanks
The cheapaest one at the Home Depot is great.
I've always just topped up my candles, so this was interesting. I really would have liked to see the heat gun in action!
Thank you sir 👏🏽
Thanks for posting! Do you know if paraffin wax will sink hole more than others? I've done it and "fixed" them twice now, and still the same result. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with my wax...
There's not. Paraffin always sinks! Sometimes a lot. I have been making them for 15+ years.
excellent video where can I the heat gun. I can't find it. could you provide a site please. many thanks
Home Depot is where I got mine.
www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Power-Tools-Heat-Guns/N-5yc1vZc2fe
Also, here is my actual candle channel if you're interested. :)
ruclips.net/channel/UCK209qaDN10QU0OEB9E099w
Home Depot, Lowes any hardware store.
Thank You Jeff!!
What about sink holes that happened after the candle was lit? Example: I lit a candle for 4 hours yesterday. Let the wax cool. When I looked at it today, there were sink holes in the cooled wax. What do you think that is from?
That's most likely a wick thats too small for the jar.
Do you poke and heat every candle you make ?
What is the height of the wicks? and the source?
Nathale Clarke-Lewis They’re Six inch wood wicks from www.LoneStarCandleSupply.com
What type of heat gun are you using?
Thanks for the video! Have you ever dealt with frosting on your candles? When I hit the tops of my candles with a heat gun to fix sinkholes, they end up with ugly frosting and/or uneven.
This is usually the result of heating too hot, most of the time this happens when you pour too hot or cold.
I haven't had this happen from a heat gun yet. Soy has this issue more than most. Are you using 100% soy?
How close and how hot are you heating the tops?
Do you poke all of your candles to make sure?! Newbie here 🙋🏽♀️
Yes I always make sure with this wax.
I have to ask, How much do you charge per candle? Ive been making them for a few months and thinking about selling them. Also, What company do you buy your fragrance from? I bought some on ebay and I barely smell them. Thanks.
Tired Old Man Sorry for the delayed response, I never get notifications from this account. Lol
I charge around $8-$12 for my two different candles.
I buy my fragrance oils from Candle Science, Aztec, Maple Street and Lone Star. I have a few more videos on my Candle channel @standleyhandcrafted
I started buying from CS. Smell great but the shipping cost is a turn off.
I agree. I put a bunch of stuff in my cart until I saw the shipping costs. Outrageous!
Awesome video 👍
how do you get rid of air bubbles/pockets and wet spots on the sides of the jar? not the top.?
Answering from my actual candle account. You can remove those by pouring a little hotter and also running a heat gun around the sides.
Thankyou
You give great advice 🏆🏆
New Zealand 🌴🌴
How long do you need to let it cool before you start looking for sink holes ?
I wait for it to full harden, maybe a few hours.
Great video. Thank you!!!
i use golden brand soy 464 and my tops don't look as smooth as those +they have sinkholes i need helppp
Can you use hair dryer if you don't have a heat gun?
Yes you can, it just takes a bit longer to melt.
Thanks for the helpful video but am unclear as what you do after you create the hole . Do you add extra wax to fill ?
Sue Bowen I show you in the video what to do 😉
I do. Heat any residual wax you have left over, re-fill the sink-hole, (You may have to do this more than once) then when it's dry and to the level you want, get rid of those tell-tale refill lines by heating the surface of the candle gently, with a hot-air gun, or a hairdryer set to the hot setting.
Love this. Now can you use a blow dryer on low heat ? Also can you fix this hole problem any time after it cools or does the problem need to be fix within like a 24 hour period ?
This is my actual candle account.
A blow dryer does work but it's got much more force and can blow the wax all over. A heat gun gets much hotter and works alot better. :)
I tried EVERYTHING. I MEAN EVERYTHING! I've played with the temp. If mixed less because of air bubbles...I tried using different wicks, I've tried using different temps. I've tried pouring slow. I tried pouring faster. This is STILL happening!! It's sooooo frustrating 😢😢😢
Like what am I doing wrong? This isn't my first Rodeo I've been doing this for a while and for some reason I just can't get the fucking sinkholes to stop forming. And it's always in the damn middle. So what you've taught me here is if it's in the middle it's probably something to do with my wick? Is it the wick size that could create this? If you have too much of a big wick in too much of a little jar will it create sinkholes in the middle of it? I guess that's a really good question and it pretty much is the only thing I can think of of why my candles are still doing this after so much effort
Why am I getting liquid at the top of my candle once it's completely dried? Is that the fragtance oil or the wax?
That would be the oil coming out of the wax once it hardens up. Might of added too much oil.
Hello. How do you prevent "tunneling"? I know how to fix it but I want to prevent. Thanks in advance.
Shante' Kaneisha Pouring at a cooler temperature is about the best way to reduce tunneling.
Thank you for replying.