NatureWax® C-3 Wax

Step 1: Prepare Your Containers

Make sure your candle jars are clean, completely dry, and properly wicked before beginning.

Secure and center each wick. If your vessels are particularly cold, gently warming them may help encourage better adhesion and more even cooling.

Step 2: Melt the Wax

Heat NatureWax® C-3 gradually until it is completely melted and uniform.

Heat the wax to approximately 175–185°F (79–85°C) as a working range for fully melting the wax and preparing it for fragrance incorporation. Avoid unnecessarily prolonged heating once the wax has completely melted.

Step 3: Add Candle Dye (Optional)

If using candle-safe dye, add it to the fully melted wax and stir thoroughly until completely dispersed.

Make sure solid dyes are fully dissolved before proceeding.

Step 4: Add Fragrance Oil

Once the wax is fully melted:

• Add your carefully measured fragrance oil.
• Begin testing around 6–10% fragrance by weight.
• Stir gently and thoroughly for approximately 2 minutes.
• Make sure the fragrance is evenly incorporated throughout the wax.

Always test individual fragrance oils, as their composition can affect hot throw, cold throw, appearance, adhesion, and wick performance.

Step 5: Allow the Wax to Cool

After incorporating your fragrance and dye, allow the wax to cool toward your selected pouring temperature.

Stir gently as needed to maintain an even mixture without introducing excessive air.

Step 6: Pour the Wax

Begin testing at approximately 135–145°F (57–63°C).

Pour carefully into prepared containers and allow the candles to cool naturally at a stable room temperature.

Keep freshly poured candles away from fans, drafts, open windows, cold countertops, and other sources of rapid temperature change.

Step 7: Allow the Candles to Set

Leave the candles undisturbed until the wax has completely cooled and hardened.

Inspect the finished surface and glass adhesion. If you experience rough tops, frosting, or adhesion issues, adjust your pour temperature and cooling conditions during subsequent test batches.

Minor surface imperfections can be corrected carefully with a heat gun.

Step 8: Cure Before Burning

Allow NatureWax® C-3 candles approximately 7–14 days to cure before making a final evaluation of fragrance performance.

Rough or Uneven Tops

Why does my NatureWax C-3 candle have a rough or bumpy surface?

Soy wax naturally crystallizes as it cools, and this can sometimes create rough, uneven, or slightly textured tops. Pour temperature, fragrance oil, vessel temperature, and cooling conditions can all influence the finished surface.

How can I get smoother tops?

Start with a pour temperature around 135–145°F and adjust gradually during testing. Keep your workspace temperature consistent and allow candles to cool naturally away from fans, drafts, cold surfaces, and sudden temperature changes.

Can I fix a rough top after the candle cools?

Yes. Carefully use a heat gun to remelt a thin, even layer across the surface, then allow the candle to cool slowly and undisturbed.

Frosting

Why does my C-3 candle have white or crystalline areas?

Frosting is a natural characteristic of soy wax caused by crystal formation. It is primarily cosmetic and does not necessarily indicate a problem with the candle's performance.

How can I minimize frosting?

Maintain consistent heating, pouring, cooling, and storage conditions. Avoid dramatic temperature changes and experiment with your pour temperature. Keep in mind that candle dyes can make frosting more noticeable.

Wet Spots & Container Adhesion

Why do I see wet-looking areas between my C-3 wax and jar?

These areas are generally caused by portions of the wax contracting and pulling slightly away from the glass. They may look like moisture but are typically areas where the wax is no longer making complete contact with the vessel.

How can I improve glass adhesion?

Use clean, dry containers and avoid pouring into very cold jars. Gently warming cool containers may help in some production environments. Allow candles to cool gradually and avoid placing them on cold countertops.

Sinkholes & Air Pockets

Why did a depression or hole form near my wick?

Wax contracts as it cools, which can occasionally create hidden cavities, sinkholes, or depressions around the wick.

How can I fix a sinkhole?

Carefully create relief holes near the affected area and use a heat gun to remelt the surrounding surface. This allows melted wax to flow into cavities below before the candle cools again.

CD Series or ECO Series

Is NatureWax® C-3 good for beginners?

Yes. NatureWax® C-3 is a popular choice for both beginning and experienced candle makers looking for a dependable soy container wax. It is relatively straightforward to work with and can produce attractive, creamy candles when the proper pouring and cooling conditions are established.

Because C-3 is soy-based, beginners should expect some natural characteristics such as frosting or occasional surface variation. Small test batches are recommended while determining the best temperatures and wick for your formula.

What fragrance load does NatureWax® C-3 support?

A fragrance load of approximately 6–10% by weight provides a useful working range for many C-3 container candle formulas.

The ideal percentage depends on the specific fragrance oil, wick, vessel, and desired scent performance. Always test individual fragrances rather than assuming the maximum fragrance percentage will provide the strongest hot throw.

How long should I cure candles made with NatureWax® C-3?

Allowing NatureWax® C-3 candles approximately 7–14 days to cure before making a final evaluation of fragrance performance is a useful starting practice for soy candles.

Preliminary burn testing can be performed sooner during product development, but additional cure time can provide a better indication of the candle's finished fragrance performance.