Jar Candle Wet Spot Problem
Troubleshooting Guide

Wet spots in container (jar) candles are very difficult to deal with as there is no way to avoid them 100%. Personally, I just ignore them. I've never had a customer complain about them as long as the candle burns and throws scent well.

What Are Wet Spots?
When the wax in a jar candle pulls away from the glass this creates an air space. This makes the wax still adhering to the glass look wet. In extreme cases the candle can look very blotchy. This condition has come to be termed wet spots by candle makers, although in reality it has nothing to do with wetness.

What Causes Wet Spots
Simple Explanation - Glass and wax expand and contract at different rates.

Detailed Explanation - Everything expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Different substances expand and contract at different rates. Accordingly glass and wax have different coefficients of expansion. The two products may start in close contact, but as the temperature fluctuates they will usually separate.

Avoiding Wet Spots
Over the years we have tried many things to eliminate wet spots with only marginal success. The only way we have found to completely eliminate wet spots is to use our Container Wax Blend. We find that when poured at 185 degrees F. into jars at room temperature 65 to 70 degrees F. the finished product is free of wet spots.

Long Term Wet Spot Prevention
Producing a wet spot free candle is not nearly as difficult as keeping finished candles free of wet spots. When stored at a constant temperature, wet spots occurrence will not be common. When stored or used at temperatures that fluctuate as little as 10 degrees F. wet spots will start to occur. The larger the temperature fluctuation, the more wet spots will appear and the larger they will be. Accept this as a fact of life when working with jar candles - there is no miracle additive that will defy the laws of physics.

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Disclaimer: The information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge and common candle making practices as of the time of this writing - January 2006. The author and the publisher accept no liability for the use or misuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is presented for informational purposes and is used at your own risk.

Author: Bob Sherman

Publisher: Bobby's Craft Boutique Inc.

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