What Is 464 Soy Wax Good For?

Table of Contents

What is 464 Soy Wax?

464 soy wax is a 100% soy-based wax made by Golden Brands. It is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and has a higher melting point than other soy waxes, around 130-145°F (54-63°C) (https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/). The “464” refers to the soy wax’s melting point of approximately 143-145°F.

464 soy wax contains no paraffin, is biodegradable and made in the USA. It is an all-natural wax that burns cleaner than paraffin with very little soot or scent throw-off. The wax has a smooth, creamy appearance and texture which makes it easy to work with. It provides good adhesion, glossy finish and holds scent and color well.

Benefits of 464 Soy Wax

464 soy wax is appreciated by many candle makers for its numerous benefits. Some of the main advantages of 464 soy wax include:

Natural and Biodegradable

Unlike paraffin wax which is a petroleum byproduct, 464 soy wax is made from soybeans, a renewable and sustainable crop. Soy wax is biodegradable and environmentally friendly [https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/].

Clean Burn

464 soy wax has a low melting point and does not produce smoke or soot when burned, resulting in cleaner air quality. The wax burns cooler than paraffin, without releasing any toxic fumes [https://soybeads.com/product/gw-464-soy-wax/].

Good Scent Throw

The soy-based additives in 464 soy wax help anchor fragrances, leading to strong scent throw. The wax efficiently holds and disperses fragrance oils.

Hard Finish

After cooling and curing, candles made with 464 soy wax have a smooth, opaque finish. The wax contracts minimally on cooling, reducing frosting and sweating. The hard finish results in durable candles.

Using 464 Soy Wax for Candles

464 soy wax is one of the most popular waxes for making soy candles, particularly container candles. Compared to other soy waxes, 464 has some key advantages that make it a top choice among candle makers:

Best for containers – 464 has a low melting point which makes it optimal for filling candle containers. The wax pools and adheres nicely to the sides of glass and metal containers.

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Holds scent well – With its enhanced formulation, 464 soy wax can hold 7-9% fragrance oil, allowing for excellent hot and cold scent throw in finished candles. The wax efficiently absorbs and releases fragrance.

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Less prone to frosting – 464 has a smooth topside appearance and resists frosting and mottling, which improves the look of finished container candles. The enhanced formula minimizes wax blooming.

Longer burn time – Container candles made with 464 soy wax can provide 50-80 hours of burn time. The wax has good rigidity and density which contributes to an even, slow burn.

With benefits like scent retention and burn time, it’s easy to see why candle makers widely use 464 for container soy candles. This versatile wax suits a variety of candle designs.

Blending 464 Soy Wax

464 soy wax is often blended with paraffin or other waxes like coconut wax to customize the properties of the wax. Blending allows candle makers to fine tune the melt point, texture, and performance of the wax.

A common blend is mixing 464 soy wax with paraffin wax. The paraffin helps increase the melt point for warmer climates while the soy wax allows for a cleaner, slower burn. Typical paraffin to soy wax blend ratios range from 80/20 to 50/50 depending on the desired melt point. Higher soy wax content results in a lower melt point.

464 soy can also be blended with coconut wax, usually at a 1:1 ratio. This balances the hardness of coconut wax with the creamier texture of soy. Coconut wax raises the melt point temperature. The blend allows the soy wax to adhere better to the container while maintaining a smooth topside appearance.

According to https://www.candlescience.com/lab-notes-blended-waxes-paraffin-soy-wax-bw-910/, a 50/50 blend of paraffin and soy provides good adhesion and melt pool.

Making Container Candles with 464 Soy Wax

464 Soy Wax is designed specifically for container candles. Here are some tips for using it successfully:

Directions for Melting and Pouring Wax

Melt the wax slowly to 185-190°F (85-88°C). Do not overheat as it can cause the wax to discolor. Gently stir the melted wax before adding fragrance oils. The wax should be poured between 135-145°F (57-63°C) into pre-wicked containers. Allow the candles to cool completely before moving them.

Wick Recommendations

Use CD or ECO wicks which are designed for container soy wax candles. The wick diameter should be sized appropriately for the container diameter. Follow manufacturer guidelines. Using the wrong wick can cause issues like tunneling.

Curing Process

Allow the candles to cure for 24-48 hours before burning to allow the wax to fully harden and stabilize. This helps prevent issues like wet spots, frosting, and sinking.

Additives to Use

You can add candle dye chips at a usage rate of 1⁄2 to 1% by weight. Do not exceed 1% or it may clog the wax. Add essential oils or fragrance oils at 5-8% by weight. You can also add vybar or parasoy to help with scent throw.

Making Pillar Candles with 464 Soy Wax

464 soy wax can be used to create beautiful pillar candles. Proper mold preparation, wick sizing, pouring technique, and cooling/unmolding procedures are important for success.

Prepare the pillar mold by ensuring it is clean and applying a mold release if needed. Select the proper wick size for the diameter of the pillar candle. Larger diameter pillars require a larger wick. Refer to manufacturer guidelines for recommendations.

Heat the 464 soy wax to 175-185°F to ensure it is fully melted and fluid for pouring. Carefully pour the wax into the mold, avoiding overflow. Allow the candle to cool undisturbed as it sets up. This may take 6-12 hours. According to CandleScience, 464 soy wax should be poured at temperatures between 135-165°F for pillars.

Once cooled completely, gently unmold the pillar candle. Use a knife to loosen the edges if needed. The pillar candle should release cleanly from the mold. Allow the candle to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning to allow the soy wax to fully harden.

Scenting 464 Soy Wax

Scent is an important part of any candle. The right fragrance can enhance the candle experience. When working with 464 soy wax, there are some guidelines to follow to achieve an optimal scent throw.

The recommended fragrance load for 464 soy wax is 6-10% of the wax weight. This wax contains soy-based emulsifiers that help anchor fragrances. You can use up to 12% fragrance, but going higher may result in fragrance burn off or acceleration issues.

You can scent 464 soy wax with both essential oils and fragrance oils. Essential oils contain natural ingredients and offer more subtle aromas. Fragrance oils often have stronger scents, but may contain synthetics. For best results, use fragrance oils specifically formulated for candle making.

It’s best to add fragrance oil after the wax has cooled to around 110-135°F to avoid losing scent to evaporation. Do not add fragrance above 185°F as flash points may be exceeded. Stir thoroughly after adding to fully incorporate the scent. Cure finished candles 24-48 hours before burning.

Testing different fragrance loads and allowing adequate cure time will help achieve optimal hot and cold scent throw with 464 soy wax.

Source: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/

Troubleshooting 464 Soy Wax

One of the benefits of 464 soy wax is its versatility and ease of use. However, sometimes problems can occur. Here are some of the most common issues when working with 464 soy wax and how to troubleshoot them:

Frosting

Frosting is when a white film appears on the top of the candle. It’s usually caused by improper mixing of fragrance oil and wax. To prevent frosting with 464 soy wax:¹

Make sure to stir the wax properly after adding fragrance oil. Continue stirring until the wax has cooled to at least 135°F.
Use less fragrance oil. Start with a 6-8% fragrance load and increase slowly if needed.
Avoid fragrance oils known to cause frosting like citrus, pine, and mint oils.

Scent Throw Issues

If your soy candle isn’t producing enough scent, try:²

Increasing the fragrance oil percentage to 10-12%.
Using a fragrance oil designed for soy wax.
Adding vybar or parasoy to strengthen scent throw.

Tunnelling

Tunnelling is when the wax burns unevenly, creating a hole or tunnel in the center. To prevent tunnelling:²

Avoid drafts while the candle is burning.
Trim the wick to 1⁄4” before each burn.
Add 10-15% hard wax to the soy wax blend.

FAQs About 464 Soy Wax

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about 464 soy wax:

Is 464 soy wax good for candles?

Yes, 464 soy wax is specifically formulated for container candles. It has a low melting point which makes it ideal for getting a smooth surface finish on container candles. Many candle makers prefer 464 for its ability to adhere to glass and retain fragrance (source: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/).

How do I use 464 soy wax?

464 soy wax should be melted to a temperature of 185-200F before adding fragrance at around 175F. It’s important not to overheat 464 wax. After pouring candles, let them cool and cure for 24-48 hours before burning. Proper wick sizing is also critical when using 464 wax (source: https://support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026081274-How-Do-I-Use-Golden-Brands-464-Soy-Wax).

Can I use 464 soy wax for pillars or votives?

No, 464 is not recommended for pillars or votives. It is optimized for container candles. The wax may not hold up properly in pillars or votives. A better choice would be to use a soy wax with a higher melting point like C-3 or EcoSoya CB Advanced (source: https://support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026081274-How-Do-I-Use-Golden-Brands-464-Soy-Wax).

What wicks work best with 464 soy wax?

For containers 6-8 oz, CD-6 is recommended. Use CD-7 for containers 10-14 oz, and CD-8 for 16-22 oz containers. Testing wicks is advised since performance can vary based on your setup and environment (source: https://soybeads.com/product/gw-464-soy-wax/).

Conclusion

464 soy wax is a versatile and commonly used soy wax for candle making. It has many benefits that make it a preferred choice among candle makers.

Some key points about 464 soy wax:

It has a high melting point of around 135-145°F, making it suitable for container and pillar candles.
It blends well with other waxes like paraffin to modify properties.
It allows excellent fragrance retention and scent throw.
It produces clean, long-lasting burns with minimal soot and frosting.
It is made from 100% natural soybean oil.

The benefits of using 464 soy wax for candle making include:

It’s easy to work with compared to paraffin wax.
It allows for great scent throw and hot throw.
It produces smooth tops and clean burns.
It holds colorants extremely well.
It allows flexibility in blending with other waxes.
It produces an all-natural, eco-friendly candle.

In summary, 464 soy wax is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced candle makers looking for a high-quality, natural wax that performs great in candles. Its versatility and benefits make it a top choice for container and pillar candle making.