How to Change the Color of Birthday Candles
Birthday candles are short and thin and contain little wax, so it's not difficult to change their color. Allowing a thin coating of wax that is a different color to coat the outer layer of the birthday candle wax will produce a new hue. And because birthday candles are so small and light, it isn't difficult to hold them in the wax for the time that's needed and to allow them to dry.
Things You'll Need
- Birthday candle
- Metal pot
- Paraffin wax
- Candle coloring
- Newspapers
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Melt paraffin wax in a metal pot that contains a wax thermometer. Paraffin is flammable at high temperatures, and a wax thermometer marks the potential danger zone with a red warning. Keep the temperature below the red area to keep it from catching fire.
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2
Add color from a candle color chip or from liquid candle color. These are concentrated pigments and a small amount will color the wax. One color chip, about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide, will color about a pound of wax. Use less if you want a lighter shade. For darker colors, either use more or add some flakes from a black color chip into the mix to darken the color.
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3
Place newspapers or wax paper on the countertop near the melted candle wax.
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4
Pick up the wick of the candle with a pair of pliers and dip the candle slowly into the melted candle wax. Let the wax reach the base of the candle wick on top of the candle. Pull the candle up and out of the wax.
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5
Check the candle to make sure it has the color you want. If you are covering a dark color with a light color you may need to dip the candle again.
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6
Hold the candle over the newspaper or waxed paper for about five minutes to allow it to dry. Because the candles are so small, it would be difficult to get them to stand up on their own, so they should be held in place until the wax dries. Allowing them to lie flat to dry will cause the wax to pool and the shape of the candle to become distorted. If you need to dip the candle a second time, wait until the first layer is dry and cool before dipping it again.
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