Tyler Brooks
There are several ways to stick candles together, depending on the type of candle and the desired level of permanence. For taper candles, one option is to use a candle adhesive or wax dots, which can be placed on the candle's base to secure it in a holder. Another method is to melt the base of the candle slightly before placing it in the holder, allowing the wax to harden and secure the candle in place. Alternatively, one can use household items such as aluminium foil, paper clips, or super glue to join candles together.
Characteristics and their values for sticking candles together:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle adhesive | Stick-Um, wax dots, hot wax, epoxy, gel super glue |
| Other adhesives | Blu tack, museum putty |
| Other methods | Paper clips, tin foil, masking tape, light cloth, foam disk, warming the base of the candle, shaving the base of the candle |
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What You'll Learn
Using candle adhesive
Stick-Um Candle Adhesive is a popular option for sticking candles together or for sticking candles to candle holders. It is a colorless wax adhesive that you can mould with your fingers and stick to the bottom of a taper candle before putting it into a candlestick holder. It is strong enough to hold the candle upright, but malleable enough that it doesn't stick to the holder itself.
To use Stick-Um, you simply put a pea-sized bit of the adhesive on the bottom of a candle and then place it in the holder. For an eight-inch taper, thinly coating the whole bottom of the candle will do the trick. You can also smear more of the adhesive on the sides to hold the taper in place. The wax is strong enough to keep the candle upright, but it doesn't get hard, so there's no mess to clean out when it comes time for a new candle. Any adhesive left behind can be easily rubbed out.
The adhesive is available in small pocket-sized round tins, containing 0.5 ounces or 2 ounces of the product. One tin can last about a month or through 35 to 40 candles. The product is also versatile and can be used for other purposes, such as putting your kid's art on the fridge or securing miniature trinkets or smaller collectibles to shelves.
In addition to Stick-Um, there are other adhesive products available for sticking candles together or to candle holders. These include wax sticky dots, which are easy to use and leave no residue, as well as gel super glue, which can be a good alternative if you don't want to work with epoxy.
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Melting the base of the candle
Melting the base of a candle is a great way to stick candles together. This method is especially useful when dealing with taper candles that are too small for their holders. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Prepare your materials
Firstly, gather your materials. You will need:
- Candles
- A heat source (such as a stove or saucepan)
- A pot or bowl to melt the wax in
- A container for your new candle
- A wick
- A pencil, toothpick, or popsicle stick
Melt the wax
Place your wax scraps into the pot or bowl. If using a saucepan, boil a few inches of water. Ensure that the water will not spill over the top of your container once it is placed in the water. Set the heat to medium and allow the wax to melt completely. This should take anywhere from five to ten minutes, depending on the amount of wax and its composition. Stir occasionally with a wooden utensil to ensure even heating.
Prepare your wick
While your wax is melting, prepare your wick by placing it in the centre of your chosen container for your new candle. Place your pencil, toothpick, or popsicle stick across the top and fold the wick over it. This will help keep the wick in place when you pour in the melted wax.
Pour and cool
Once your wax has melted completely, use tongs to remove the container from the heat source. Be sure to handle it with care, as it will be hot. Pour the melted wax into your prepared container and wick assembly. Allow the wax to cool and solidify. The cooling time will depend on the shape and size of your container and the amount of wax used.
Optional: Add scents
If desired, you can add scented oils or perfumes to your melted wax before pouring. For example, adding citronella oil creates candles that naturally repel bugs. Be sure to consider the underlying smell of the recycled wax and choose complementary scents to avoid an overpowering or confusing fragrance.
By following these steps, you can easily stick candles together by melting their bases and creating a new, larger candle. This method not only helps utilise leftover candle scraps but also allows you to customise your candles to fit your desired aesthetic and fragrance preferences.
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Using tin foil
Tin foil can be used to fix a tunneling candle, which occurs when the wick burns down the middle, leaving wax along the edges. The method is simple:
Firstly, trim your wick and light the candle as you normally would. Then, create a "hat" for your candle using tin foil, but be sure to leave a hole at the top so that your candle has a ventilation point. If you don't leave a hole, you'll trap carbon dioxide and extinguish the flame. The foil works by retaining heat around the edges of the glass, more evenly melting the wax around it.
Next, leave your candle alone for an hour or so. The retained heat should melt the tunneled wax, and extend the life of your candle. Always be careful when removing the tin foil from your candle, as it will be hot. Don't let the tin foil dip either, or it will catch fire.
If you are dealing with a taper and candle holder that are not a good fit for each other, tin foil can also be used to make your taper candle fit the holder better. Cut a strip of tin foil about half an inch wide and about four inches long. The length you need may be longer if there is a lot of extra space in your holder. Fold the tin foil in half lengthwise so that you now have a strip a quarter of an inch wide and four inches long.
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Shaving down the sides of the candle
Prepare the candles
Lay the candle on its side and use a serrated knife to carefully shave down the sides, rotating the candle between each cut to keep the top level. You can also use a kitchen knife or a flat-head screwdriver to shave down the sides, but be careful not to cut yourself. If you are joining two candles together, shave down the sides of both candles so that they fit snugly against each other.
Soften the wax
Before attempting to join the candles, soften the wax by soaking the base of each candle in warm water for about a minute. This will make the wax more pliable and less likely to chip or break when you join the candles together.
Join the candles
Once the wax is softened, hold the candles firmly and press them together. You can use a paper clip or hot wax as "glue" to secure the join. If using a paper clip, heat it up first, then push it into the bottom of one candle and use hot wax to secure it in place. Repeat with the other candle, creating a strong join.
Finishing touches
To cover any seams or gaps between the joined candles, consider using a ribbon or decorative element. This will not only hide any imperfections but also add a stylish touch to your candle creation.
By following these steps, you can successfully stick candles together by shaving down their sides and creating a secure join.
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Heating up a paper clip
Materials
To heat up a paper clip, you will need a few simple tools and materials. Gather the following:
- Paper clips: Preferably use new, unused paper clips as they will be less bent out of shape and easier to work with.
- Heat source: You can use a variety of heat sources, such as a hair dryer, blow torch, bunsen burner, or gas hob.
- Pliers: These will be used to hold the paper clip securely during the heating process.
- Candle: Have a spare candle ready to act as your "melting" candle.
- Hot wax: Prepare some hot wax from the melting candle to use as glue.
- Ribbon (optional): A ribbon can be used to cover the seams and enhance the appearance of the joined candles.
Heating the Paper Clip
Once you have gathered your materials, follow these steps to heat up the paper clip:
- Hold the paper clip securely with the pliers.
- Apply heat to the paper clip using your chosen heat source. Heat the paper clip until it glows bright orange. This indicates that the metal has reached a high temperature and is ready for the next step.
- Slowly cool the heated paper clip. Remove the heat source and allow the paper clip to cool down gradually. Place it on a heat-resistant surface, such as a plate, and let it cool for several minutes.
- Test the temperature: Before handling the paper clip, ensure it is no longer hot. Touch it with your fingers or use a thermometer to check the temperature.
Joining the Candles
Now that your paper clip is heated and ready, you can use it to join the candles:
- Shove the heated paper clip into the bottom of one candle. Apply gentle pressure to insert the paper clip into the candle wax.
- Prepare the other candle: Heat up the remaining portion of the paper clip and insert it into the top of the second candle.
- Use hot wax as glue: Apply hot wax from your melting candle to the paper clip inside the candles. This will act as an adhesive, holding the candles together.
- Cover the seams (optional): If desired, use a ribbon to cover the seams between the two candles. This will give a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing appearance to the joined candles.
By following these steps and heating up a paper clip, you can effectively join two candles together. This method provides stability and ensures that the candles remain securely attached.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a candle adhesive, also known as candlestick or wax dots, to stick candles together. Simply place a pea-sized amount of the adhesive on the candle's base, then press it firmly into the holder. Alternatively, you can use a paper clip by heating it up and shoving it into the bottom candle. Then, heat up the rest of the paper clip and shove it into the top candle, using hot wax as glue.
Popular candle adhesives include Fox Run Stick-Um Candle Adhesive, Taper Candle Sticky Dots, and Museum Putty.
Alternatives to using a candle adhesive include using tin foil, masking tape, or aluminium foil to wrap around the candle's base until it fits snugly into the holder. You can also try to melt the base of the candle slightly by lighting the bottom of the candle for a few seconds and then quickly placing it in the holder.
