Repaired Century - Lava not rising

[Tracey Bailey]

I finally bit the bullet and decided to clean my old lava lamp. It was getting very cloudy after 30 years.

I emptied it, rinsed the inside 3 times, then filled with distilled water.

I then added two drops of dawn dish liquid soap.

Turned on and wax looked completely melted by two hours. I could bump it, and see waves ripple across it. I then got about a cup of water, warmed it, and added a bunch of epsom salt until it leaves little granules still on the bottom that wont mix up.

I took a straw, dipped it into the water, and let 2 drops run down the inside into the distilled water.

Waited a few hours and then added 2 more drops. Lava still sitting.

So, do I need to add more epsom salt water or more soap?

Thanks, I'm still searching database and internet.

[Magnus Axelsson]

In that case it needs more salt. More soap will make  more and smaller blobs. Have patience!

[Tracey Bailey]

Awesome! Thanks!

I read in one place someone said too much salt would dissolve the wax, and I really want to take care of this thing.

Slow and easy wins the race. Got it. I will add a couple more drops each night and let it run overnight.

Thanks again.

[BSP016]

Too much salt will make the wax rise to the top and never come back down. From my experience, it takes a lot of salt solution to get these old lamps to flow properly. I think it took about a cup for me. 

[Tracey Bailey]

A cup? Wow. Ok, I might need to step it up a bit then.

Thanks!