Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate

I'm a newbie and trying to find the best goo formula. I've tried 70% paraffin wax and 30% perc in salt water and get good lava flow.  After a couple hours white wax flaking starts and gets worse over time and accumulates at the top of bottle. The wax separation is very prevalent on top of cooled down goo.  I'm wondering  if my preparation of wax/perc is at fault? Maybe mixing too long/short, too high of temperature, too low temperature, etc...…….. 

I've read several patents and one sheds some light on this wax separation problem. Their formula adds a polymer binder (polyboost) to perc/paraffin mix to prevent separation. I've ordered a polyboost that melts at 130 degrees F.  You can also buy a 160 degree F. polyboost. Will try this soon...……….

Another patent uses no perc but a mixture of paraffin and chlorinated paraffin to achieve the right density of goo. I've found a couple of places to purchase it. Perc is a chlorine/solvent so I would think by mixing it with paraffin the end result is Chlorinated Paraffin????

I haven't read all your discussions on goo formulas so I apologize if this is an old topic that's been resolved! Just needing some advice from all you seasoned Gooers!

Thanks...……...

 

Views: 1632

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Some thoughts and maybe answers, note that I have not made my own goo:

I've read several patents and one sheds some light on this wax separation problem. Their formula adds a polymer binder (polyboost) to perc/paraffin mix to prevent separation. I've ordered a polyboost that melts at 130 degrees F.  You can also buy a 160 degree F. polyboost. Will try this soon...……….

Temps over 130 F can deteriorate wax over time, if the 130F polyboost doesn't work there is no use trying the 160F.  Your wax won't survive at that temp.  Is there a polyboost with a 120F melting point?  That might be better.  

Another patent uses no perc but a mixture of paraffin and chlorinated paraffin to achieve the right density of goo. I've found a couple of places to purchase it. Perc is a chlorine/solvent so I would think by mixing it with paraffin the end result is Chlorinated Paraffin????

Yes, the perc (perchlorate) mixed with paraffin (wax) results in chlorinated paraffin (wax)



Keith said

Thanks Keith. I would almost I'm over heating the goo during the mixing stage so I'll check temps while mixing.

The only polyboost I've found is 130 and 160 degree melting points.

I did use a Mottling Paraffin that melts at 127 degrees for my last batch. You can purchase paraffin at different melting points.

Thanks for your input...……….. 

Some thoughts and maybe answers, note that I have not made my own goo:

I've read several patents and one sheds some light on this wax separation problem. Their formula adds a polymer binder (polyboost) to perc/paraffin mix to prevent separation. I've ordered a polyboost that melts at 130 degrees F.  You can also buy a 160 degree F. polyboost. Will try this soon...……….

Temps over 130 F can deteriorate wax over time, if the 130F polyboost doesn't work there is no use trying the 160F.  Your wax won't survive at that temp.  Is there a polyboost with a 120F melting point?  That might be better.  

Another patent uses no perc but a mixture of paraffin and chlorinated paraffin to achieve the right density of goo. I've found a couple of places to purchase it. Perc is a chlorine/solvent so I would think by mixing it with paraffin the end result is Chlorinated Paraffin????

Yes, the perc (perchlorate) mixed with paraffin (wax) results in chlorinated paraffin (wax)

I would love to know the results of your polyboost test.

Just received Polyboost 130 today will brew a new batch this weekend. Not for sure how much to add so it's going to be a trial and error process. I post on this discussion my results!

BaBa-Gooey said:

I would love to know the results of your polyboost test.

If this is the same stuff, it says to use 1 teaspoon per pound of wax.

https://letitshineusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CX13



ddblues said:

Just received Polyboost 130 today will brew a new batch this weekend. Not for sure how much to add so it's going to be a trial and error process. I post on this discussion my results!

BaBa-Gooey said:

I would love to know the results of your polyboost test.

Thanks BaBa-Gooey! The 1 teaspoon per pound of wax is for a stabilizing the color dye in candles so I'm going to use a little higher concentration for the perc.   

BaBa-Gooey said:

If this is the same stuff, it says to use 1 teaspoon per pound of wax.

https://letitshineusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CX13



ddblues said:

Just received Polyboost 130 today will brew a new batch this weekend. Not for sure how much to add so it's going to be a trial and error process. I post on this discussion my results!

BaBa-Gooey said:

I would love to know the results of your polyboost test.

Could you share a link to the patents your referring to?

Here's the link to the patent for the Polyboost,

https://patents.google.com/patent/US7137720B1/en

I've got to do a little digging for the other. Will post it when I find it.

k-nano said:

Could you share a link to the patents your referring to?

I forgot to tell you an important fact about this patent! Louis J. Finkle is the inventor and also owner of Magma Towers.

Has anyone tried this polyboost?  I am very interested and would love to talk to someone who has used it.

The bottom of that page says:

Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee

dated Jan 15 2019. Any idea what that about?

ddblues said:

Here's the link to the patent for the Polyboost,

https://patents.google.com/patent/US7137720B1/en

I've got to do a little digging for the other. Will post it when I find it.

k-nano said:

Could you share a link to the patents your referring to?

I have been using paraffin + microrystallized  parafin (70%) to 30% Perc with good success but could never get it quite like the original. The micro crysal wax did add quite a bit of stretch to it and was part of the original formula patent if I recall.

Salt is not a great way to go IMO. I like PG and DI H20. Glycerin has caused me some problems so I avoid that.

What are you using for Surfactant? You didn't mention any soaps?

I am going to look at  polyboost right now... I am intrigued.

See info below, this could be "The Stuff"!!

The POLYBOOST line of wax modifying polymers is based on the polymerization of Normal Alpha Olefin (NAO’s). These unique, highly branched materials are effective crystal modifiers for most hydrocarbon waxes and non-polar resins. POLYBOOST can be used as an alternate additive to Stearic Acid or Microcrystalline Wax. In fact, POLYBOOST has been described as a “hyper-micro wax” due to its extremely branched molecular structure.

The following benefits can be achieved by adding relatively small additions – less than 3% by weight.

  • Increased opacity
  • Gloss
  • Dimensional stability
  • Heat resistance
  • Increased oil binding characteristics
  • Improved dispersion of colorants

Reply to Discussion

RSS

About

Autumn created this Ning Network.

GooHeads

Groups

© 2024   Created by Autumn.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service