Flow problem with retro basic formula

Hi all! I've been trying to build my own lava lamp using the retro-basic formula. I've followed everything to the letter but I can't get the lava to flow properly.

As soon as I turn it on, I can see the wax starting to melt from the bottom upwards really slowly (might take an hour for the whole thing to be liquified). As soon as the upper layer "crust" gets hot enough to be soft, all the wax escapes upwards in a swirling motion and instantly solidifies. It then refuses to melt again.

I've tried using a more powerful bulb (40w, other one is 25w) as well as using a smaller bottle (one is about 750ml the other one probably around 300ml). I'm getting desperate.

I've used regular candles for Ikea. I had to make many many adjustments to the mix in order to get it right; I've used double the amount of wax that retro starts with, in order to get the "gravity" right. Could that be the problem?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ford Prefect - NPNG on May 7, 2011 at 4:16am

when you say the wax rushes up and solidifies, this is what should happen.

How long are you leaving it on before deciding the wax wont re-melt?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by kritsku on May 7, 2011 at 4:20am

I tried leaving it on for 6-7 hours when I was testing with the small jar and the strong bulb. I made sure that the whole thing, up to the tip of the bottle was very, very hot, before deciding that I was doing something wrong

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ford Prefect - NPNG on May 7, 2011 at 4:38am

i see. yes in that case the wax is not right.

I had a similar problem when my husband tinkered with goo-kit wax and it just wouldnt melt. I would assume your wax maybe needs to be softer as it took so long to melt in the first place.

I'm afraid I dont know much about home made goo but there are many on here who do. bear in mind many of them are in the USA so are tucked up in bed about now! i would think you will get more replies later on today. good luck :)