Guilfordbeekeepers.org

what a challenge.

I melted down my wax cappings. Not a very pretty color and even though I ran thru a strainer, lots of junk in it.

So how is the best way to prep the wax without trah for future candles?

Plus, do you wait until the sun bleaches it out?

Looking for the pretty color for beewax.

Suggestions are appreciated as always.

For some reason I must have missed this post.

Color is dependent upon the age of the wax and where it comes from.
Darker wax is from older brood comb and lighter wax from cappings. This will not change and I have not had much luck bleaching darker wax. There must be a way but I am unamware.
Normally I run my wax through a solar wax melter which takes out 90% of the slumgum.
I then take the wax and melt it in a large pot of boiling water. The wax floats while the garbage sinks and is skimmed off and run through a cotton filter. (t-shirts or sweatshirts work well)
Lighter wax is firmer and makes a better candle but I have had luck selling all colors.

Kurt

I remember reading that you can add a color crayon to the wax to change the color. I have no experience with wax but wondered if anybody had tried it.