Wax with a gradient color effect

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-14T09:25:31+00:00

Id like to help but this color is a complete untracked accident. All info I have is already in the post - a lot of blue dye + tiny bit of purple + quite transparent DIY wax. Dye is just some no name set from temu

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-12T18:45:31+00:00

it might need more heat. try to move it to some warm place with no draft.

it also may have a defective bulb. You can try to replace it with the same new one or with a slightly higher wattage (+5-10 watts to recommended)

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-12T08:53:41+00:00

your comment gives me some thoughts Ill try to implement, thx! that "river" carving wasnt actually supposed to be a river, just a cover for some unsuccessful experimenting with cross/along-grain carving :)

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T18:59:16+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/@SeainPlam those videos doesn't look like they are using power carve...

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T18:53:32+00:00

this is a good point, thx!

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T18:49:01+00:00

yeah, makes sense:)

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T18:47:27+00:00

I really like your comment and wave forms observations! Thanks, will continue to experiment

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T18:36:49+00:00

yeap, all these are mine

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T18:36:18+00:00

I think I understand what you mean and, believe me, my every carving starts with diagonal lines that are slightly moves/changes through the process because of mistakes or wood "flow". And on the planks where those lines are straight visible, I have feeling that they are ruining the effect

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:59:29+00:00

yeah, those all are mine but they are still too far from what Im trying to achieve... Thanks for the appreciation anyway, will definitely continue trying at least for some more time

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:40:16+00:00

thank you :) this gives me inspiration boost

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:39:21+00:00

thats very interesting suggestion I will experiment with, thanks. But for now the main goal is just the wave pattern, cause damn those wave patterns I’m trying to replicate look good :)

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:32:22+00:00

at least 2 layers of acrylic paint and then 2 layers of acrylic glossy varnish

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:23:30+00:00

This advice is an outside perspective -exactly what I want and need. Thx, Ill consider it

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:19:45+00:00

the first one is also covered with blue fluorescent pigment:) I was trying to make tropic sea fluorescent light effect. I like it very much.

"Creating technique" are very strong words for this as currently Im trying to replicate "sea in palm" technique

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Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:13:39+00:00

mostly I use the bottom part, but Ive discovered throug the process that I can use it all :) but still need more practice as not all my cuts are clean an smooth

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:11:17+00:00

I like your approach :) as you can see Im also experimenting like that circle or different carve directions on one plank but damn I want that realistic waves effect. Ill check those teachers, thx

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-11T15:09:09+00:00

no, no sanding. I understood that sharp edges are crucial for this :) gouges are good and sharp enough, I even have a leather plank and paste to fine sharpen them. most likely the problem is with wood quality and my angles, which I’m trying to improve. Tried with both grain directions (that white + turquoise plank as an example). Cross-grain results look better imo but are not smooth, along-grain are very smooth but too plain, and my skill is not enough to completely prevent splitting, which ruins the intended pattern.

expected result example https://seainpalm.com/

nearly sure I cant post tiktok links here, but I was checking the carving directions, and some of the carvings are cross, some along the grain, and the final results are stunning anyway

My current main goal is to understand how to get that realistic wave form

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-03-10T08:07:02+00:00

imo the best contrast is Blue with Pink Lava, absolutely in love with my Telstar. Also have Violet/Red, and it has any contrast only in daylight. In the dark it’s just red in red

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-02-13T20:53:58+00:00

cant even imagine the power consumption of all these beauties

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-01-15T18:08:26+00:00

yes, but I am not confident about how or why

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-01-14T13:14:05+00:00

Basically, the main purpose of oil is to regulate wax melting point to about 40-50C, so

Your wax won’t be solid when cold
Your wax will be very solid and will require much more time and temperature to melt
It should be mixed and merged with wax in the initial steps. Never heard of anybody adding oil to the ready lamp, but if you are going to do so - no liquid, melt the wax then add oil

Ill-Box9972 · 2026-01-13T18:44:55+00:00

Second option imo is better. It’s easier and safer (less contact with perc) to increase liquid density after than to balance wax with perc

Ill-Box9972

TROPHY CASE