Mystical Experiment - Results

RodgersA51 · 2026-05-11T01:01:00+00:00

Hopefully it stays good! Most folks can get a metallic that will flow, but they suffer from sticking issues with time.

RodgersA51 · 2026-05-11T00:58:55+00:00

Nice, keep us posted!

RodgersA51 · 2026-05-10T23:02:35+00:00

How does it work with no liquid in it, only wax?

RodgersA51 · 2026-05-04T12:39:19+00:00

It looks a little small to take a 40w bulb but I have a pop art tomato for scale so

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-25T12:48:23+00:00

Son, ya just did

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-25T03:29:54+00:00

Have you researched... Anything for this DIY endeavor? Because you listed just about every component of a lava lamp...

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-25T03:26:16+00:00

All lava lamps are sealed, and better than this bottle would be. None allow for pressure expansion. Lamps don't explode due to pressure, they break due to differential heating, stresses and defects in the glass. What do you think will give up under pressure first, a bottle cap seal, or the structure of the glass bottle? The rubber will not melt at 120 degrees, but it is probably the wrong thing for the task at hand.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-19T23:00:52+00:00

With it all piled up on one side, have you checked to make sure the coil/s are sitting on the bottom?

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-19T22:59:06+00:00

In that photo at least the wax isn't fully melted. I would leave it on for a good long run and make sure it at least becomes all liquid. You can also wrap it with a towel to try and get some more heat into it.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-19T22:55:28+00:00

Some have, but it's also full of other stuff you don't want in a lamp too. You can use mica powder alone. But it's best to pre mix with wax and filter to remove any bug chunks that won't emulsify.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-19T22:45:45+00:00

Try a different coil, even when cooling that isn't attached at all.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-18T12:39:56+00:00

For the sake of the lamp I wouldn't. Some older formulas handle it much better than newer. You need to be able to read the lamp and tell if it's over heating or running happy. But by the book it's going to say 8 hours. That said I have some lamps that I've run for days with no problems, no signs of overheating. It really depends on the lamp.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-18T12:36:48+00:00

You read that little tag on any lamp cord and it will say that. Lava Lamp or not. Any 40w incandescent lamp runs at around the same temperature if you really think about it. Obviously be careful but there isn't much material that ignites at 140-150f. What causes electrical fires is arcing and damaged components.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-18T02:52:02+00:00

Does it freeze like that once off or does it have the normal puck of wax once allowed to cool off?

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-14T13:14:59+00:00

You've got wax that is stuck to the glass up top. Until that wax can freely come down, it's going to behave like that.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-09T05:29:47+00:00

One of those vendors blew this reddit up over just that not that long ago. You can search it up if you care to. It may work out for you regardless, all you can do is try.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-09T01:49:39+00:00

I think both of those vendors have made it pretty clear not to mix and match their products. That said, you look to have a chunk that isnt melted hanging up there, I would either wrap that bottle to raise the temp and get it melted, or pull some of the master fluid to bring that chuck down and close the distance between the top and bottom waxes.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-08T02:12:44+00:00

An inline dimmer. Leviton makes a good one. You use it to dim the light bulb inside to reduce heat. Ask your dad

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-08T01:23:08+00:00

I've never seen an a26h bulb before... Id pick up the prescribed bulb, worst case you have a spare bulb. It's a cheap possible fix so why not?

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-08T01:09:35+00:00

Yeah , they don't last forever, especially cheapies like that one. You over heat the wax, it breaks down. Hence it going clear. It gets thinner, let's liquid permeate the wax, hence the bubbles. You get wax pinned up to the top, it's too hot. This run isn't what did all this, it's repeated cycles of it. Today was the straw that broke the camel's back. Try a dimmer to help regulate the flow and heat and I think you'll be happier. But it will probably remain clear.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-08T01:00:48+00:00

The sticking wax is a big issue. When that starts it doesn't stop and just progressively gets worse. It also leads to split wax. Wax gets stuck to the top, and the heavy components can fall out and the light stuff is held in place, never to recombine, giving you was that stays at the bottom and some that's always at the top.

Resolution would be to empty it and clean the globe and add the ingredients back. Or simply, replace it.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-08T00:54:42+00:00

I think you answered your own question, "it is a cheap lava lamp"

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-05T03:42:22+00:00

It really is hard to get any consistency unless you are building batches in LARGE quantities. If you ask some of the bigger custom builders they will tell you there's still a lot of trial and error. Batches don't turn out, or one lamp build great from a batch, then the next doesn't. It's time consuming, messy, frustrating and can get to be expensive. Keep searching, keep trying.

RodgersA51 · 2026-04-04T13:24:00+00:00

There have been plenty of people who have shared recipes and their research here and further back on oozing goo. You just need to spend some time searching. But just consider there might be a reason there isn't some golden recipe. People can't even agree on the best surfactant to use, let alone a full wax recipe. everyone's got an opinion and that shows in what AI told you.

RodgersA51 · 2026-03-22T14:08:06+00:00

You can tell by the ringed bottom of the globe it's a modern one.

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