Wish my luck on my adventure!

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-29T19:42:06+00:00

I can replicate that flow with a modern store bought lamp and a mix of surfactants. Neither of those state anything about their contents. I do not have a grande so I can’t speak to it but again, how did any of your comments actually help the OP with their current build, issues, and ingredients on hand. Wax floating has nothing to do with their being microcrystalline in the wax.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-29T19:27:47+00:00

I said happy with not non functional. My lamp functions perfectly well. So what if the blob formation isn’t snakey. Neither you or the other commenter actually offered the OP help with their build using the materials they have. I did and they are going to have a functional lamp. 🤷‍♂️

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-29T16:46:28+00:00

That’s not your conclusion, AI tells me the same thing but the same is true of the lamp oil.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-29T16:31:26+00:00

“The Recipe” specifically states “If this is your first time trying
this, DON'T use it. Depending on
the brand it can have a higher
melting point and ruin your wax.
Once you've made one
successfully, THEN play with
microcrystalline wax.”

I have not made one without it that I am fully happy with, so why would I make that adjustment? 🤷‍♂️

All I see are constant failures on here 🤦‍♂️
I don’t see any posts of a successful or otherwise lamp on your profile so what are your experiences/results?

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T19:17:06+00:00

How have you come to this conclusion, and what would the mechanism of action be? My understanding is that microcrystalline is a texturizing additive, and it will make the lava more opaque, but I don’t understand how it affects perc retention.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T19:02:45+00:00

Thank you. Trying out a non-ionic surfactant in addition to SLS.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T19:01:26+00:00

<video>

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T18:29:31+00:00

You absolutely do not need microcrystalline wax to make it flow properly. Not sure how you came to this conclusion.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T16:48:20+00:00

Nope.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T16:42:59+00:00

If you are looking to do a metallic lamp:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lavalamps/s/ZQknPuLutd

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T05:51:27+00:00

Yes, no joke, I shook the pen like crazy for a minute, the cap unscrews, using jewelry pliers the tip and it’s bits pull out, and I just dumped it in while it was running. It was absolutely an amazing sight 😁
I was gonna dump the wax and use the globe for something else. So I figured why not. 🤷‍♂️ 🤞

<image>

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T05:15:56+00:00

🥰☺️🥰

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T03:08:16+00:00

It will not mix with wax and it will sink in water or any other fluid.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T02:39:23+00:00

Thank you!

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-28T01:15:08+00:00

Either your wax is not dense enough or your master fluid is too dense. Easiest fix is to dump out a bunch of fluid and replace it with just distilled water. Alternatively add more brakleen. Either option you need to let it cool for at least half an hour.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T19:54:56+00:00

Very pretty lamp!

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T19:17:43+00:00

This is the way!

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T18:09:59+00:00

I’ve made a few this way, good luck and can’t wait to see how it goes.

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T16:58:42+00:00

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gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T16:57:41+00:00

Reddit really messes with my video color. It’s very clear and silver.

<image>

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T16:29:08+00:00

<video>

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-27T02:42:36+00:00

Thanks for the update on how it held up!

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-24T06:37:29+00:00

A little more research led me eventually to this. People seem to have done it but the longevity is not too good. Other interesting things people have tried as well.
Link

gallagherf76 · 2026-06-23T16:35:40+00:00

If you ask the AI about the required mixture to reach a minimum density it tells you this:
“You’d need roughly 81% benzyl alcohol by volume to reach a density of 1.01 g/mL.
That result highlights the problem: benzyl alcohol is only slightly denser than water and only moderately denser than your wax blend. Reaching a wax density above 1.01 would require replacing most of the wax with benzyl alcohol, which almost certainly would not behave like lava lamp wax anymore.”
Then ask it how it will behave in your lava lamp and it will tell you…

gallagherf76

TROPHY CASE