This is a guide covering the whether candles can be painted.
Candles are a popular and simple way to add to your home or office decor.
They are simple yet classy! Nowadays, there is so much variety and choice in the candle market.
You can find candles of all sizes and various shapes. They can be bought in a variety of colours and scents as well!
All these qualities make candles an excellent choice for giving as presents! Although, just a candle in itself may be impersonal if you are gifting it to a family member or a close friend.
So, how can you personalise a candle? There can be several ways to do so! You can add a little note with the box or add a few memorable pictures in the box.
However, if you want to take the personalisation to the next level, you can put in a little more effort and paint the candle you are gifting!
This leads to the obvious questions- can candles be painted? Read on to find out more!
Table of Contents
Is it Safe to Paint Candles?
The precise answer to this is- yes, but only if you are painting the sides of the candle, not the top part.
It must not be forgotten that candles are flammable.
When you light a candle, the wax- made of hydrocarbons- surrounding the wick liquifies.
The heat of the flame then vaporizes the wax molecules and reacts with oxygen.
If there is paint present in the wax molecules they may also react with oxygen and produce fire.
So, another precaution that needs to be taken is that you need to use a special mixture of paints to paint a candle!
What Paint is Safe on Candles?
Note, for instance, that if you use the commonly available spray paint to paint your candles, it will release a bad smelling fume.
In some cases, the candle wax will burn and leave a shell of paint surrounding the candle.
So, if you can’t use the usual paints, what paints are safe on candles?
The paint you use on candles must have the following properties:
- Non toxic
- Water based
- Formaldehyde free
If the paint does not have all three of these properties then it is best that you do not paint your candle with it.
Since, otherwise it stands a risk of catching fire.
Is it Bad to Spray Paint a Candle?
Just as is the case with paints- it depends on the contents of the spray paint.
If the spray paint is non toxic, water based and formaldehyde free, then there is no issue in using a spray paint on the candle!
Before using spray paint, make sure to cover the wax near the wick!
Because it is unsafe for paint molecules to be near the flame.
How to Paint a Candle?
This section provides step by step guidelines on how you can paint your candle!
It is important to follow these steps since painting on candles is difficult, given their waxy surface.
1. Preparation
Preparation is always key!
First, dab a little amount of alcohol on a lint free cloth. After this, thoroughly wipe the sides of the candle to remove any oils that may have been present on the sides of the candle.
Doing so will also help remove the shine or gloss like appearance on the candle surface.
This ‘shine’ is what makes it hard for the paint to stay on the candle’s surface.
Apart from the step above, you need to gather a list of things mentioned below.
- Candle of your choice- preferably a white or cream coloured, unscented candle.
- Rubbing alcohol
- Candle painting medium and acrylic paints mixed together
- Paper plate- to mix the paints together on
- Paintbrush(s)
- 1/4″ Painter’s Tape and/or stencil(s)- for decorative purposes only
2. Painting
This is the part where you can unleash your creativity! Treat the candle as your canvas and use any colours or patterns you wish.
If you are using multiple colours to paint the candle, make sure to first paint with one colour completely. Allow it to dry and then use the second colour.
You can make patterns on the candle using painter’s tape or stencils.
Regardless of which equipment you use, make sure to carefully secure it against the wax.
Then use your brush to add paints in between the gaps. Once you are done painting and the paint has completely dried, carefully remove the stencil.
An important precaution to take notice of while you are painting your candles is to make sure you only paint on the outer sides of the candle.
Avoid painting on areas that are closer to the wick, because the wax in this area melts and will be used as fuel for the flame.
Another way to paint candles is by using spray paint.
This is especially useful if you do not want to get involved with the intricacies of painting and you aren’t concerned about the details.
Watch this video by Amy to see it in action:
Just make sure that you do not paint too close to the wick!
Final Remarks
We hope this article was informative for you! Let us know if it was.
If you have any concerns regarding painting candles, feel free to reach out to us!
Don’t hesitate to share any of your candle designs and any creative ideas you have about painting candles!
My name is Candice and I have always loved candles since I was a kid. I continue to buy candles and try out new candle brands to this day! I started this blog to share my love of candles so I’m glad you’re here and hope that my content helps you out in some way!
