Teach Soap

Can someone explain the swirl technique to me for CPOP'ing soap? I have tried 3 batches now, swirled with a plastic knife all the way to the bottom, and in each case, have a bleeding color blob at top with no swirl at bottom. I know my colors are lousy because I bought them at Joann's fabrics since I haven't had time to place an internet order, so that would explain them not staying in one place. But what about my lack of any swirls? This never happens in my CP soap. Can anyone give me the 411 for doing this for CPOP soap?

Are your colors soap safe? If they are, you can try swirling in the pot. After you separate the batch and color your "parts", add the color(s) back into your pot at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Then take your knife and pull it though 2 to 3 times clockwise. Then pour into your mold. You soap need to be in a fairly light trace to do this. It will swirl itself when you pour.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Yes, colors are soap safe but more for melt and pour which is why they bleed. . but using these, I let soap cool to below 100 degrees before I pour these in.

Will try the clock swirling idea. . .I am getting a little tired of my "special" soaps that look weird! Thanks for the advice.

Lisa

You're welcome and good luck!

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Irena, hope your grandson is okay. ..

So now for more swirl questions. . .look at the photos attached. Are these folks adding M&P soap to get the clear swirls? They are saying they are all cold process (when you visit the store) but I can't for the life of me figure this out. It is Soaptopia in LA. .. .love the crazy look but. .
LA_Squeeze_Big_ezr2.jpg [ 3.98 KiB | Viewed 7583 times ]

And here is another example
OrangeYouGladBig.jpg [ 24.81 KiB | Viewed 7585 times ]

those soaps are cp/mp combos.

and i am a bit confused when you say you can swirl CP, but are having trouble with CPOP - because it's the same process, except that the filled mold gets put into the oven for CPOP. Are you doing something different in the beginning of the process?

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Nothing different. Probably operator error or just that the color "stops in its tracks" immediately after I pour into mold and put in the oven. I notice (as I check often) that the cpop soap instantly goes to a total opaque (like toothpaste) and then after about 50 minutes in the oven, goes to the gel and gets dark. So when it goes to the toothpaste phase, the color just seems to stop whereas with CP I think it is still moving around and adjusting itself. I know I am not making much sense. . . .I hope I explained it okay.

Lisa

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Like I thought. . .operator error. Will try swirl this weekend in the pot. Right now, I am doing another giant batch of the red palm oil that I will cut out with . . ...a canape mold (tada! finally a long cutter!) and embed/imbed in another soap for a friend who just bought a 1960's restored home. This may be my most expensive hobby to date...way more $$ than scuba, rock climbing, weaving, wine tasting, learning french, and the list goes on and on!

Thanks Magic Hands. . .found palm oil shortening tonight and am using it in above project.

Thanks ladies!!! I will see if I can finally get it right.

Lisa

Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I am sooooo swirl challenged and color challenged, i'm about ready to give up on both! I need a serious lesson.

SpottedCat---- try the in the pot ( ITP ) swirl as soapbuddy described. When you blend your oils and lye so that you reach a thin trace, -- when it is just combined enough to see there's no separation, pour some into a paper cup and add your color. Mix carefully in the cup with a plastic or stainless spoon, then drop it back into your pot in the clock positions described. You can do all the positions with 1 color or 2 or 3 or 4--- depending how brave you are! Just pour your thin trace into more cups! You don't need to pour that much in there. Use a fragrance that you know won't speed trace. Really, have fun with it! What's the worst that could happen--- probably gray soap,-- it's still usable!

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Thanks knine for the support. I will try it again today with the same EO i used yesterday. I know that doesn't speed trace. I will post pics! I really wish Soapbuddy would hold some classes in Palm Springs. Not only would that be a great place to take classes, but she would be the best! Maybe when she has settled a little bit with the DIL & new grandbaby, she might think about it??? Keeping my fingers crossed, I'd be the first to sign up, lol.

It's too hot to hold any classes now. It was 118 degrees yesterday.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.