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Working with MICA Colors
I just don't seem to be able to grasp how to work with MICA colors in my soapmaking. I can never get it to completely dissolve into my melt & pour soap base and almost prefer not to use it at all, as it appears undissolved and speckled in the surface regardless of how long I spend stirring in the color. I have tried melting it with the soap and that also does not seem to fix the problem..does anyone have surefire technique to make this work or am I approaching this all wrong? Thanks for your help.
Views: 28
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by dM, CEO on -
Hi Victoria,
Chances are good that Debbie Chialtas, who leads our M&P Group, can help. Please note that Debbie recently experienced a death in her family so please be patient for a reply.
Good luck!
dM
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Permalink Reply by Lauren Sheahan ~ LaurEss, Inc. on -
I am NOT a M&P expert and only do this for fun on the side not for sale. However, I have found that dispersing the pigments in Glycerin before adding to the soap helps. You need to "wet" the pigments. Also if you are using oxides, I find blending them first with the micas helps immensely as this reduces agglomeration. As I said, I am NOT an expert so I could be wrong and there may be a better way to handle the agglomeration, but I thought you might need an answer and something to try in the meantime. :)
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Permalink Reply by Eileen Curtis on -
Victoria - Are you mixing the micas with glycerin before adding to M&P? If not, try mixing 1 T mica to 2 T liquid glycerin, stir well and add to M&P. You could also mix a 1 to 1 to get a denser color. Add to M&P and use a wide stirring tool like a rubber spatula as the micas will settle and not mix well if you use a stick to mix. This should solve your problem. Also, if you have left over mica/gylcerin mix store it in a covered container. When ready to use again, stir well before adding it to M&P
Good luck
Eileen
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Permalink Reply by Anita Bingamon on -
Have you tried an MP soap with suspension agents? That may have a bearing on your mica colors clumping on top of your soap bars.
Anita Bingamon
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Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie on -
Most micas should easily mix into your melt and pour base without any pre-mixing. The one exception to that is the few micas that are oil-soluble and work in lip balms as well. They tend to speckle a bit and require extra stirring but the bulk of micas should stir in smoothly and easily. They don't dissolve so much as just suspend but it is an even look that is appealing (and not speckl-y).
Maybe chat with your vendor that you purchased the micas from about the trouble you're having?
Bramble Berry
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