Letting layers set before pouring on top?

[Rachael]

Hello all. I'd be willing to bet this question has been asked before and I apologize, my Google-fu apparently needs some work.

My question is, I would love to try making a slanted layer soap with different colors, I think it looks so pretty. Knowing me though, if I try to pour layer upon layer it's going to end up a complete soupy disaster.

Is it possible to pour my first layer at a slant, come back once that has nicely set up and isn't budging, pour my second layer, and so on? Or am I going to run into trouble with my soap "bonding" together that way?

 

[jcandleattic]

That's how almost everyone does it. You don't have to gel it to get it to 'bond' however, if you encourage gel after all the layers are poured, that will help make sure the layers will not separate.

 

[amd]

I only do this technique if making a large batch (4lbs), so that my split batches for each layer are a reasonable size and if I make an error it won't make or break the soap. (The smaller the batch the smaller the error allowed) What I do with small batches is hand stir my recipe to emulsion, separate what I need for the bottom layer, color, stickblend pour. By the time I repeat it for the second layer, the layer in the mold has set enough to be poured over. These short burst of time are not a problem. However waiting a day or two might be a different story... I had a 6 layer multi-angle pour that took me two days to get around to finishing... it didn't stay together very well.

 

[cmzaha]

What I do for any type of layers including slanted, is use a slow moving recipe, mix to emulsion pour off what I want for my first layer/layers and use a fragrance I know accelerates adding the fo layer by layer. This does involve some math if you are alternating two or three colors, but works well, at least for me.

 

[penelopejane]

Lots of ways to do this.
Because I usually want distinct and flat layers what I do is say for a three layer soap, I mix all my oils and additives and divide into 3 exact parts. Then I divide my lye water mix into 3 exact parts.
I mix the first part and pour and wait till it is definitely set then I mix the next part to light trace then pour it. Light trace ensures it has a level top but takes a little longer to set up.
When it is set I mix the last layer and pour it.

I’ve left a day between pours with no problem and also added mica and cinnamon between the layers. The trick when adding a mica/cinnamon line is to use the powder sparingly and wait until it is wetup (absorbs moisture from the mix) you should be able to see soap below the powder so it is a very very fine sprinkle. Then pour the next layer.