Secret to glossy soap tops?

[Kari Howie]

My soap tops never look as shiny, fresh, and glossy as when they are first poured. I use 33% water and force gel, so I don’t think soda ash is the issue, but maybe it is because I’ve been pouring at emulsion. For a minute I even thought about pouring melt and pour over the top in hopes of keeping that wet look, but something tells me that’s a bad idea. Any ideas for what I can do to keep the wet look?

 

[Zany_in_CO]

Some soapers like to "polish" with alcohol and a dry cloth.

 

[Kari Howie]

I guess I should add that it’s a problem when I have glitter on the tops and don’t want to rub them off.

 

[Terri E]

Going over it with warm water and spraying lightly with alcohol will give them a little shine. You can wait on the glitter and put it on afterwards just in case you need to rub out a little spot of ash with a warm damp cloth, artist paint brush or Q-tip. These fish soaps I did like this and they do have a bit of shine! I glittered them up after as well!

 

[Kari Howie]

Those are beautiful! How do you get the glitter to stick?

 

[Terri E]

Those are beautiful! How do you get the glitter to stick?

Thank you and if you wet the surface lightly with a little warm water ( makes the soap surface a little sticky) then spray lightly with alcohol, then shake on your glitter, you’re good. I have never had a problem with the glitter sticking. I use the ultra fine glitter though, I don’t think that would make a big difference. Just remember to spray lightly, just until you see a sheen on the soap. Don’t leave pools of water or alcohol sitting on the soap. If that happens you can dab it up with a Q-tip. You can also repeat the process by using a small soft paint brush heavily dipping it in 91% Alcohol and lightly brushing it across the surface of the soap in all the nooks and crannies.

 

[Kari Howie]

Great advice, Zany and Terri! I will definitely do that next time.

 

[TheGecko]

I use a hand steamer

 

[cerelife]

Yep, a handheld steamer across the tops before I take them out of the molds. Learned that trick from Ellen Ruth on YouTube!

 

[Kari Howie]

Oh my gosh! Holy smokes! What a great idea! I never thought about doing that before I take them out of the molds! All y’all are so amazingly helpful.
Thank you!

 

[cerelife]

@Kari Howie After you steam the soap, let it sit until dry to the touch before cutting. I use the eco-friendly glitter from The Good Glitter, so I wait to add the glitter until after I steam the soap. I add the bling while the soap is still slightly wet to keep it popping instead of dissolving! Glossy tops and gorgeous glitter, yay!

 

[Kari Howie]

@Kari Howie After you steam the soap, let it sit until dry to the touch before cutting. I use the eco-friendly glitter from The Good Glitter, so I wait to add the glitter until after I steam the soap. I add the bling while the soap is still slightly wet to keep it popping instead of dissolving! Glossy tops and gorgeous glitter, yay!

I will definitely do that next time! Thanks!

 

[Savage Daughter]

My soap tops never look as shiny, fresh, and glossy as when they are first poured. I use 33% water and force gel, so I don’t think soda ash is the issue, but maybe it is because I’ve been pouring at emulsion. For a minute I even thought about pouring melt and pour over the top in hopes of keeping that wet look, but something tells me that’s a bad idea. Any ideas for what I can do to keep the wet look?

As Zany mentioned, if I want colors to pop more after cutting, I simply mist lightly with alcohol, but I don't rub them with anything. Colors look more intense & the soap looks glossy all over.

For some soaps, I prefer not to do this, actually, but others I sometimes do.

Regarding melt & pour, I am trying to remember where I saw it, but I have seen some beautiful cold process / melt & pour experiments, even with melt & pour in the centers of soaps. They definitely can be combined. I may try it some day when a melt & pour base is invented without some of the chemicals & additives I try to avoid.