Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

[P51D]

I'm getting ready to put a barrier coat (Interprotect 2000E) on the bottom of my fiberglass boat, in preparation for Interlux Micron CSC. I've already sanded the bottom, and the directions say to use Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash to clean the bottom before painting. This stuff is $44 per gallon at West Marine. I haven't bought it yet, but I did take the cap off and smelled it: it smells a lot like acetone, maybe with a little laquer thinner in there as well? <br /><br />While I have no real problem with paying a lot for some of Interlux's products (they really seem high quality, and worth the price, IMHO), I'd rather not spend $44 for the 202 if it's just acetone, which I can easily find for $13 or less. <br /><br />Does anybody know what goes into their 202, or what a good substitute would be? As far as I can tell, the purpose for using it at this point is to remove all sanding dust and to clean any wax, oil, or dirt that might happen to still be on the surface to-be-painted.<br /><br />THANKS

 

[tommays]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

just go to there web site and get the MSDS or ask them to fax you one <br /><br />they have to do it its the law<br /><br />after that you will no whats in there and go from there<br /><br />its allways better to have an MSDS anyway it will tell you the real risks of the product<br /><br />tommays

 

[Joenic]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

How big is your boat? A gallon seems like a lot, especially when you only need to wash down below the water line.<br /><br />I barely used half a quart for a 19 footer and that was using it liberaly.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

mineral spirits. pick up a can for about $3 at any hardware or paint store. all you are trying to do is remove dust from sanding and any other oils or dirt still on the hull.<br /><br />i use interlux products exclusively, but that is one that is really not needed.

 

[P51D]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

Thanks, Tommays & Joenic. I looked up the MSDS, and that stuff is quite a cocktail of a lot of different chemicals. More than I'd care to try to duplicate. I think I'll bite the bullet and pay for their expertise.<br /><br />Joenic - You anticipated and answered my next question of how much I'll need. THANKS. My boat is a 27 footer, so hopefully I can get away with two quarts.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

i'll say it one more time and then shut up. think about what you are trying to do. you just sanded the bottom. you want to remove the dust from the sanding, and any other oils/dirt that may still be present. and you want something that evaporates quickly so that you can turn right around and paint before additional contamination occurs. it's simple paint prep. the interlux cleaner is not going to assist in the adhesion process any more than mineral spririts.<br /><br />ok, i'm done. good luck. if you go with the interlux cleaner, i am sure it will work fine. have plenty of clean rags available and change them out often as cleaning, you'll be surprised at how much dust is present.

 

[P51D]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

Thanks, Mattttt25. Didn't see your first post 'til after I posted to Tommays & Joenic. Adhesion was the only remaining issue I was concerned about. So if 202 doesn't improve that over mineral spirits, I'll probably go with the latter. And I'm betting the bottom cleaner I used (before & during scraping) killed any "mold release agents" that interlux mentions. It was some pretty potent stuff

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

Go to Auto Zone, they sell wax and grease remover for paint prep. I used it on my paint job. A quart is all you should need, it is about $6. Look in the paint section

 

[Terry H]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

If you have already sanded what you are going to paint just dust it off with a rag. If you feel the need to use solvents you can always use naptha, or acetone. Mattttt, mineral spirits leaves an oil residue that might not be compatible with the Interlux product...I don't know. Chief

 

[P51D]

Re: Alternative to Interlux 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash

THANKS for all of the good input!<br /><br />P51D