Chemical to remove release wax

[alden135]

Is there something I can buy at Home Depot that will remove release wax? The Interlux solvent wash is not available in or near town so I'd have to mail order it. What else works?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

If you talking about mold release wax, it normally doesn't last all that long after the boat has been out in the weather. Most any automotive paint store will have wax remover and surface cleaner.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

Release wax will easily be on after +10 years. International has a solvent to clean it off, and other boat paint brand has their own.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

Not sure where you got the 10 plus years, the gel coat surface (just the surface) won't last the long, it will be chalky and faded long before that. It will have been cleaned and rewaxed with something designed and formulated to be exposed to the weather by then.

 

[zaner]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

Home Depot sells Goof Off that might work and it won't ruin any surfaces

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

gel coat is tough stuff, a muratic acid solution is often used on it to remove algae stains. likely though, some strong laquer thinner will take the stuff off if its not the PVA type that washes off with water

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

Other than water and beer, lacquer thinner is the most important liquid in the world. Works for LOTS of things.<br />in moderation, of course. (the thinner, not the beer)

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

As mentioned above...Laquer thinner.<br /><br />Yes, the release wax must be removed regardless of the age of the boat. Even the smallest amount can impact a repair or a paint job.

 

[alden135]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

I didn't think of the LT. I also found some stuff at the local auto parts store for cleaning before paint. It says it removes wax so maybe I'll try it.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

The need for removing mold wax, I got from the danish boat paint producer Hempel. It is true that gelcoat surface will be burned dry by sun after years ( we dont have sun hrs here like in Florida ), but at sides of boay, areas shaded by rubrail and other places, release wax can be found after years, even under polish applied several times and years, their advise is to threat whole boat with wax remover before painting.

 

[BillP]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

What release wax are you talking about?<br /><br />PVA is quickly water soluable and water removes it. Some boat mfgs have a city water bib on the mold and turn it on to dissolve the pva for releasing the part. Others use regular release wax...with or without using pva. Most is carnuba with additives...very similar (but not exactly)to car wax. None of it lasts very long after the hull hits the water or stays in the weather. Most boat mfgs buff the hulls before they go out the door and that removes 99% of the release agents.

 

[alden135]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> What release wax are you talking about?<br /><br />

I need to apply antifouling paint to the bottom. The paint manufacturer web sites I have seen say to remove the mold release wax. Interlux for example, calls for "Solvent Wash 202". I just wanted to know what else I could use that was available at Home Depot or the auto parts store.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

If it's a new boat, then yes, release wax would be a concern, on an older boat that has been in the water for a while, the release wax would gone. That doesn't mean you don't want to use some kind of a cleaner though, most will work just fine. <br /><br />Over the last 5 years or so, more and more builders have gotten away from wax and use semi-permanent mold release products. Instead of just a few hulls or decks being made between applications, 30 or more is typical. Wax is still used in most larger hull molds though, these new products can be too good for large molds, You need something for the gelcoat to hold onto or it may pre-release, these new products can just be too slick.

 

[BillP]

Re: Chemical to remove release wax

Like posted above, laquer thinner will do it. The gelcoat has it's own wax (not mold release wax)in the surface which is a little more difficult to remove than mold wax. I have used Tidybowl to prep virgin gelcoat for bottom paint. It will remove everything, is cheap and easy to use. <br /><br />Back in the mid 1970s the SeaRay plant on Merritt Isl, Fl was looking for a reduction in parts sticking to molds. They found parts were sticking when they waxed often and didn't stick when they didn't wax often. The last I was told (from their laminations mgr)the count was also approx 30 hulls between waxing. They didn't use pva at that time. The hulls were 30'. Those dudes at SeaRay were leaders in efficienty/QC and probably still are. People would never imagine the processes they go through for cost control and quality.