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 Wax Remover Before Painting???		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/06/2009 :  15:17:29  Show Profile
So...I am about to put on the bottom paint on, and want to know what to use to safely...but effectively...to take off the old "wax" off the hull of the boat.

What does everyone use?

Thanks
Stephen
Stephen J. Moore
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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts
Response Posted - 03/06/2009 :  15:46:15  Show Profile  Visit Steve Blackburn's Homepage
Acetone?
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 03/06/2009 :  17:01:33  Show Profile
Pretty toxic and flammable, but very effective. An ammonia based cleaner will dissolve waxes and follow with amineral spirits wipe down. Do you actually have wax on the bottom?
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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts
Response Posted - 03/06/2009 :  18:29:59  Show Profile
What wax? Why would there be wax on the bottom of the boat?
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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts
Response Posted - 03/06/2009 :  20:54:33  Show Profile  Visit Steve Blackburn's Homepage
The directions on applying bottom paint usualy mention wiping the bottom with Acetone (or some other product) to remove buildup, wax, impurities, etc. Wipe with Acetone followed by a hand wet sand 600-800 grit, then wipe with Acetone again. Try to keep about 1/2-1 inch away from where your bottom paint will finish so you don't dull the side walls. Acetone wipe the bottom about 1 hour prior to painting. Acetone evaporate very quickly. Be generous on the Acetone and change the rag often. They sell white rags and Acetone at Home Depot cheap.

What year is your boat? You might want to inspect for chips and weak spots so you can repair prior to painting.
Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 03/06/2009 21:03:00
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 03/06/2009 :  23:07:40  Show Profile
The wax that most bottom paint instructions are referring to is the "mold release wax" that's on the hulls of new boats (and can last for years). It's the first thing to be applied to the mold before the gelcoat, to allow the hull to be pulled out after the lamination process is completed. Acetone is the most widely accepted agent to remove it.

Sanding gelcoat is controversial... Some say that in doing so increases the permeability of the gelcoat and therefore the likelihood of blisters. Those sources say to use a fiberglass primer after removing the mold release wax, but not to sand. Barrier coats change everything--follow their instructions religiously.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 03/07/2009 :  07:03:53  Show Profile
[url="http://www.yachtpaint.com/USA/boat_painting_guide/pdf/antifouling/fiberglass.pdf"]Painting Bare Fiberglass[/url]

What type of antifouling paint are you going to use? Barrier coat?
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts
Response Posted - 03/13/2009 :  21:39:01  Show Profile
From the degree of adhesion that the bottom paint is stuck on with, I doubt if there's any mold release wax on the hull. I was thinking perhaps TNT might do the trick?
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 03/13/2009 :  22:15:12  Show Profile
I dunno, Bruce... I found that a little ablative paint on a roller caused the hard paint to come right off--in chunks on the roller and on the ground. (Perhaps a "compatibility" issue...)

Back to the original question, Interlux and Petit both sell "Dewaxer" solvents--I don't know whether they're really any different from ordinary paint thinner.
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts
Response Posted - 03/14/2009 :  22:16:56  Show Profile
I got about 1/2 of the material off today. Again, it took serious elbow grease, except in a few areas where it simply crumbled. Once its fully clean, I'll wipe down the hull with Acetone on a lot of clean rags.

I won't be following up by sanding, I'll apply ablative paint to the bottom, and it should be fine.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.