De-waxing Gelcoat

[gengiant]

Hi all,

I am planing on cleaning up my transom below the swim step and then using a copolymer based coating (RejeX) to protect it. The manufacturer states that one first needs to clean off all dirt, grime, soot, AND old wax coatings before applying RejeX. Last winter I did hand-wax the boat's hull and thus will need to clean off whatever area I want to use RejeX on. Does anyone know of any de-waxing products that work without harming the underlying gelcoat?

Thanks!

 

[ImpulseIII]

Dawn dishwashing detergent

 

[First Born]

I have always been told that Joy removes all the wax on the boat.


Wesley

edit: Frank H beat me to it

 

[Dave S]

A dishwashing detergent with a strng alcaline formula will do the job. I use DAWN myself for the job.

 

[gengiant]

Dishwashing detergent I have ~ thanks! :smt038

 

[Hotlanta]

when I de-wax the cars to apply polymer coat I use Joy and a clay bar.
It takes the dirt and oxidation with it.

 

[gengiant]

when I de-wax the cars to apply polymer coat I use Joy and a clay bar.
It takes the dirt and oxidation with it.

That sounds interesting, though I must admit that I am not familiar with clay bars? What are they, how do they work, and where can I get one?

 

[fwebster]

Dishwashing soaps have surfactants in them which are probably just as bad as wax. Its added to make the water sheet off dishes in an effort to avoid water spots.

Use ammonia to remove the wax and let your wife keep the dishwashing soap.........

 

[Dave S]

Dishwashing soaps have surfactants in them which are probably just as bad as wax. Its added to make the water sheet off dishes in an effort to avoid water spots.

Use ammonia to remove the wax and let your wife keep the dishwashing soap.........

Frank.............you use all these big words on us so we can do this :smt017 :wink:

Anyways I looked it up on Wikipedia and here is everything you ever wanted to know about sufactants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactants

BTW......If use Ammonia wear rubber gloves and be very carefull you don't inhale that stuff. :smt018

 

[Four Suns]

"Surfactant"....

I gotta learn to use that in a sentance....

 

[gengiant]

BTW......If use Ammonia wear rubber gloves and be very carefull you don't inhale that stuff. :smt018

I used to use "On/Off" to get rid of the scum line. That stuff is so nasty and caustic that I'd have to wear a breathing mask and gloves to wipe it on (with a brush). I stopped using it, however, as I got worried about its interaction with my painted trailer (the trailer was allready somewhat rusty when I bought the boat used). I may start another thread as to the best ways to remove the scum line and soot buildup on the stern.

 

[waterlogged]

There's also a product called Prep-All (Klean-Strip) that I've used a lot. Works great. A lot of auto parts stores sell it.


http://www.kleanstrip.com/products.htm

 

[fwebster]

Well, do you want the answer or just some BS?

I'm pretty good at making up stuff, so maybe I should do that the next time I need a 50 cent word.

And for Gary, which products contain a surfactant?
a. toothpaste
b. weedkiller
c. RainX
d. all of the above..........

 

[Four Suns]

oh man... if you are saying my toothpaste contains surfactant, I'm never brushing my teeth again.

 

[Dave S]

oh man... if you are saying my toothpaste contains surfactant, I'm never brushing my teeth again.

It's even worse than that Gary. Spermicides and Laxatives also have the stuff in it. :smt043 :smt043

 

[Four Suns]

I don't brush my teeth with those anymore.

I guess cleaning the hull with spermicide or laxatives is out...

 

[Hotlanta]

Here is a link for Mothers Clay Bars.
It picks up the junk left on the surface that you can't wash or strip off.

http://www.autogeek.net/clbaandlu.html?gclid=COmDhoP65owCFQhaZQodkHqO6w