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Author Topic:   Best way to strip wax

David Pendleton posted 07-26-2010 11:02 PM ET (US)
What's the best product to strip wax from gelcoat?
I typically use Collinite's 920 to clean the boat and then wax with Collinite 925.
Collinite 920 is supposed to prep the surface for wax, but I'm looking for something a little easier (and quicker) to apply.
Thanks all.
Jeff posted 07-26-2010 11:19 PM ET (US)
Washing the boat with water and simple green, dish or clothing detergent will strip wax off the gelcoat in a hurry.
macfam posted 07-27-2010 07:05 AM ET (US)
Give Collinite a call, they are very helpful over the phone.
They'll know.
Tohsgib posted 07-27-2010 10:33 AM ET (US)
Powerwasher...Northestern storm...Super purple clean stuff, etc. Question is why would you want to strip it before you put more on? Unless the surface is faded underneath the wax or somehow stained, you are just making work for yourself, 2 coats are better than one.
contender posted 07-27-2010 12:44 PM ET (US)
I agree with Tohsgib, but the best way is to pay someone to do it, while you are sitting in your favorite lawn chair in the shade with a cooler of beer by your side, this way you can watch and correct them on any mistakes they make...
David Pendleton posted 07-29-2010 10:49 PM ET (US)
It may sound silly, but when I have my (polarized) sunglasses on, I can see every swirl on the topsides.
It's driving me crazy.
Tohsgib posted 07-30-2010 11:33 AM ET (US)
So wax it. If the swirls are under the wax then just buff it with a swirl remover which will remove the wax as well. Do a small section and see if it cuts it first.
hauptjm posted 07-30-2010 12:52 PM ET (US)
For the easiest "wipe on/wipe off" method to strip wax, use Oxalic Acid. It will also clean your hull of any staining better than anything out there. Most fiberglass guys start the process by cleaning the area with Oxalic Acid to rid the surface of any contaminents. Star-Brite Hull Cleaner is nothing but Oxalic Acid. If your hands are tender, use gloves.
Marsh posted 07-30-2010 05:00 PM ET (US)
Dawn dish soap is rumored to be effective at removing wax.
YMMV.
modenacart posted 07-31-2010 07:27 AM ET (US)
Ammonia should strip it.
Dauntless 180 posted 07-31-2010 12:49 PM ET (US)
Dawn works GREAT for stripping wax
David Pendleton posted 07-31-2010 10:11 PM ET (US)
I will find out this week.
My boat is 11 years old. I've used Collinite since day one. I wax twice a year and everyone tells me the boat looks like new; I attribute this to the Collinite.
I've never stripped the wax (intentionally), but lately (due to my x-ray specs), I'm seeing lots of flaws and dirty spots where I may have waxed-in the dirt (or more accurately, "black streaks" that we all hate).
I think after 12 seasons it's time to strip it all and start anew.
Thanks for the input. I think I'll go with Simple Green, since I have a gallon of it, and resort to the Dawn later.
LogeyPogey posted 08-01-2010 09:41 PM ET (US)
Interlux 202. Good stuff wipe on leave for a about 45-60 seconds then wipe off. Spray hull with water if it still beads water repeat process. I did this to my fathers 42' Carver took me about 20 hrs to do from the gunels down to the water line.
Chuck Tribolet posted 08-01-2010 10:39 PM ET (US)
Joy dish detergent does not strip NuFinish liquid car wax, at
least not very efficiently.
I wax with NuFinish (Montauk and Pathfinder once a year,
'vette every 3 or 4 years (it doesn't get driven much)). I
wash with Joy. It takes about a year for water to stop
beading up.
Porter-Cable 6" random orbital and NuFinish takes the black
spots off. Sometimes patience is required.

Chuck

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Author	Topic: Best way to strip wax
David Pendleton	posted 07-26-2010 11:02 PM ET (US) What's the best product to strip wax from gelcoat? I typically use Collinite's 920 to clean the boat and then wax with Collinite 925. Collinite 920 is supposed to prep the surface for wax, but I'm looking for something a little easier (and quicker) to apply. Thanks all.
Jeff	posted 07-26-2010 11:19 PM ET (US) Washing the boat with water and simple green, dish or clothing detergent will strip wax off the gelcoat in a hurry.
macfam	posted 07-27-2010 07:05 AM ET (US) Give Collinite a call, they are very helpful over the phone. They'll know.
Tohsgib	posted 07-27-2010 10:33 AM ET (US) Powerwasher...Northestern storm...Super purple clean stuff, etc. Question is why would you want to strip it before you put more on? Unless the surface is faded underneath the wax or somehow stained, you are just making work for yourself, 2 coats are better than one.
contender	posted 07-27-2010 12:44 PM ET (US) I agree with Tohsgib, but the best way is to pay someone to do it, while you are sitting in your favorite lawn chair in the shade with a cooler of beer by your side, this way you can watch and correct them on any mistakes they make...
David Pendleton	posted 07-29-2010 10:49 PM ET (US) It may sound silly, but when I have my (polarized) sunglasses on, I can see every swirl on the topsides. It's driving me crazy.
Tohsgib	posted 07-30-2010 11:33 AM ET (US) So wax it. If the swirls are under the wax then just buff it with a swirl remover which will remove the wax as well. Do a small section and see if it cuts it first.
hauptjm	posted 07-30-2010 12:52 PM ET (US) For the easiest "wipe on/wipe off" method to strip wax, use Oxalic Acid. It will also clean your hull of any staining better than anything out there. Most fiberglass guys start the process by cleaning the area with Oxalic Acid to rid the surface of any contaminents. Star-Brite Hull Cleaner is nothing but Oxalic Acid. If your hands are tender, use gloves.
Marsh	posted 07-30-2010 05:00 PM ET (US) Dawn dish soap is rumored to be effective at removing wax. YMMV.
modenacart	posted 07-31-2010 07:27 AM ET (US) Ammonia should strip it.
Dauntless 180	posted 07-31-2010 12:49 PM ET (US) Dawn works GREAT for stripping wax
David Pendleton	posted 07-31-2010 10:11 PM ET (US) I will find out this week. My boat is 11 years old. I've used Collinite since day one. I wax twice a year and everyone tells me the boat looks like new; I attribute this to the Collinite. I've never stripped the wax (intentionally), but lately (due to my x-ray specs), I'm seeing lots of flaws and dirty spots where I may have waxed-in the dirt (or more accurately, "black streaks" that we all hate). I think after 12 seasons it's time to strip it all and start anew. Thanks for the input. I think I'll go with Simple Green, since I have a gallon of it, and resort to the Dawn later.
LogeyPogey	posted 08-01-2010 09:41 PM ET (US) Interlux 202. Good stuff wipe on leave for a about 45-60 seconds then wipe off. Spray hull with water if it still beads water repeat process. I did this to my fathers 42' Carver took me about 20 hrs to do from the gunels down to the water line.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 08-01-2010 10:39 PM ET (US) Joy dish detergent does not strip NuFinish liquid car wax, at least not very efficiently. I wax with NuFinish (Montauk and Pathfinder once a year, 'vette every 3 or 4 years (it doesn't get driven much)). I wash with Joy. It takes about a year for water to stop beading up. Porter-Cable 6" random orbital and NuFinish takes the black spots off. Sometimes patience is required. Chuck