Wax removal........

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scadding

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I'm going to wax the boat ready for a winter ashore but I'd like to remove the old wax before giving her another coat. What products would be recommended to remove the old wax on a blue hull? I'm reluctant to use a compounding product as it seems to be overkill and consquently I'm thinking more along the lines of a citrus cleaner. I'm very open to, and would be grateful of, alternative suggestions.
 
Washing up liquid does a pretty good job of stripping wax from paint. Rinse very very well though.

Thats why you shouldnt wash your car with it! and paintwork fast becomes dull where the wax is taken off and nothing is there to give the paint any protection.

Other stuff such as a traffic film remover will also strip wax, and be available in larger quantities to give your boat a good clean down before you polish it up.
 
tfr? a bit harsh for me, (if it's gelcoat) might not notice straight away but will yellow the gel each time, look at the gel through polarised shades...also will break down the gel making it oxidise much faster, I have always steered well clear of it in boating, (way too much hydro in it for me). poor fishies too! if you were to remove the wax prior to a repair etc then you would use acetone as it flashes very fast (evaporates) and is harmless to the gelcoat. Not for paintwork.

Scadding so just to clear up is it gel coat or paintwork?

Why cant you give the boat a normal clean and then use a cleaner polish then wax.
 
It is 2 year old blue gelcoat....... this year im thinking about moving away from conventional wax and using the 303 aerospace protectant. That's why I would like to strip the old wax before doing anything else. The product (www.303products.com) seems to get a good review however i'm yet to find anyone that has personally used it on gelcoat instead of polishing and waxing.
 
wax removal

scadding said:
It is 2 year old blue gelcoat....... this year im thinking about moving away from conventional wax and using the 303 aerospace protectant. That's why I would like to strip the old wax before doing anything else. The product (www.303products.com) seems to get a good review however i'm yet to find anyone that has personally used it on gelcoat instead of polishing and waxing.
Click to expand...

Yes it's fairly good stuff as sealers go and good value in comparison, very durable and with great UV resistance. Not so good at depth of shine but as with all other sealers you will will be able to top this up with a good paste wax application on top.

If its out of the water then a really good wash & dry followed possibly with a hard water spot remover (your choice depends if there is water spots left or not obviously) followed with a wiping down with acetone to prepare contact.

Darker gelcoat tends to oxi faster than white so the 303 would be a good call, but as for results as always depends on the prep and effort put in, as for topping up the 'depth of shine' possibly follow with Pinnacle Souveran paste wax £70 but worth it for its water beading properties and depth of shine. dont put on a polish of course as this will take off the 303 ( sorry for stating the obvious).

Not many have used the 303 i'm sure and it's often overlooked and undersold, perhaps put some pics up for us?
:)
 
marine reflections, thanks very much for the advice and expertise. I will follow the procedure you outline and post some pics. I hadn't thought about applying a wax after the 303 protectant....Good shout. Thanks again.
 
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