Wax Stripping - Restoration

[frankttaylor]

Hell All,

First of all thanks to all of you for your help with some of my "learn as I go" problems. Here is my latest. I have a 1990 Bluewater that I bought that was in an open barn for several years. There was 1" of bird poop all over the boat (which has been cleaned) and is a little oxidized on one side of boat. I am an idiot and I didn't do my research and used car wax on the boat and it didn't make a difference in appearance. Now I need to strip it off and start over. I have read everythibng from wax stripper/ dish wash soap combo, acetone or just plain dish wash soap (usually Dawn) as a great way to strip. Before I attempt any stripping I would like some advice. What is the easiest most effeciance and cost effective way to remove wax that won't damage gel coat. I have read that 3M restorer wax is a great product once it is time to re-wax. Anyone use this product? Thoughts?

Thanks,

Frank

 

[louiefl]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Dawn will take some, but not all the wax off, but if you are planning on compound, it will probably remove enough so that it doesn't clog up your pads with oxidation and wax.

Next step up would be mineral spirits. It doesn't evaporate as quick as acetone, cheap, and will not leave a residue. Wear rubber gloves as it will tend to dry your skin out.

If you were planning on painting and worried about a good bond, then I would go the acetone or wax remover / prepsol route. This would be overkill for what you are proposing.

A marine wax is not going to make oxidiation go away, for that you'll need a compound or at least a polish. A "cleaner wax" like 3M Restorer and Wax may work some, but it will be a lot of work by hand. Do a test spot about 2'x2' before you attempt the whole boat, if your products do not solve your problem in a small spot, then you are going to waste more time using something that doesn't produce the results you want.

Work in the shade and drink lots of water - your arms are going to hurt tomorrow...

 

[frankttaylor]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

So the mineral spirits will not damage gel coat? I have some already so that is a cheap solution. Also - I have an orbital buffer - that should make it alot easier shouldn't it?

 

[louiefl]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

An orbital buffer will help, but the results will depend on the type. If it is a $20 unit with tie on bonnets, it will be slow going. A Porter Cable Random Orbit polisher will make relative quick work of it. Not as quick as a rotary and a wool pad (with lots of experience so you don't burn the gel coat). Again, try a small area and see what works. I'd start with dawn on your test spot - may be all you need.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Hell All,

First of all thanks to all of you for your help with some of my "learn as I go" problems. Here is my latest. I have a 1990 Bluewater that I bought that was in an open barn for several years. There was 1" of bird poop all over the boat (which has been cleaned) and is a little oxidized on one side of boat. I am an idiot and I didn't do my research and used car wax on the boat and it didn't make a difference in appearance. Now I need to strip it off and start over. I have read everythibng from wax stripper/ dish wash soap combo, acetone or just plain dish wash soap (usually Dawn) as a great way to strip. Before I attempt any stripping I would like some advice. What is the easiest most effeciance and cost effective way to remove wax that won't damage gel coat. I have read that 3M restorer wax is a great product once it is time to re-wax. Anyone use this product? Thoughts?

Thanks,

Frank

Use Dawn soap. It will take your wax off.

Whatever your shine is when your done compounding is what it will be when you are all done. The end results is whatever the effort was in the prep.

Compound first. (wool Pad)
Polish second. ( Foam Pad) to take out swirls from compound
Wax third. ( Foam Pad)

Variable speed rotary buffer ( bought mine at Harbor Freight $29.00). Use with a wool pad

Bought at Auto Geek.com
Duragloss Marine & RV Surface Renewer Polishing Compound #561
Duragloss Marine RV Polish #501
Collinite 845 Insulator wax. ( prior to using emirsus bottle in warm/hot water) Makes it easier to apply or Use whatever wax you like.

You can call them and they will help you with the products. ( Pads) If you use the Duragloss you won't be using the 3M stuff any more

That Bluewater is a nice boat. They have unsurpassed customer service even with old boats. Paul the owner is a great guy, along with Mike Carrigan and co.

 

[frankttaylor]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Thank you for the advice. When you say "Compound first. (wool Pad)" does that mean apply it with a wool pad?

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

He means apply it with a wool pad on the rotary buffer. You can put it on the pad or straight on the boat and then hit it with the buffer.

Thalasso - what speeds do you recommend on your HF buffer for the 3 steps?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

He means apply it with a wool pad on the rotary buffer. You can put it on the pad or straight on the boat and then hit it with the buffer.

Thalasso - what speeds do you recommend on your HF buffer for the 3 steps?

I have turned it on full at times.The buffer i use doesn't have a speed dial that shows RPM's It has a dial switch that you can adjust the speed. Gel coat isn't like the finish on a auto.You won't burn into it. You will know when the buffer starts hopping. That's when i increase the speed a little Just watch decals. You can burn them off if held there to long. The pad should be a little bigger then the backing on the polisher. This way it covers the edge and will get into tighter places easier.The pads i use are Lake Country with a velcro backing

 

[frankttaylor]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Great information guys.

Are these products available at a retailer:

Duragloss Marine & RV Surface Renewer Polishing Compound #561
Duragloss Marine RV Polish #501
Collinite 845 Insulator wax

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

I have turned it on full at times. (1500-2000) Gel coat isn't like the finish on a auto. You won't burn into it. The pad should be a little bigger then the backing on the polisher. This way it covers the edge and will get into tighter places easier.

So same speed for cut, polish, and wax then?

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

So same speed for cut, polish, and wax then?

Yes sir.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Great information guys.

Are these products available at a retailer:

Duragloss Marine & RV Surface Renewer Polishing Compound #561
Duragloss Marine RV Polish #501
Collinite 845 Insulator wax

I haven't the slightest idea but there not that expensive on there web site

 

[bgc]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

I have been using the method that Thalasso outlined but use;

1500 grit wet sand paper
3M Finesse-It Marine http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...0000_nid=GS4L7VPCLPgs9NQK7NZ8TZglT3RWDR9GD5bl

3M Cleaner Wax http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...5230GE3E02LECIE20S4K7000000_gvel=H8PTZGX97Rgl

Meguiars Marine Wax http://www.meguiars.com/en/marine/products/

 

[frankttaylor]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Wow that looks fantastic. I am kind of weirded out about using sand paper. I weas hoping to work on this weekend that is why i asked about retailers. It sounds like your happy with 3M cleaner wax. Curious though why you wax with 3M Cleaner Wax and then with Meguiars Marine Wax. Isn't the 3M product enough wax? BTW great quote "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of anyone that threatens it."

 

[bgc]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

"One can never have enough wax"

The boat in the picture is very heavily oxidized so you may not need to sand but sometimes it is necessary.

I get most of my supplies for the shop at a body shop supply store or NAPA in the body shop supplies. I found the marine/fiberglass stuff works better than the automotive/metal stuff.

The 3M cleaner wax is abrasive and helps get ride of the swirl marks from the buffer.....also makes it slicker than snot on a shingle when your on the bow....

The Meguiars Marine holds up well the the UV radiation and water, makes washing the scum line easy.

 

[hostage]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

"One can never have enough wax"

The boat in the picture is very heavily oxidized so you may not need to sand but sometimes it is necessary.

I get most of my supplies for the shop at a body shop supply store or NAPA in the body shop supplies. I found the marine/fiberglass stuff works better than the automotive/metal stuff.

The 3M cleaner wax is abrasive and helps get ride of the swirl marks from the buffer.....also makes it slicker than snot on a shingle when your on the bow....

The Meguiars Marine holds up well the the UV radiation and water, makes washing the scum line easy.

Wow that looks awesome! Out of curiosity, how long does it stay looking that nice? Does the oxidation come back quickly?

-Hostage

 

[frankttaylor]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

I have a buddy that works at Napa. I will hit him up. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[bgc]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Wow that looks awesome! Out of curiosity, how long does it stay looking that nice? Does the oxidation come back quickly?

-Hostage

The oxidization has been removed during the process, so the color stays true.
If you remove all of the oxidized material and keep it waxed with marine wax it will be years before you need to buff again.

 

[bgc]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

I have a buddy that works at Napa. I will hit him up. Thanks for all the advice.

Post pictures of the before and after.

 

[frankttaylor]

Re: Wax Stripping - Restoration

Ok will do. I just refurbished trailer and didn't do that and wished I had. Mostly becuase it took me some time to figure out how it went back together.