Removing wax from hatches

[Bob V]

Well, the Admiral thought that I needed some help with waxing whether I knew it or not. I always try to do the boat maintenance myself because I am rather demanding of my wax crew and I can not afford the luxury of a team of competent detailers in crisp white shorts.She and the neighbor had a great time laughing as I spread protection around the area she was going to work on (stainless pulpits and stantions. Unfortunately, I did not spread enough protection. I had assumed that the hatches where far enough away from the life lines. When I went down to the boat after she had finished, there was wax splattered in droplets on all but two hatchs (she did not get that far). One of the hatches was apparently the place where she laid the used rags and was covered with large spotches.I scrubbed all of the hatches multiple times with Imar's yacht soap which I have been told is the only thing safe to use on the plastic hatches. One of the great things about Imar's is that it does not destroy your wax job. I can verify that claim for them because it did not seem to have any effect on the "wax job" on my hatches.So my question is do any of you experts know something that can remove the wax without destroying the clarity of the hatch?

 

[Tim R.]

I think

denatured alcohol will be ok. I am not sure it will remove the wax but it should not hurt the acrylic. I have used acetone and then rinsed immediately with alcohol when some adhesive got on a portlight once.

 

[r.w.landau]

I would read the container.Some waxes can be manipulated by reapplication.

I would first read the container then in a small area, apply new wax over the stuff (I am assuming spotted areas, build-up areas) you are trying to remove.Hope that works!r.w.landauI would wait for The pro...Maine Sail.

 

[sailaway78]

Don't think

As was suggested, denatured alcohol might do the trick, but I don't think I would even consider acetone. It will dissolve almost anything plastic. It would more than likely dull the surface everywhere it touched. Of course it would certainly get rid of the wax.

 

[Timo42]

3M general purpose adhesive cleaner

should do the trick, I have used it on instrument panel bezels without a problem, and they are less tolerant of solvents than acrylic, what ever you do, do it in the shade, heat will make any solvent more aggressive. Tim

 

[Maine Sail]

Bob

Use IMAR Strata Glass Protective Polish and your hatches will be fine. Just use a soft microfiber rag, buff it in, wipe it off and they will look great. I use it on my dodger glass and plastic hatches..P.S. If it was a real wax, as in Carnuba based, it will not harm the hatches and the IMAR Protective Polish will clean it away..IMAR Strata Glass Protective Polish

 

[Bob V]

Thanks to all

I can always count on the experts here to help me out. When it comes from Mainesail, its golden.I asked the question last year about how to put a proper wax job on a new hull and Mainesail came through with a 5-page manual on the proper technique. All of the pros at the boat yard skeptical about all the different steps and the labor that went into waxing a new hull. I spent about a week on it. By the time we were ready to splash they all wanted to know more about what I was using. The only thing better than a good professional job is one that is done by a patient and knowledgable owner with a lot of time on his hands.By the way Mainesail, thanks for your advice on electrical connections a few months back. I read it just before installing my hydronic heat system and now I'm tempted to rip out all of the crimp terminals that Catalina installed and do it right.

 

[Bob V]

IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Mainesail. Stratoglass protective cleaner did the job. Hatches look like new and they should on a 2008 C42.I'm back in my happy place again.

 

[Maine Sail]

Glad I could help..

Wow Bob that was quick. I guess you had some IMAR Polish on board.. IMAR really does make great products don't they! Some products are worth what you actually pay..