Wax-on Wax-off (ammonia?)

General Discussion
1

A couple of months ago I was so excited to surf a board that I was building that I waxed it up before applying a second hotcoat of epoxy.  It was in a pretty rough state, but I had fun riding it.  Various illnesses and injuries have kept me out of the water since then.  Yesterday we had  some warm weather, so I decided it was time to take the wax off the board and finish it properly.  Below are the steps that I went through.  I tried a lot of things that were unsuccessful, but finally found something that worked.  What would you have done differently (besides not waxing an unfinished board)?

My steps:

1) Success: I used a bondo spreader to remove as much of the wax as possible.

2) Failure: Dripped DNA on surface and rubbed with towel

3) Falilure: Dripped Acetone on surface and rubbed with towel

4) Failure: Sanded dry surface (gummed up sand paper)

5) Failure:  Sanded wet surface using DNA (just ended up spreading wax around)

6) Success: Floaded ammonia on surface, and scrubbed with an abrasive sponge.

The amonia ended up being the ticket.  I wiped the liquid off with a few paper towels, let it dry and then started brushing on epoxy.  The finish turned out nice looking.  A long time ago, I tried an orange oil treatment to remove surfboard wax, but didn't have any on hand yesterday.  It may have worked just as well, but you can't beat the price of amonia.  I'm becoming a big fan of ammonia.  I even like the smell.

Note:  It is my understanding that the the health issues related to epoxy come in the clean-up phase -- after using the epoxy.  All of my work with the solvents came beforehand.  I wore blue nitrile gloves while using the epoxy.  I didn't get any on my skin, and simply washed my hands with Dawn dish soap afterwards.

I'm not trying to educate anyone here.  I'm too much of a hack to do that.  My main reason for posting my experience is to hear from more experienced people, and to see if what I did was the best thing to do.  What do most ding repair shops use to remove wax?

2

So I did a search on "wax removal" just to see what has been suggested in the past.  There were posts ranging from using corn meal, to paint thinner, and mineral spirits.  The paint thinner and mineral spirts may work, but then you would have to use something to wash their residue away.  I didn't see anyone mention ammonia.  Unless someone has anything to say to the contrary, then I think that ammonia is it.  Note:  I just wiped the ammonia off of the board with clean paper towel.  I didn't use any water.

3

Thanks Swied!

Good tip and bit of hands on research!!

 

4

I wait for a warm day and use clean sawdust.   

 It works very well, costs nothing and is as green as it gets.      

5

I found the answer to my question the other day while watching a DVD that I got for Christmas.  It was from Drew Brophies "Paint Pen Techniques" video.

http://www.foamez.com/paint-pen-techniques-dvd-with-drew-brophy-p-695.html

This video was very helpful.  I recommend it.

6

I use a nylon putty knife to scrape the bulk of the wax off, and then follow up with a foam dust scrub.    Takes it all off, dead clean.

7

     Howzit Bill, I think I have tried every thing from foam dust and the sun and a scraper to charcoal lighter fluid and it all worked. Aloha,Kokua

8

I scrape with putty knife then wipe down with gojo then wipe down with detroyl alcohol... I guess it works... but from your findings i might try the amonia next time