How do you remove old/existing wax?

[Mary S]

Oddly I didn't find this is a search.

I want to test a new wax so I want to remove the existing wax from a panel.

Does Body Solvent do the job? It says it dissolves petroleum-based products.

[Mongoose]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

I've known some people to use Prepsol or some other form of degreaser to remove it but I use DC1 myself.

[Paint-Shield.ca]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

Use a Pre-Wax cleaner or Clay Bar the vehicle.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

Body Solvent should do that pretty effectively.

There are those who would suggest a simple wash with Dawn dish detergent is a good idea and, if only done once a year or so, won't bother anything. Except the wax, of course, but that's sort of the whole point in this particular discussion.

Clay will remove most of it, but if you applied wax yesterday and clay it today, you might not get it all.

A liquid paint cleaner, as Mongoose suggests, will do the job but it takes more work than any of the above options. It also does more with regard to prep before waxing, so it is a very good option.

[Mary S]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

Body Solvent should do that pretty effectively.

There are those who would suggest a simple wash with Dawn dish detergent is a good idea and, if only done once a year or so, won't bother anything. Except the wax, of course, but that's sort of the whole point in this particular discussion.

Clay will remove most of it, but if you applied wax yesterday and clay it today, you might not get it all.

A liquid paint cleaner, as Mongoose suggests, will do the job but it takes more work than any of the above options. It also does more with regard to prep before waxing, so it is a very good option.

Great, I was hoping Body Solvent would work, because it only takes a short time, like spray and wipe in 20 seconds or so. A detergent may take longer to work, and the cleaners might be more aggressive than needed.

Plus I have a gallon of it! (I probably should use gloves around it though).

Thanks!

[mcsniper703]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

Body Solvent should do that pretty effectively.

There are those who would suggest a simple wash with Dawn dish detergent is a good idea and, if only done once a year or so, won't bother anything. Except the wax, of course, but that's sort of the whole point in this particular discussion.

Clay will remove most of it, but if you applied wax yesterday and clay it today, you might not get it all.

A liquid paint cleaner, as Mongoose suggests, will do the job but it takes more work than any of the above options. It also does more with regard to prep before waxing, so it is a very good option.

Would Color X strip off the old wax? If not, I guess I'll use the dishwashing soap just once and hopefully strip off the old wax. What happened is I put on way too much liquid gel wax of Eagle One, a month later I also added NXT 2.0 liquid wax atop of it. As I stared really hard on the hood, I see hazing on surface after removing wax with microfiber towel completely clean off and shine the hood. I'm thinking it must be too much wax layers on the hood? I want to strip off the wax and start over by putting in smallest nxt wax 2x2 area.

[Murr1525]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

Well, applying wax in thick coats, and not letting it dry can lead to streaking/smearing.

You are not seeing fine swirls are you, just smearing product?

ColorX would leave its own wax behind, so probably not what you want if you are trying to rmeove everything.

[Tuck91]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

I wouldnt waste good Body Solvent just for wax removal, try claying the surface or using DC1 or M09.

The Body Solvent will be hard to just wipe on and wipe off without streaking, you probably will have to rinse the panel with water followed by a soapy water agitation to remove all the BS residue.

[Mary S]

Re: How do you remove old/existing wax?

I wouldnt waste good Body Solvent just for wax removal, try claying the surface or using DC1 or M09.

The Body Solvent will be hard to just wipe on and wipe off without streaking, you probably will have to rinse the panel with water followed by a soapy water agitation to remove all the BS residue.

I only needed to do 2 panels so I could compare 2 waxes with nothing else there. I think you are right, though, it should be followed with car shampoo to get everything off. I think I may have used APC.