Author Topic: Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?  (Read 3376 times)

Shvegel

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Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?
« on: June 22, 2016, 00:14:27 »
After spending a couple hours trying to strip the factory wax undercoating off the bottom of my gas tank I am wondering if anyone has figured out a better way?  I used Lacquer thinner, Acetone and strong degreasers with little success.  I finally ended up hitting it with a wire wheel mounted to a grinder.  Not fun.

hauser

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Re: Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2016, 02:19:14 »
Dry ice works wonders on old coatings.

Pinder

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Re: Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2016, 20:21:55 »
get one of those stripping discs from harbour freight. they look like a sponge. they wear as they strip paint and pretty much anything. you can probably do the tank in 30 mins tops. wear a full face mask.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Pinder

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Re: Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2016, 20:26:48 »
its called a  4-1/2 in. Polycarbide Abrasive Wheel. great for paint removal in seconds. i can do a whole roof on a car in about 30 mins. its around 6 bucks at HF.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

wwheeler

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Re: Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2016, 00:09:17 »
I used the PAW (polycarbide abrasive wheel) for lots of nasty jobs like that and it works like a dream. Cheap too. The grindings go everywhere.
Wallace
Texas
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'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Shvegel

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Re: Anyone figure out how to get the wax off?
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2016, 10:17:33 »
Thanks all. Luckily I don't have too much left just the front crossmember and suspension.  Spraying a little wax on the bottom of a car to keep it from rusting seems pretty futile but 45 years later it is still there.