removing factory wax

[Karan]

how do u remove that factory wax that is in the engine bay so u can polish up the paint to make it look mint?

i need to do this on my 'iS' as some opf the bay has a matt finish to it cos of the factory wax whereas some of it shines real nice.... and i thought id do it properly while theres no engine in it,,,

Karan

[lentec]

if you dont mind loosing the paint id use a wirebrush atachment on a grinder!

[tourer-dan]

:yeahthat:
They managed to squirt this ugly stuff everywhere didn't they?
All these years later it has done it's job well, baking itself so hard onto every surface that it is impossible to remove with anything you can buy in the shop!!

We used to use a wax remover at Renault to de-wax the cars, so if you know anyone that works for them you could give it a try, but I don't fancy your chances......

[rickk]

Valvoline makes something in their Tectyl range to do just that... but I never tried it, so...

[Karan]

if you dont mind loosing the paint id use a wirebrush atachment on a grinder!

LOL id like to keep the paint....

ill try valvoline!

cheers
Karan

[Karan]

Valvoline makes something in their Tectyl range to do just that... but I never tried it, so...

can u show me which one of these if any it is.... as these all seem to be actual coats as opposed to removers.....

http://www.valvolineeurope.com/index.as ... 208a&q=wax

[pilt]

I removed this stuff from my engine and bits using nitromors paint stripper.

I wouldnt recomend using this to get the stuff off the paint coz it will take off the paint too!

But it doesnt like to come off easy!

[trotter]

I used Hamerite paint thinner just don't go crazy and does a fine job

Gary

[stevo]

bullit recomended me to use a hand torch flamer thing, cant think of the name just now, for removing underseal and it worked a treat, dont fancy using it in the engine bay though

[SwirlyE30]

I used a light scourering pad, the little green ones. Lots of fairy liquid and some bits Tcut for the dirty bits. Very messy, but worked ok for me. Although my engine bays fucking dirty anyway

[rickk]

can u show me which one of these if any it is.... as these all seem to be actual coats as opposed to removers.....
http://www.valvolineeurope.com/index.as ... 208a&q=wax

Indeed. Bummer.

I'll keep an eye out, next time I spot it in a shop I'll take note of the name.

Anyways, I've always been able to remove fairly fresh stuff like that with things like white spirit or that petroleum-based stuff I don't know the name of in English (literally translated it's called "washing fuel" over here).

- Rick

[Sooty]

I'm currently doing mine with brake/carb cleaner (very sparingly I hasten to add) and a toothbrush

I think I need to get out more.........

[Guest]

I have used 'Hope Sh1t shift' to clean off the wax + old washing up brush. it is a mountain bike chain degreaser, is safe on everything aslong as it is hosed off sharpish. available from halfords or bike shops for around Ԛ£5.99.

It is very good on engine oil spills too.

[CaesarBob]

Meths works as well although it takes a truck load of elbow grease as well.

I started on the inner wings but gave up after about 2 days!

I've decided to wait until i get a rolling shell respray done!

[jmc330i]

I've decided to wait until i get a rolling shell respray done!

Same here.
I started to do mine, but couldnt get the stuff to move, so Ive left it.

[E30Adam]

Apparently the cosmoline is best removed with a solvent based product but whatever you use it's going to take a lot of hard work getting it off.

A lot of the R3V boys have done it and each of them say it's a nightmare of a job but well worth it.

[Karan]

cheers guys given me some ideas! although looks like its gonna be hard work-- but some briliant red paintwork lurks beneath it!

[rickk]

Some guy I know said he has done it with (an agressive, professional) cleaner like you'd use for detailing.

Haven't tried it, makes some sense though as it was designed to remove wax from paint

[RJB6]

Karen,I had this problem.The guys on here have mentioned different ways of removing the wax,I have found the best way for me is using paint thinners.If this doesn't get it off then I think you'll have to sand or grind it which of course will damage the paint.Have posted a few pics.You'll see by the inner wing that the wax is dirty,hard and baked on.Use a cut off paint brush,not a tooth brush as it flicks it everywhere.Paint it and after a few minutes just rub it with a brush.If it's a part where you can see you may have to t-cut it to bring the shine back.Have cleaned the engine bays on all my cars and found this the best way .




I only used cheap thinners about Ԛ£10 a can.The engine bay on this car will be resprayed as there's to many blemishes to t-cut or polish out.Hope you able to do yours.

[Karan]

Karen,I had this problem.The guys on here have mentioned different ways of removing the wax,I have found the best way for me is using paint thinners.If this doesn't get it off then I think you'll have to sand or grind it which of course will damage the paint.Have posted a few pics.You'll see by the inner wing that the wax is dirty,hard and baked on.Use a cut off paint brush,not a tooth brush as it flicks it everywhere.Paint it and after a few minutes just rub it with a brush.If it's a part where you can see you may have to t-cut it to bring the shine back.Have cleaned the engine bays on all my cars and found this the best way .




I only used cheap thinners about Ԛ£10 a can.The engine bay on this car will be resprayed as there's to many blemishes to t-cut or polish out.Hope you able to do yours.

cheers mate!!! thats very helpful ill get some cheap thinne rand atack it

my engine bay is very today so i reckon ill do it this way... im not going for concours or anything but wanna lose the matt finish around the strut areas