Prior to surface preparation of any kind, all bare fiberglass to be painted must be thoroughly solvent washed.
Fiberglass Dewaxer is a special blend of solvents, formulated specifically to cut through and remove mold release, grease and previously applied wax from the fiberglass or gelcoat.
Regardless of the boat's age, the initial washing is imperative - residual parting agents, utilized by the manufacturer to "pop" the boat from the mold, may still be present, although not visibly apparent. This could be the case even if the hull has been previously painted – if it hadn't been solvent washed first.
Solvent washing should always be performed before any sanding or grinding. This is because sanding may actually imbed any remaining surface contaminents into the hull structure, making them particularly difficult to remove, thus threatening the adhesion of subsequently applied primer or paint coatings.
Although the fiberglass will be slightly etched by the strong solvents in Fiberglass Dewaxer, the surface must be sanded - or a coat of Bottom Prep Sandless Primer applied - before painting.
• Use above or below the waterline
• Only use on fully cured surfaces
• Apply liberally using clean rags
• Coverage – approximately 400 ft² per gallon