Remove Aerosol Wax Polish from Estapol Surface

[LesC]

Hi,
This is my first posting!!!
I'm restoring an old coffee table.
The top was in good condition, very flat, but with light scratches in the laquered surface.
Not being sure of the composition of the surface, I sanded back to the raw timber, and applied four coats of Estapol Instant Satin Clear Finish, using 600 wet and dry between coats, and after the last coat.
I then applied an aerosol furniture spray, containing Beeswax and Carnauba Wax (but, according to the label, "Silicone Free"), but am unhappy with the result.
So, I want to remove the spray, and apply one or more coats of Estapol.
I've now sanded with 600 wet and dry, and rubbed with metho, but the surface still felt greasy.
So, I rubbed with turps, which seemed to remove more of the polish, but I'm not confident that it's safe the apply an Estapol top coat.
Can someone please help with some advice on:
1 - How can I check that the surface is now ready to recoat with Estapol,
OR
2 - What further steps can I take to be sure that I've got rid of the aerosol.

[LesC]

I thought I should let you all know about the result of further enquiries I made about getting rid of the aerosol spray I had put on top of my estapol-ed table top.

I spoke with the manufacturer's consumer affairs department.

I also spoke with the manufacturer of another product with similar characteristics.

Both confidently assured me that mineral turps would remove the aerosol spray.

I took their advice, and proceeded with another coat of estapol, followed by 600 wet and dry, followed by another coat of estapol.

Two weeks have passed, and no ill effects have surfaced.

Les

[durwood]

What you eventually did (using turps) was satisfactory to dissolve the wax.There actually is a solvent you can buy called wax and grease remover, its available from Automotive stores. Its used to remove wax or polish (including silicone ones) on cars before they are painted further.

One thing you did do which you should avoid in future is rubbing with abrasive paper, if there is wax on the surface you will be rubbing it into the surface, if you wash it off first you will then only be sanding the actual paint/clearfinish.

Always assume that the wax is there and wash off well. The solvent dissolves the wax, so you need to wet an area and while it is still wet use a separate rag to wipe up the dissolved wax. As you can't actually see the wax you should assume its there and maybe wetting the surface and wiping will move some of the wax around the surface and not remove it all, so in other words wash it over twice. If it is old or thick one wash may not do it.

If any wax is left the coat of Estapol etc will melt it and it will be mixed in with the wet finish which results in poor drying or no drying at all if there is a lot of wax. washing the stuffed up finish off and sanding and redoing takes a lot more time and effort than giving it a good wash first.

As you had previously produced the finish you knew what was there but before you refinish any surface always wash it with solvent first - before sanding!!! You never know what someone may have attacked it with in a previous life.

If you were to paint a car your instructions would be wash dirt off with water first, then with solvent then sand.

[LesC]

Thanks for letting me know about the Wax and Grease remover.

I'll make a point of stocking up!.

Thanks also for the other advice - really appreciated.

Les

[Harry72]

Safety tip, always wear impervious gloves with the dewaxer its not real flash for your skin.

[rsser]

Does the wax and grease remover dissolve paraffin wax as well?

[durwood]

No - only good for normal wax, polish, silicone.