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Wax “explosion”

craigf | Posted in Construction Techniques on December 6, 2009 10:03am

Going to look at a paint job tommorow. Customer says she had some sort of candle that “exploded” and spattered wax on the textured wall. She had trouble removing the wax without ruining the texture.

She says the wax wouldn’t look that bad if it was painted over unless you knew it was there.

Any ideas?

Remove or seal?

I thought if I picked you guys brains, I might look pretty smart tommorow.

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Dec 06, 2009 10:17pm | #1

    Paper towel and clothes iron to melt and absorb what ya can. Then Rattle can "Seal Coat" spray it. Prime and paint , get paid.

     

    http://forums.taunton.com/n/docs/docDownload.aspx?guid=46B35A4C-CD5A-41A0-BFFA-2F4A29FA1894&webtag=tp-breaktime

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB

     

  2. User avater
    BarryE | Dec 06, 2009 10:59pm | #2

    Remove first.

    Try heat gun or hair dryer. heat and blot. Wash wall with a vinegar solution. Sometimes you can get lucky and not have to repaint


    Barry E-Remodeler

     

    1. User avater
      fengelman | Dec 06, 2009 11:09pm | #3

      dry ceaning solution will disolve candle wax...and if you think o a crayon, it's made of wax, and have you ever tried to paint over a crayon mark?....

       

       

       

       I wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then

      1. User avater
        BarryE | Dec 06, 2009 11:35pm | #5

        I don't think you were addressing that to meBut now that you mention it..... yes I have painted over wax. It was part of a faux finish made up by a designer many moons ago

        Barry E-Remodeler

         

    2. Eldan | Dec 06, 2009 11:40pm | #6

      I had good results with the heat gun and blot method.

      1. craigf | Dec 07, 2009 02:53am | #7

        Thanks to everyone!Don't know where I can get dry cleaning fluid, but heat and Naptha I can do.

        1. User avater
          BarryE | Dec 07, 2009 03:42am | #8

          "but heat and Naptha I can do."just not at the same time. <G>

          Barry E-Remodeler

           

          1. Piffin | Dec 07, 2009 04:06am | #9

            LOL, already been one 'explosion' in the house! 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          2. User avater
            BarryE | Dec 07, 2009 04:08am | #10

            Might be a little harder to paint the walls the 2nd time <G>

            Barry E-Remodeler

             

          3. craigf | Dec 07, 2009 05:07am | #11

            I guess details are important then. :)

  3. Piffin | Dec 06, 2009 11:12pm | #4

    It has to com,e off. Naptha will remove the stain residue after you scrape the blobs off.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

  4. IronHelix | Dec 07, 2009 02:46pm | #12

    There is a solvent called "Carbo-Chlor" that is a wax solvent.
    A well stocked hardware/building center/paint store should have it on the shelf.
    When I was in retail that item was on my shelves.

    ............Iron Helix

    1. craigf | Dec 07, 2009 03:46pm | #14

      I'll check it out. Thanks

  5. junkhound | Dec 07, 2009 03:08pm | #13

    Before solvents or heat, would try ice bag or CO2 fire extinguisher or dry ice, sometimes the wax will then just flake off. 

    Heat and solvents first, if the texture wall finish is at all absorbent, will just make matters worse.

    1. craigf | Dec 07, 2009 03:50pm | #15

      I'll do that first. Thanks

  6. Jercarp | Dec 07, 2009 03:58pm | #16

    If you're able to paint over it, then you're gold.
    I would go the cold way first and try scraping it off without ruining the texture.
    If you go the heat & solvent, make sure you can spot prime over the solvent first.

    1. craigf | Dec 07, 2009 04:05pm | #17

      Thanks.

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