: . . . To remove wax or oil you only need use the much less toxic mineral spirits.
: Be sure to
: buy the grade for thinning paint (red lable) the lower grade (blue lable) is
: for cleaning
: brushes. Just wipe the surface with some mineral spirits on a paper towel.
: Let dry.
: Then scrub the surface with water and a green srcub pad. Dry. Wet sand with
: 220.
: And then dry and coat. . . .

And to add to that thought:

Another solvent for wax and oils is ammonia. I hesitate to say it is less toxic than mineral solvents, for anyone who has gotten a whiff of the stuff would certainly say otherwise. However, when it evaporates, or is washed onto your lawn it fertilizes the plants with its nitrogen, rather than killing them.

With suitable gloves and respirator it is easy to handle. If you dilute it you cna probably get away without the respirator for short stretches. Once you have used a mixture of ammonia water to cut through the waxes or oils that may have settled on your boat, it is very easy to rinse clean with just a splash from the garden hose.

If you need more scrubbing power you can use this with either the green abrasive pads like Scotch Brite(R) pads, or you can use the less abrasive nylon-mesh-covered sponges, or the balls of wadded up nylon mesh fabric -- all of which are available in the cleaning section of your local grocery store.

Other materials that cut through oils and waxes are also available at the grocery store, or from the hardware store. Citrus-oil based cleansers and caustic materials of many formulae adorn the shelves.

Materials range from baking soda and washing soda to TSP (Trisodium Phosphate). It is practially a case of a person being able to {literally} choose their own poison. Reading and following the cautionary labels is mandatory.

Must be a lot of oil in the world if we have discovered so many ways to clean it up.

PGJ