Solvent for Wax

[dlearl476]

I didn't know where else to post this:

I have a two-fold problem. I'm trying to repair the cupholder in my cage that somehow has broken the plastic retainer that holds the return spring. No problem, except that the PO somehow spilled a bunch of wax into it. (The only possible scenario I can imgagine is that he/she was burning a scented candle in the cupholder and it somehow closed. When the wax cooled, it gummed up the works, and someone tried to force it open/closed breaking off the return spring.)

Anyway, I can't glue a repair tab on there while it's covered with wax, and the normal way I'd remove wax (heat) is iffy in this situation. Is there some product that will dissolve the wax without heat?

TIA

[MCMXCIVRS]

A varsol type solvent should disolve it and not affect the plastic.

[dlearl476]

A varsol type solvent should disolve it and not affect the plastic.

I don't know what that is. Brand Name? Chemical name?

[Paul_F]

Have you tried heating it with moderate heat from a hair dryer and then wiping it away?

[MCMXCIVRS]

I don't know what that is. Brand Name? Chemical name?

Its a fairly common solvent. Often sold as paint thinner for oil based paints.

[dlearl476]

Success, after trying MEK and Acetone suggested elsewhere, I figured I'd give SEM Soap (an autobody product for removing wax, grease, tar, etc. from surfaces prior to painting) a try. And it worked.

The problem with heat is that although it would remove the bulk of the wax, it wouldn't clean the surface entirely so adhesive would stick. The SEM soap did.

Thanks All.

[Hodag]

wd-40?