Awlgrip Solvents & Dewaxers

Awlgrip Surface Prep Solvents for Marine Coatings

A high-gloss yacht finish is only as good as the surface beneath it. Wax, silicone, hand oils and grease can cause fisheyes, poor adhesion and blemishes in even the best topcoat. That is why Awlgrip developed its Awl-Prep line of wipe down solvents, designed to be used alongside its primers and topcoats. Awlgrip has been associated with premium topside coatings since the 1970s, and its cleaners are formulated to fit into that same professional system.

The Awl-Prep Family

Awlgrip's wipe down solvents are sorted by evaporation speed, so painters can match the product to shop temperature, panel size and the stage of the job. Within the broader Solvents & Dewaxers category, this approach is what sets the brand apart: instead of one generic cleaner, you choose the solvent that fits your conditions.

• Awl-Prep Plus (T0115): a medium-fast evaporating, stronger solvent intended to remove waxes, oils and greases commonly found on painted surfaces, new or aged gelcoat, aluminum or steel. It is used before and after sanding the substrate prior to priming, and it is not meant for freshly painted surfaces.
• Awl-Prep 400 (T0170): a general-purpose wipe down solvent that evaporates five times slower than Awl-Prep (T0008). It is used on final primed or topcoated surfaces before and after sanding to remove hand oils, light grease and other light contaminants. It is also effective at lifting tape residue, and it is non-photochemically reactive.

Why Evaporation Rate Matters

The slower evaporation of Awl-Prep 400 gives you more working time on large areas in warm weather. With the two-cloth method, one cloth applies the solvent and a second wipes it off before it flashes, which helps avoid wipe marks and re-deposited contamination. Awlgrip recommends it for warm conditions. Awl-Prep Plus is the choice when the job is dewaxing and degreasing bare or previously coated substrates rather than a final wipe of primer or topcoat.

Using Them in a Coating System

These solvents are meant to be paired with Awlgrip primers, fillers, topcoats and reducers. A typical workflow is to dewax and degrease the substrate, sand, wipe down again, then prime and apply the finish. Skipping or rushing the cleaning stage is one of the most common causes of paint defects on hulls, decks and superstructures. Always review the technical data sheet and safety data sheet for the product you choose, and follow proper ventilation and PPE practices when working with solvents.

Shopping Tips

• Match the solvent to the task: Awl-Prep Plus for waxy or greasy substrates, Awl-Prep 400 for finish-stage wipe downs.
• Consider ambient temperature and the size of the panel you are cleaning.
• Use clean, lint-free cloths and change them often.
• Do not confuse wipe down solvents with spray reducers, which thin the coating itself.

For the full lineup of coatings and finishing products, visit the Awlgrip brand page, or browse the Solvents & Dewaxers category to compare other options.