Removing Surface Scratches on Colored Gelcoat

[cduced]

Got the first bit of dock rash on the new boat. What is the procedure for restoring this to like new? Wet sand then compound, then finesse it, then wax? Thanks. -- Bud

[oceandansar]

you got it right

[Capt Rick Hiott]

I hope you dont sand through the red.........It looks like you will have to sand the he11 out of it before you buff it.

[kerno]

I can't really tell how deep the scratches are, but it is always better to spend more time with finer paper than spending extra time to try and get out the scratches from coarser paper. If the sratches are not deep, I'd start that with about 400 grit, the go to 600 grit and finish with 1200. 1200 seem slike a luxury, but it will cut down the compounding time quite a bit. I never use anything coarser than 320 on gelcoat unless I am trying to remove it.

[cracker]

I can't really tell how deep the scratches are, but it is always better to spend more time with finer paper than spending extra time to try and get out the scratches from coarser paper. If the sratches are not deep, I'd start that with about 400 grit, the go to 600 grit and finish with 1200. 1200 seem slike a luxury, but it will cut down the compounding time quite a bit. I never use anything coarser than 320 on gelcoat unless I am trying to remove it.

Good advice go slow, as Gelcoat color maybe not thick at all...

[cduced]

Good advice go slow, as Gelcoat color maybe not thick at all...

Thanks! I have a supply of 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 so I can work my way up. -- Bud

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Do you have a "DA" sander for your fine grit paper? If so, do it dry. That way you can see how far you are cutting. If you do it wet,,,its hard to tell.

[roadkill]

Call the dealer or manufacturer and see what they recommend. They should be able to guide you thru gelcoat depth issues and which grit to use. Error on the side of caution.

[BW23]

Hard to tell from the pics....are you sure it's gel-coat and not painted ?