In another post you said


After an unfortunate run-in with some rocks left my hull heavily scrached, I decided to try your method so I purchased the sandpapers you said you used. The attached file shows the hull after I got to the 400-grit (wet) level. At this point I dunno how it's going to turn out, but I'll do 800 and maybe polish it tomorrow. What'd you use to polish it? The darker spots are the original (pre-sanding) color; I was afraid to get too agressive with the sandpaper everywhere after I went all the way through the gelcoat in that one spot.

Guess it's going to look mottled but hopefully only up-close. Better than big ugly scratches! *sigh*

Also, note my over-zealous sanding about 2" ahead of the transom - there's some resin exposed there... still trying to decide how to cover that up.

Jim,

After you get done with the 800 grit (wet), use 3M Rubbing Compound on a machine buffer to get the remaining light scratches out (do the whole hull while you're at it).

Follow up with 3M Finesse-It II polishing compound on a machine buffer with a foam pad. This is what really brings back the gloss.

Use a good boat wax to preserve the finish.

I did this on my 32 year old 14 and it looks like it just popped out of the mold.

I would not recomend trying to sand out heavy scratches for the reasons you have discovered.

Thanks bro, I'll give it a shot. Sadly some of the scratches will still be there no matter what because I think in a few spots the rocks gouged all the way through the gelcoat, but I definately think it's going to look a *lot* better.