Just making sure I'm not making a mistake with my gelcoat

[Ewok]

Where do you guys use the compound and then wax? Do you compound above the rub rail?

I use the least abrasive material that gets out the scratches or whatever needs to be fixed, like Chpthrill said. I start off with a good wash, then I use a paint cleaner/polisher which removes very slight swirl marks or very fine scratches. If there are deeper scratches that are not removed with the paint cleaner, then I go to a medium cut compound on the area that needs the fix. If that doesn't get it then I have to evaluate if the scratch is deep and gets close to the fiberglass, you don't want to thin out the gelcoat too much while trying to fix a scratch. If there is a deep scratch I would use some touch up gelcoat repair from spectrum color and then sand, compound and polish the repair to blend it in with the original gelcoat:

http://spectrumcolor.com/Index.aspx?key=cat

In my case there are two spots on the side of my boat that get scratches from the fenders rubbing on the side of the hull. They are light scratches and I keep my fenders clean but the sides of the docks are not clean and the small particles of dirt transfer to the fender which then rub and scratch the hull. It's not easily visible, have to have the right light and angle to see the scratches, but I know they are there, and I get rid of them each year. I use this product to get rid of the scratches:

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product/fine-cut-cleaner

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/produc...um-cut-cleaner

I use the fine cut cleaner all over the boat as my paint cleaner, then I use the medium cut cleaner on spots that need a little more attention. I use a Porter Cable 7424 dual action polisher. You can find a good deal here, it includes a basic pad set:

http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable...value-kit.html

If you have really dull or white powder coming off the gelcoat when you wipe your hand across it, then it's oxidized and will benefit from a wetsand, light compound, polish and protectant (wax).

[BurnMac42]

This isn't so much to remove scratches as it is to try get rid of the shadow left behind by the graphics I peeled off.....

[Ewok]

I know burn. I just wanted to close the loop with the commentary from Chaos, Chpthrill and myself, for others to learn from.

For the sticker shadow, a light cut/swirl remover like I posted will be plenty to blend in the gelcoat. Always follow up with some type of protectant, such as a polymer sealrr from Hula, PBC, babes or boat bling. It's good stuff and, IMO, worth the extra dollars over regular carnauba wax.

[BurnMac42]

I know burn. I just wanted to close the loop with the commentary from Chaos, Chpthrill and myself, for others to learn from.

For the sticker shadow, a light cut/swirl remover like I posted will be plenty to blend in the gelcoat. Always follow up with some type of protectant, such as a polymer sealrr from Hula, PBC, babes or boat bling. It's good stuff and, IMO, worth the extra dollars over regular carnauba wax.

No prob Ewok and I appreciate the info!

I ordered PBC Crystal Cut Polish. I planned on following that up with PBC Crystal Gloss Wax Glaze. I didn't see any polymer sealer from PBC so after I waxed I planned on getting the Polymer sealer from Hula. Should I skip the PBC wax and go straight to the sealer after I use the crystal cut?

[Ewok]

The PBC wax glaze is a polymer sealer (replacement for wax. They use wax in the name because they don't want to confuse people, it's not real wax). No need to buy the polymer sealer from hula if you have the wax glaze from PBC. I've used both and they are both good equal products as far as protection. The PBC is a little easier to buff off than the Hula polymer sealant.

[BurnMac42]

Thanks Ewok!!!

[BurnMac42]

Figured I'd update on the results of using PBC's polish and then wax....I couldn't be happier...removed 15 year old decals and REALLY cleaned up the sides of the boat. Full disclosure...if you look really hard and know where to look, you can still see a litte bit of shadow from some of the graphics but all in all the boat will look great in the sun and on the lake!

The day I picked her up:

20150106_161559.jpg

How she sits in the garage now...I'm thinking I'll probably keep her clean other than the Tige emblems that you can purchase from Tige.com that are on the new boats...:

20150311_140925.jpg20150311_140944.jpg