Light gel coat scratches

[dru1974]

How do I remove these very fine scratches. My boat is black and they sure stick out.

[gcnettl]

Very fine, Id use polishing compound per directions on the compound. For a little deeper ones, I use rubbing compound followed by polishing compound. If you use an electric buffer, use the random orbital type if possible to avoid burning the gelcoat.

[you da man]

DO NOT use Terry towels either when wiping/cleaning the boat, use microfiber

[AaronWhitt82]

DO NOT use Terry towels either when wiping/cleaning the boat, use microfiber

How come you say not to use terry towels? I only use microfiber when waxing or detailing the boat, but when I wipe it down after a day on the river I just use regular towels. Is that bad for it?

[you da man]

How come you say not to use terry towels? I only use microfiber when waxing or detailing the boat, but when I wipe it down after a day on the river I just use regular towels. Is that bad for it?

The terry towels will contribute to the swirel marks/scratches. It's just the nature of how the fabric works with the dirt in the lake water compared to the microfiber towels. You can buy bulk microfiber towels online fairly cheap. Ever seen any highend cars using terry towels to detail it? Nope, there's a reason behind using quality microfiber towels with smooth, glossy finishes.

[Razzman]

There are compounds specifically for gelcoat to remove the scratches. Do NOT use rubbing or polishing coumpound to remove these unless they are so deep that nothing else will work first. When you use those they will actually make the scratch wider and it will show up on black very well.

Da man is right, terry towels will make swirls, especially on black! Use the micro detail towels for everything including wiping down.

My LSV is all black except for the deck and i've had lots of experience with it but remember one thing. You will NEVER be able to keep the "as new" shine on black. Gelcoat scratches way too easy and unless you polish and constantly detail you'll always have them, just part of having a black boat.

[squeeg333]

I second what Razz said. Black gelcoat looks really awesome, but it shows scratches like crazy (dirt too) and is just part of the joys of us who have darker boats. I've tried to get some deepers scratches out, but just decided to live with them. No on really notices them, but me. So, some of them, you'll unfortunately just have to deal with.

[pjw]

i have a few scraches from my boat lift guards rubbing against teh side of my LSV. Can you give me the name of a good product?