Scratch removal in color stripe gel coat

elgineddie · 05-28-08, 02:12

Howdy,
I have a scratch in my gel coat that I'd like to remove. I've cleaned the entire hull using Collinite # 920 on a LC white pad. The hull, in general, is looking OK for a 10yr old boat.

The scratch is about 4" long and my finger nail can catch it. I'm guessing I can correct this at least a little bit but I'm new to gel coat. I've tried some 3M Marine light rubbing compound with a LC white (being a bit nervous) and it's done nothing. Do you think I can step up to an orange or yellow or is correcting a scratch in gel coat a waste of time? I'd hate to end up with a scratch and a lighter background!!

If only it was 1" higher!!

Greg Nichols · 05-29-08, 08:29

I bet you are not going to get it out, since the scratch is a different color, I'm pretty sure it is through the color coat. Wet sanding is the best for gel coats on deeper scrach removals, the compound or polish out the sanding marks.

lbcsublime9 · 05-30-08, 12:49

id just leave it alone, i honestly had to take a second look to find it

elgineddie · 05-30-08, 06:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbcsublime9

id just leave it alone, i honestly had to take a second look to find it

Thanks for the input guys. I've gotten the color to blend a bit and I'm gonna just leave it be.
Now I've got some pitting on the top side I've going to have to deal with...

Thanks again!
Ed