Bound to happen: First Scratch

[thirtydaZe]

I knew it was bound to happen, doesn't it happen to everyone?

Anyhow, long story short, last night i had to trailer my boat because i'm finally getting my lift installed in my slip.The loading ramp dock is basically the same dock as the gas pump, and there is a repair piece of piping sitting on the dock.

You guessed it, i rubbed the repair piece of pipe.:smt009

Anyhow, it's nothing major, but being that the boat has only been on the water for a week..............

My question is, can anyone recommend anything short of calling the gel coat repair man, that i can easily do to make the scratches, lets say, "less noticeable?"

Obviously the scratch is deep enough to rub off some of my maroon.

Anyone have any miracle compounds for my cause?

 

[fwebster]

You might try buffing with a polishing (not a rubbing) compound by hand, not with a machine. The colored gelcoats can be thin and sometimes aggressive polishing leaves a light spot. It is a lot harder and more expensive to fix a big light area than a small scratch.

 

[thirtydaZe]

You might try buffing with a polishing (not a rubbing) compound by hand, not with a machine. The colored gelcoats can be thin and sometimes aggressive polishing leaves a light spot. It is a lot harder and more expensive to fix a big light area than a small scratch.

right on, is it a marine polishing compound you have in mind, or just any stuff i can find.

anyone have in brand recommendations?

 

[Dave S]

If you already have some automotive polishing compound, try that first. If you need to buy something, you can get a marine product but I don't think they are much different than the automotive products.

Dave

 

[thirtydaZe]

anyone heard of a product called QUIXX Repair System?
http://www.quixxusa.com/solution

i'd imagine most of these scratch removers are all about the same anyhow.

this one for deep scratches calls for wet sanding, which i'm not going to touch....

 

[Tonka Boater]

anyone heard of a product called QUIXX Repair System?
http://www.quixxusa.com/solution

i'd imagine most of these scratch removers are all about the same anyhow.

this one for deep scratches calls for wet sanding, which i'm not going to touch....

You might be over-thinking the solution. Looks like the rub rail did its job and the scuff on the chrome will come off just fine. For the hull -- $50 and 15 minutes and your dealer can fix that gel like new. That's assuming it won't just buff out.

I know what its like to have a new baby but those scuffs are completely fixable.

 

[thirtydaZe]

You might be over-thinking the solution. Looks like the rub rail did its job and the scuff on the chrome will come off just fine. For the hull -- $50 and 15 minutes and your dealer can fix that gel like new. That's assuming it won't just buff out.

I know what its like to have a new baby but those scuffs are completely fixable.

thanks for reassuring me, that really what i was hoping for!

 

[Tonka Boater]

thanks for reassuring me, that really what i was hoping for!

No problem. Quick story for you -- I was overly anal with my previous 240SD until the day I tied up to a friends dock. The rear fender got cockeyed and the rear portside corner rubbed against his metal stairs for 30 minutes without me knowing about it. The gel was trashed and I was sick to my stomach. There were huge, deep, uneven gashes but the dealer fixed it like new for under $300 and I was back in the water the next day. Since then I have been less concerned about scuffs. They happen and I deal with them....and I still have the shiniest boat in our marina.

 

[thirtydaZe]

No problem. Quick story for you -- I was overly anal with my previous 240SD until the day I tied up to a friends dock. The rear fender got cockeyed and the rear portside corner rubbed against his metal stairs for 30 minutes without me knowing about it. The gel was trashed and I was sick to my stomach. There were huge, deep, uneven gashes but the dealer fixed it like new for under $300 and I was back in the water the next day. Since then I have been less concerned about scuffs. They happen and I deal with them....and I still have the shiniest boat in our marina.

definitely puts my mind at ease. thanks for all the help.
:thumbsup:

 

[fwebster]

Something like a plastic scratch remover from Mothers, Meguires, etc. may get the scratch out and won't hurt the gelcoat.

 

[tobnpr]

3M Finesse-It:
http://www.shop3m.com/marine-finesse-it-ii-glaze.html

 

[1956olds]

Where is Billy Mays when you need him?