Scratches that don t penetrate down into the layers of fiberglass often can be wet sanded flat and buffed back to a shine with no need for gelcoat at.
How to remove surface scratches from gelcoat.
For deeper penetrating scratches you may have to fill in the gel coat itself.
If the surface is oxidized restore it with a rubbing compound so you ll be able to match its color accurately.
Once the surface is clean and dry mark off the repair area with masking tape.
If you cannot feel the scratch it is a light scratch that will likely be fixed using the first method.
In the case of the surface level scratch your mission should be to repair the gel coat.
Expect to repeat the application.
We can delve into deep scratches and those that require spraying on new gelcoat later.
Can i use a motorized car type buffer.
Next gouge out small narrow cracks and scratches that are too deep to remove with rubbing compound until they are wide enough to fill with gelcoat paste.
Run your fingers over the scratch while the surface of the car is clean.
Step 2 dip a rag into a jar of petroleum jelly and rub the scratch in a circular motion.
When the gelcoat surrounding a scratch is in good condition the filler of choice is gelcoat paste which provides both filler and finish in a single application but not a single step.
I have some minor scratches in my gelcoat that i would like to try and remove.
As long as the gelcoat around the deep scratch is in good condition you will be able to use gelcoat putty requires mixing mekp.
If the scratch is a shallow surface scratch you should be able to remove it yourself.
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In the past when i wax the boat i can actually get some of them out by hand with just the wax.
To keep this blog entry brief we ll deal with deal only with surface scratches.
This is not something i want to do all the time maybe just an annual maintenance thing.
Surface scratches can be buffed out of gelcoat with polishing compound but deep scratches must be filled.
If your fingernail does catch on the scratch it may.
When looking at a scratch in the gelcoat you need to determine whether it is a surface scratch or a deep scratch the reason being is that surface scratches can easily be buffed with a rubbing compound as opposed to deep scratches which take a couple more steps.
Should i use any buffing compound.
Using a polishing compound like polyshine you should be able to buff this out and even out the area giving you the appearance of the original gel coat or close to it.
If you can feel the scratch and your fingernail does not catch easily on the scratch it is a deep clear coat scratch that must be fixed using the second method.
First assess the damage.
