Shallow Gel coat scratch

[Badger]

I went through a search and couldn't find this exact situation. I've got a couple of scratches on side of my black gel coat. They are so shallow that I can't even feel them with my fingernail. The problem is that they appear white, like it goes all the way through into the fiberglass. Since I know that's not the case, I assume they are a scratch only in the top layer, which I assume is a clear coat. My suspicion of the cause is a staple in my guide-on bunks for the boat lift, although I've been over it multiple times and can't find one. I may recarpet this winter just to avoid more scratches.

Is there anything I can put on these scratches that will make them go away. I've never "buffed" anything and am afraid I'd do more damage than what's there now. I'm afraid of swirl marks or any kind of product that is going to remove material or coating since it's on the most visible part of my boat.

Ken

[99response]

No clearcoat, you can wetsand and buff, but you really have to know what you are doing on black, especially Malibu black.

-Chris

[badbyz]

I went through a search and couldn't find this exact situation. I've got a couple of scratches on side of my black gel coat. They are so shallow that I can't even feel them with my fingernail. The problem is that they appear white, like it goes all the way through into the fiberglass. Since I know that's not the case, I assume they are a scratch only in the top layer, which I assume is a clear coat. My suspicion of the cause is a staple in my guide-on bunks for the boat lift, although I've been over it multiple times and can't find one. I may recarpet this winter just to avoid more scratches.

Is there anything I can put on these scratches that will make them go away. I've never "buffed" anything and am afraid I'd do more damage than what's there now. I'm afraid of swirl marks or any kind of product that is going to remove material or coating since it's on the most visible part of my boat.

Ken

I had similar scratches on my black bu. I used turtle wax rubbing compound very lightly on the scratch then polished with starbrite boat polish. Worked great.