Scratches but no oxidation

[jjbleds]

As the title indicates the boat I will be helping my friend detail has alot of swirls/scratches but very little or no oxidation. It is always garaged and only used 4-6 months of the year. Most of the threads here cover which product for which level of oxidation. Can I assume to use the same products for heavy scratches as for heavy oxidation? I guess I am just confused because most of the cars we work on are more scratched than oxidized, where as most boats seem to be more oxidized than scratched. I am just not sure if I should get #50, #44, or #67 to start with. I would then polish with #45 and finish with #63. Sorry no pics are available as I will not have access to the boat until detail time. I did see it last month. The boat is a 21' Ranger, black with red fleck. Thanks for your help, this will be my first boat detail!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratches but no oxidation

The boat is a 21' Ranger, black with red fleck. Thanks for your help, this will be my first boat detail!

Black with red metallic flake?

Probably a gel-coat with red metallic flake in it as that's what I've seen Ranger Boats have in the past.

Since you're not seeing any oxidation... have to wonder if its painted with a clear coat on top and not gel-coat and that would explain why it's not oxidizing but instead is filled with swirls and scratches.

Do you know if this is a custom paint job? Or the factory finish?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratches but no oxidation

Does it look similar to one of these?

[jjbleds]

Re: Scratches but no oxidation

Hi, Mike.
Thanks for the speedy reply! That is basically the boat. It is a factory gel-coat. I believe it is a 2006 Z21 Comanche. I assume there is not much oxidation because he does take good(average) care of it, garaged, always wiped off, and waxed by hand with some type of wax at least once a year. The scratches are probably from poor techinque and normal wear.

I may not be using the correct gel-coat terms. So yes, black with red metallic flake.