Buffing out scratches??????????
 

Boat appeared to have been washed at one time with some sand in the sponge and left very fine scratches in gel.

I used 3M Perfect It fine cut compound on a foam buffing wheel on a 2 speed buffer. Scratches are gone, but now have what looks like a splotchy/cloudy shine. Not a deep, clear even shine. I did a small section with swirl remover by hand, did not help.
What is the next step and with what?
Trying to get that deep shine back.

Thanks

3M Finesse- it compound will do the trick. I think there's a Finesse-it II as well. Check there web site.

Yup, NAPA should have it. Follow up with whatever you choose, I like the Nu Finish from Wally World. Comes in an orange bottle.

i have black gel coat on my hull sides and it takes a lot of maintenance to keep nice
i found some gel coat cutting compound to ge the clouding out of the gel, then for the first time i used 3M finnesse it. that stuff is awesome. after using it on the bow it looks brand new on my 15 year old 1988 formula.

if the scratches are gone. the finesse it will make the hull shine. just buff untill it dries iteslf off, then hand rub with terry cloth till there is no residue.

let us know your outcome

Thanks,
I take it that I also use a foam wheel with the Finesse?

I have black gel also, and it takes some time to get it looking right.

I have tried it seems countless polishing compounds grits etc etc

The best results and the deepest shine, I get with the following;

Using a double sided wool buffing disk at low speed and Maguires #44 to clean up the oxidation and dull parts

Then by hand I go over the same areas with Maguires #45 pay attention to the instructions and don't let the compound dry on the gel, buff it off with a terry towel

When that is done after washing the wool buffing disk, I power wax the whole thing with Maguires #56 pure wax

It sounds like an advert, but nothing from any of the fiberglass shops or autobody shops I have ever used even comes close

anyone with black gel can tell you it's a pain in the butt ;)

regarding my use of the finesse it

i only had a wool pad at the time and used that with not a ton of pressure. it worked well, but i had to keep it quite clean (cleaned off the wool pad after about every application of 2'x2' section of hull with a screwdriver while spinning the pad so the pad didn't load up, otherwise the finesse it would not dry/haze off the boat as you buffed, just kept smearing)

but it is recommended to use the foam pad for the finesse it. I bet the foam will work better. I plan to get one and do some more per instructions this weekend or next week.

don't forget to wax after finessing, or the UV will get you. and you will be starting over in a few months.