I've found that the buffing I had done to the boat really didn't do anything other than put a temp shine on it. I figured that wet sanding and polishing is in order and started already.
I'm using 1000 grit and going up to 1500 grit and it seems to be working very well. Next I'm using a swirl mark remover/fine compound then waxing. I'm wondering if I need to do an actual heavier compound first before the fine compound/polish?
I've not seen any scratch marks since I'm using the high grit sand paper so I think I'm ok but I wanted to get any other opinions.
I'm actually going to switch up before I go any further and use Star Brite polish to seal the finish after the fine compound before I wax. Does anyone know if the Ft Worth area Academy's carry the Star Brite polish and 3m Ultra Performance wax?

I used 3m imperial marine compound after sanding then used 3m perfect it finishing compound then 3m ultra preformance wax bought at Academy.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong Star Brite polish and wax are not compatable use one or the other. There is a sealer out there can't remember the name. The company is from Long view suppose to do a great job too use it instead of wax or polish.

I actually just picked up the Star Brite polish and it says to use a wax over it? The info I got on the restoration process recommends the Star Brite then the 3M wax. That's from a pro. I'm really just wondering if the heavier compounding is necessary or not. He recommended 800 then 1000 grit sanding before 2 stage compounding. I don't think I need to do that much since I'm doing 1000 up to 1500 grit sanding. But I wanted some other opinions.

I've done it both ways I do believe even after hitting it with 1500 a good cutting compound will give you a bit deeper shine.

I just got in from wet sanding the entire upper cap of the boat. I went ahead and polished some of the newly sanded area with the finer compound and it has a really good shine. I think that hitting it with a heavier compound after the 1500 grit sand paper would be going back a step.
Now, the next question is, how far down the boat would you go with the whole process? Unless I take the boat off the trailer I obviously can't get ALL of the running surface. I know that waxing the pad area is not a good idea but could I get as far as polishing and sealing it without any negative handling effects? I have to get the sides with the sandpaper but I don't think I need to do anything more than polish the keel area about halfway back.

I use to use a polish can't remember the name instead of wax it was a once a year process. I know all about 3m products their finishing compound is also called machine polish Aqua Fina still have to wax or seal it. I'm really not experienced with Star Brite products I would follow the instructions on their container. Mine went 800 1000 1500 2000 2500 then marine compound finish compound then wax all were 3M Imperial products. With out the compounding it had a semi satin look the compounding really brought out the shine the wax made it glow.

Here is a pic of when it was finished it started out with no shine.

See the white look above the R that was before I did the side. The top was way worse.

Mine isn't nearly that bad. I think the buff job took a lot of the bad stuff off but I still think that the wet sanding was necessary. I'll take some pics tomorrow but I got a really good shine with the 1000, 1500 and then the finishing compound. I still haven't sealed or waxed it but I would call it a good deep shine.
Militarybrat, did you do the bottom side of the boat or leave off on the sides?

Only thing sucks about wet sanding, is you have to keep waxed polished constantly or it'll turn dull color.

I did the sides too only thing I have not done is the bottom which is white and does not need it.

Mine lives outside covered I have only waxed it twice a year and a half ago. I'll take some pics in the am before wash and wax then after. I have not experienced the dulling (chalking) that others claim happens. Maybe it's the gel formulation Skeeter used there was some kind of additive they used in the gel to keep chalking to a minimum. I have owned this boat since it was new in 1998.

Rangerbass21, from what I've been reading, if using a good quality Marine wax, polishing/cleaning should be once a year as well as waxing. Which is something we "should" be doing anyway!
And I think if done right, wet sanding, compounding and polishing, should bring it back to a normal, like new shine which shouldn't require any more work than it did when new.

I think I'm going to do a test now that I'm thinking about it, if I can find it. I'm going to use 3M Finesse and see if it brings a better shine than just the fine compound I'm using. I think it is a little heavier compound than what I'm using so maybe it will bring back a deeper color and shine. Good time to do it.

Dirty

Just washed no wax