I tried and tried to get the perfect varnish finish on my Kayak. I ended up with dust bumps so I sanded (wet) and put on another coat. Then I got some sags and runs. More sanding and another coat with more bumps and/or sags. This kept on until I finally said screw it. At that point the hull looked ok but the deck had a sag and a few dust bumps so I decided to polish the deck. If you are looking for the perfect finish polish is the answer.

The best start is with a good foam-brush-applied-varnish job. Then get one sheet of every grade of wet/dry sandpaper from 320 to 2000 (building supply and auto paint supply stores you’ll have to go to both). Wet sand with a bucket of water mixed with a small squirt of dishwashing detergent or with running water (hose) and a closed cell foam sanding block (from the local boat shop). Sand the entire surface with each grade paper (1/4 sheet) and wash between grits to remove all paste and loose grit, and use fresh water with each grit. It doesn’t take much sanding with each grit but don’t skip any, then it will.

Next you will need a power buffer or rotary sander, three new wool buffing pads and Meguiar’s No. 1, 2 and 9. Label the pads on the back with a permanent marker 1, 2 and 9. Polish the entire surface with No. 1 wash the boat and change the pad. Repeat with No. 2 and No. 9.

You’ll be amazed with the results. If you didn’t use the fairing board instead of ROS you’ll wish you had.

Follow the “clinics” on Meguair’s web site:
http://www.meguiars.com/
I didn’t use their buffing pads or their sandpaper.

When you get done you will go out cover the boat with sand and water drops, ding it up with the paddle, dock and whatever and few people will notice the improvement for having polished. But if you want that perfect finish that’s, at least one way, how to do it.