Where's my shine?

I've been buffing by hand my 1981 H16 with rubbing compound. Been over her about 8 times. On the side of the hulls I've brought her to satin from chalk. Under the tramp the decks shine nicely. When I removed the pin stripes I found nice "wet look" shiney boat. Is it possible to match that without re gelcoatng? I also saw a add for "Island Girl" polishing supplies out of Hawaii, the add looks pretty convincing...but what adds don't?
Anyone use this? It looks like it's more of a coating than a restorer. I'd like to restore the gelcoat if possible. I'm ready to go for power now. I have an old orbiter buffer over my parents that I bought as a teenager (It's coal fired ), but from what I remember it didn't do all that well, I might go dig it up and give it a try. I think that a rotary buffer might be the ticket but are quality ones available for under $100?

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

If the surface is just dull and not scratched.... u have to hit it with 1000, 1500 and 2000 grit wet sanding before compounding. If its rough u could start with 800 grit but be carefull sanding too much gel off.

A angle sander/polisher that runs at 3000rpm with a foam disk is a must for rubbing compound!!

Keep the surface wet with a spray bottle as u compound with the angle polisher, it will make it run smoother not burning or drying ure compound.

The orbital buffer is for waxing, it will not work for polishing with compound.

Dynatron medium duty polish compound. It is available at most good auto parts/paint stores. Put this on an orbital buffer (not random orbital), and go to town. This stuff has a kerosene base and seriously works on heavily oxidized finishes. Wait 24 hours after using it, and then apply wax to the surface.

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Trey Brown
www.velocitysailing.com
2006 N20 1017
1998 H16 102698
www.sunjammers.com ftw!

You can also use 3M Finesse-It II.

Use a foam pad on a buffer with it.

The short story is that you can't get a mirror finish easily by hand. You need a machine buffer.

Yeah, I've been working all 12 hour shifts this week (6:00PM-6:00AM), I figure with all that O.T. and not being able to do too much else but work and sleep, I could justify buying a polisher. I ordered one along with the 3M Perfect-it III. After I ordered it I noticed it wasn't the Extra Cut but my hulls aren't chalky anymore either so I guess we'll see what happens. I'll have over a week off starting Tuesday morning so it's going to be boat boat boat!!

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S