First.... :WELCOME:to the board...
If money allows, the best is to fiberglass it. If that's to much for the budget then a few coats of spar urathane will fix ya up...
Posting photos of your boat, project, or area in question will always get you the most responses... :wink:
Also, if you use the search in the upper right hand corner you'll find a lot of good info on how to do what your doing as well as photos of it....