"3m fineline tape pulled up a good amount of polyurethane paint when I varnished deck..."

How long had your paint cured prior to your putting the tape on?

Hang in there, I'm sure she will be great looking when you are all done. It was funny, some folks from my work where at the house and saw my sanded kayak waiting for primer and where paying me all kinds of complements regarding its great looks. All I could think was "Man! You should have seen it before I roughed it all up :-)!"

I'm sure others won't even notice what you may consider to be a blemish.

Ciao, John