Stay away from steel wool, it is covered with oil to prevent rust. If you use steel make very sure to wash the boat throughly to get rid of the oil.

: I'd stay away from steel wool. If you don't get every wisker off your surface
: you will get rust staining. 3M has a line of abrasive pads that work well
: or stick to stainless steel wool or better yet bronze wool. These are
: available at better marine stores and mailorder houses.