In the automotive world, it would either be the valve cover gasket or the seals around the base of the spark plug tubes. eBay seadoo 4tec spark plug tube and you'll see what I'm talking about. It's not a major concern.
The seals around the tubes leak a little oil and it pools up around the...
How do I know it's a 96? I know. I just do. It has a 720 in it. A 98 is yellow/white/black and has an 800 in it.
Need confirmation? Google 96 Seadoo SPX and 98 Seadoo SPX and you'll see what I mean.
Just remember friction is heat. The more the compound 'grabs' the wooly the more heat is produced. This can 'burn' the white and you'll get a never-fixable yellow stain. Start fast and light on the pressure and only do a 1' square at a time. Try at the back on the flat spot under where the rear...
At 1500 grit you could go right to finish.
Again. I am no where's near a professional. Foam pad with a shaggy wool bonnet on top; I keep the speed as fast as it can go without flinging compound EVERYWHERE. If the compound is thick and wet, you'll need to adjust the speed and the pressure to...