So I did a lot of reading here and at ARC and I was starting to freak out at the prospect of tackling canopy seams on my Hasegawa kits (F-14 and 2 F-16s). So I picked up a $1.99 3-grit emery board and some Colgate toothpaste, just as described in the articles and posts.
It worked!!!! I need to refine my technique a little bit, but by golly it worked! My canopy now has no seam and is just about as clear as it was when I started!
Just thought I'd share my revelation.