I used interlux vc performance epoxy on my boats bottom. Turned out great and can be applied over gel coat. Doesnt stain at all.

You could still put paint over the gel coat. It would probably have still have needed some fairing anyway before paint, and the gel coat is good for that. I believe Tom recommends sanding with something like 280 grit before the first coat. Then you just scuff it with the red 3M pads between coats.

I will be buffing out the gelcoat for now. The old gelcoat was in pretty darn good shape and it was 45 yrs old! I will be painting the interior of the boat so this may be the way to go. Do you know how it sprays and is it cheaper than awlgrip?

My gelcoat is 43 yrs old and it's still in pretty good shape too. If you're gonna stay with gelcoat, I'd forget about the buffing and just put Polyglo on it! It's much easier than compounding/buffing/waxing and way more durable as well. I think a kit is about $65, or maybe less if you find it at a boat show.

I thought you were gonna re-gelcoat the whole boat, but maybe that was just for the bottom and transom repair, so gel coat makes sense if that's the case. I haven't tried to spray Signature paint. Island Trader looked into it and if I remember correctly, the guy who painted his boat wasn't comfortable with the support he got from Tom for spraying it. It seems to be primarily made for roll & tip DIY applications and I think that's ok for the interior, as the finish there isn't as critical there as it is on the outer hull IMHO. I repainted my aft seats and inside of transom with it using a roller about a year ago, and frankly did a lousy job because I didn't apply it thick enough as I was trying to stretch some leftover paint! Pic below shows how it turned out . . . it's got some orange peel in it and I never did buff it, but it still looks better than it did before! It's tough paint and makes for an easily cleaned surface.

Regarding cost relative to Awlgrip, it's probably cheaper just because you don't have to buy all the special primers and stuff required for Awlgrip. Checked my records and I spent $280 for enough to paint my entire bottom with 3 coats including bootstripe. This included both the green and ivory paints custom mixed (Tom can mix up any color you want!) to match my Sunbrella top and original gel coat, as well as thinner, catalyst, foam brushes, rollers, 3M scuff pads, measuring cups and stir sticks. The last paint I bought was $280 for enough of the ivory to do my interior and top deck above the rubrail. Tom Fabula really knows his stuff and if you just tell him what you're doing, he'll provide everything you need. He also sells a special textured plastic roller you can use to create a non-skid surface. I haven't tried that yet but Capt. Chuck has used it with good results, so you could PM him to ask about that.

Since you're just painting the inside and not below the waterline, the new paint Joel is selling might be another option, as it sounds like he might make you a good deal on it.

Ok so who is Joel and how do I get a hold of him?

I really appreciate all the detailed advice! I ended up rolling poly gel and have started the sanding process. Burned through a couple spots on the transom repairs. Thought I had it faired good enough but guess I didnt. Nothing more gelcoat won't fix. I rolled 4 layers non waxed and the final layer waxed. Sanded the bulk off the orange peel with 40 grit hand sanded all the edges with 60 grit, and am in the middle of sanding with 80 now. The plan is 40g 80g 120g 180g 240g 400g 800g heavy duty compound and then some polishing. That first round with 40 was a bear but now it's going much easier.

Most of the spots in the pics are due to my broken camera lens but you can make out the couple spots where I sanded through on the transom.

Oh and finally figured out the engine! Test drove it compression looked good and got a great deal so hope it works out!

Joel Shine (Forum Member Shine, moderator of the GulfStreamComposites forum). Haven't you read his thread on the paint? Sure would be more durable and much less work than all that sanding and buffing you're planning to do on the gelcoat, which will be oxidized and need waxing again in 6 months!

Well done sanding and buffing and am very happy with the results! I put 1 coat of wax on and was thinking about putting another coat on. I'm not sure if it's necessary or how long to wait to let the first coat harden up. Any recommendations?