I feel I finally have a system. I grind out the cracks with a dremel tool, using an angled stone. Then sand w/ 220 grit paper. I wash the area with TSP to remove any remaining wax, then wipe with Acetone using a microfiber rag. Wear gloves. I mix one ounce of gel coat with 12 drops of wax sol, ( shake Wax Sol before mixing), after I have the color mixed. Then add 2 drops of hardener. Dab it in the repair area, I don't use a putty knife, only the black mixing stick. Adding Wax Sol has eliminated the air bubbles caused by the heat while curing. Once cured, I dry sand by hand with 220 grit wet/ dry paper for metal. I stopped using electric & air sanders as I feel this also lead to exposing the primer under the gel coat. This paper seems to last longer than regular wet/ dry paper. I wrap the paper around the flex sponge as it seems to hold the contours of the boat better and I don't sand thru to the primer as much. I have tried Starbrite compound for heavy oxidation, didn't like the results. I'm not happy with the Starbrite Polish either. The Starbrite mildew stain remover is excellent. Make sure you wear gloves. This stuff will take the hide off. Worked well on the access covers. Spray on a microfiber rag and wipe the covers. DO NOT spray and get it on the gel coat. Made the fenders, seat covers and throwable like preserver look new. I applied 2 coats of compound and used the Harbor Freight 7 inch polisher. Not crazy how this starts out slow & comes up to speed, but the price was tight. Tried the compounding pad, but got better results with the wool bonnets. Hand buffed after the compound did it's job. Applied the Mother's wax by hand, dabbing it on with a pad, then worked the wax using a terry cloth pad on the buffer, then polished with a microfiber towel over the terry cloth bonnet using the HF 10 inch buffer. Once the repais are completed, I'll be spraying the gel coat on areas using Wildfire's instructions.
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