Gel coat or paint

[optiguy]

OK, here is the bad news about old gelcoat. Gelcoat becomes a porus coating once it is sanded. No amount of sanding, buffing and waxing will make it stay shiny. Even if you wet sanded all the way up to 2000, it will be a waste of your time. Unfortunately you have reached the time for a new paint job . And don't let anyone try to convince you to regelcoat. That is another huge waste of time and money. A new gelcoat job will star getting chalkie in about 4 to 5 years. Paints like Imron or Awlgrip will stay shiny for 10 or more years.
Bill