Originally Posted by Audiofn

Steps with a over all gell coat prep.

1) sand with 80 grit and fix dings
2) Spray
3) quick 180 sand with guide coat
4) 320 sand with guide coat
5) 600 sand with guide coat
6) 1000 sand with guide coat
7) buff

Steps with paint:

1) fix any dings sand with no more then 180 but preferably 320
2) quick 320 sand
3) 600 sand (depends on the color you use what your final sand is done with)
4) spray
5) 600 wet sand
6) 1000 wet sand
7) buff

So as you can see the steps are basically the same you just do them in a different order. Now of course with the paint you can if the guy spaying is any good not have to wet sand and buff.

The advantage of paint is that it SHOULD stay shinier longer. The advantage to gel is that it is thicker, bonds better, and is less likely to blister if left in the water.

Jon

Jon