Bruce,
It sounds like you are making more work for your self than you need to. If
the repair is above the waterline, any good quality marine polyester
filler(3m premium) is the product of choice for the gouges. As for the
stress cracks in the gelcoat, it is necessary to find our what is causing
the crack or the repair will comeback the second the stress is applied to
that area. Repairing stress cracks around stanchions, is worthless unless
you beef up the bottom side of the stanchion...even then there is no
guarantee that the crack will come back. Paul was correct in suggesting the
addition of a thickening agent for the stress crack. The pooling is the
result of surface tension and adding any wetting agent not approved by the
manufacturer is a very bad idea. There is no telling what kind of chemical
reaction is going to occur. I always use epoxy below the waterline and
polyester above..mainly because of cost.
Good luck
Bruce

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Shield Finishes and Nauticoat Marine Finish Systems
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