I have two fiberglass shaft paddles I need to refinish, because the glass is
starting to show.

The outer layer looks like a very thin fiberglass and black resin tape -
very similar to catamaran tillers.

I can't screw this up because if I have to strip anything off, then the
fiberglass will really show through. Some kind of varnish makes sense, but
I'm not sure what kind.

Aside from putting on as thin a coat as I can, I'm not sure about
application? What would be a good cleaning and prep agent, etc.

--
Robert Haston
Satellite Beach, FL