propless: we have done lots of clearcoats over the years (over metalflake) I don't really like the way it looks over original solid gelcoat though. If your boat is the original gel try this: wet sand the boat (small area first) with 400, then 600, 1000, and 1200, machine buff with a car polisher and fiberglass compound, coarse then finer, and finish off with a good wax. I bet it will shine like new.