Surface repair

[NHGuy]

I just picked up a boat with tired paint. I'm going to attempt to renew the existing paint best possible. Wet sand, polish, etc...
But for later, If I am intending to paint an area after it has been repaired is it OK to do my repairs using body filler. Or is there a material that adheres and works better?

 

[Woodonglass]

Are you sure it's paint? Or is it Gel Coat? What kind of repairs. Some repairs require more than just fillers. Post up some pics and you'll get the best advice. I would use Marine Filler i.e. 3M Premimum

or make your own using Polyester resin and Glass bubbles and Cabosil.

 

[NHGuy]

Oh yeah, it's an 87 Formula 223 LS. They use Imron, which is incredibly hard and shiny, yet it's color is fading.
I watched an old factory video, in one area folks just polishing paint endlessly.

 

[NHGuy]

Did some more reading and checking. It turns out the sides are red gel and the bottom white get. There is Imron paint at the edges. So hooray, I can wet sand and polish the fade.