hey jet

i'm saying the maroon is IN the gel coat. a pigment is added during layup, the gel is maroon.

i'm no chemist, i took a quick look at a data sheet for carb cleaner and the main ingredient is petroleum products (naptha). that makes me wonder if you're really getting the oxidation off or just filling in the imperfections with petroleum portion of the carb cleaner. petroleum jelly does that, might be a less toxic way to get the same results. lots of 'miracle' type products just hide the problem.

put me in the skeptical camp. once the carb cleaner washes/wears off, the gel coat quickly fades again? a good wet sanding or compound job should last alot longer.

the stickers can be taken off with a heat gun or eraser attachment for a drill. the heat gun leaves glue behind which has to be taken off. i've never tried the drill attachment but everything i've read says it takes the glue too. you will see that the gel coat under the stickers isn't faded. it will make you want the rest of the boat to look that good.