Since you guys have gotten me into all kinds of trouble with this hobby of mine, I need some pre-advice help other than “just walk away and don’t do it!”

I have this 1979 19’ Pioneer Jet Boat (Fiberglass) with the engine and drive out. I want to paint just the deck. My original plan was to flip the boat and paint the entire thing, but that will need to wait til sometime in the future (ie. Probably never). Summer is going too fast and I have too many other projects plus the old thin jet boat rubrails are hard to come by.

Anyways, I think that it has been painted before as I can see the ghosted outline of the previous graphics (see the photo with the arrows). The current paint is definitely a 20 footer as the line work looks like a… close up.

The paint will be pearl white with some orange graphics. I have a bunch of Tamco and HOK products including some of the white 770 series high build epoxy primer, white base coat and some pearl white basecoat, intercoat for more pearl (already did test panels) and some HC2104 Clear.

Now my questions,
Being fiberglass, is there any specific prep that I need to perform?
I am hoping that sanding and the high build epoxy will take care of the old graphics ghosting through.
How do I handle the cracks in the fiberglass?
I’ve been told NOT to use candies as they will fade in the sun, though this boat will usually be covered or stored indoors. Should I just stick with solids for the graphics?
Anything that I am missing?

Some closeups of the cracks and where the filler cap bolts on.

Nice boat. The cracks will need to be ground out 36grit. Then built back up again with Matt or some biaxle cloth Pending if they’re structural. The area with bolt holes you can quick and dirty just add something to the back side if you can get there. If not same deal grind it out and rebuild re drill.
Getting itchy just thinking about it.
Polyester resin is cheapest sets up incredibly fast. You can also use epoxy more expensive but stronger. Either or.

Another thing is print through from the fibreglass Matt. Now I’m going from memory awhile ago but I think the fix was the last layer of glass would be like a 6oz cloth. This sands better and less chance of print through.
Modern primers may have also solved this issue??