Any advice for stripping clear coat off gelcoat?

[gregpro50]

I'm trying to get my Varmint ready for the season. At some point in the past it was clear coated and it is starting to flake off. Around the entire outside where it was exposed to the elements it was in real bad shape and I was able to simply remove it with a razor blade.

However, on some areas on the inside and splashwell I am not able to get it off that way. I've tried using automotive type paint remover on some inconspicuous areas and it works but it starts to lift the flake although it doesn't seem to harm the gel coat at all. I've tried a DA sander but the surface isn't completely smooth and it starts to sand the flake out as well.

If there isn't any way to get it all off I'm getting to the point where I'm just going to smooth out the bad areas the best I can and re-shoot it with new clear.

The areas that I got the old clear off will look great but the old clear has started to yellow and even if I can get it smooth I'm worried it won't look that great compared to the other areas.

Any advice before I just say the hell with it and smooth it out the best I can and shoot it with new clear?

[1BadAction]

A good strong pressure washer. You can knock gel off to, so be cautious with it until you get the hang of it.

[gregpro50]

My pressure washer will take alot of the really bad stuff off but it won't touch the stuff that isn't starting to come off already.

The pressure washer I have is a champ at accidentally removing decals from ATVs.

I even tried a weedwhacker. Don't laugh. It works great on removing paint from cars.