Jake, You're on the right track with the Clear Additive. You will grow to love the stuff. I use it in 40/60 (CA/Gel) ratio for better color saturation. It cures hard, and makes gelcoat repairs accessible to pretty much anyone. The only drawback is that it's pricey. When spraying, there is no need to add styrene, it sprays fine like it is. Just cat and go. Take an extra minute and do a test shot onto a piece of cardboard to get the volume/ air pressure/ fan width issues worked out, as you found out it shoots a little differently than straight gel, it's kind of stringy and very sticky. Try a little more air pressure. I'm telling you, you will love the stuff, it cuts our repair times in half. If you need help with shooting Duratec PM me.

By the way, to anyone doing gel repairs, you don't need an expensive gun to spray the stuff. I go to Kragen auto and buy a handful of the HVLP guns on sale for $13. The oversized, cheap orface is perfect for gel. If you have a pot go off it's no big deal...not like my $300 auto gun.

Gelcoat is your friend.