Getting a new to me boat gel coats pretty faded but the boat is flawless mechanics wise any way to restore the gel coat

if it isnt too bad, get some rubbing compound and either a lot of elbow grease or an electric buffer. Only use a buffer at low speed. If it is pretty bad, you will need to get 1000 grit or finer sand paper and a water hose and wet sand it down,. Wax or car polish afterwords either way.

Thanks for the reply it's pretty faded on the top cap so I'll probably half to wet sand it any suggestion on wax?

This really works ! You will be amazed. Get a 5 gallon bucket , put a small box of Tide in it. Next put a small quart size can of lacaur thinner in it. Fill it with water. Mix it up real good. Wet down an area no more than say a 3ft. area. Use a soft towel and rub it in good. As soon as you do rinse it off. Remember to only do small area's and rinse off soon as you do it. What it does is it takes off all the oxidation and will look like you used compound and waxed it !

I use a product called Moose Wax. Kind of pricey but the best that I have ever used.