I would use more caution with the attachments that concentrate the heat. I just finished a lot of exterior
varnish removal of thick old Cetol. It's not a very hard
varnish. Thick
paint is far worse to deal with than varnish. Just moving the gun quickly will let you remove it with a flexible
steel scraper. It does not take that much heat to get most of it off. You won't get every last bit off with a heat gun / scraper alone. The soft grains in the
teak hold back a little sticky residue and the hard grains foil a scraper. You need to go to other mechanical methods after that.
I never found the
gelcoat to have a problem or need any extra protection. It the
wood smokes you are way too hot. A pair of gloves is advised. Once you start going you can move along quickly working narrow strips. The area in front starts getting preheated as you move so you can get a decent rhythm going.