Barry,
Wow. One thing after another. Buit these are the quirks of a fiberglass car.
Sorry I couldn't have been with you that day, I learned from a guy with a 435 horse car a long time ago about the towel trick. He only took it off when the judges got to his car. The nut and bolt trick is good to remember, too. Cause the wind will close your hood for you.
But let me know if you come up with a good paint guy. I'll call Brian at Corvette Specialties (I've had him as a client for years) and ask him about paint guys.
Meanwhile, try to keep on grinning..and enjoying the car.