There's a big range of 'standards' that folks have for keeping their boats looking good - from near-neglect to keeping it 'showroom/mint' condition. (Either: "It's a tool like a hammer" or "It's a work of art - a masterpiece")
I usually paddle with a local group of more active paddlers (who on the water more than I am - most of them paddle 75 days/year, several well over 100 days/year). Their glass boats generally have a good collection of gelcoat repairs, keel strips, etc. - not many looking like very 'professional' repairs .
A paddler new to the group with a 'pristine' boat would be assumed to be either:
a) a beginner or, more likely
b) an experienced paddler who hasn't yet put many miles on their new boat

So, what might be a 'good to go till the next major refinish' for one paddler, may be a 'crude repair that is only good in an emergency' for another.

Lots of approaches - just find the one that works for you.