I think you might be getting your terms mixed up. Gel coat is the top layer (sometimes resin)that is layed down to catch all the knooks, crannies and basically detail that otherwise fiberglass would never pick up do to weaving restraints.
Perhaps you are referring to mold release or something else gooey that got on there ?
OR, maybe you wanted to increase the flare of your helmet by removing the gelcoat, overall thinning the areas, stretching it and then going back with the FG to reinforce ?
either way, I am mixed up !