Earl,
Ultracote has a compatible paint system available in the USA. The clear in that brand should do nicely in sealing down the covering. NYA Ultracote paint is available from Hangar 9.

On the cowl, unfortunately, that is the way the factory is making them. They are all delivered with a big seam down the middle. It was the same on the Madness. I will bring this to the attention of my boss here. It is done to keep costs down, but I personally believe that it would have been worth an extra few dollars to paint the cowl.

For now, I recommend masing off the colors, sanding, and spraying a little white on the top, then sealing the whole thing with the NYA.

I will copy and paste your post into an e-mail and forward it to the factory representative.

Thanks,
Mark