i didnt mean to say one method is better then the other, its the most simple one i could think of.

as for epoxying:
i place masking tape that marks a border, then i spread the epoxy on to the fiberglass tape with a credit card, when satisfied i peel the masking tape off before 30 min time.

if i see that the edges of the fiberglass tape will cause issues i just cut them off before.

it helps when the epoxy resin and hardener were heated in hot water before mixing them.

i moistened the surface with epoxy brush before i put the fiberglass and then epoxy.

for bubbles:
i dont use heat gun any more when fiberglassing, epoxy is a polymer, heating it makes several solidification points which looks like bubbles but some of them are just a different phase.
if it happens let it cure and use some thin CA after you cracked them a little bit.

what is holding the structure is the fibers, the epoxy just hold everything in place attached to the surface.

it could be other fibers too not just fiberglass.

fiberglass has this tendency to stay straight that is the reason the borders of the fiberglass weave cause so much problems, its hard for them to stay bent.