Having replaced midship plates with new factory one piece units,I soaked the central part of the fibers then brushed in the rest much as the factory did it. I replaced the aft plates sandwiching them with reinforceing the the glass and thru bolts. If I had it to do again, I would do the midship plates the same way, orienting them to the load and upping the gauge of the straps. The aft chain plates are also begging for a change., trust me on this . Change them out.
WARNING, WARNING, don't forget the Bob stay chain plates.. Thru hull plate and the one bolted under the sprit. And the bolts, they are tired to.Just because you can't see most of it,doesn't mean they are not planing to get you. Plenty of stress ther . I have photos of them, Caution, some sailors may find them upsetting. I changed it out while still in the water. Doable if you don't mind getting wet.with a new bobstay, still available from the rigging shop next door to the old IP factory.
Fair winds
Thor, Windependent 31#112