Be careful when adding color and then gel. If you keep adding color on top of the first gel layer, it will not go into the fabric and may wash out when removing the gel.
It is better to color and add gel once on top. Then heat set and wash. I use a little hand scrub brush to gently take off the gel. Let dry and then add more color and gel.
I'm wondering if thinning the gel with water might work.
I will continue to experiment to get improvements.