The scab patches are ugly and do not need to last the life of the arframe, only to the next C or D Check where skin panel replacement and/or proper flush patches are done. The same will be true of the 787 process.
Skin panel replacement??? What skin panel? The tube is one oven baked delacy.. I am sure they have some process in mind but it must be an epoxy temperature related process. I am betting that it's impact resistance qualities are far greater than aluminium but long term degeneration is a serious issue. New tech..I claim ignorance but seriously doubt a scab patch is the answer, nor flush patches, nor doublers or triplers.
The origional integrity of the composite material will need to be repaired with a composite "layup", probably a hot repair to bond with the existing structure.