Prefinishing

[MikeMcCoy]

I'm still working on a never ending shadow box project but I've only had a few days home the last month or so. I'm wondering how you folks handle glass components of a project finish when you can't think of a way to prefinish the separate parts before glue ups. I can obviously tape the glass but it seems like I'd wind up with build up or worse where the tape line over the glass ends at the wood. I'm still traveling around and only have a few days to finish up this project when I get home next month. I just re-read that and it's not real clear what I'm asking if you aren't familiar with what I'm doing. I pattern routed 3 pieces of 1 inch stock that I'm going to face glue to make a 3 inch box shaped like a military winged insignia and the pieces aren't glued up yet. I still have to rout out the "window" portions of the wings to make the cavity and hold the glass. If tape will work I'll try that but this project is turning out better than I had hoped and I don't have time to do it over if I blow it with the finish.

[crokett]

Why can't you prefinish the separate parts before glueup? If I understand you have 3 pieces you will stack to form a box.

So finish one side of the top. Finish one side of the bottom. Put your glass in and glue up. Clean off the squeeze out and finish the edges of your new box.

[Wood_workur]

Is there a protective piece for the glass, like cellphane? Leave it on, finsh, and then remove the protective cover.

Or use "3m Fine Line Tape", which is like painter's tape on steroids.

[MikeMcCoy]

I guess this is another of my normal "don't do it the easy way Mikey". I had planned on routing a rabbet for the glass on the first lamination and having the glass held in place by the second. I'll round up some of that tape or I guess there's no reason not to use framing points and go ahead and take it to the final finish if I can round up some small enough.