My 2 Stars Posted April 24, 2021 Share #1 Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) Hi to all. I am fairly new to building and had a finishing question. I was considering using a clear poly finish especially on the dark woods that come with many kits. Many kits have the wood connected on “sheets”. Is their a reason why you can not apply a clear finish BEFORE removing from the sheets and assembling? Seems it would be a lot quicker and better coverage. I realize that some glues will not adhere properly to some finishes, but if the glue is NOT a problem, can you do this? Edited April 24, 2021 by My 2 Stars Keith Black 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PietFriet Posted April 24, 2021 Share #2 Posted April 24, 2021 You can, but there is generally a lot of 'processing' involved to make the pieces fit properly. I also like to round sharp edges to give it a softer feel. All this filing and sanding will destroy the finish, so you will have to reapply the finish. Personally I don't see the benefit, but that is also because for me the glue is a factor. My 2 Stars, mtaylor, Chuck Seiler and 5 others 8 Quote Bounty - Billing Boats Le Mirage - Corel Sultan Arab Dhow - Artesania Latina Royal Caroline - Panart (in progress) Yacht Admiralty Amsterdam - Scratch build (design completed, ready to start build)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted April 24, 2021 Share #3 Posted April 24, 2021 I agree with Piet and would say do not apply any type of finish until all parts are removed from the sheet, the char from the laser is removed and it is glued in place. For just one example, the cheeks of the gun carriages have axles glued to the bottoms. If you apply a finish, it will go in the cut slots of each piece and have to be removed before gluing. Also, some parts will be painted. Same problem, it will get in the cut slots and have to be removed. I just don't see how applying a finish before hand will have any benefit, and it definitely could cause problems. My 2 Stars, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtvd19 Posted April 24, 2021 Share #4 Posted April 24, 2021 A finish is applied after the parts are assembled and sanded. It is a very rare part that isn't processed in some way after being removed from the sheet. I can't think of any laser cut part that can be finished prior to sanding to some extent. Canute, Keith Black, Ryland Craze and 1 other 4 Quote Kurt Van Dahm Director NAUTICAL RESEARCH GUILD www.thenrg.org SAY NO TO PIRACY. SUPPORT ORIGINAL IDEAS AND MANUFACTURERS CLUBS Nautical Research & Model Ship Society of Chicago Midwest Model Shipwrights North Shore Deadeyes The Society of Model Shipwrights Butch O'Hare - IPMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted April 24, 2021 Share #5 Posted April 24, 2021 M2S, I hope you start a build log. We enjoy watching the progress of our new members. mtaylor, My 2 Stars and Canute 3 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wefalck Posted April 25, 2021 Share #6 Posted April 25, 2021 Apart from the reasons mentioned by others, applying any kind of lacquer to the whole sheet might also make more difficult to remove the laser-cut parts, as the lacquer will run into the cut slots and act as glue. Keith Black, Canute, Bob Cleek and 1 other 4 Quote wefalck panta rhei - Everything is in flux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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