Prime exterior railing before glueing?
We have exterior railing components of genuine mahogany (profile upper rail, fillets, 2″ x 2″ balusters (actual), pitched-top bottom rail and newel posts). While I prefer to prime things before assembly, which will be screwed/glued to fillet strip top and pitched-top bottom rail, the question is whether it is better to wait on priming the components to be glued until after assembly. So,
Option #1 – glue/screw balusters to fillet and bottom rail – then prime entire assembly (somewhat more difficult)
Option #2 – prime all components first, except fillet, baluster ends and bottom rail (the components to be screwed/glued together)
or
Option #3 – prime everything first, then glue/screw
I tend to favor Option #3 due to the tendency of mahogany to bleed extractives – but many people prefer to glue raw wood before painting. I’ve never had any problems glueing primed wood together, but maybe you’ve had a negative experience?
Thoughts? Primer is Cabot Problem-Solver, sprayed one coat. In any case, entire railing will be reprimed once in place. Screws will be SS square drive.
Jeff
Edited 7/18/2007 7:51 am ET by Jeff_Clarke
Replies
What kind of glue?
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Polyurethane ('Gorilla' Glue or similar).
Jeff
Any other thoughts?Jeff
If it were me, I'd mask the surfaces to be glued, then prime, then glue.
Don't forget with polyurethane glue to dampen the surfaces before applying the glue.
Oh, I like that idea the best! Blue tape special it is!
Jeff