Shadow Box moulding question

[Janis]

Okay, this may seem like a dumb question to you all, but I asked another experienced framer and they didn't know the answer, so it can't be totally dumb.

Why do shaowbox mouldings leave approximately 1/2" at the bottom unstained? Of course, not all of them are even finished, and we know those require lining. But it doesn't seem like these others should, but we can't figure out how we'd do it.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Nearly all custom shadow boxes get lined . Some manufacturers offer double rabbet moulding that could go inlined but the cost is higher. If they put a quality finish on the inside of all SB moulding the 99% that got lined would cost a lot more for no good reason.

 

[Janis]

But why would they finish off all but the last 1/2"? That doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

It is just the way the finish gets spayed onto the moulding. Finishing the last half inch requires another pass in a different orientation and increases the chances of defects.

 

[blackiris]

But why would they finish off all but the last 1/2"? That doesn't make sense to me.

I wonder that too........ so weird! NOt that I mind that the back isn't finished..... but I agree...... strange.
I've had that happen on metal chops too........ anyone else?

 

[Pat Murphey]

It's just the width of their spray pattern that dictates how much of the rabbet gets finished, as Jeff said.