Glazing, Patina and Polish: The Final Touches for Our Flying Spaghetti Monster

Welcome to the seventh installment of our Flying Spaghetti Monster commission series on The Scrolls of Geek Orthodox! Today, we're tackling what many stained glass artists (myself included) consider the least glamorous—yet absolutely essential—stages of the creation process.

The Unseen Labor of Finishing

Any stained glass artist will tell you that these final parts are their least favorite stages of a project. All of the main design and fabrication is done, and the end is almost in sight, but there are still hours of work to be done. This 12-second video condenses approximately 6 hours of meticulous labor!

The finishing process includes:

1. Glazing - Applying a cement-like compound under the lead came flanges to weatherproof the panel and add structural integrity
2. Patina - Chemically treating the solder joints to achieve the desired color and finish
3. Polishing - The laborious process of cleaning, buffing, and bringing out the final luster of both glass and metal elements

Invisible Yet Indispensable

While these steps might not be the most exciting parts of stained glass creation, they're absolutely crucial. They transform what would otherwise be a fragile assembly into a sturdy, durable artwork that will maintain its beauty for decades. These finishing touches provide structural integrity, weather resistance, and that professional polish that distinguishes fine stained glass work.

The difference between a properly finished piece and one that skips these steps is immediately apparent to the trained eye—and becomes obvious to everyone else over time as the piece ages.

Stay tuned for our next and final update in this series, where we'll reveal the completed Flying Spaghetti Monster commission in all its noodly splendor!

rAmen! 🍝