A customer asked me to make five boxes for him using 3/8" Baltic birch plywood. I tried to convince him to let me use solid wood, but he wanted the plywood and offered me $100 each for five boxes, size 10"x6"x5". Hard to argue with that! Anyway, I'm wondering what the best finish is to use on these boxes. The corners are box joints, and the top and bottom will simply be glued onto the box frames (again, per customer's request) so the "endgrain" of the plywood will be exposed, if that makes a difference.
Second question: I'm thinking it would be easier to apply finish to the inside surfaces of the box pieces before I glue them together. If I do this, should I cover the areas which I will be applying glue to (like with painter's tape) before I put on the finish? Thought the finish might react with the glue and hinder adhesion.
Thanks for your continuing help!