Can I stain or use "BLO" before glueing?

[Crabbyboater]

It would be a lot easier to apply boiled linseed oil or water based stains before I glue a vertical scroll work to a base, but I suspect the glue wouldn't hold.  Any suggestions?

[Russ C]

Some glues will not stick to the finished surface. I have heard several members with that problem. CNA glues (super glues) seem to work well with finished surfaces and the gel type seems to stay on the area better.  You might want to try roughing up the area to be glued a little to help bonding. 

[Rapid Roger]

Put a piece of painters tape (masking tape) over the area or edge to be glued before putting on any finish. I pre-finish alot of things before assembly and have found that most wood glues need raw wood to adhear well.
After the finish has dried, pull off the tape and glue as normal.
Some finish just under the edges will not hurt too much as long as you have plenty of raw wood space for the glue to grip.

Rog

[Marcellarius]

masking before finishing, that's a great tip.
thanks Rog,

Marcel