: I think if you did a survey, you would find that many "high
: standards" builders with good lighting wet out glass on bare wood
: like Newfound Woodworks - who has a video on glassing and Bear Mountain
: Boat Shop - author of two of the nicest books on stripping. You are also
: sacrificing a chemical bond for a mechanical one on the glass. It's really
: a matter of choice and belief rather than obvious results. If one way was
: obviously superior, everyone would be doing it that way.

You can get a good clear layup without a seal coat, but you need to watch the process a little more closely. I've been very satisfied with the results every time I've done a layup without a seal coat, but recommend a seal coat as a more controlled technique. If you don't you should plan on coming back and inspecting the glass fairly frequently to assure there is no place where the glass has become starved. If there is you should add more epoxy.

Like you say, if you let the seal coat cure too long you will only get a mechanical bond, but if you can get to the cloth coat before the seal coat is completely cured you will get a decent chemical bond.

If you are really pressed for time, epoxying the glass without a prior seal coat can save you a day. It may also be worth it if you don't think you will be able to get to the next coat any time soon.