Protective Edging for Glass Shelving in Display Case?

[tehachapifan]

I have a nice display case with glass shelving that I would like to put an edge on to keep displayed locos from sliding off in the event of a quake (the case itself will be secured to the wall). I can find such edging in places such as Amazon but you can only buy in large quantities and way more than I need or am willing to spend. This is clearish acrylic-like edging/fencing that grabs onto the front of the shelf. Anyone have any ideas as to where I can get this in smaller quantities or have any other suggestions for edging that would look clean? Thanks!

[Chris333]

What about automotive door edge guards.

[tehachapifan]

I'm not too familiar with those, although I had a black, rubber one on a pickup decades ago. That particular one would be too unsightly in this application but maybe there's one out there that would look better?

[Chris333]

I imagine they make it in clear or chrome.

[peteski]

Would it be feasible to just cover the entire front fo the display case with a sheet of Plexiglas or even real glass?  That way not only the models would be fully protected from falling, it would also keep the dust out.

[tehachapifan]

Would it be feasible to just cover the entire front fo the display case with a sheet of Plexiglas or even real glass?  That way not only the models would be fully protected from falling, it would also keep the dust out.

I should have explained it better, but the display case has glass doors on the front. The problem is there's about a 3-4" gap between the front edge of the shelves and the glass doors....just enough for the locos to crash down onto the cabinet base below. There are 4 levels of glass shelves.

[sirenwerks]

Back in the day, I used what is called museum putty/wax/gel [https://www.artdisplay.com/anchoring-wax-2.html] to secure art and historical objects.  Real museum putty is oil-less and will not soak into, patina, oxidize, or discolor what it contacts; in contrast to the stuff we used to use to stick posters to walls, which is basically old lard.  There is also something called Quake Hold that I have seen at Home Depot (I live in Oregon, where we are owed a 9.0 any day).  It touts itself as a museum putty but I have never seen it used in the biz back then, or had the chance to analyze its chemical make-up.

[wazzou]

I’ve always been a proponent of wood shelves with 2 routed grooves, like negative track so the models aren’t able to really move at all.

[tehachapifan]

Back in the day, I used what is called museum putty/wax/gel [https://www.artdisplay.com/anchoring-wax-2.html] to secure art and historical objects.  Real museum putty is oil-less and will not soak into, patina, oxidize, or discolor what it contacts; in contrast to the stuff we used to use to stick posters to walls, which is basically old lard.  There is also something called Quake Hold that I have seen at Home Depot (I live in Oregon, where we are owed a 9.0 any day).  It touts itself as a museum putty but I have never seen it used in the biz back then, or had the chance to analyze its chemical make-up.

Interesting!

I’ve always been a proponent of wood shelves with 2 routed grooves, like negative track so the models aren’t able to really move at all.

Me too but This (lighted) case fits in the layout room just right and really does a great job as a model display. Looks a lot like a hobby shop case.

[peteski]

Ok, now we have better ideal of the setup.

The automotive door will prevent models from sliding off the edge.

Installing some flex-track on the shelf and placing the models on it would also prevent them from sliding. Stick the flex-track to the shelf by spraying bottom of the with some pressure sensitive spray adhesive, or use some clear double sided tape.

Flex-track would IMO enhance the look of the displayed models, and would not block much light.  But if the earthquake is strong enough, the (top-heavy) trains would likely fall onto their side and possibly still fall down.

[thomasjmdavis]

I don't know if you can find it in the size you need, but a lot of companies sell a vinyl or soft plastic edging as "baby proofing" nowadays. Apparently to cover the edges of glass or granite topped tables and other hard edges around the home. I don't know if it has enough lip to it to prevent things from sliding off in an earthquake, but it is available at a lot of stores that have a "baby" department or at some home centers, in the vicinity of the electrical plug covers and "childproof" (they never met my children) door latches and such.

[Steveruger45]

Maybe this would suit, available at Home Depot
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TRIMACO-5-8-in-x-5-8-in-x-8-ft-Self-Stick-Plastic-Corner-Guard-Residential-11834A/202061361

[Lemosteam]

Maybe this would suit, available at Home Depot
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TRIMACO-5-8-in-x-5-8-in-x-8-ft-Self-Stick-Plastic-Corner-Guard-Residential-11834A/202061361

I like this idea as it will also protect a little more against "tip and fall".  Be sure to wipe the glass very clean with alcohol before trying to apply any tape adhesive.

[davefoxx]

I don't know how your display case mounts to the wall, but is it possible to shim the bottom of the cabinet out, to cause the shelves to lean ever so slightly towards the wall?  That way, if anything moves around, it would hopefully move away from the edge of the shelf.  Ain't gravity grand?

DFF

[tehachapifan]

All good info and ideas, thanks!

Further clarification, this case is intended to be more of a transitional place for working locos rather than a more permanent display of them. So, I want to stay away from more permanent mounting or having to finesse them onto display tracks (I prefer they sit fairly close to one another on a 45 degree angle, like you'd typically see at a hobby shop).