>Take the time to glass it and assure yourself of a lasting finish or risk having cracks.

Agreed! A .5 or .75 ounce glas cloth applied with finishing resin with light primer and paint will add neglibible weight (over just covering) and greatly increase strength and durability. And those areas that need protection from hangar rash or landing damage or strengthening can get an extra layer or two of cloth.

Properly sanded and filled and sanded, glas makes for a perfect painting surface.