I screw in some 3" screw hooks into the end of the my plugs and they wiped with mineral spirits before painting. The hooks don't come out til the epoxy has dried for a couple days and I am about to assemble the hardware. The hooks make it much easier and sturdy than wire to move the blanks from paint, to the spinner, to the drying rack.
Bottom line, dont play/touch your wood til it's time.
good luck,
Scott