A gas turbine engine is used for power generation or propulsion and includes vanes. Each vane includes a trailing edge having a curvature and cooling slots that cool the vane. A photochemical edge shield includes an edge and projections that project from the edge. Before coating the vane, the photochemical edge shield is positioned on the vane such that each of the projections is received in one of the cooling slots. A ceramic coating is then applied to the vane. The photochemical edge shield prevents the ceramic coating from entering and clogging the cooling slots of the vane during the ceramic coating process.