order of finishing

[agent511]

ok, I have cut my rails, styles, and plywood panels for cabinet doors. What is the order of finishing? I don't want to finish all at the end, because I will have problems with pooling of finish and getting into the crannies where the panels meet the frame. I don't want to finish everything first, because I want to sand the rails and styles after they are put together, and fill any tiny gaps before finishing.

So I was thinking finish the panels (after taping off) and finish the grooved edges of the rails and stiles (not in the groove). Then assemble, sand, and finish the rest. Not happy about sanding and making dust next to recently finished pieces. Should I preliminarily sand the rails and stiles, then do the rest as outlined?

How do you guys do it?

[Pappy]

I try to presand the parts so the only thing to sand after assembly is a touch up of the joints.

Finishing depends on the piece. I use a spray laquer normally and prefinish the interior if I am going to have trouble getting the gun inside the assembled piece. Just be sure to tape off the joint contact areas.

[kwgeorge]

I pretty much pre-sand everything prior to assembly. You should also do a dry fit of all your pieces prior to the glue up and this will help you find anything that needs attention before your finial assembly. Now if I was to stain the wood (which I normally would not do, I figure if I have to color the wood, I chose the wrong wood) I would pre-stain before assembly and tape off all around the glue joints. As to the puddling of finish at places in the piece, I use a wipe on and off finish for everything so that is a non issue. If however I was spraying I have found that many thin coats will not only alleviate this issue but will also produce a better end product.

Ken