Pre/post glue-up panel finishing???.

[newood2]

I read the pros and cons of when to finish the panel, whether it’s before or after they’re put together in a raise panel door frame.
The case being that, if the door is finished after glue-up, the unfinished edge of the panel will be exposed when the wood contracts in the winter because of the cooler drier air. And I understand that point very well.
My thought is that I would find it much easier to put the door together first then do the finishing instead of being interrupted by a partial finishing process.
What if I establish a dry air environment for overall finishing after glue-up, would this create less chance of wood shrinkage later? Or wait for winter.
What if I also use space-balls to center the panel?
What do the cabinet door manufacturing Companies do?
What do most members on here do, and how many have experienced exposed unfinished panel edge problems later?
I took note on what JimD said in a previous thread; http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...ise+panel+door.
But is there some way to avoid this panel pre-finish process without the consequences?
BTW, I just bought Jeff Jewitt’s “Finishing” book and that is an awesome work, well worth what I pay. This is not a plug. I’ve never met the gentleman.

Howie

[pecker]

If you're going to stain or paint the panel and frame, you can just wipe on a bit of the paint or stain to the edge of the panel prior to assembly...about 3/8" all around should do.

If you're using a clear, natural finish, you could do the same, or skip it altogether. The main issue is that you don't want to see an abrupt change in color when the panel moves/shrinks.

[MikeMcCoy]

This is one of those areas where you can spend more time and effort trying to avoid it instead of just doing it in the first place.

[steve-norrell]

I would second the suggestions by pecker and MikeM.

The only time it might be worth the effort, IMO, would be when you are staining to add significant color to the wood (as staining a light wood to a darker color). If finishing with a clear finish, its just not worth the trouble.

Of course, you always have to be careful with the glue.

Regards, Steve