Seems over the years I've always built my projects and then applied the finish. Now I'm beginning to question that very practice. I'm working on a office cabinet/bookcase for my wife. The sides and shelves are plywood while the trim and doors are solid white oak. The carcass is assembled using pocket screws. As is I've got open shelves on the top section w/no doors while the lower section has a drawer and below that will be an adjustable shelf and have two raised panel doors. The caucus as done so far is attached.

 

I am using General Finishes High Performance Satin as I have been on almost everything for years. I just like it's durability, finish, and ease of applying. What is generally the accepted process to applying finish, do the individual parts before assembly or assemble then apply? I can see pros and cons for both processes but I think in this case it may be easier to do the parts then assemble. The corners where parts meet would be cleaner I think but then again I'd like to hear what others do in these cases. I also need to clarify that I'll be using the sponge brushes to apply. Likely to have 4-5 coats with sanding between of course.

 

I have yet to use my new Apollo Eco 4 HVLP sprayer I bought several years ago hoping a class would come up at Woodcraft.......but that's another story.

My opinion: finishing before assembly avoids the problems with getting into corners and tight spots and maybe doing an interior that has limited access. It may help keep with keeping surfaces flat to apply the finish since you can lay the parts out on a table or such, things like that. Of course this makes any touch up sanding easier as well. But those are the only advantages that come to my mind at the moment. The disadvantage is that you may get finish on the surface that needs to be glued. There's also the possibility that you can scratch it up handing it while assembling, or mar the finish when clamping it together. Then I suppose there's a time when you could just finish some parts before assembly (like the interior), assemble, and then finish the remaining areas.

 So, to me, this is no one way that's best for all situations. They all have times when they should be used....and your cabinet is probably one of them. If the carcase is fastened with pocket screws, I guess there won't be much gluing/clamping going on. Seems like pre-finishing may be a good way to do things. But we all have different ways that work, so the best suggestion may be for you to try it and form your own opinion.

Last more-major job, I did just that. Did not want finish filling the crack between shelf bottom and bracket. But could not have finish on the area of glue. It all depends. Sometimes I want a thick BLO to fill a few voids. Hide a few mistakes. 

 

In acoustic guitar-building, the guitar is always finished - usually sprayed with nitrocellulose - before the bridge is glued to the top. That rectangle of real estate is carefully taped off.

 

I have tried both and use a modified method. Prefinish drawer fronts. Leave the back off and finish inside so you can get the back corners. If using a sprayer this also prevents blow back of finish. I usually only put two coats on non closed open areas so not much buildup there. Outside I have not had a buildup problem but do be careful to spray nooks and crannies lighter.

I've done both.  If sanding is needed after assembly, then after.  In the case of case-goods, always leave off the back so you can get interior corners, especially if spraying.   I generally do tables without the legs on (if they are removable like with hanger bolts) that makes them easier to get to.  Chairs done after assembly,upside down first, then flip over.

Thanks for the replies. Seems more dependent on the project itself. I'm working on taking the sections apart one at a time. I have 3 main sections and working on the top first. I'm doing this for several reasons......keeping the area needed to apply finish and sanding down to two workbenches in case something comes up I need to do outside of this project. And marking the parts as to not mix them up (left, right, up, down, etc). Beginning to regret not having put the edging trim on the parts 1st but they are exact size and now hanging on a rack for finishing applications.

 

I really need to get the sprayer out and get some practice.......

On 7/17/2022 at 9:47 PM, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

My opinion: finishing before assembly avoids the problems with getting into corners and tight spots and maybe doing an interior that has limited access. It may help keep with keeping surfaces flat to apply the finish since you can lay the parts out on a table or such, things like that. Of course this makes any touch up sanding easier as well. But those are the only advantages that come to my mind at the moment. The disadvantage is that you may get finish on the surface that needs to be glued. There's also the possibility that you can scratch it up handing it while assembling, or mar the finish when clamping it together. Then I suppose there's a time when you could just finish some parts before assembly (like the interior), assemble, and then finish the remaining areas.

 So, to me, this is no one way that's best for all situations. They all have times when they should be used....and your cabinet is probably one of them. If the carcase is fastened with pocket screws, I guess there won't be much gluing/clamping going on. Seems like pre-finishing may be a good way to do things. But we all have different ways that work, so the best suggestion may be for you to try it and form your own opinion.

your suggestion is very helpful

On 7/17/2022 at 5:09 PM, Woodman said:

acoustic guitar-building

Finally got you the pics. Credit John Parchem from a thread of his on acousticguitarconstructionforum .com  I copied this technique when finishing the underside of a shelf which would receive a glued bracket.