Help with bookcase trim finishing

[Kodi Crescent]

Hi.  I'm having some trouble with the final touches on a bookcase group I built.  I'd appreciate any advice.

I built a bank of 4 built in bookcases in my attic.  My original plan was to build a face frame to cover all 4 bookcases, like this one large unit.  Each bookcase has its own face frame, and the case and the frame were finished with Target EM 6500 and coated it with EM 9000. 

I've built a large (5'x9') Poplar beaded face frame to cover and unify all 4 units.  This is the part I'm having trouble with finishing.

Since the rest of the bookcases and their face frames are finished, how do I finish this one?  On the cases or off?  I thought about mounting the top frame in its final position, caulking, filling holes and such, and then finishing it the same as the rest of the cabinets (EM 6500 then EM 9000).  I've also thought about mounting the top frame and painting it with latex paint.

I'm concerned about overspray, paint lines, etc. as this unfinished part may be finished on top of finished parts.  Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed with this so that it comes out nicely?

Thanks!

 

[Sparktrician]

I would think that it would be good to put on the finish off the bookcases, at least prime and one finish coat, then assemble the unit.  Mask off the insides of the bookcases and apply the finish coat(s).  Tim, Tom and Scott can likely come up with a better process. 

 

[tiralie]

I'm concerned about over spray, paint lines, etc. as this unfinished part may be finished on top of finished parts.  Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed with this so that it comes out nicely?

Thanks!

Kodi:
Since the face frames are not attached I would pre-finish and then attach with glue and Dominos if you can, or glue and pin with some 23 gauge. Fill the brad holes with some colored epoxy filler or touch up the small pin holes with some paint and a detail brush.

I like to at least finish the inside of the face frame before I attach them to the boxes if I can. I like the corner line that the pre-finished paint gives.

I usually domino my face frame because I like the alignment and I don't have to mess around with pinning. It takes a bit more time than just pinning and in your case may be more difficult because they are already attached to the wall.

If you want to attach the face frame and then paint, I always mask the inside of the cabinet with brown kraft paper because I invariably get over spray on the inside which leads to more work.  I usually use a heavy kraft paper and create a "curtain" just behind the face frame inside the cabinet. I tape down all four sides. You need to use brown paper not plastic as the plastic will blow around when you spray and stick to the newly sprayed surfaces.

Tim

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Thanks for the advice.  How many coats do you usually give a face frame?

Any tricks for Domino'ing something this size and keeping it so all the Dominos line up at install time?

As I write that last sentence, I'm thinking that mounting and then painting may be the most foolproof due to alignment.  The underlying face frames are already painted, so I'm not sure glue would stick.

In this case would you caulk the seam between the frames before you paint or after?

 

[tiralie]

Thanks for the advice.  How many coats do you usually give a face frame?

I usually do a primer coat and two coats of EM 6500, with a light sanding with 400 paper between coats dolled by a coat of Polly.

Any tricks for Domino'ing something this size and keeping it so all the Dominos line up at install time?

As I write that last sentence, I'm thinking that mounting and then painting may be the most foolproof due to alignment.  The underlying face frames are already painted, so I'm not sure glue would stick.

You do have to make sure the domino stays flat or at right angles to the carcass sides etc. This is sometimes difficult on installed pieces. When I domino the face frame I clamp another piece behind the one I am dominoing so the fence has something to stay square to. I take my time when cutting the domino so I don't rock it while cutting

In this case would you caulk the seam between the frames before you paint or after?

Do you mean between the cabinet box and the face frame or where the stile and rail meet or are you joining two sets of face frame units?
If the face frame is visible from either or both outside ends and I don't want to see that joint I will attach and plane or sand to even and if necessary fill any seams with wood filler or epoxy filler sand and finish the whole panel.
Tim