LR-32 before or after spraying paint?

[mddharma]

I’m building a bookcase and plan to router in pin holes for adjustable shelves. I’m also planning on spraying this bookcase white. But, the LR-32 rail won’t fit into the built bookcase, so I’ll have to router in the pin holes before the bookcase is assembled.

My question is, do you usually paint your individual pieces, then router the holes, then assemble? Or router the holes, then assemble, then paint? I’m concerned the holes could get junked up with paint, so I was thinking the former, but I’m used to spraying furniture after it’s fully assembled. If I router the holes and spray it first, then assemble, won’t the glued edges (also pocket holed)  not adhere as well, and won’t there be visible spaces near joined edges?

 

[DynaGlide]

When I built my office I did the holes first, then spray. It doesn't mess with fit of the holes. Spraying cabinet sides laying down is way, way more convenient than trying to do the inside of a cabinet assembled. There's very slight gaps that don't bother me one bit.

 

[mddharma]

That answers my question exactly, thanks!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

It is far easier to spray unassembled parts.
My situation is fairly unique, but I build a lot of larger items that have to be disassembled for shipping/delivery and then get re-assembled by someone else. Many of these parts are either stained/finished or painted, and I can assure you that pre-finishing is beneficial.

 

[Peter Kelly]

Spray machined parts flat, line bore, assemble. Trying to jam in already tight fitting shelf pins with finish in the holes is super annoying. Spray finishing the interior of an assembled box isn't a whole lot of fun either.

 

[Bob D.]

I haven't tried but wonder if anyone else has.

If you bore your holes first then plug each hole with a dowel before your spray.

Then remove the plugs immediately after spraying. Is the result any better than
boring holes after spraying.

As I said never tried this but as I read this thread the idea came to me.

 

[DynaGlide]

I follow and check the film thickness of Kem Aqua+ while spraying and find no difficulty inserting shelf pins after. With that finish any attempt to plug holes would be a waste of time.

 

[Bob D.]

I follow and check the film thickness of Kem Aqua+ while spraying and find no difficulty inserting shelf pins after. With that finish any attempt to plug holes would be a waste of time.

Ok, good to know. Thanks.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

+1 on prefinishing. Apart from the shelf pin insertion issue, it gives you perfectly clean hole bores.

 

[Oldwood]

I have used screen spline to plug threaded shelf inserts and sometimes predrilled shelf holes if the finish is high build.

It is a time-consuming finicky job, so if it can be avoided I would do that.

I had spline in stock but you can get it at most big box stores. I cut a bunch of pieces to a manageable length then tie them in a bundle and cut them to the depth of the hole plus a 1/8 or so. You want them long enough to be easy to grab to remove, but not so long that they would tend to give a halo around the hole.

I always went for finish before assembly if possible.

 

[corrado89@yahoo.com]

I have been searching for answers about painting using the LR32 system and have been unsuccessful.  I am building my kitchen cabinets frameless with solid maple edging.  Not a fan of edge banding.  I am going to test my current plan with a bathroom upper cabinet first.

I am going to cut everything and edge all panels, cut dominos for joinery,  then tape the edges where panels will be glued.
I am using general finishes stain blocker white primer with white poly as top coat. 
I plan to to spray panels with 2 coats of primer sanding between coats then drill system holes/dadoes.
I will then assemble cabinets(dominos/glue/screws) and spray 2 coats of white poly after everything is assembled.

The white poly is thin coat and shouldn't be an issue with system holes.  I will report back once I try this out.
I know this seems like a lot of added work but I want the joints glued with no paint.  Let me know what you guys think. 

 

[Cheese]

I plan to to spray panels with 2 coats of primer sanding between coats then drill system holes/dadoes.
I will then assemble cabinets(dominos/glue/screws) and spray 2 coats of white poly after everything is assembled.

Let me know what you guys think.

I'd paint everything first with your edges taped, drill the holes and then assemble. Trying to achieve a smooth finish when painting the inside of an assembled cabinet is just about impossible unless every panel is masked and painted one panel at a time. The overspray and bounce-back inside a box is horrible.