staining cabinet doors

[BPCFinishing]

I'm currently working on some doors for cabinets that I am building for my parents kitchen.  They will be stained maple and my question is this... do you stain/seal the panel before assembling the door or just assemble everything and then finish.  I've seen it both ways but it appears that factory cabinet shops apply finish after assembly (this makes more sense from a time standpoint).  The only reason I've heard for finishing panels before assembly is so that as the panel shrinks you won't see a potentially unfinished line where a brush/sprayer couldn't get to on an assembled door.  I have four panels already stained up, but after doing just those I'm thinking I would rather go the route of fully assembled  [blink].  Just wanted to get some opinions and see if anyone has actually ever had an issue with seeing an unfinished panel edge.

 

[tiralie]

If the panels are solid wood, I would stain assemble then clear coat. Otherwise assemble and then stain and finish.
Tim

 

[BPCFinishing]

Thanks Tim, these particular ones are just maple ply panels.

 

[junk731]

For all the time it takes I would get some colour on even your maple ply panels, especially if its a darker colour. Why take a chance. Even ply panels can shift depending on the centering method and time.

John

 

[Scott B.]

I think it is a good idea to prestain panels because stiles and rails can contract creating a stripe line. When I prestain, I protect with a quick coat of sealer so that the stain doesn't get compromised between assembly and finish.

 

[BPCFinishing]

After assembly I believe I may just prestain from here out.  And I will also be spraying a finish coat prior to assembly.  I didn't this time and had to be very careful with the panels.  Thanks for the tips guys!  Here's a photo of glue up[attachthumb=1]

 

[tiralie]

When I prestain, I protect with a quick coat of sealer so that the stain doesn't get compromised between assembly and finish.

Ya, I always forget this step...

 

[Scott B.]

When I prestain, I protect with a quick coat of sealer so that the stain doesn't get compromised between assembly and finish.

Ya, I always forget this step...

Well then, here is a Public Service Announcement.

No. Skipping. Steps!  [big grin]

 

[tiralie]

Well then, here is a Public Service Announcement.

Nice...is that an solvent based gel stain?

 

[John Beauchamp]

I never stain panels before assembly. When I stain I put a little extra along the joint and blow it in with an air hose as I wipe it off. If you blow and wipe both sides it  keeps any from bleeding out the bottom when you rack them.  I've never had any unstained lines show up later, these would have to be replaced at my expense so that's not happening. I mostly use Sherwin Williams liquid stain but it works with gel stain too.     

 

[ewils91]

If the panels are solid wood, I would stain assemble then clear coat. Otherwise assemble and then stain and finish.
Tim

This is the way we do it due to humidity issues causing expansion and contraction.

 

[BPCFinishing]

Finished door[attachthumb=1]

 

[pugilato]

I have found that the best stained finish is to apply a diluted layer of polyurethane to the panels before I apply any stain. This permits the stain to be more uniform, with less blotchiness.

 

[BPCFinishing]

wow, this picture looked a lot better on my phone!  lol

 

[BPCFinishing]

[attachthumb=1]

 

[tiralie]

looks really good.
Tim

 

[BPCFinishing]

Another question on finish sanding, I now stop my final sanding at 180 in slow rotes mode.  It does still leave some arches but after staining and finishing you have to look up close to see them.  Just wondering what you guys are ending with. The 180 is the rubin 2 on the RO 90.

 

[tjbnwi]

I sand to 180 Granat, with the RO in the aggressive mode. Done properly there will be no swirl marks.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

120-50 with rotex or hand sand.
Tim

 

[webpp]

[attachthumb=1]

Amazing kitchen cabinet door BPC!

Could you share your secret? What stain and finish did you use to achieve such a professional look? Please give me the step by step

Thanks!