Debate: Should we pre-finish cabinet parts before assembly or finish after? I heard two old-timers going at it over coffee near Columbus last month.

I was at a supply shop near Columbus and overheard two retired cabinetmakers arguing about this. One guy said he always pre-finished everything before assembly to avoid missing spots in tight corners. The other said that causes glue adhesion problems and leaves gaps where finish wears off. I've done it both ways and see pros and cons. Pre-finishing lets me get a smooth coat on every surface but I've had issues with glue not sticking right. Finishing after assembly is easier for fitting parts but I've missed spots on inside edges. What side do you lean on and why?

2 comments

2 Comments

abbyk101mo agoMost Upvoted

Man I hear you on both sides, it's a real headache. I leaned toward finishing after assembly for years because I hated dealing with glue smearing on pre-finished surfaces and having to scrape it off. But then I did a big kitchen setup where the inside of the upper cabinets had these tight shelf pin holes I could barely reach with a brush, and the edges looked rough. Now I'm back to pre-finishing everything, but I use a glue with a better grip like Titebond III and scuff up the joint areas with 120 grit first to help it bond. It's a bit more work upfront but saves me from those missed spots that bug me later on.

ellis.victor1mo ago

Beat your head against that wall too. Swear I've gone back and forth more times than a loose hinge. Now I just accept that whichever route I pick, I'll be pissed off about some tiny detail a week later. Titebond III is a solid choice though, that stuff practically welds the wood together. Still, nothing beats that moment of scraping dried glue off a finished surface with your fingernail and wondering why you bother at all.