You can stain only or stain and apply first finish coat before assembly. I
have done both and they both work okay. However, I prefer to put one coat
of finish first. It is easier to clean off dust and any stray glue during
the glue up.

Preston
"Igor" wrote in message
...
I was just at my sister's house and they had some great looking new custom
cabinets with flat panel doors made by a local guy -- except in a door on
a
large pantry cabinet the panel had moved and I could see unfinished areas
on the panel.

Is there a trick to staining/finishing the panel so when it moves around
you don't see any unfinished surface? Do you finish the panel before
assembly -- or, at least stain it first?

I ask because some cabinet doors are on my todo list. Thanks.