Prefinish Panels in Kitchen Cabinet Doors

the issie is panel shrinkage

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

the frame does not change size but the panel may shrink or swell with humidity changes. If the door is painted after assembly and it shrinks there will be an unfinished border exposed.

Leveling the joints at corners is best done with a hand plane or scraper. Sanding tends to round them over. There should be no glue squeezing out if it is applied properly.

Learning opportunity. Learn to glue. Learn to sharpen and use a scraper.

You did not reveal either the joinery or method of paint application so I can not offer advice on painting details or glue application

Don't pre-finish anything

Ellis Walentine

If your panels are plywood or MDF, glue them up in the doors, sand the corner frame joints, and then prime and paint the entire door. Don't worry about the frame contracting. Also, since your panels aren't likely to expand or contract, you can glue them sparingly into the grooves in the frames. This will make the doors rock solid.

Ellis

Thanks Ellis - One More Question

howgor

The reason for my concern was that I did a short run of cabinets(not for the kitchen) that are 2 1/4 thick maple frames and plywood panels and I did a milk paint finish with one coat of wax for protection. I painted the entire door as you suggested in my first post but I have noticed that there was a small amount of shrinkage that left a small ridge of paint. Thanks for your help.

Re: Don't pre-finish anything

Barry Irby

I agree with Ellis. About three years ago I made a set of doors and drawer fronts for kitchen cabinets in a house I was flipping. Frames were poplar and panels birch plywood, shaker style. About fifty doors and drawer fronts. Frames were 2 1/4" wide and 3/4" thick. Panels were what passes for 1/4" these days. I glued the panels into the frames and in fact counted on them to help keep the frames together. Had a friend finish them with white lacquer. They have held up well.

If you are talking about a ridge at the seam

Dick Coers

That is usually caused by sanding the wood too quickly after glue up. The moisture from the glue swells the wood slightly. If you don't let the wood dry and sand it flat while it's damp at the seam, there is a change when it's dry. I always let it dry 24 hours at a minimum.

My hunch

Ellis Walentine

If you noticed movement (e.g., ridges in the finish) where the panel meets the frame, either the frames or panels must have contracted. This indicates that they may not have been dry enough when assembled. You didn't mention the type of wood you used for the frames, nor the amount of shrinkage you detected, but across 2 1/4" of kiln dried stock, I wouldn't expect a frame to shrink appreciably.

I'd say, be confident that your materials are dry, then proceed as I suggested...

Ellis