Paint before or after cabinet assembly?

[emb]

Do you paint your cabinet before gluing it together, or after? Also, are you using screws on the outside of your cabinet? I am debating which route to go and think hearing everyones input will affect what I do.

[Donkbaca]

After, that way you don't have to worry about scratching up the finish when you put it together

[vast]

As much as my input is worth, I'm painting after everything is constructed.  I'm test fitting as I go so hopefully it'll be ok...

[Vigo]

If you have any complicated edges on your cabinet, you have to worry about paint pooling if you do it when it is all together. I believe that the ideal method of painting anything complex is to assemble, disassemble, paint and reassemble. It is also more time consuming though.

Otherwise, I would say it is just a matter of preference. Painting after avoids worrying about scratching like Donk mentioned, buy you may need to worry about overspray more if you are spray painting or air painting.

Also, I don't put screws on the outside of my cabinet. Everything is on the inside using L brackets less chance of the wood splitting on me, and I don't have to worry about covering the screw holes with putty.

[emb]

If you have any complicated edges on your cabinet, you have to worry about paint pooling if you do it when it is all together. I believe that the ideal method of painting anything complex is to assemble, disassemble, paint and reassemble. It is also more time consuming though.

Otherwise, I would say it is just a matter of preference. Painting after avoids worrying about scratching like Donk mentioned, buy you may need to worry about overspray more if you are spray painting or air painting.

Also, I don't put screws on the outside of my cabinet. Everything is on the inside using L brackets less chance of the wood splitting on me, and I don't have to worry about covering the screw holes with putty.

I am also planning on not having any screws on the outside of the cabinet. I will be using wood glue and temporary screws while the glue dries.

[VanillaGorilla]

You're going to want to 'edge in' on any of the interior areas that will be difficult to paint, post-assembly. Especially areas where you have mating panels, or joints. Just dust some paint on the areas where you will be gluing joints and or screwing things together, before you begin assembly. Dont worry about scratching that application, The purpose is that you dont have to be concerned with hitting those areas heavily when you do the final paint application, which will save you from drips and runs in your top coat.

[8BitMonk]

I textured and painted my first cab and it was a pain. For every one thereafter I've used 3/4" black melamine coated particle board. Depending on where you live you may have to look around a bit for it but it's worth it. You end up with a nice black finished professional looking product. It really is the best of both worlds, it looks better than painting and is also much quicker. It's also easy to affix sideart to.

For assembling your cab I highly recommend using a Kreg Jig. The basic Kreg Jig kit is fairly inexpensive and can be bought at Home Depot. All you need to use it is a standard power drill. It's solid, fast and can all be done from the inside of the board so no exterior holes.

[Xiaou2]

melamine is expensive, and its a pain to work with.  Worse that that, a simple chip out of it.. and what can you do?  Most people throw melamine out once it gets chipped, because you cant fix it easily.

Getting good results painting isnt easy either.. but, its fixable.

[mgb]

I never wanted to laminate my cabinet but then I did and I love it (simple black, not that marble that was being used alot a few years ago).
With laminate you can use screws, countersink them and give 'em a quick fill then laminate right over them.
its not the cheapest way though.