Order of Operations: paint then assemble?

[rampy]

Surprise, Surprise... I'm seeking advice again =P

In case you haven't been following my particular arcade cab. saga.... I picked up a gutted midsize/older style cabinet with faux wood laminate.

I went nuckin futz with a putty knife and a hammer and removed all the laminate... the cabinet has seen a few conversions I imagine and is the type that is assemble with carriage bolts through the side (which is germane to the discussion)

I took out all the carriage bolts and the cabinet came apart like a house of cards....  which I think is a good thing, as it'll be easier to do sanding n' stuff

So, here's my question... is it  a good idea to finish the sanding/priming/painting while the cabinet is dis-assembled and then assemble it after it's all painted n' stuff?

Most of the build cabinet from scratch examples seem to assemble then paint.  which would be fine, except the carriage bolts problem on my cab...

thanks for your thoughts in advance...

rampy

[SirPoonga]

I disassembled my cab first to paint.  Just didn;t completely disassemble.

[rampy]

I disassembled my cab first to paint.  Just didn;t completely disassemble.

Ahh... and no regrets? i.e. you didn't damage your faux metal hammered finish re assembling or anything?

OF course that's the one phase that you weren't able to document on your site.. so I didn't know that... doh!  

Anyways.. thanks for letting me know that you took that approach.

rampy

[SirPoonga]

never set the cabinet on a hard surface.  Notice how it is on carpet.  When painting it was set on blankets or something soft as not to scratch.