Spray paint MDF before or after assembly?

[SnaXen]

Hi.

This is my first post here.

I am in the process of building a bartop cabinet. And now I have started to think about the paintjob.
Going to use spraycan filler, primer and paint.

So I wonder what is the best solution (what do you prefer?) regarding the order of paint?

Should I paint each pannel before I assemble it, or the hole cab after I have assembled it?

Is it best to cut holes before painting, og should I do it after?

Thank you for your replies.

-=SnaXen=-

P.S. If you are interrested I have a builders log, with some pictures,  here http://www.diskusjon.no/index.php?showtopic=1489131   (so sorry, but it's in Norwegian. Google translate?)

[shponglefan]

I'd do it last.  If you want a nice finish, you'll want to fill in and sand any screw holes, edges, etc, so everything is smooth.  So you want to do that after assembling.

You *could* do it before, but it wouldn't look as nice.

[Le Chuck]

On fullsize builds I paint after assembly for pieces that won't come off. On micro builds I paint after hole drilling due to space issues.

[kahlid74]

Chuck and Shponglefan are spot on for me as well.  I assemble/glue/drill/putty/sand and then I prime/paint.  I usually like to prime twice, test fit everything together again to a finished cab, and upon validation rip it all down, finish paint two coats and then finish final assembly.

[SnaXen]

Thank for your replies.

Good advice.