Slot cutting after painting?

[frustrated_gamer]

OK, I've really screwed things up.   I was really tight on cash and didn't buy my 1/16" slot cutting bit for my router until today.  I primered my cabinet a week ago and was told by others that it would be ok to cut the T-molding slot after I painted.

I practiced with the slot cutter on some "unpainted" scrap pieces of wood and adjusted the router accordingly.

Then I started on the top/back of the cabinet... buzzzz-- WHOOPS!!! Holy crap! My best guess is the primer made the normally smooth face of the router, stick to the cab and derailed my groove!

I am getting the impression that I need to sand off ALL the paint of the edges where the T-molding will go in order to successfully cut the 1/16" slot without having another issue.

Am I being lazy for asking, is there a better way like maybe some kind of lubricant I can put on the primered surface to keep from sticking so I don't have to spend a day sanding the whole cabinet?

Any suggestions will be EXTREMELY appreciated, Thanks!

[Franco B]

Maybe you could try sticking some lengths of low adhesive masking tape for the router to run over. Maybe worth a shot before you sand the whole thing.

[Octo]

I was gonna suggest that. Use some wide strips of blue painters tape on the base of your router, and around the perimeter of your cab. That should be low-friction enough to slide the router without marring the paint.

[javeryh]

Is your paint dry?  The painter's tape is a great suggestion but I'd wait at least a few days between painting and running the router along the surface.

[miles2912]

Is your paint dry?  The painter's tape is a great suggestion but I'd wait at least a few days between painting and running the router along the surface.

I agree 100% here.  Dry primer should be a non-issue?  If it was a little tacky I can see the router grabbing, but dry primer should be good to go.

[zorg]

if you can have a iece of scrap wood big enough to cover the whole side. clamp it on the side. using your router with a copy bit make a perfect copy of the side, then switch your tool for the slot cutting bit, adjust the depth accordingly to the added thickness. one side slot routed. unclamp the scrap wood, clamp it on the pther side and slot route the second side.

I used this technique without any damage for the paint.

[BamBam]

Cutting the T-Moulding groove is better after you paint.  Painting after the groove is cuts allows paint to get in your groove, which makes it difficult to insert your T-Moulding.

[Epyx]

Cutting the T-Moulding groove is better after you paint.  Painting after the groove is cuts allows paint to get in your groove, which makes it difficult to insert your T-Moulding.

I think you would generally want to cut the groove *before* painting. Its pretty easy when painting to just use a piece of folded paper to clean paint that gets in the groove...not so easy to fix a paint job.

As for the OPs dilemna...once the primer is dry you should be fine you could even mask the border with thin paper and painters tape.

[fixedpigs]

Cutting the T-Moulding groove is better after you paint.  Painting after the groove is cuts allows paint to get in your groove, which makes it difficult to insert your T-Moulding.

if this is the case...you need to be a little less liberal with painting an edge that nobody will see anyway...

or use masking tape over the groove...

[BamBam]

I have tried both ways and cutting after painting worked best for me.
Alternatively, you could test both methods on a scrap piece of wood. Just a thought.