Can I apply finish to melamine edge banding??

I'm building a small bookcase out of plywood for my son's dorm room. Normally I would use iron-on wood edge banding. And then I would apply the finish.

However, this bookcase will have black iron-on melamine edge banding to match the existing furniture in the room (NOTE the plywood is maple veneer).

So my question is.... When should I apply the edge banding??? Before finishing OR after finishing???? Any tips or tricks???

(Note I will be brushing on a water based-poly)

What say you????

Thanks....

-jj

I would mask the edges, apply the water borne finish and then iron on the edge band as long as you feel you can trim it without damaging the finished surfaces.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Becker

I would mask the edges, apply the water borne finish and then iron on the edge band as long as you feel you can trim it without damaging the finished surfaces.

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Thanks Jim.... I was actually thinking about doing the opposite :-)
Apply the edge banding, trim it, then tape the edges... But I'm concerned that the tape will leave a pronounced line???

OR could I just wipe off the finish from the edge banding...

I'm sure someone has dealt with situation in the past...


-jj

Install edge banding and trim. Tape off and finish

Listen to Steve...he's a pro. I'm not... ;)