I am building a vanity to finish up my bathroom remodel project. Have some questions on staining and finishing the raised panel doors. Somewhere I was told to stain and finish the inside panels before assembling them to keep them from showing raw wood when they shrink.

Do you agree that I put the stain and all coats of finish on the raised panels before assembly? By doing this, I am thinking that I will need to mask the center panel when I stain the rails and stiles.

Any other suggestions of how this is done?

I am using General Finishes water based stain and top coat and plan on 3 or 4 top coats.

Thanks,

Kim