I'm doing a headboard that consists of two raised panels and the rails and stiles to support them. The joints are all mortise and tenon. I'm concerned about getting stain on the wood of the M & T joints and into the grooved areas where the edges of the raised panels will go. The concern I have is: will getting stain on the M & T joints affect the glue bond or stain into the grooves affect the free floating aspect of the raised panels? Do you people worry about that? And if you do, what and how do you go about protecting those parts from the staining process? I'm going to be using a General Finishes Gel Stain on the rails and stiles only. The raised panels are a different wood with an interesting pattern in the center of them. Their contrasting color is attractive and I don't feel need any stain.
Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Don M