Shelf Pin Holes -- Drill before or after finishing?

[George Bokros]

I have always drilled after finishing but now want to drill before finishing. My thought is that the finish will run into the holes and the pins will not fit easily. I could redrill after finish to clean them out.

What do you do?

Thanks

[Cary Falk]

I always drill before because I want the holes stained with the rest of the project so they don't stick out like a sore thumb. I have never had a problem with the pins not fitting.

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

If you're spraying the finish, it won't get in the holes.
Brushing, otoh, may give you problems.

[Jamie Buxton]

How are you applying finish? I usually spray cabinets, or occasionally wipe on varnish, and neither of those give a problem with finish in the holes. If you're brushing, the edge of the hole may well scrape a lot of finish into the hole.

[Martin Wasner]

Unless you're painting with a brush '
there isn't going to be enough that fills the holes that you'll notice. I have a builder that everything painted is done with a brush, things like bookcases I just put a 5mm bit in a cordless drill and ream the holes in reverse if they're really gunked in.

[Lee Schierer]

I always drill the holes before finishing. I even use a q-tip to get stain down in the holes if the wood is stained. I've had a few holes get enough finish in them that the pin doesn't want to go in. I have an old drill chuck that I put in a 1/4" bit into and hand ream the holes that are too tight.

[Von Bickley]

I drill the holes first......

[John TenEyck]

Same here, first. If you get any tear out on an already finished surface it's ugly. A little tear out before finishing disappears during the finishing process.

John

[John T Barker]

I would think any sort of error or blemish would be the reason for first?

[John T Barker]

If you're spraying the finish, it won't get in the holes.
Brushing, otoh, may give you problems.

Why wouldn't spray get in a hole?