There is another article you might look at:
http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finishing.html From that article is some information on step #4:
"Failure of the finish usually occurs first at a sharp edge of the board or at the ends. Two hints:
1. Round over all the sharp edges of the wood to at least 1/16” radius and more if you can. This will keep the coating from becoming thin on these areas.
2. Be sure to saturate the ends of the boards with the coating until they will not absorb any more. We try to put twice as many coats of finish on the ends of the boards as on the surfaces."
You want the flat part of the strip to make contact with the wood before the edge of the strip. This allows movement without cutting into the finished material in the groove. The finish you use will build up more in the groove, so be sure to allow for that when you are cutting the groove.
