So what was the trick? I find that even the quick drying water-based paints take far longer than the claim on the can to dry to the point where surfaces can be put against each other without sticking (then pulling bits off). I'm a bit constrained on this one, as I have to keep the same colour (-ish) due to conservation area rules, though I'm very tempted to strip it right back to wood as the finish seems to have poor adhesion to the primer/undercoat beneath it.