Well, this shows a couple of weirdnesses. Three mandolins, three colors, unusual for me to artificially color wood. And you only see the fronts, because the backs are not on yet.
Mandolin necks are elevated over the top, therefore one can not put the finish on that part of the top which is covered by the neck. Therefore the tops must be finished first.
One aspect of this approach which I did not realize until recently is that with the top finished I can better judge what finishing treatment the rest of the instrument will get. I never start with a complete plan of finishing details, such as color [material] of fretboard, or peghead or purfling, or binding or pickguard etc, as those details will becaome evident as I proceed with the building. One done part suggests [or sometimes demands]the next part to be done a certain way.
Remaining open to suggestions throughout the building process, as well as life itself, is a good way to experience that which is perhaps outside of the "box".