The invention is directed to assembly of a plurality of joined panel parts. Some of the individual parts contain a pre-applied curable adhesive to one or more sides or edges. An initiating metal activator is applied to complementing edges and cure is activated when the parts are assembled. The pre-applied adhesive system contains monomer(s), initiators, oligomers, an acid, and a sulfonyl compound. An activating or initiating metal foil, dispersion or coating is applied to the complementary surface. The bonding is effected when the adhesive system is activated by mating the edges. The activating metal is a reducible elemental transition metal. The metal is affixed to one surface which is brought into proximity with the curable adhesive compound dispensed onto the complementing part. The invention has usefulness in the joining of wood, wood products, composites of wood, thermoset polymer panels, non-initiating metal panels, and thermoplastic/wood composites, and the like to provide self-bonding assemblies having appearance surfaces, such as wall or floor coverings, especially assemblies that used joined board-like construction members.