I would certainly take them off and lay them flat until the silicone sets up, definitely not with them installed on the cabinets.. I would use glazing points as well if at all possible.

Thanks! No idea what glazing points are :) Total novice here

@DeWayne @millworkman and this is why I came here to ask! Thanks. Total novice but I love to learn and haven't done a project like this one. Definitely love the idea to remove them to refinish later (which I'm already contemplating). My china hutch uses the clips but the cabinet maker mentioned using silicone but I didn't want to wait for him to come back in a few weeks so trying to do it myself. I'll look into these options. I only see plastic clips on Amazon, my old hutch has plastic and many are broken (theres a few metal ones). Maybe just 30+yr plastic giving out.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cabinet+door+glass+clip

I wouldnt use silicone. I would use the clips. Plastic is fine. They dont break all that easy, unless someone tightens them too tight, and snaps them. The ones in my big curio cabinet, had a few broken ones too. I bought the cabinet used, and one tempered glass panel was broken. I replaced it, and also bought new clips, and replaced all the broken ones.

I can't think of one good reason for using silicone and if you EVER replace a pane of glass that has been siliconed in you will find more than enough reasons for not using silicone you will never consider using it again.

I had this done in my last kitchen, and was trying to remember how it was done. I knew it was above my pay grade so pretty sure the contractor had removed the door itself and then removed the middle panel of wood. I brought the frame to a glass shop and they installed the glass...............then the contractor installed the door.

Live and learn every day.