If you are building something out of plywood, you may want to give it an extra layer of protection with paint. To get the best results for your efforts, check out these tips. They are designed to help you as you paint your plywood.
1. Start With a High Grade Plywood
There are different types of plywood, and if you want the paint to go on smoothly and easily, it helps to start with high quality plywood. For instance, plywood that is designed to be placed on a subfloor is generally lower quality than plywood meant to be used for furniture or boats.
You can assess quality visually by looking at how rough the plywood is. The smoother it feels, the higher quality it is.
2. Sand the Plywood
Regardless of the quality of plywood you use, you should sand it. Keep in mind that rougher, lower quality plywood generally requires more sanding than higher quality plywood. Start with a rough grade sandpaper and finish off with a high grit.
Make sure that you have dusted off all the wood shavings before you start painting. Use a dry cloth or a soft bristled brush to remove the shavings. Don't use a wet cloth. The water will absorb into the plywood and potentially warp its shape.
3. Start With a Primer
If you want to hide the wood grain, you should start with a primer. Apply that liberally to the surface of your plywood. Let it dry thoroughly, and if you can still see wood grain, put on another layer of primer. Often, with plywood, you need more primer than you do with other types of wood. That's because plywood tends to be very absorbent.
4. Sand Again
To really getb a smooth painted finish on your plywood, you should do a bit of sanding after you have applied the primer. Use sandpaper with a high grit, and don't use an electric sander. Make sure to handle this step manually. Even if your primer doesn't look like it needs to be sanded, you should still sand it to remove any bumps and impurities.
5. Paint
Finally, it's time to paint your plywood. For best results, use a roller so you don't get any streaks from the brush. Make sure you use paint that's suited to the environment where you plan to use the plywood. For instance, if you are using the plywood outside on a playhouse or a chicken coop, you need to use weather resistant paint.
There are still many people do not believe that women should be involved in DIY or construction jobs. My blog is here to prove them all wrong. My name is Connie and I have always been interested in construction and repair work around my home. Rather than just sitting back and letting someone else take care of the problem, I like to get stuck in so I can try and learn something. However, sometimes there are jobs I cannot do on my own. However, when I call in a contractor, I always take the time to chat with them so I can pick up a tip or trick which will help me in the future. I hope you like the articles on my blog.