In this article, we will discuss the best paints available for the plywood floor in the market. Plywood, just like any other wood, requires preparation before painting. Never did something this intricate. How to paint plywood . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 95,844 times. Once the mdf is primed, you can use a latex paint on top. If you just sanded the wood, wipe it down with a damp cloth before sealing it to remove any dust. If you have a small project that requires a very smooth finish, consider buying spray paint. It is a very budget friendly update that will give the room a whole new look for the cost of a few gallons of primer and paint. But when the light hits it a certain way, you can see the plywood seams quite clearly. However, there is one special step that makes all the difference! Be sure to let the paint dry thoroughly between coats of paint. Wood warping occurs when it loses moisture or absorbs moisture. This is just the first coat and it's better to have thin coats than thick coats, even if you can see the primer at first. If you are sitting at your house and trying to decide if this is for you—you want to judge the health of your plywood floors—because while you can paint a plywood subfloor—it’s actually very challenging to paint a plywood subfloor that’s damaged. Priming for Paint If you want to paint plywood, you'll first need to apply a primer. If you are using spray paint for your project, you won't need brushes or rollers. Use caution when sanding and err on the side of caution when taking off a lot of the surface. To prep the fabric for painting in acrylic dispersion paints, size it with an acrylic dispersion medium designed to prevent Support Induced Discoloration (SID). Get the PureBond 3/4 in. Yes, but you’ll need to apply a sanding sealer and a primer first in order for the paint to adhere properly. The prefinished plywood will likely be a UV coated clear coat, likely its a waterbase clear if its domestic plywood As you mention its extremely tough. Its plain and sometimes rough appearance means you may want to paint or stain your hardwood plywood furniture to look more attractive or match your decor. Let it dry and have either sand or scrape at it to confirm you have good adhesion. For some paint jobs you will want both a roller and a brush. Consult the container for usual drying times and test an inconspicuous edge for dryness after that amount of time has elapsed. Follow the article instructions for prepping the material. The wood itself is not waterproof, but it is made with waterproof glue, which helps prevent the sheets of wood from separating if they get wet. Choose acrylic latex paint or oily paint manufactured for the intended purpose. This will even out the edges of each stroke, which tend to collect more paint. If you’re researching plywood floors, you’re probably aware that plywood is made up of many thin layers of wood. The quality of the finished plywood would be better if the preparation is good. It can either be finished on one side or two. When applying the first coat, you don't have to worry about making sure that the primer isn't visible underneath. From contributor R: The top layer is intentionally made pretty so that it can be displayed. It is tough, cuts easily, and you can get huge sections of it. I can get prefinished plywood (birch) from a nearby supplier. She also runs her own DIY Home Design blog, My Eclectic Grace. Many homeowners wonder if you can stain or paint plywood. Do you need to use a primer when painting plywood? Brush on a layer of wood stain, following the grain of the wood. Typically wood filler requires that you apply it with a putty knife and then allow it to dry before sanding it smooth. 3.Basic material of film faced plywood Did You Know? Prefinished also helps prevent human error in … It requires that you get the right tools, prepare the surface so the paint will bond, and apply the paint so that you get a durable and beautiful finish. The paint will still stick to an imperfect piece of plywood, the finished product just won't be as smooth. Basically, repeatedly make a "w" with the brush, sprayer, or roller, so that the strokes overlap each other. Yes, you do. You can use spray paint on small plywood objects, but you’ll need to apply a spray primer first. For exterior applications, you should use only an opaque stain or a primer/topcoat paint … By using our site, you agree to our. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you … There are also tacky cloths sold at most paint and home improvement stores that are made to remove this dust. Now just need to decide paint or stain? For example, if your plywood is for an art project, use acrylic primer and paint. Using the paint roller, prime the plywood. If there are small areas that could be accidentally painted, use painter's tape to protect them. References. The same for doors or fronts, or if painted, scuff sand two sided pre-finished ply and paint. Primer prepares plywood surfaces for both oil- and acrylic-based paints, giving you full access to a wide range of colors and finishes. Of course the seams would not be so noticeable to begin with if I had used the right filler to patch them before painting. If you are going to spray plywood to use a surface from a writer, such as a painted plywood floor, you will need a more durable coating. To paint plywood, start by buying paint and primer meant for the finished purpose of your project. So if you have some old laminated plywood that needs help don’t be afraid to give it some love. For the best-looking and longest-lasting finish follow these tips from our experts … How to Paint Plywood. She received her BFA in Interior Architecture from Ohio University in 2016. If you are not interested in having a smooth finished product, you do not need to sand the plywood until it is completely smooth. Thanks for the info and I look forward to shooting them this week. The answer is yes! This will give you a harder and smoother final surface. You may apply a second and third coat if you feel it is necessary, sanding in between each layer. But you need to wait a few days before you start moving in chairs, tables, and other furniture or it could peel up or damage the paint. Dust Collection, Safety and Plant Operation, Job Opportunities and Woodworking Services, Pre-finished plywood takes additional coats nicely, pros report. As mentioned above sand it well and then apply primer or sealer as a barrier coat. By using prefinished plywood, you are reducing the amount of time you need to spend finishing your project. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Trying to fix it any other way can potentially damage the art work. My question is what type of paint to use (brand), and whether I should sand and/or use primer prior to painting, for best results. To prevent paint from pooling at the edges of the wood surface, paint a little bit past the edge with each pass. Since you will be painting over the plywood, the discoloration caused by using hole filler will not affect your final product. It wasn't really any extra effort. Yes, plywood can be used behind sheetrock. How to prevent 1/4" acrylic art painting from bending? If it is not too severe, you can secure it to another sealed board. For more information from our Interior Decorator co-author, like choosing the best application tools for your project, read on! If you are using sanded plywood for an interior application, you can choose from semi-transparent or opaque stains, clear coats, or paint. Painting detailed edges can be done with a steady paintbrush, but you may also want to tape off the edges to make sure your work is tidy. I’m building a cabinet out of prefinished birch plywood which I’m using for the drawer fronts, and wanted to paint it white (or off-white actually). Otherwise, it will not turn out well as the uneven surface will be shown through the paint. However, the limitations of plywood make solid wood a favored choice for cabinets. This doesn’t really bother me, but if you are a perfectionist, it may not be for you. The glue also creates an exterior seal, which can help prevent water from seeping into the wood and damaging it. Did you scuff with 220 or higher/lower? Anyway, do any of you have experience with the prefinished plywood some cabinet makers are using these days? Your techniques will vary depending on your desired finished results. We coated our plywood floor in enamel paint, which comes only in a satin finish. very nice. The use of plywood as a flooring option can be very creative as you can paint the area with your imagination. Sandpaper is available at all hardware stores and big box home improvement stores. When using a sprayer, it is important to mask off all surfaces that you do not want painted. Question Here, we will help you to buy the right paint for your plywood flooring. To prevent paint from pooling at the edges of the wood surface, paint a little bit past the edge with each pass. For more information from our Interior Decorator co-author, like choosing the best application tools for your project, read on! If you are painting a plywood surface in your home, go with an acrylic latex paint or an oil-based paint and primer. Last Updated: November 16, 2020 You can use spray paint on small plywood objects, but you’ll need to apply a spray primer first. Leave the tape in place once you have primed so that it can be used for your finish coats as well. What is lauan plywood used for? Moreover, you can shape plywood, and it also takes paint very well. Paint a 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) border along the edges of the plywood. Does anyone have tips for spraying pre-finished plywood (UV clear coat kind)? For the cabinet ends that are exposed and will be painted, can I put the paint over the prefinished plywood. After the final coat of paint, what would be a recommended sealant or finish? Katherine Tlapa is an interior designer, currently working as a Design Specialist for Modsy, a design service based in San Francisco. This will give you plenty of clearance from the edges when you come in with your roller or sprayer. There are some situations when you won't need to fill the holes and imperfections in your plywood. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It came out. Plywood is an extremely versatile form of wood for making cabinets. For instance, cover areas with plastic sheeting that could get sprayed if you are using a paint sprayer. The plywood needs preparation before painting just like any other thing. You should use good quality plywood for roofing, flooring, and sheathing. The choice is up to you. If you want new flooring, but can’t afford it, don’t fret. Applying multiple thin coats allows each coat to become hard and dry, as opposed to thick coats that tend to remain slightly pliable. Mdf does not react well to water, even the amount of water in latex primer, so on mdf always use oil primer. These are water-based artists' paints that can be used to create beautiful and detailed images on wood. Wood is porous and must be sealed before applying paint. Finally, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the surface and remove sanding dusting before you start priming and painting the wood. Also, if you rout any profiles on the mdf edges, etc. If you are sanding a very large area, such as a room with plywood flooring, then you may need to use a commercial sander. I want to draw some scenes on the plywood and use it as a dining table top. I expect to lightly scuff the surface, prime, and spray. Forum Responses Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The best way to ensure complete coverage no matter what tool you are using is to do long, even movements that overlap each other. I've tried many types of finishes over a pre-finished sample board, and although they looked great, I was able to easily scrape the cured finish right off with my fingernail. I've tried many types of finishes over a pre-finished sample board, and although they looked great, I was able to easily scrape the cured finish right off with my fingernail. ", http://www.justpaint.org/plywood-as-a-substrate-for-painting/, http://www.gliddenprofessional.com/dealers/pdfs/techbulletins/applications/gp_ap10_painting_plywood_products.aspx, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/painted-plywood-floors/, https://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/rules_for_sanding_wood, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/painted-plywood-floors/#.WmP_YEtryRs, http://www.behr.com/consumer/how-to/interior/how-to-paint-a-ceiling, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. (Cabinetmaking Forum) Once the primer has dried, sand again using the 220-grit sandpaper then clean off the sanding residue with a rag that has been soaked in denatured alcohol. If your small project requires a very smooth surface, consider purchasing paint. She also runs her own DIY Home Design blog, My Eclectic Grace. Because plywood is made of many thin layers of wood, it's possible to sand too long or hard and break through to a lower layer of wood. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. If … You can still get a new look for the floor when you rip up the carpet and paint the plywood sub-floor. I wanted share a tutorial for painting plywood too. Once you’re finished painting the plywood floor, you’ll be able to walk around on it after a few hours. Follow the directions on the wood filler packaging. Remember, clean it, prime it and paint it. Plywood is very porous, which makes it light and flexible, but also means that you'll have to use a plywood-specific primer to seal the wood pores. This blocks stains from coming through and prevents water from building up inside of the wood and causing damage. then just be a little gentile in sanding though, the edges of mdf are a bit softer and will sand through quicker. December 10, 2007, KnowledgeBase: Finishing: General Wood Finishing. If you feel adventurous and need some furniture makeover ideas make sure to visit When purchasing the paint, buy the recommended sealant listed on the paint. General-purpose wood primer will give you a smooth, nonporous base coat to work with. It’s okay if parts of it are slightly damaged–you can replace those parts. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The directions typically include the temperature that the paint should be applied at and how long you should allow it to dry before adding coats of paint on top of it. Pick an acrylic latex paint or an oil-based paint that is made for the intended purpose. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. If you are painting plywood to make art, consider purchasing acrylic primer and paints. Painting plywood is very similar to painting any other lumber – you have to fill all the holes and non-uniformities (there is a special trick to this!! Katherine Tlapa is an interior designer, currently working as a Design Specialist for Modsy, a design service based in San Francisco. Plus, you need a special plywood primer to smooth it out before putting paint on it. This article has been viewed 95,844 times. Once the wood is primed, apply several coats of spray paint until you get the desired finish. Before securing, first clamp the two pieces well with padding to prevent damage to the wood. If you are not interested in having a really smooth surface, feel free to skip the filler. Please don't celebrate until you have done an extensive pre-test of your finish on a decent size pre-finished test panel. Use a finish if you will be placing the object in a controlled environment. This article was co-authored by Katherine Tlapa. The roller can. Painting plywood is actually similar to painting any kind of wood. This article was co-authored by Katherine Tlapa. If you are painting plywood to use it as a surface in your home, such as a painted plywood floor, you will need a more heavy-duty paint. The wood surface is unevenly absorbent and a size will even that out. 3MM 1/8″ x 12″ x 12″ Baltic Birch Plywood: “Smoothest texture along with amazing durability”; what … Once the filler is dry, sand the plywood thoroughly to create a smooth surface for the paint. Next, fill any holes or imperfections in the surface with wood filler and let the filler dry completely. You can get a beautiful paint finish on plywood … ), prime and then paint and seal it. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Paint-Plywood-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Paint-Plywood-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Paint-Plywood-Step-1.jpg\/aid9682389-v4-728px-Paint-Plywood-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"