If you are planning on enhancing the appeal of your plywood surfaces, you should think about painting the wooden material. This finishing method is ideal for structural plywood, furniture and decorative elements around the home. In general, there are multiple factors that you should address before beginning your painting process. The most critical of these issues is surface preparation. If the surface of the plywood is not correctly prepared for painting, the coating will fail.

The level of surface preparation required by the plywood will depend on the specific type of material. In simple terms, marine-grade and furniture plywood products have smooth surfaces. Therefore, little preparation is required for ideal results. However, rougher alternative materials such as the inexpensive varieties used for roofing, sheathing and flooring will need intense preparation. Here are some practical tips for preparing and painting your plywood surfaces. 

Sand the Surface

You should sand the plywood surface to create a smooth template for your paint. You can use a sanding block for this process. Alternatively, use an oscillating tool with an attached sanding accessory. When sanding your material, you should begin with rough grit sandpaper and then progress to finer grit products for ideal smoothness. If you have fine plywood such as furniture or marine-grade materials, you can start sanding with fine grit paper because the surface is already quite smooth.

Apply Primer 

After sanding, you should clean the surface of the plywood to remove the residue dust. You should use a dry rag for this process; a wet alternative will raise the grain, causing roughness. Then, wipe the wood again with a tack cloth to eliminate fine dust. When the surface is clean, you can proceed to the application of the primer. The primer will promote the correct adhesion of the paint. For this process, you should use a roller and a paint tray. Once the entire plywood is covered, you should allow it to dry completely and then sand the layer lightly. Repeat the priming process by applying a second coat of primer and sanding after it dries. Wipe off the dust with a tack cloth before proceeding. 

Paint Correctly

Finally, you should pour your chosen paint into an appropriate tray and use a roller to apply it on your primed plywood. You should remember to move along the direction of the grain for the best results. After covering the surface completely, allow the coating to dry and then smooth it with fine-grit sandpaper. Clean the plywood with your tack cloth and then apply your finishing coat.