Hey everyone, I'm a total beginner and I'm working on a project using finished plywood. Initially, I thought I wanted to use unfinished plywood, so now I'm considering sanding the finished surfaces to prepare them for something else. Is sanding finished plywood a good idea, or are there specific issues that might come up? What are the trade-offs I should be aware of?
2 Answers
You can definitely sand finished plywood, but just be cautious! Start with a grit no lower than 120 and go light on the pressure. It’s a good idea to practice on a scrap piece first to see how quickly the top veneer sands down, especially if you're trying to clean up glue stains. If you're mainly looking to tidy up the veneer, you should be in good shape!
Be careful – the surface veneers are super thin, so you might end up sanding through them before you even get to the finish! The finish doesn’t just sit on top; it seeps into the wood, so getting to an "unfinished" layer means you're probably down to the base material. Just chalk it up to a learning experience if it doesn’t turn out as planned!
Totally agree! It's a good idea to see a scrap piece before you dive in. Make sure you know how to tell when you might be burning through the veneer.