I'm looking to glue some plywood onto the side of a shipping container for a movie-watching setup at night. I plan to use four 4x8 sheets and paint them white. Since I live in South Central Texas, where humidity is high for most of the year, I need a plywood grade that's suitable for outdoor use and will adhere well to a Conex container despite the wind.
3 Answers
Why not just go ahead and paint the side of the container instead of using plywood?
Go for 3/4" MDO (Medium Density Overlay) plywood. It's a solid choice because it's an exterior grade plywood, designed for tough conditions like concrete form work and even used to make highway signs before aluminum was the go-to. Plus, it's primed on both sides, which is great for preventing moisture damage!
I'd suggest backing a 1/2" thick plywood with exterior-rated adhesive. Make sure to attach it to the Conex with a high-quality construction adhesive. After that, just slap on some flat exterior-grade paint in white and you're all set! Easy as pie!

Yeah, but the side's usually ribbed, which makes painting a bit tricky for a smooth surface!