How do I get a smooth finish on plywood?

How To Make Plywood Smooth and Shiny

1. Vacuum and wipe down the plywood with a damp cloth.
2. Sand the plywood lightly with a 220 grit sandpaper.
3. Apply a good quality wood grain filler and allow to dry.
4. Sand plywood lightly again with 220 grit sandpaper.

Can you use plywood for a ceiling?

Plywood is viable as a ceiling material, particularly in the basement. Plywood allows easier access to pipes, ducts and wiring than drywall. Plywood serves capably as ceiling material in garages, shops and rec rooms when aesthetic design is not an issue.

How do you cover seams in plywood ceiling?

Sand down the plywood, particularly around the edges where the pieces meet at the seams. Go over the entire surface with medium-grade sandpaper in a circular motion. Continue until all of the seams have been sanded down and the surface is smooth throughout.

Can you make plywood look nice?

Making Plywood Walls Look Good The secret to getting it to look the same as the drywall, is to start by taping the plywood, just like you would with drywall. Then, skim coat the entire plywood surface with drywall mud and then sand it smooth. Once textured and painted, it will look just like the rest of the walls.

How do you hide the grain on plywood?

If the plywood is to be merely painted a solid color, then one of the simplest techniques is to first sand the end grain as smooth as possible, then use a vinyl spackling compound or water‐mixed wood putty to fill in the open pores.

How thick should plywood ceiling be?

5/8-inch
Most Common Thickness For rafters spaced 20 or more inches apart, 1/2- or 5/8-inch plywood is recommended. The most common rafter spacing is 24 inches, and 5/8-inch plywood is recommended for that. It will support roof loads for most situations and is the standard for most roof applications.

What is the cheapest way to do a ceiling?

Here are some affordable ways to beautify your home’s ceilings:

1. Paint. It’s a great way to change the perception of your space.
2. Tin Tiles. Hide damage and uneven surfaces with tin ceiling tiles that introduce a vintage vibe.
3. Moldings and More.
4. Tiles or Planks.

How do you waterproof plywood seams?

An exterior elastomeric caulk works best, because it has the ability to expand and contract with the temperatures and flexing of a structure.

1. Cut the tip off of a tube of elastomeric caulk using a utility knife.
2. Squirt a 3/8-inch bead of caulk along the seams of the plywood.
3. Wait 24 hours.

What is the best plywood for staining?

It’s possibly worth it if you’re looking for a unique wood project, but I wouldn’t spend that kind of money if you’re planning to stain the wood. The red oak plywood is the way to go if you’re looking for a hassle-free staining job.

Does plywood look good stained?

Once you’ve completed your project made out of plywood, it’s time to apply the finishing touches. Many homeowners wonder if you can stain or paint plywood. The answer is yes! For the best-looking and longest-lasting finish follow these tips from our experts …

Where to use plywood as a ceiling finish?

The question of where to use plywood also extends to the physical location within a space: floors, walls and ceilings. Ceilings. Using exposed plywood as a ceiling finish is an honest expression of its function as the subfloor (or roof) support above. The ceiling application has the most versatility in terms of finishing requirements.

How long does it take to install plywood ceiling?

After beveling, (and flipping it over, right side up) this is what a single plank looks like. It took me about 15 minutes to rip down each 4×8 sheet and bevel the sides creating 8 planks. I’m installing my plywood plank ceiling perpendicular to the ceiling joists so I needed to find those.

What’s the best way to fill holes in plywood?

Fill in any pocket holes, nail holes and deep dents using wood filler. Allow to dry overnight. Sometimes, the wood filler shrinks as it dries up and would need a second coat. Also, this is a good time to round out the edges of the plywood.

What makes a V groove on a plywood ceiling?

For the most part we flew through applying glue and nailing up the planks. Each plank is simply butted up to the next one. The bevel on both planks forms a V when they are combined. I cut out the light and vent holes with a jigsaw. For the lights, I used a template that came with the recessed cans to ensure I cut out the correct size hole.