If you love woodworking but hate the hassle of applying a finish, you should consider using prefinished UV plywood for your next project. Not only will it save you time, but it might actually cause you to fall even deeper in love with woodworking.
Here’s everything you need to know about UV plywood.
Prefinished UV plywood is a type of plywood that has been coated with a UV-curable resin. This resin cures when exposed to ultraviolet light, creating a hard, durable finish. UV plywood is commonly used in cabinetry, but it’s also perfect for any project where you want a sleek, professional look.
While prefinished UV plywood costs more than unfinished plywood, there are several benefits that make it worth the expense.
Here are some of the top reasons to consider using it on your next woodworking project:
One of the biggest benefits of UV plywood is that it saves you time. If you’ve ever applied a finish to wood, you know that it can be a time-consuming process. Between sanding, re-sanding, and applying coat after coat, even small woodworking projects can take a ton of time.
With UV plywood, all you have to do is cut, glue, and admire. Since all the finishing work was done from the beginning, you’ll save yourself hours (or even days) of work.
Another great benefit of UV plywood is that it’s more durable than most finishes you would likely apply yourself.
The UV-curable resin creates a hard, protective layer that can withstand scratches, dents, and other wear and tear. This makes it the perfect finish for all kinds of applications where durability is important, such as cabinets.
UV plywood is also incredibly easy to work with. This makes it perfect for projects where time is of the essence or for those new to woodworking.
All you have to do is cut your pieces to size and glue them up.
Whether you’re building kitchen cabinets or a modern coffee table, working with UV plywood is easy and straightforward.
UV plywood has a sleek, professional finish that’s hard to achieve with other methods–especially if you’re a beginner.
The high-gloss finish looks great in any setting and can make your woodworking projects stand out.
One downside of many wood finishes is that they release harmful vapors into the air as they cure. These vapors can harm your health if you breathe them in, so working in a well-ventilated area is important.
UV plywood doesn’t come with this problem because the finish is already cured. That means you can work with it indoors without having to worry about harmful fumes.
Yes, you can paint UV plywood. Before you paint, you will need to scuff the surface of the UV finish with 220-grit sandpaper and apply a coat of primer. Once the primer is dry, you can paint over the UV finish just as you normally would with unfinished plywood.
If you want to change the color of your UV plywood, painting is a great option. Just follow the steps above to ensure that your paint job looks its best.
No, UV plywood is not waterproof. While it is usually resistant to small spills and splashes, you should avoid getting it too wet to prevent damage. Additionally, you should not use it for water-based applications, such as boat building.
You can cut UV plywood just the same as unfinished plywood. However, if you want to avoid damaging the finish, there are a few simple precautions you may want to take.
One of the best ways to avoid damaging the finish on UV plywood is to keep your cutting tools sharp. A dull blade will struggle to make a clean cut, undoubtedly leading to tear-out and damage to your finish.
I can’t stress this enough. If you’re going to spend the money on UV plywood, make sure to keep your tools as sharp as possible. A little extra sharpening effort on the front-end will save you all kinds of heartache and financial pain.
Another way to avoid damaging your UV plywood is to keep your tools clean. Any wood shavings, chips, or debris on your cutting tools can cause scratches, gouges, or other damage to the finish.
For best results, wipe down your tools with a dry rag after each use and before you start working with UV plywood. Additionally, I recommend vacuuming or blowing off all your tools between cuts.
The cleaner you keep your tools throughout the building process, the less likely you will be to damage the finish.
If you want to protect the UV finish, I suggest slapping a few strips of painter’s tape across each sheet of plywood. This will provide a thin barrier between your plywood, and your table saw surface and help you prevent many of the small scratches that might otherwise occur.
While it might be a pain, it’s worth it if you’re worried about damaging your plywood.
Just be sure to use good-quality tape that will stay in place and won’t leave any residue behind.
Additionally, you can run a strip of painter’s tape over your cut-lines to help you reduce tear-out. (Tip: this also works on unfinished plywood.)
Now that you know more about UV plywood, it’s time to start your next project! With all the benefits it offers, I implore you to give it a try.
You might just find that it’s your new favorite woodworking material.
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