Troubleshooting Guide

PLYWOOD EDGES
• Wood filler or wood putty is perfect for the
occasional void commonly found in any
plywood. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s
instructions for use.
• If you want to hide the plies on the edges of
your plywood, apply edge banding (available
in a variety of widths and colors/species), or
cover with a thin strip of natural, solid wood.
PAINT
• For the cleanest results, paint each piece of wood
after cutting, drilling, sanding, and wiping down,
but before assembling your project.
• A base coat/primer will allow for better paint
coverage and less spots where the grain
shows through.
• A clear topcoat of any water-based polycrylic
adds a protective finish and/or your desired
level of glossiness.
STAIN
• For more even coverage, use a prestain.
• Apply stain using old rags or towels, or choose
a brush made specifically for stain.
• End-grains (areas where the wood has been cut
against the grain) tend to soak up more stain than
other areas. Give end-grains an extra sanding to
tighten the pores and lessen the overabsorption.
• The finer the grit of the final sandpaper you use,
the lighter the stain color will be. The coarser the
sandpaper, the darker the color will be.
• Don’t stain wood fiber panels (MDF, particle-
board, hardboard). These panels are susceptible
to moisture and expand when wet. Additionally,
without a natural woodgrain, they fail to absorb
stain evenly.
Finishing Tips