How do I paint Oak Plywood?

[Vickie B.]

The cabinet doors are cut! We went with oak plywood because it looked the best at Lowe's. I want to paint it black. I've purchased a primer and the paint. Mostly I need to know about the prep---how much sanding does this need?

I've Googled, but the majority of articles are assuming the reader is going to apply a clear finish--so they caution not sanding so much that you go thru the veneer. I just want a nice smooth finish, and don't want to overdue so that I end up putting more lines in it then I started with.

Any tips?
Thanks,
Vickie

[Darwin Maring]

A very very lite sanding is sufficient as there is already enough rough and textured areas for the primer to hold on to. Once primer painted, you will see the grain. You may want to put on multiple layers of primer and/or top coat - just follow the directions supplied with the paint.

Spray paint gives the smoothest finishes.

If you do not want to see the grain then you have to use a filler, something like micro balloons. Personally, I like to see the grain.

[Vickie B.]

Thanks Darwin!

I seem to be a terrible spray painter, so I bought paint to roll on thinking that would give me a professional look---opps.

V

[Andy B]

Originally Posted by Vickie B.

The cabinet doors are cut! We went with oak plywood because it looked the best at Lowe's. I want to paint it black. I've purchased a primer and the paint. Mostly I need to know about the prep---how much sanding does this need?

I've Googled, but the majority of articles are assuming the reader is going to apply a clear finish--so they caution not sanding so much that you go thru the veneer. I just want a nice smooth finish, and don't want to overdue so that I end up putting more lines in it then I started with.

Any tips?
Thanks,
Vickie

Oak plywood costs more that most other types of plywood because of the beautiful grain... and you want to paint it black?

My tip would be to use a clear finish and enjoy the beautiful wood.

If you really want to paint, and have a smooth finish, it will take extra work compared to other types of wood because oak has an open grain that will need to be filled. If you prime the wood then sand the primer off the high spots, then repeat the priming and sanding several times, that will fill the wood pores and give a smooth surface that you can put the finish coat on. You don't really need to sand at all before the first coat of primer if you use this process.

[Chris McVeigh]

I've painted oak with black paint lots of times - looks good with the grain showing through.
For a pro finish I usually use BIN sealer from Zinser - doesn't raise the grain of the wood which makes sanding easier.
Any black that the store has to mix from a deep base is going to look off and not cover well.
I use - wait for it - Melamine pre mixed black from Ben Moore. Two coats over white primer usually works.
Good luck

[Cyndi B.]

I am with Andy. A light sanding between coats. Even if you have inperfections. I have done oak trim in our house without stains. The wood eventually takes on it's own color.

[john warren]

i assume you have finnished this project already, if not, stop!

use ebony stain instead, it will be black, and really show off the grain.

[steve dunham]

The problem I've had with veneer plywood doors is that that the oak plywood has a fir or pine or MDF core and some plywood (Menards Lowes ) has large voids which have to be puttied . The edges of the plywood take stain differently then the face and the variation shows. You can iron on oak veneer edging to cover the plywood core but I never found the edging to hold up well to high use like a door. If you look at Scamp doors the edges are painted black. which covers a lot of sins

[john warren]

you can fill and paint the edges