Is There a Way to Sand Plywood?

Take It Slow

• Sanding plywood involves working on each problem a little at a time. Instead of sanding all over the piece or focusing on the overall problems with the piece, handle one small problem at a time. Work on any smaller problem areas, including minor dings, surface scratches and tiny chips. Work your way up to the larger problem areas on the piece. Use a slow and even stroking motion, lightly rubbing the sandpaper across the damaged area of the piece. Use more caution when working on the corners and edges to reduce damaging the plywood.

Right Grits

• When sanding plywood surfaces, start with a very fine grit and avoid using larger grits. Ronald Johnson of User’s Guide to Plywood suggests using a P120 grit in the early stages. Work your way up to P150 grit and finish with P180 grit. Johnson never goes above a 200 grit when working with plywood. Use the largest grit as your last stage to sand all over the piece.

Warning

• Never use a belt sander or any type of electrical sander when working with plywood, and only sand by hand. Electrical sanders are designed to sand a surface quickly and with minimal effort on your part. Even on the lowest settings, you risk seriously damaging the piece. The veneer on the edges and sides of the plywood are especially susceptible to damage from electrical sanders. You can accidentally slip or lose control of the sander and cut off or damage the edges or corners of the plywood.

Potential Damage

• Sanding plywood furniture and decorative items made from plywood is especially difficult. Pieces of this type are stained or painted and sealed with a clear protective coating. When you sand through the different layers, you risk damaging the veneer underneath the coatings. If you must sand with a tool, opt for a random-orbit sander. You have more control over this type of sander and can better control the movement and flow of the sander. Use sandpaper and sand by hand for decorative areas, including pressed wood decorations.