How to Paint Sanded Plywood Shelves

Cover the edges of surfaces adjacent to the shelves with a strip of masking tape, to avoid paint spreading onto the surfaces. Spread a drop cloth over the floor beneath the shelves to catch any drips that may fall while painting.

Coat the plywood with a latex primer that contains a stain inhibitor to help seal the pores of the wood. Use a paintbrush to pain two thin layers of primer onto the wood. Follow the wood grain with the brush, using long even strokes that overlap adjacent strokes slightly to ensure full coverage. Wait about 15 minutes after the first layer of primer before applying the second, and then wait overnight for the primer to dry.

Go over the primed shelves with fine-grit sandpaper attached to a sanding block to sand away any brushstrokes. This will leave you a smoother surface for the top coat of paint. Wipe the shelves clean of any residue from sanding with a tack cloth.

Paint the shelves with an interior latex top coat in the color of your choice. As with the primer, brush along with the grain of the wood, and use two layers to build up the paint coat. Wait two hours between layers and then allow the second layer to dry for 48 hours. Sand each layer after two hours to remove the brushstrokes, and wipe the shelves down with the tack cloth before applying the next layer. Remove the masking tape after the drying period to use the shelves.