How to putty plywood under wallpaper and other types of finishing

Although plywood is a common material for do-it-yourself projects, finishing calls for additional planning. The secret to getting a polished appearance is making sure the surface is smooth and even, regardless of whether you’re going to paint, apply wallpaper, or use another kind of finish.

Puttying the plywood is a crucial step in this process. This smooths out any voids, hides flaws, and provides a solid foundation for the finish of your choice. Knowing which methods and supplies to use can have a big impact on how your walls turn out in the end.

This post will walk you through the puttying process of plywood, providing helpful hints and recommendations to guarantee a perfect finish regardless of the covering type you intend to use.

It is imperative to appropriately prepare and putty plywood in order to achieve a smooth and durable surface prior to applying wallpaper or other finishes. To create an even base, fill in any gaps, sand the surface, and apply the appropriate primer and putty. By following these guidelines, you can guarantee that the final finish will adhere well and look professional, giving your wall decoration project a long-lasting outcome.

Disadvantages of plywood as a finishing material and how to eliminate them

The following issues must be resolved if you choose to use plywood to level the walls or create a subfloor out of it:

  • The thickness of the sheets may vary. Even if the difference is very small, it will be noticeable at the joints. And in any case, the seams will show through both the wallpaper and the paint layer.
  • Plywood is attached to the base or frame with screws (nails), the heads of which rust when in contact with moisture and stains appear on the surface.
  • Depending on the quality of the material, its relief surface and cracks on the surface can also create an aesthetic problem, showing through the finishing layer.

  • Being a natural wood material, plywood sheets can change their linear dimensions depending on the humidity and temperature of the surrounding air, as well as when moisture directly hits them. As a result, the wallpaper will have folds and tears, and the floor covering may go "wave".

Sanding the surface, applying oil paint over the fastening points, treating the material with waterproof compounds, and hanging thick vinyl wallpaper are some ways to partially address these issues. You can achieve the best outcome and ensure the longevity of the finish by yourself puttying the plywood.

This will enable you to address every shortcoming at once: conceal the seams and attachment points, create a flawlessly smooth, flat surface that isn’t damp-sensitive, and attain a uniform hue.

What and how to putty plywood

You must carefully select the appropriate putty and adhere to its application technology in order to ensure that the finished product is aesthetically pleasing and that you won’t need to make another repair for a long time. We’ll discuss this.

Which putty to choose

How to putty plywood on the floor is the simplest way to provide an answer to the query (see. If a decorative flooring, such as laminate, parquet board, linoleum, etc., is laid on top of it, do it yourself putty with your hands gradually. In this instance, olifa covering the draft floor and epoxy putty smearing the seams are sufficient to protect it from the effects of moisture.

Suggestions. It is advised to place the plywood beams on all sides, including the ends, prior to the commencement of the installation and to finish it by filling in the joints and the holes over the self-tapping screw hats.

In light of the operational circumstances, the intended finish, and the budgetary constraints, the wall decoration should be handled more carefully. For this task, mixtures with gypsum or acrylic polymer bases are appropriate.

What distinctions exist between them?

  • Gypsum putty – These are dry bulk mixtures that are divided by water to the working consistency before application (see. How to dilute putty for self-repair). They are easy to use, do not crack when drying, and are very inexpensive. But they can only be used in dry rooms, as they absorb moisture too well, swelling and peeling off from the base. It is also not recommended to use this material for finishing surfaces subject to vibration. For example, for plywood ceilings on the first floor if there is a residential second floor or for partitions with doorways. After drying, the gypsum loses elasticity and under such an impact can crack and begin to peel off.

  • Acrylic putties – an ideal option for working on wood and plywood. They are ready-to-apply mixtures that have high adhesive properties and firmly adhere to the surface, providing reliable protection from moisture. Therefore, polymer putty on plywood can be used in rooms with high air humidity and on surfaces subject to serious mechanical stress. However, it is worth it much more expensive than gypsum.

As you can see, there are some noticeable differences, and putties based on polymers are unquestionably superior. Their expensive price is the only drawback.

Suggestions. Should you find yourself on a tight budget, you can create a homemade putty by combining PVA glue with fine sawdust and crushed chalk. Water-soluble varnish can also be used in place of glue.

Stages of plywood puttying

Along with using the right materials, adherence to technology has a significant impact on finish quality.

When working with plywood, the process is broken down into the following phases:

  • Processing sheets with moisture-protective agents. Their role can be played by penetrating acrylic-based wood primer. Before installation, the reverse side of the material is covered with it to prevent moisture absorption from the walls. We do not touch the front side yet.
  • Sanding the front surface. It is done after installation to make the surface smooth and eliminate differences in joints. If you use high-quality sanded plywood, then such processing may not be required, especially if the thickness of the sheets is the same, and the frame is mounted strictly according to the level.

  • Primer. It is necessary to reduce the absorbency of the plywood, create a protective film on its surface and improve adhesion. Instructions on the primer packaging indicating the properties and area of ​​application will help you choose the right composition.

Kindly take note. Using a vacuum or a slightly damp cloth, the sanded surface needs to be cleared of wood and household dust before priming.

  • Putty. It is done after the primer has completely dried. First, the joints, recesses from screws and surface defects are putty, and after they dry and sand – the entire surface. Since it is initially smooth, you are unlikely to need more than one or two layers to get the perfect result.

Sandpaper-zero makes it simple to eliminate any accidental drops, tiny drips, and spatula residue. If the walls are going to be covered in textured wallpaper, this step of the painting preparation process can be skipped.

In any case, the putty surface needs to be primed, and this is done right before the job is finished to prevent dust from collecting on it.

Step Description
1. Surface Preparation Clean the plywood surface from dust and debris. Make sure it"s dry and free of any oil or grease stains.
2. Primer Application Apply a primer specifically designed for plywood. This helps the putty adhere better and seals the wood to prevent moisture absorption.
3. First Layer of Putty Use a putty knife to spread the first layer of putty evenly over the plywood. Focus on filling any gaps or imperfections.
4. Sanding After the first layer has dried, sand the surface lightly to smooth out any rough spots. Remove dust after sanding.
5. Second Layer of Putty Apply a second, thinner layer of putty to achieve a smooth finish. Allow it to dry completely.
6. Final Sanding Sand the surface one last time to ensure a perfectly smooth finish, ready for wallpaper or other finishes.
7. Finishing Touches Wipe the surface clean and apply a final coat of primer if necessary. The plywood is now ready for wallpaper or other decorative finishes.

Prior to applying wallpaper or other finishes, putty should be placed on plywood to ensure an even and smooth surface. This procedure helps to conceal any seams, blemishes, or irregularities in the plywood, laying a strong foundation for the finished product.

Video on the topic

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How to hide a screw, puttying screws for painting,

Interior decoration of a plywood wall in an apartment – filmed on video. Hallway renovation part 14.

preparing plywood walls for wallpapering

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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