getting a smooth base on plywood .

[stefan suddock]

Hi,
need some help,i am getting a custom made turntable plinth made from 3 layers of high density Birch ply and 2 layers of slightly less dense ply. How would get a smooth base to cover the layers for painting.I was thinking of grain filler,then a high build primer,then a gloss colour,then a protective finish paint lacquer.
thanks

 

[paulrbarnard]

Fill any obvious voids then go straight to primer. Sand between coats. Keep going until you have a uniform flat surface. Then top coat again sanding between coats. Leave the final coat for about a week then go up through sand paper to whatever level of gloss you want. Shift to polishing pastes after 1500 grit paper.

 

[gcusick]

Some years ago, there was a very successful dinghy sailor, John Oakley - with his partner Robin Hunt, he won Olympic gold in the Flying Dutchman class - who published a book called (IIRC) ’Winning’.

In it, he described the painting process for a centreboard or rudder, usually made from plywood, which need to be very smooth. The process went something like: sand the board through the grades to 400, then put on 5 or 6 coats of paint. Rub down with wet and dry until all the paint disappears. Repeat at least twice.

simples!

 

[aforjeh]

Watched this the other day:



Really annoys my gf that he doesn’t speak on videos

 

[Fergie 307]

Car body filler, you can make it less viscous by mixing in a little fibreglass resin if required. Very thin coat then rub down with a block and 400 grit W&D. Then primer filler and rub down with 1500 grit. Then colour coat, just enough for full opacity, de nib and 4-5 coats of lacquer, each successive coat applied when previous has just gone off. When thoroughly cured 1500, then 2000 then 2500 grit and finally compound. Remember the colour coat is just that, colour. Its the lacquer that gives the finish and protection.

 

[Fergie 307]

Or a nice veneer and French polish it.