How to Cut & Apply Plywood Veneers
Veneers are extremely thin sheets of wood that are typically glued onto other types of wood paneling -- plywood, in this case -- to achieve a particular effect or appearance while remaining affordable. There are two basic steps to getting veneer onto a suitable backer board; you first need to cut the veneer into the desired length/shape, then you need to coat the backer board with glue and press the veneer onto it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Straightedge
- Measuring tape
- Wood glue
- Disposable container
- Heavy brush or rubber roller
- Small roller
- Scrap wood
- Old paper
- C-clamps
Instructions
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Cutting the Veneer
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1
Measure out the plywood panel you wish to glue the veneer onto and note down the dimensions. Cut the veneer to these dimensions to ensure a good fit.
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2
Roll out the veneer pattern and use your measuring tape to determine the size. Keep rolling out until you have enough veneer to cover the plywood.
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3
Place the straightedge across the veneer so the edge is right at the tip of where you need to cut.
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4
Make several scoring cuts across the veneer with your utility knife, using the straightedge as a guide for the blade itself. Do not try and cut the veneer on the first cut, but keep drawing the blade across the veneer until you have cut all the way through.
Gluing the Veneer to Plywood
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5
Pour your wood glue into a paint tray or other disposable container.
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6
Use your brush or hard-rubber roller to coat the face of the plywood with wood glue. Do not over-apply glue, but rather make a thin, even coating.
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7
Allow the glue to dry entirely, then apply a second coat.
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8
Place the veneer down over the plywood and use the roller to press it down firmly. Start at one corner and roll all the way up, then come back down and roll up the next section in line. This will eliminate any air bubbles beneath the veneer and give the wood a smooth, professional appearance.
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9
Place a piece of old newspaper on top of the veneer, then place a piece of scrap wood over that, then clamp the whole thing down with a C-clamp. Do this every three to six inches along the veneer -- starting from the center and working outwards -- to secure the veneer tightly and to prevent air bubbles from rising as the glue dries.
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References
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