Finishes Q# 2471
:
How to finish Europly edges
Submitted
02.17.12
Q:
I am about to start building a walk-in closet using Europly, specifically for the look of exposed edges. What is a recommended finishing schedule to get smooth edges?
A:
Sand the edge by hand or machine satring with 150 grit then 180, then to 220 or 240 grit. Then apply one coat of a water based sanding sealer, let dry then sand with 320 grit until uniformly smooth. Remove the dust, and then apply 1-2 coats of a waterbased lacquer or polyurethane in satin sheen. I'd use a small brush or possibly a paint pad or roller to apply these products.
Some waterbased products are self-sealing, meaning they don't require a special sealer. They product is both sealer and finish and should say on the can.
Jeff
Plywood Q# 2470
:
Purebond adh & animal product
Submitted
01.16.12
Q:
I'm a furniture maker and will be making caskets for local Jewish congregation, using your 1/2" birch ply; question came up...does your adhesive contain any animal by-products?
Thanks!
A:
None at all. In the very early days of plywood manufacture, animal blood and other proteins were indeed used, but that practice ended back in the 1960s. Current adhesives are plant based with chemical additives that you would find in milk cartons for the wet strength component. Thank you so much for your question.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2469
:
Purebond
Submitted
01.10.12
Q:
Does Purebond itself have any Rapidly Renewable Content? If so, what is the percentage by weight?
A:
The only component in our panel is the soybean flour utilized in the adhesive, but this is a small amount, averaging from 5% to 10% depending on the actual construction. Given that the majority of a plywood panel is wood from trees that generally have a seedling to harvest size cycle exceeding 10 years, that portion is not considererd rapidly renewable. Having said that, wood is one of the few major building components that is renewable at any level. Thanks for your question.
Ang
Finishes Q# 2467
:
Finishing plywood shelving
Submitted
11.01.11
Q:
Please recommend a water-based clear finish for your birch or red oak PureBond
plywood (purchased at Home Depot) which does not require sanding betwen coats,
even if there is a week's delay between applying the several coats. I will
use it for drop-in shelving in metal frame shelving units in a garage and
would like it to resist moisture.
Last time I used an oil-based varnish (Wood Pro from West Marine) which
requires no sanding between coats. it ended up fine, and I could use it
again, but it was messy and took a long time, and remained slightly tacky
for some time afterwards.
A:
You'll have to sand any waterbased coating after the 1st or 2nd to relieve grain raising, but after that you shouldn't have to sand bewteen coats of most waterbased acrylic lacquers. The one I would recommend would be General Finishes Water Based Lacquer
Here is a link
www.generalfinishes.com
Jeff
Plywood Q# 2466
:
Maple plywood
Submitted
10.01.11
Q:
Looking to build a tempory floor with tong and groove 3/4 maple plywood any dangers
A:
I would not advise using decorative plywood of any species for flooring. The engineered flooring on the market today is an exceptional product, and while it is manufactured in much the same way as hardwood plywood, it has a very thick outer skin of maple, oak, hickory, or whatever species is chosen. Hardwood plywood, on the other hand, has a very thin skin perfectly suited for cabinetry, furniture, casework, and so forth, but too much risk for use on a traffic surface. If by "temporary" you mean it will be in place for a very short time and early wear and tear is not an issue, I see no reason why not. But, if you intend for it to be anything of a showcase for any period of time I would advise against it. Thank you so much for considering our plywood.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2465
:
Wood/ Lumber
Submitted
09.10.11
Q:
I am in the process of clearing some land in Westfield Maine 04787. I have some lumber you may be interested in. I have Yellow/Golden Birch,Maple,Poplar,and White Spruce..Would you be interested in coming out for a visit and see what I have avalible?
My name is Chuck Flanagan, My # 207-768-8975.
A:
I have forwarded your question and contact information to our logging division in the north east. Thank you so much for your inquiry.
Finishes Q# 2464
:
picknik table finish & dogs
Submitted
09.05.11
Q:
Hi-I have a picnic table made of clear heart redwood. I also have 2 dogs that will clime on it while I'm at work. I just refinished it with Min-wax Helsman spar poly-urethane and I'm not real happy with the scratches that the dogs are leaving in it. What can I put on over what I have that will it hold up to the weather and the dogs?
Thanks
Craig
A:
There really isn't anything you can put over the existing finish that will stick properly. I suggest removing the original coating and using a marine finish called 2 part urethane. You can find this product at the link below.
Jeff
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=70
Plywood Q# 2461
:
FSC "Mixed Credit"
Submitted
05.24.11
Q:
What is the difference between FSC Pure and FSC Mixed Credit.
A:
FSC Labels
I apologize for the delayed response. As I am not as up to speed as perhaps I should be relative to certification, I deferred your question to our resident FSC pro, Paul Davis. Here is his response:
"There are several different types of labels for FSC certified products. Each label is backed by a different set of procedures that certified manufacturers must follow.
The two FSC labels most often used in the decorative hardwood plywood industry are the "FSC Pure" label and the "FSC Mixed Sources" label.
FSC Mixed Sources
As the name implies, the FSC Mixed Sources label is used on products that contain a mixture of FSC-certified and non-certified material and/or recycled material.
The FSC requires that the non-certified material portion be from "controlled" sources.
This means Controlled Wood must be from sources which are not illegally logged, from high conservation value (old growth) forests, from permanent forest conversions or are genetically modified (GMO.)
Inclusion of controlled wood in the FSC Mixed Sources claims allows converters to process FSC volume much more cost effectively, typically as part of an FSC Mixed (credit) handling approach.
FSC Pure
FSC Pure assemblies contain only wood from forests which are FSC certified.
It is a more stringent claim but more costly to implement complete, separate batching of all FSC-Pure products in the panel assembly.
The invoice valuation for the purposes of LEED is 100% of the value of the invoice as it is in fact 100% wood from FSC forests.
Comparison of FSC Mixed Sources and FSC Pure
By comparison, FSC Mixed Credit panels contain wood from FSC-certified forests, controlled wood or a combination of both.
The invoice valuation for purposes of LEED is also 100% of the value of the invoice."
Plywood Q# 2460
:
gluesize
Submitted
03.25.11
Q:
Can you give me a formula for making gluesize using white glue and water?
A:
Glue "sizing" usually involves watering down a glue compound and usuing it as a surface binder to lock down loose fiber, seal excessively porous areas, and provide a more uniform surface for final finish performance. There have been a few commercial glue size formulations available, but for the most part glue sizing involves mixing glue, such as the white (or yellow) polyvinyl acetate adhesives with water. I have done this successfully with a little experimentation. I usually start with a 50-50 mix of distilled water and glue, try a little on a scrap piece, allow it to completely dry, then sand the surface thoroughly. This will determine if additional thinning is necessary, and depending on the species you are trying to finish, it could be as much as 80-20 water to glue. Best of luck with your projects!
Ang
Plywood Q# 2459
:
Specifying continuous radial cut
Submitted
02.19.11
Q:
I am using 3/4" birch Europly PLUS to build toys in which both face and back are exposed. I thought I had made it very clear that both sides must be continuously rotary cut so there would be no visible seams in the veneer. What I got was one side with seams, one side without. How should I specify so I get both sides without seams? Also, where can I find a complete description of how to specify furniture grade hardwood plywood? Thanks!
Andy
A:
Andy, first please accept my appology for the lengthy delay in responding. I am obviously not familiar with your particular purchase, but it seems that you did meet your responsibility to specify the product you expected to receive. Your best bet for the future is to reiterate that expectation and ask that your order be confirmed in that manner. As for a complete description of how to speicfy hardwood plywood, the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (hpva.org - 703-435-2900) publishes a buyers guide and product standard that both address that very issue. Thank you so much for your interest in Columbia Forest Products Europly panels!
Ang