Forest1 Red Oak Plywood panels edge banding

[PeakyBlinder71]

I would like to know if you can get edge banding for the Forest1 Red Oak Plywood Panels, maybe on special order?. I was meant to get a call from Shawne (Lifestyles co-ord Craigieburn Warehouse) in regard to this. That was 10th December 2021 so I'm not holding out

much hope.

My other question is can you get any larger Forest1 Red Oak Plywood Panels other than the largest ones you stock in store which

is (1200x800)?.

Sam

[MitchellMc]

Sounds like a plan, @PeakyBlinder71.

To clarify, my intention was not for you to use aggressive sandpaper on a veneer, as I agree it would rip through it. I was merely pointing out that sanding with fine-grit sandpaper can occasionally prevent products from penetrating timber surfaces. The ultrafine wood dust enters the pores and blocks them. It also sands away all the fibrous material, which would otherwise wick the product into the timber. 

Varnishes sit on top of the surface of the timber, and un-like oils are not designed to penetrate. However, you seem to be experiencing an issue with how readily the timber accepts the varnish. Filling all the grain could help solve the problem and allow you to get an extremely uniform finish. Feast Watson 1L Sanding Sealer would be a suitable product for this.

Let me mention some of our woodworking enthusiasts @r23on, @WoodenGregsWood, @woodalwaysworks, @kel and @Razzer to see if they have any thoughts or suggestions.

Mitchell

[r23on]

It is has been proven time and time again that when sanding timber to such a fine grin will cause stains, varnish etc to pool on the surface causing the same situation as has happened here the other issue that comes to mind is this timber an oily timber which also cause the same sort of situation hence a sanding sealer applied to the surface followed by a light sand. If I'm not mistaken painters are taught not to go any heigh in grit than 240 / 320 for the above reason

Before I seal a finished surface I clean it with metho hence removes fine partials of sanding dust and no water residue left in the timber. I have used this method on my woodturning where I need the highest finish, grit Ie 15000 but I do not use varnish for any finish 

[PeakyBlinder71]

Hi, Thanks for your reply. I've done pretty much what has been suggested however the problem still remains. I have Uploaded a video on Youtube which

hopefully demonstrates the problem more clearly.

[PeakyBlinder71]

I think the veneer is so thin that the underlying ply and glue is showing through and contrasting with the red oak veneer .I have to say I'm leaning towards taking the dozen or so boards of this stuff back to bunnings for a refund and buying higher grade veneered plywood.

[EricL]

Hello @PeakyBlinder71

I'm sorry to hear that the Feast Watson has not been working out for you. I recommend bringing the timber piece to your store's senior paint specialist. I suggest explaining to them how you sanded the piece and the effect the oil gloss finish had on the timber. Have you tried painting a piece without sanding it? If you get the same effect we can at least rule out that sanding is the cause. Have you tried a water-based gloss finish? Perhaps it will behave differently than the oil-based gloss. Have you explored the option of perhaps using a stain and varnish?  

Once you've ruled out those avenues and the paint specialist can't offer any other recommendations, then you'll have no choice but to exchange the Red Oak for something else. Please let me know if you need assistance with the exchange.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing you get a good finish on your storage cabinets.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[PeakyBlinder71]

I've tried Cabots water based polyurethane gloss without sanding with the same effect. I don't wish to stain them in any way so no option there. I don't wish to exchange the boards for anything else either,  If someone at the Craigieburn store thinks that I'm in someway prepping or applying the finishes incorrectly then they are more than welcome to demonstrate that in front of me at the store, else I will be getting a full refund.

Just as a side note, I have brought full sheets of American oak veneered plywood from Timberwood and they have come up beautifully with only 2 coats of F&W varnish. I only decided to try the Red Oak because I liked the figuring and they were lighter in colour than the American oak.

[EricL]

Hi @PeakyBlinder71

My sincerest apologies. I'm sorry none of my suggestions worked. I was only offering alternatives to possibly solve the finish on the Red Oak. Since you've tried out the suggestions I've laid out and you're getting the same results, you're most welcome to bring the timber back to the store for a refund. Please let us know if you need assistance with the refund.

Eric

[PeakyBlinder71]

Thanks Eric. Much appreciated.

[PeakyBlinder71]

Hi Eric

I have some good news. Not one to be defeated I did a little testing of my own and found that from the dozen boards I brought, there are 3 with some sort of manufacturing defect. It just so happens that the board I choose to start putting finish on was one of them!. From what I have gathered the defect is one of two things. Either the glue used has bled through to the top of the veneer or the veneer itself has a problem like not drying out properly  and/or tannin issue.

Here is the result of 2 coats of Bleached Shellac / 1 coat of gloss varnish:

This is the light honey colour I was after with the beautiful grain just showing through. Obviously there's many different ways of finishing these boards but this is just one. To make the grain pop even more you can use thinner shellac which seals the grain less. No need to go to the trouble of using sanding sealer, unless you want a completely smooth board where you can't feel the grain to the touch. Initial sanding was 240, 400-600 after 2 coat of shellac.

@EricL  I would strongly recommend sending this thread to Forest1 or at least raise an issue with them to find out their take on the problem. In the mean time I'll continue the cabinets and post my progress as I go. Thanks again for your help, patience and suggestions Eric and thanks to the other posters.

I just need to take the 3 defective boards back now

[EricL]

Hello @PeakyBlinder71

Thank you so much for the update. It's good to hear that you've discovered some of the boards are still good to use. It's amazing how you've gone through the testing and found that perfect honey colour finish you were after. I'll be sure to inform Forest1 about this post. 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing storage cabinets assembled.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric