Inspect the plywood sheet physically
Consider performing the following tests if you don’t want to settle for anything less than the best quality plywood:
- Ensure that the plywood has a wood face veneer and not a recon face veneer; else, the laminate will not adhere easily.
- Check for consistency in thickness at all four corners
- Examine the plywood edges and confirm that the core layers are visible as straight lines without void/gaps or overlapping.
- Slowly run your hands over the flat surface of the plywood for signs of undulation. Sheets of plywood that are warped in multiple directions, resembling potato chips, resulting in an ugly finish once laminated or polished.
- Knock on the center of plywood to make sure it’s not hollow and make similar noises in all the nooks and crannies.
- Beware of stained plywood; it is caused by a reaction between oak tannin and steel. It won’t be possible to sand them out either.
