Making Plywood Look Like Metal

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This week I’m using a technique I developed to faux finish plywood to look like steel. The process is pretty DIY friendly so I hope this encourages others to give it a shot. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments down below. All of the supplies used in this project are listed down below.
Thanks for watching!
Michael
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Supplies used in this video:
De-waxed Shellac: amzn.to/2GRKOBf
Timbermate Black Wood Filler: amzn.to/2TDAsds
320 Grit Sandpaper: amzn.to/2HdhSnv
Nitrile Gloves: amzn.to/2HbMPZh
India Ink: amzn.to/2KkT3YF
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal: amzn.to/2YNt00j
Tools used in this video:
ISOtunes Earbuds bit.ly/almfabiso
Festool Sander: amzn.to/2YQK31E
Festool Extractor: amzn.to/2LLbDLL
Putty Knife: amzn.to/2Zb1mL0
Heat Gun: amzn.to/2HayZGA
Air Compressor: amzn.to/2Z5UGh3
Retractable Air Hose: amzn.to/2HcczEM
Air nozzle: amzn.to/31N3UAO
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Music: www.epidemicsou...
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[@David-zr8nd]

Another Underrated Channel, I very like your design just keep it up.

[@Aardrijk1]

Nice! This technique would be cool for industrial looking floating shelves.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! Yeah, that would be a great use for this!!

[@rookiexreviews]

I’m doing that actually first timer just went for it started with thick particle board 240 sand paper then I did poly layer fine sand again then I went over with metallic spray paint then over again poly and looks pretty dam good filled in and sanded all the screws and gaps maybe I’ll make a video I am jobless lol hence the random project

[@jonwills1957]

Thanks for sharing this technique. Love this table!!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Jon!

[@am_i_sam_i_am]

you should try using some sort of blue base before the black, i think it would give it more of a steel type of look

[@marcodsv]

I can't believe I haven't found your channel earlier, amazing content, keep it up!

[@JohnClothier]

Fascinating technique that is very effective! Thanks for sharing

[@bobbycresap4440]

maybe you could apply something to the corners and make it look like it was welded together?

[@JTWoodworks]

Such a cool idea and it's a very simple process

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Johnny! Yeah it's really straight forward

[@quickvibes]

oh wow.. .now I finally have a use for my old yoga mat

[@scottdreitlein363]

That has got to be the coolest thing I've seen anyone do with wood! Make it look like it melted!? Sweet. What a creative concept!!

[@FelipeGonzalezHerrera]

Awesome tutorial!!! Just what I've been wanting to do for some projects.

[@MichaelAlm]

Awesome! Let me know how they turn out 👍

[@-Uranos-]

@@MichaelAlm This is so helpful. I have a question, if I were to use rustoleum ultra cover spray paint on wood, could I still prep the wood with the Shellec and the wood fillers you use with no problem? Meaning would the spray paint cause it to lift or become less durable finish? I dont want the project to look like wood. thanks

[@heyimamaker]

So cool!

[@bobbonham4823]

Cool technique! I'll have to try it sometime.

[@williamellis8993]

Interesting technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@shirleyfaust7417]

Ingenius technique! Finished piece is surely one of my favorites! 😉

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Shirley!

[@SteveC38]

Outstanding!!!

[@davebauerart]

Looks cool, and straightforward process. Thanks for sharing it!

[@MichaelAlm]

Sure thing! Thanks for watching

[@bobz143]

Hey community ! Is there some kind of reference book/source around various finishing techniques like this one ?

[@MrMrbrianbechtel]

Can you spray gun the shelac?

[@ChapterGrim]

Could this be used to make something look like it's made of lead?

[@cbastewart]

Would this technique work on Moisan?

[@Vitor108]

Hi, there are very nice tutorials on this channel!
I have a question for you..... do you think I can wrap vinyl to plywood? If YES, is there any special technic to do it?
Thank you :)

[@EthanCarterDesigns]

Super cool, Michael! The results are awesome and I'm definitely banking this process for the future!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks dude! Looking forward to seeing how you use it!

[@reforzar]

Build layers. Got it. Looks awesome. Now make steel look like wood 😅

[@MichaelAlm]

I think I could do that 🤔

[@walkersunited332]

Can you do the same process on 3d printed objects

[@shockjock35]

Can I do this on 2 x 4 lumber as well?

[@thegazman53]

Love your work - very creative. So would Black Japan have worked instead of India Ink?

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! Japan black might not work as well because it's water soluble. It might lift when you put the top coat on.

[@teenypaints]

About how much India ink would you need?

[@deltaorganixz5328]

Did you let the wood putty dry before sanding ?

[@torinhalsey6313]

I have a bunch of free MDF, not MDO. Do you think your technique would work on it or need to be tweaked? The melting wood piece is stunning.

[@MichaelAlm]

I bet you could make it work really well on MDF. My guess is that you will have to use shellac to seal it. MDF is like a sponge, and would go really black otherwise. Other than that, it should be the same exact process. Let me know how it turns out!

[@cfnaround1585]

Mdf Is not plywood, it particle board 😂
I jest
Great work!

[@HaploPrime]

What is the purpose of using shellac as a base before applying India ink? I was thinking about doing this work pine table.

[@MichaelAlm]

It’s a sealer

[@thegoodspirit5288]

MDO!? I assume that's just like or is MDF? I apologize for not knowing. This was an awesome video!

[@MichaelAlm]

It's a plywood core with a resin paper on the outside of it. Usually used for building exteriors. Thanks!

[@thegoodspirit5288]

@@MichaelAlm Awesome & thank you as well!

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

Hmmm how would I make a roller shade look like metal

[@edition-deluxe]

Love this channel, but kinda missed the mark on making the appearance of steel. I'm probably bias, as I am sitting next to a enormous ancient steel plate now.

[@patrickkimberlin3209]

Why not just metal laminates, i.e. ChemMetal and such. Same look, most likely cheaper materials and more durable finish. Plus much easier to apply. Not knocking, it looks great, just very time consuming.

[@MichaelAlm]

Specialty materials like ChemMetal aren’t easy to come by. You have to go through distributors, and that’s not too friendly for average makers

[@dr_dankmemez9450]

You should totally make a guitar video! Love your content! :D

[@Itsjustdeyo]

Great technique!

[@uuuhmmmmmm]

Again a great video! Did I just notice a new intro video showing off some fancy projects? :P
Are you planning on doing more (short) tutorial videos? If so, make sure to add a 'series'-name to the title, so people know what to expect ;). Perhaps something like "AFT: ... " meaning Alm Fab Tutorials?
(as in, I was thinking of ILTMS' "bits" videos, or Diresta's "#TBT" series)

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!! That’s a really good idea!! Yeah, I’m hoping to do more in depth tutorials for the larger projects. I think it’ll be a way I can put out more videos without sacrificing the scale of my projects.

[@AndreiIR000]

Make Plywood Great Again!

[@FredMcIntyre]

😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Fred 👊

[@marklambert5149]

This looks like steel only in your head.

[@madrick2831]

MDF

[@Dr.Vincent_D_Gilmer]

Looks like...painted wood

[@nishant0161]

R

[@austinveatch6993]

The melting table looks like Donald Trump in your wrap up.

[@MichaelAlm]

Is that good or bad?

[@austinveatch6993]

?....... For your table or Donald Trump?