Old cabinetmaker at the supply shop told me to stop using pre-finished plywood for drawer boxes

I ignored him for two years because it saved me time, but last month a customer's kitchen drawers started delaminating in the humidity. Turned out he was right - the factory finish doesn't hold up to the constant moisture near a dishwasher. Has anyone else had problems with pre-finished stuff failing on them?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jamie1mo ago

Is the factory finish just a thin lacquer that's not meant for real moisture exposure?

amy1541mo ago

Actually changed my mind on this one.

the_lee20d agoMost Upvoted

Switched to using pre-finished maple but only for the sides and put a coat of poly on the bottom and back panels myself... stopped the peeling completely.