Baseboard finishing question

[dustmite]

Hello,
I have just purchased an Omega D6, and I have built a plywood baseboard. The enlarger is going to be in the living room, so I am considering staining the plywood. Should I be considering it at all, would the plywood warp? If not, does anyone have any advice about doing it?
Thanks

 

[rwyoung]

So long as you are using cabinet grade plywood I wouldn't worry much about warping. Stain all sides to keep the penetration even. Properly made, the grain of alternating layers are at right angles and that minimizes the warping.

If on the other hand you decide to go for swim with your base board, all bets are off.

Consider a polyurathene sealer for the board so it has some resistance to staining should you accidentally piddle chems on it.

 

[John Koehrer]

Definitely seal whatever finish you use with the polyurethane. It will seal the surface from accidental spills and the surface will be easier to clean with a damp cloth or swiffer..

 

[jeroldharter]

Plywood can be a dust magnet. If you are handy and the plywood is nothing special, glue a piece of laminate countertop material over it in white or black depending on your bias.

If the wood veneer is nice, then use a heavy gloss finish that can be easily cleaned and dusted.

 

[dustmite]

Would spray clear lacquer work?

 

[alecj]

You'd be better off, and get a better coverage, if, after you stain it, you get a small can of water-based varnish. Use a foam brush and put several [like 4-5] thin coats on it, sanding in between each coat [after drying] with some fine steel wool. Be sure and put a coat or two on the bottom and edges as well or mosture may enter that way. The spray will never cover as well. Cleanup of spills, drops, is easy - use a wet paper towel.