Patriottimber.com Revolution Ply

[Packard]

Has anyone used Revolution Ply from Patriot Timber (Patriottimber.com).  It is described as “three ply” and Lowes shows it as “MDF”.  It is just $20.00 for a 4’ x 8’ sheet and I was thinking of it for the back of a painted cabinet.

Does anyone know if it is suitable.

 

[Bob D.]

Yes, I've used their underlayment in the past for the backs of cabinets.

I bought about a dozen sheets a few years ago. I'm getting low now
and the last time I looked they only had the primed stuff which makes it
not suitable for my uses any more which is sad because it's nice stuff
(without the white primer).

 

[jeffinsgf]

I used it for the back of a wall-hung book case. I wanted 1/4" red oak, but couldn't find any in stock anywhere. This stuff worked fine and matches reasonably well...particularly once it's full of books.

 

[Packard]

Thanks.  I’m going to try it.  This cabinet will get wheat grass wall paper on the back, so as long as it is stable and flat it should be good. 

The local vendors do not carry 1/4” MDF in full sheets.  I guess there is too much damage.  But at $11.00 per 1/4 sheet, that comes to $44.00 each vs $21.00 each. 

 

[Bob D.]

Another brand from Patriot that is good is SurePly.
https://www.patriottimber.com/sureply-underlayment/

 

[Packard]

I bought a sheet of Revolution Ply.  It was flat and cut cleanly.  The first use was for a cabinet back that I applied wheatgrass wallpaper to.  It worked fine.

The skins on this plywood look heavily grained, but feel smooth.  However after spraying the second piece with Advance, I found that the grain telegraphed through the paint and looked awful.  So, not so good for paint.

For Shaker door panels, it would not be acceptable,  even with the low price.

Other options:

1/4” MDF.  Available locally only in quarter sheets, so efficient cutting patterns are not really feasible.  At $12.00 per quarter, ($48.00 for a full sheet), not a bargain.

1/2” MDF is available in 97” x 47” for $51.00 per sheet and seems like a better deal.  It involves an extra steep (reducing the outer perimeter of the door panels to fit 1/4” slots in the rails and stiles).  Also, 48” fits in my van.  The 49” width requires that the store cut the panels before I load the van—a pain in the butt.

3/16” primed MDF bead board costs $26.00 for a 4’ x 8’ sheet.  I am OK with the appearance  for the Shaker cabinets, but I will be selling the house in a few years and I wonder if that would make it more difficult to sell.

3/6” tempered hardboard is available for $28.00 for a full sheet.  It takes paint well, but in my mind it is associated with cheap cabinets.

Adding the wallpaper to the Revolution ply brings the panel cost up to birch ply prices, but looks pretty rich to my eye.  About the same amount of work. As painting the panels separately.

Right now, I am leaning towards the 1/2” thick MDF for door panels.