A common challenge related to hardwood plywood is checking along the grain of face veneers. This study tested the hypothesis that face checking of rotary peeled maple veneer plywood will be greater on the loose side of the veneer and that checking will be reduced by the application of a clear film-forming finish. Fifteen panels were constructed with the tight side of the face veneer oriented out (i.e. exposed to the atmosphere) and 15 with the loose side of the face veneer oriented out. Half of each panel was finished with lacquer and the other half left unfinished. Panels were conditioned in a hot, wet chamber, visually inspected, and then inspected again after conditioning in a hot, dry chamber. Contrary to conventional wisdom, panels oriented with the tight side of the face veneer oriented out checked significantly more than panels with the loose side oriented out. There was no effect due to finishing. Because these findings are contrary to established practices, further investigation is warranted.

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