1. Apply Wood Filler
The first and most obvious way to cover a plywood edge is with wood filler. The key is to create a solid surface that can be sanded to hide the roughness of a typical plywood edge. The upside to this method is that it’s inexpensive and easy. The downside is that it only works for paint-grade builds and you’ll have quite a bit of sanding to do to get it looking just right.
2. Attach a Face Board
Another way to conceal the edge of the plywood is to cover it with a solid board. For example, I can use pocket holes to attach a 1x2 to the front edge of this piece of plywood. Once I fill and sand the joint smooth, this becomes a decent option for concealing the edge of the plywood.
3. Apply Edge Banding
The final way to finish a plywood edge is to apply a thin strip of adhesive veneer, called edge banding. This product comes in a variety of wood species to match the plywood and goes on easily with a household iron. Though you may want to pick up an inexpensive iron to keep in your shop so the excess adhesive doesn’t ruin your clothing. When applying the veneer, I like to start with a bit of overhang, and then apply heat, and smooth with a woodblock. Once it cools, trim the excess at each end—I prefer to use sharp scissors instead of dragging a blade across the grain. Use a utility knife, block plane, or a specialty-trimming tool to trim the edges. Finish with a quick sanding to get professional-looking results.
