Knowledge Builders

how do you smooth out plywood edges

by Olaf Becker Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Here’s how to do it:

  • Using a rag, wipe the edges of the plywood to remove dust and dirt.
  • You can use a paintbrush to apply the liquid latex or a spray can.
  • If you prefer rolling or brushing, make sure that all spots of the plywood edge are covered.
  • After that, let the latex dry for an hour. Latex dries quickly than stains.

Part of a video titled 3 Ways to Finish Plywood Edges | House One - YouTube
0:18
2:20
The first and most obvious way to cover a plywood edge is with simple wood filler.MoreThe first and most obvious way to cover a plywood edge is with simple wood filler.

Full Answer

How do you finish plywood edges?

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.

How do you fill a hole in plywood?

(I also use it to fill pocket holes!) Start by thoroughly sanding the edges of the plywood, then apply a coat of the Dry Dex or compound and let it thoroughly dry. Sand the edges with 220 grit sandpaper, then finish as desired.

How do you seal plywood with epoxy?

Here’s how to apply it: 1 Using a paint roller, saturate the edges of the plywood with epoxy. 2 Make sure that all the edges are covered. 3 After that, let the epoxy sealer dry for 10 to 12 hours before using the plywood. 4 You can also apply another coating for better sealing. 5 Can you make plywood waterproof? More ...

How do you round off a piece of plywood?

If the plywood pieces that you are looking to round are not all that large, but you have a whole lot of them that need to be rounded, then one of the easiest and fastest methods at your disposal is to use a belt sander. The stationary belt sander sits in place while you hold the plywood against it.

How to sand a bandsaw edge?

How to sand a piece of wood by hand?

What sander to use for curved edges?

About this website

image

Can you sand plywood edges smooth?

(I also use it to fill pocket holes!) Start by thoroughly sanding the edges of the plywood, then apply a coat of the Dry Dex or compound and let it thoroughly dry. Sand the edges with 220 grit sandpaper, then finish as desired. The edges are smooth as silk! Do you have a favorite exposed plywood edge finish?

What are 3 ways to finish plywood edges?

Watch these three easy ways to conceal plywood edges for more professional-looking results....Watch as This Old House DIY Expert and House One Editor Jenn Largesse shares three easy ways to conceal plywood edges.Apply Wood Filler. ... Attach a Face Board. ... Apply Edge Banding.

What can I put on plywood to make it smooth?

6 Steps of How to Make Plywood Smooth and Shiny:Step 1 [sand plywood with 40-grit sandpaper]Step 2 [sand plywood with 90-grit & 220 grit sandpaper]Step 3 [Apply a wood grain Filler]Step 4 [apply wipe-on polyurethane]Step 5 [Sand again with 220 grit sandpaper]Step 6 [Sand again with 320 grit sandpaper]

How do you sand and finish plywood edges?

0:101:02How To Make Edges Look Great on Painted Plywood Projects - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust lightly sand with 120 grit paper and you'll have a smooth edge that's ready for paint.MoreJust lightly sand with 120 grit paper and you'll have a smooth edge that's ready for paint.

How do you hide plywood seams?

Sand down the plywood, particularly around the edges where the pieces meet at the seams. Go over the entire surface with medium-grade sandpaper in a circular motion. Continue until all of the seams have been sanded down and the surface is smooth throughout.

How do you make plywood look nice?

9 Ways to Make Plywood Look GoodUse Sandpaper. ... Use Wood Grain Filler and Sandpaper. ... Use Stain and Sandpaper. ... Paint the Plywood. ... Cover It with Drywall. ... Turn It into Barn Wood. ... Coat It with Polyurethane. ... Use a High Gloss Finish.More items...•

Can you sand down plywood?

Use 180-grit sandpaper to sand the plywood. Stroke the sandpaper over the plywood in the direction of the grain 3 to 4 times. Further sanding can create too many grooves in the surface and cause the layers to peel up from the ends of the plywood. This grit addresses any imperfections in the wood.

How can I make cheap plywood look good?

A very nice black steel effect can be made on plywood, very easily. Before doing so, sand the plywood smooth with 220 grit sandpaper and then apply a single coat of sanding sealer. Allow the sanding sealer to dry, and then lightly sand it with 220 grit sandpaper to eliminate any dust specks sticking up. What is this?

Can you sand plywood too much?

Excessive sanding can lead the layers to rip up from the plywood's ends if there are too many ridges on the surface. Any flaws in the wood are smoothed out with this grit.

Can I use orbital sander on plywood?

It is very easy to use for beginners. However, it is difficult to use this tool for a big job. But at the same time, while using the orbital sander, you will not ruin a polished piece of wood. The force of the sander can be controlled by controlling the pressure applied to it while sanding.

What do you seal plywood edges with?

3 Common Technique For Outdoor Plywood Sealing.Polyurethane Varnish. One of the best methods to seal plywood edges outside is by applying exterior polyurethane varnish. ... Water-Based Stain. Cover the entire surface of the plywood with a coat of any exterior water-based stain. ... Water Seal.

What is the best filler for plywood?

The Best Wood Fillers of 2022Elmer's Probond Wood Filler.Best Overall. Minwax Stainable Wood Filler.Best Bang for the Buck. Elmer's E887Q Stainable Wood Filler.Best for Beginners. Elmer's E913 Carpenter's Color Change Wood Filler.Upgrade Pick. ... Best for Sealing Pores. ... Best for Holes. ... Best for Furniture.More items...•

How do you edge plywood?

1:2114:286 Ways to cover plywood edges - Which do you think is best??YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo this is a super simple process you just mill your piece to be slightly thicker than the plywoodMoreSo this is a super simple process you just mill your piece to be slightly thicker than the plywood that you're using just to give it a little bit of room.

What finishes can be applied to plywood?

You can choose to apply melamine polish, clear or stained polish, Polyurethane (PU) lamination, varnish or lacquer since the plywood surface is a natural veneer (See Blog: Types of Wood Finishes).

How do you connect plywood edges?

0:338:027 Methods Of Plywood Corner Joinery | How To Join Plywood In A CornerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also use pin nails or brad nails in the end.MoreYou can also use pin nails or brad nails in the end.

How do you finish a table edge?

1:395:19How To Finish A Live Edge Slab | Tips & Tricks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're gonna start at one end going across the grain. And then work your way down to the otherMoreYou're gonna start at one end going across the grain. And then work your way down to the other flattening. The surface and keeping the sander nice and flat.

How many ways to round plywood edges?

If you need to round plywood edges, there are at least seven different ways of doing so.

What do you use to cut out small grooves in plywood?

If you are working on a relatively small piece of plywood, and you need precisely rounded edges, you need some patterns on that edge, or you want to cut out small grooves, then another method at your disposal is to use a wood file .

What is the fastest way to remove a whole lot of material at once?

If you need to remove a whole lot of material at once, then one of the fastest ways to do so is with a wood chisel and a hammer. Beware that this is a very aggressive method that requires a lot of precision and practice.

What is the best tool to remove plywood?

If you need to remove a whole lot of material from the plywood fast, then a hand plane is another effective tool at your disposal. A hand plane is of course the older and manual version of the tabletop planer, with the specific purpose of course being to remove material from wood.

Do you need sandpaper to sand a plywood floor?

You might need a good deal of sandpaper to accomplish this, especially if you have a large piece of plywood, but with that being said it is definitely the most cost-effective option to consider.

Is plywood a good building material?

Plywood is a fine building material to work with, no doubt. It does of course have flat and straight edges, but sometimes you might need those edges to be less sharp. What we’re here to do today is to teach you how to round those plywood edges.

Can plywood edges be rounded?

Yes, plywood edges don’t have to stay straight and flat. They can indeed be rounded. Of course, because plywood is glued together out of multiple layers, you do have to be a bit careful, but other than that, there’s really nothing to worry about here. As you are about to find out, there are actually multiple ways of doing so.

How to finish a plywood edge?

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.

How to cover a rough edge of plywood?

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.

How to trim a sanded edge?

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.

How to hide the edge of plywood?

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.

How do I apply veneer to wood?

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.

Does a sanding machine work on paint grade?

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.

Are you trying to cover the edges of plywood in your woodworking projects? Learn how to finish plywood edges with veneer edging with this easy step-by-step tutorial. This is the easiest way to hide raw edges of plywood for a finished, completed look

Plywood is an affordable and easy material to use in woodworking projects, but the raw edges can leave it looking unfinished. For a more finished look, veneer edging or edge banding (and sometimes called edge tape) is a great way to finish the plywood edge before painting or staining.

What is plywood?

Both plywood and MDF wood are similar in that they are made by binding different wood products together. Plywood is made with thin layers of wood veneers glued together in combination with other types of binders (like resin).

What is edge banding for plywood?

The veneers are visible on the edge of plywood panels and appear as lines. You could even describe them as looking similar to the pages on the side of a book. These raw plywood edges show the layers of the different species of wood that were pressed together.

Video Tutorial: Finishing Plywood Edges

Applying edge banding to plywood is a really easy process. Watch the video below to see the full tutorial, plus a few tips!

How to Cover Raw Edges of Plywood: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Start with a clean work surface. Make sure the plywood edges are free of any dust or debris that could prevent the adhesive from sticking.

What is edge banding?

Edge banding is a band of veneer with heat activated or pressure sensitive adhesive that is applied to the edges of the plywood. It can be trimmed using a craft knife but a cleaner cut can be achieved by using an edge banding trimmer.

What is the best material for building cabinets?

To me, plywood is the most economical choice of material when building furniture or cabinets. It is generally pre-sanded (so that very little has to be done) and it has the most beautiful grain -especially my favorite, PureBond! The only real drawback is how to finish the edges. Occasionally, I leave them as is with a bit of sanding but sometimes, I want something a little more decorative or professional. Today, I will share three ways to finish the edges of plywood !

How to prevent varnish from getting into plywood?

Cover the adjacent areas of the plywood edge to prevent the varnish from getting into the surface. You can use painter’s tape.

What is the best varnish for plywood?

If you’re not a fan of stains, polyurethane varnish is your best bet. This coating is super tough and will serve as a protective layer at the edge of the plywood material. It’s often used on wood that will be installed on high-wear areas like stairs, exterior floors, and so on.

How long will untreated plywood last outside?

If you place it in an area with high moisture and extreme temperatures, plywood will warp and rot in a matter of weeks.

What are the two biggest enemies of plywood?

Avoiding moisture penetration. Moisture and sunlight are the two biggest enemies when using plywood as an exterior material. Sealing the edges will prevent twisting, expansion, and shrinking of the material.

How long does epoxy sealer dry before plywood?

After that, let the epoxy sealer dry for 10 to 12 hours before using the plywood.

Does sealing plywood edges help?

Sealing plywood edges for exterior use will extend the lifespan of the material. It will prevent rot, warping, and damages. Nevertheless, make sure that you invest in high-quality plywood for the methods above to work well. And as with any sealing technique, trying it on a spare wood piece is always advisable.

Does pressure treated wood rot?

Preventing rot. Pressure-treated wood like plywood is prone to rot if not sealed or treated. Once moisture enters the core, it will start to harbor mildew, which will start the wood rot. This will not happen if you seal the edges first.

How To Finish Birch Plywood Edges

Birch plywood is excellent for household furniture, especially those that are in hidden spots of the room. However, its downside is the rough, unfinished edges that can make it look unappealing. Finishing the edges improves the outlook of the furniture and also protects it from spills and other dirt.

Conclusion

Finishing birch plywood edges may take you some time, but the end result will be excellent. It will spell out a great sense of taste without breaking the bank for exotic pieces of wood. With the steps discussed in this article, you are in a position to do it yourself without straining too much.

How to sand a bandsaw edge?

Then, turn on the belt sander and press the workpiece against it until you sand the edge down to the line, as shown above. For sanding inside curves, relocate your 3⁄4 " worksurface to the sander’s front roller. Finish by hand-sanding to at least 120 grit with a rigid block.

How to sand a piece of wood by hand?

You also can sand parts by hand, although it will take much longer. Use the curves on scraps cut from your workpiece to follow the edges, as shown below. Spray-adhere 80-grit through 120-grit sandpaper to the curved scraps, and work the edges down to the marked lines.

What sander to use for curved edges?

An oscillating spindle or disc sander works great on curved edges, but there are ways to do the job if you don’t own one of these. Try smoothing rough, curved edges using a belt sander that has one side perpendicular to the platen. Start with 100-grit or 120-grit belts.

image

1.How should you smooth plywood edges? | Wood

Url:https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-how-to/wood-preparation/cutting-curves/how-should-you-smooth-plywood-edges

10 hours ago This is a relatively easy method to go with because all you have to do is to hold the sandpaper in the palm of your hand and continuously run it back and forth over the edge of the plywood. You …

2.How to Round Plywood Edges - Handyman's World

Url:https://handymansworld.net/how-to-round-plywood-edges/

25 hours ago  · When all sides have been covered, gently use a sanding block or sandpaper to smooth things out. Do not sand against the adhesive in order to prevent pulling up the edge …

3.Videos of How Do You Smooth Out Plywood Edges

Url:/videos/search?q=how+do+you+smooth+out+plywood+edges&qpvt=how+do+you+smooth+out+plywood+edges&FORM=VDRE

14 hours ago  · If you're determined to continue in this course, :o) build a fence to attach to your belt sander, to keep it perpendicular to the face of the plywood. Or build a table for it so you …

4.How To Finish Plywood Edges (Like A Pro) - Making …

Url:https://www.makingmanzanita.com/how-to-finish-plywood-edges/

9 hours ago You should always sand plywood before painting it. This will help to create a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to. You can use a fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface of the …

5.Smoothing Plywood Edges - FineWoodworking

Url:https://www.finewoodworking.com/forum/smoothing-plywood-edges

19 hours ago  · Here are the steps you need to take to seal the plywood edges: Using a pump sprayer, apply the water sealant on the edges of the plywood You can smooth out the first …

6.Three Ways to Finish the Edges of Plywood - Designs by …

Url:https://designsbystudioc.com/three-ways-to-finish-the-edges-of-plywood/

1 hours ago  · Method 1: Edge Banding Using Strips of Adhesive Veneers. Step 1 – Choose all the finishing products you’ll need in the exercise. Step 2 – Sand the edges well to smoothen out …

7.Sealing Plywood Edges For Exterior Use: 5 Effective …

Url:https://woodworkingplansrevealed.com/sealing-plywood-edges-for-exterior-use/

4 hours ago To ensure that your plywood is ready for staining, you will need to sand it down to create a smooth surface. You can use a hand sander or power sander to do this. Start with a coarse grit …

8.How Do You Finish Birch Plywood Edges? - Craft Gecko

Url:https://craftgecko.com/how-do-you-finish-birch-plywood-edges/

5 hours ago

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9