How to Fill Exposed Plywood Edges to Match Finished Wood

If you build a project that will feature exposed plywood edges, you want those edges to be nice and smooth. Unfortunately, even high-quality plywood sometimes has small voids in the edge. The trick when filling those voids is to use a putty that matched the color of the finished plywood edge. Rob demonstrates a simple trick for matching the putty color with the finished wood color.

Subscribe to this channel for new weekly video woodworking lessons, tips and tricks:

Get more FREE project plans, expert tips and tool updates in our weekly email newsletter. Subscribe here:

Visit our website for the best woodworking projects and lessons:

[Giftedmike]

It would have been great to have seen the end result

[oldproji]

I use wooden coffee stirrers to fill small voids in plywood. Just cut to size, put a small amount of glue in the void and tap home the stirrer. When dry, sand off lightly and you wouldn't know a void had been there.

[ramaroodle]

Always wondered what filler etc would look like if applied to plywood edge. I still don't know! I'm a subscriber but I gotta give a thumbs down to this one vid cuz there's no shot of the finished product so we have no idea what to expect. Match the putty to the wood? Really?? Those look like crisp routered roundover edges with laminate.. How do you sand it to avoid scratching the tops especially on the round pieces and keep a crisp edge. Not being a wise guy. I really am curious about the best way to do it.

[wolfgollnitz]

What's that heavy breathing in the background. Really bad sound from such an awesome channel. Yip, to see the end result would really have been nice. Guys, you're slipping.

[WindsorCraftDesigns]

Good video, but shouldn't you say wood "filler".... putty doesn't dry or harden; key difference.

[mathersdavid]

Filler is unfortunately a terrible color match to this plywood, as is generally the case.

[Mainbusfail]

i use mineral spirits to "emulate" finish outcomes before application after all my sanding work. Because we all know wood will tell on us when the finish goes on. It has saved my butt numerous times, and finish is not cheap - especially water base poly. Neither is my time.

[groefa]

The plywood appears to be painted black; is that what you matched?... a no-brainer. What about matching plywood finish that has some grain to it? That's what the headline suggests. Also, the sound gasping is distracting. You guys usually do better than this.

[luke]

Wait, where's the finished look? What did you finish it with? Lots of missing info from this video that would let the viewers decide if this method works for them.

[SOLDOZER]

I'm confused. it looks worse with the putty.

[olicook]

When did billy bob Thornton leave acting to become a carpenter 🤣

[spokelips]

This is EXACTLY what I wanted to know. Thanks John !

[timothyarcher]

To begin with I thought that was your kitchen...puts my grotty workshop to shame! Many thanks for useful advice.