The wood filler comes in handy to help smoothen out the rough edges. You will find different types of wood fillers available in the market today, and you can choose one that goes with the colour of
your birch plywood.
First, when choosing a suitable glue to go with the wood filler, you must mull over other finishes you
may want to do on the plywood edges afterward. As mentioned earlier, some wood glue types
hinder other finishing products like paint from adhering properly on the edges. There is some wood
glue designed for plywood finishing only, which would be a great choice. In that line, you can choose
a wood filler that gives a natural tone on the edges and remains constant over time.
The application of the wood filler does not call for many steps because it is pretty straightforward.
The wood filler does not need any sanding out as preparation to apply it. The rough edges help the
wood filler to adhere better to the plywood. You can use your fingers or a putty knife to apply the
wood filler into the edges, allowing it to cover the cracks and gaps for a smooth finish at the surface.
Fingers do a better job, and if you do not have a putty knife, you can use them effectively.
You do not need to worry about the mess it causes on your hands and around you because it will
easily wash off when washed with water. In addition, using your fingers will be a little faster and help
the wood filler adhere properly to the wood. After application, you can leave it for some time to dry
before you sand it. The drying may take longer than when you use veneer strips because you will not
use any heat to speed up the process. Even so, it is important to wait for it to dry so that you can
have an easy time sanding it.
Once it is dry, use fine-grit hand sandpaper to finish the surface without digging in too much. This
will give you an opportunity to notice some areas that require some touch-up with more filler. You
can also apply a second coat of wood filler if you deem it necessary.
Each of these touch-ups and fill-ups will require a little more time for drying. And once they dry, you
sand the edges as much as you would like in order to achieve that final smooth feel that you want on
your birch plywood edges. After sanding the edges, you can apply some clear varnish to give it a
beautiful glow while maintaining its colour. The varnish also acts to protect the plywood edges from
dirt and other stains that may fall on them.
One more great thing about using wood filler for finishing your birch plywood edges is the
convenience they have when working with a piece of furniture that has some curves. Unlike veneers
that require some skill in applying them on the corners, wood filler only requires you to apply the
same way as the rest of the area.
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.
