What’s the best way to finish plywood edges for a moisture-prone garage shelf?

[EthanA]

I’ve finally started building the custom shelving unit for my garage workshop, but I’m stuck on how to properly finish the plywood edges. I want it to look clean and hold up to some occasional moisture, but I’m not sure if iron-on veneer tape is the right choice or if I should try filling and painting them instead.

[Noah_H]

I tried veneer tape on a similar shelf project. It looked clean at first, but the garage humidity made the edges lift a bit after a few weeks. Not catastrophic, but you could see the seam. If I did it again, I’d test a small panel first and maybe skip it.

[RyanNM]

I went with filling and painting the edges. Sanded smooth, a couple coats of enamel, and it held up to the occasional spill pretty well. The painted edge wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t peel.

[Larry_R]

I wonder if maybe the problem isn’t the edge finish at all. The shelves flex with weight, or the bracing shifts when the tools sit on them. Sometimes finishing feels like delaying the real issue.

[OliverA]

Did a tiny side-by-side test on scrap plywood: one edge wrapped with tape, one painted. Tape looked sharper but peeled a bit after a damp day; painted edge stayed flat but darker in color and a bit rough to feel. Not sure which would hold up longer in a real garage.