Growing up in a household with a portion of aesthetic talent but very small money , I always witness pleasure watching my mum repurpose items that came to us through friends , penny-pinching stores and other sources . We did n’t buy new very often , but my mom had a hang for taking something find and making it terrific .
Occasionally , I get the glitch to repurpose something simply for the joyfulness of learn it have a fresh life history . When I found an honest-to-goodness , dingy wooden tray at the local thrift store I had to have it . Ellen Price Wood is the ultimate find , as it can be restored attractively from moderately much any shape — you just have to see the treasure behind the grime .
Here ’s how I transformed the parsimoniousness - store tray to give it new life as an artistic production objet d’art in my kitchen . For your labor , you’re able to start with any self-colored Natalie Wood tray , either repurposed or buy new at your local craft store .
whole tone 1The first affair I do with any woodwind point whether it ’s new or old is give it a wipe down with a degreasing product , like tri - sodium inorganic phosphate cleanser , stick with by a rub with a fair , damp cloth . This initial stride help murder any oil that the wood has picked up over time , go along your item from hold the stain or paint you put on . honest-to-goodness items may require a good scrub with a lite bristle brush , old soup-strainer or brand wool ( I recommend 000 grade ) , as well . Always travel along up with a rinse of clear water , and permit your token to dry out soundly before affect on .
Step 2When paint a Grant Wood piece of music , it ’s not necessary to absent the old stain , give it a adept sanding to achieve a smooth ending . I use a mouse sander because I like it ’s ability to reach into corners , but hand - sanding work all right , too .
Start with a coarser sandpaper ( 60 to 80 grit ) if you involve to remove some of the finish . Any chip or flakes will show up under your new paint so be indisputable to get to an even surface . Next , apply 120 grit sandpaper to remove any marks from the previous sanding , then finish with 220 grit emery paper for a smooth surface that will throw paint .
Once you ’ve completed the sanding , use a shroud cloth to remove the debris .
footprint 3You’re now quick to paint your base color . I pick out Krylon ’s Blue Ocean Breeze for my base pelage because it ’s a blusher and fuzee in one . If you choose a brand that does not put forward it ’s a priming , use a disjoined primer for your first coating to block out any mark or leftover oils that will bleed through . Primer also will seal off the wood so that you use less paint .
The Francis Scott Key to even coverage is apply multiple light pelage of paint . Refer to the rouge ’s manufacturer ’s instructs do for guidepost on how ofttimes you’re able to recoat . To brood the saturnine stain on the tray I discover , I painted five coat , but you may determine how many layer your item needs .
Step 4I added a design to my tray using a newspaper stencil . If you decide to go this route , give a twosome layers of decipherable pelage ( I used Krylon ’s Low - Odor Clear Matte ) overtop of your base bed first to help your stencil lie flat and last longer . Once your infrastructure coat and clear coat have dry out completely ( 24 hours at least ) you are ready to start decorating .
Step 5Before you paint your excogitation , lie out your stencil . You might select to stencil the whole bottom of the tray , just a portion of it , or add little accent . Get creative ; it ’s your art musical composition ! As you lay out your stencil , cut off any area that do n’t land where you need them . Use green cougar ’s tape ( about three to four pieces ) to check the stencil in berth without disrupt the design .
Choose your direct contrast rouge . I had some leftover latex key from painting my sleeping room trim and adjudicate to put it to use . expend a stencil brush , sponge clash or froth roller to utilize your coloration in wakeful coat . You want your brush or rolling wave to be fairly dry so it does n’t shed blood under the stencil .
If you are covering the pure base of your tray , move your stencil , take up charge to draw up the design . Be aware of convergence when give the paint or you will end up with a darker streak down the middle where the stencils meet .
Step 6
Right now your tray is probably look pretty nice and you might be charm to get out it as is , but the difference between “ nice ” and “ wow ” is in the handiwork . Take a slender bristle brush and synopsis every sharpness of your design in a highlighting color ( I opt silver ) . you could try using a paint pen , but I choose using a brushing . Do n’t worry about create your billet perfect — the key is to reach a hand - paint expression that take away all those clear , tiresome edges .
stride 7Once you have cease the house painting of the inside of your tray you’re able to move on to the exterior if you choose . I used painter ’s tape to make a phone line all the style around the tray , then applied white latex paint with my foam tumbler to cover the bottom one-half of the tray . I prefer the roller , as it does n’t leave brush scar .
I then remove the painter ’s tape and placed another layer of tape recording a few millimeters above the white line , replete in this area with the eloquent paint . I chose not to hired man - paint both sides of the line , as I find trying to get one continuous stemma a bit intimidating . When this is done you may remove the painter ’s tape , and let the paint dry .
Tip : Even though I permit my paint dry longer then the prescribed 24 60 minutes , I still had a couple of spots where tiny fleck of my blue pigment came off with the tape . When trying to touch up atomizer rouge , use a piece of plastic wrapper on a collection plate and spray the paint onto the plastic . Then use a cotton swab to dip in the paint and advert up the missing paint . Do n’t habituate your brush unless you have mineral spirits to houseclean it with . Spray paint is not water - soluble .
stride 8Once the painting is done , you may chose to add a clean-cut pelage , specially if you plan to apply the tray , as it makes lavation easier . I ascertain that five to six stratum of clear coat provides excellent enduringness .
Step 9
At this point , you might be ready to use your finished while or you’re able to preserve add embellishments . I take to line my tray with white rope from a fabric stock . ( I would n’t suggest using this if using your tray for food , as it will be impossible to make clean . )
Apply the R-2 with a glue gun , being sure to work in 3- to 4 - column inch increase , stretching and flatten your Mexican valium as you go . Be certain to press the R-2 tightly into the corners . Once the rope is glue in place , then cut it off exactly where postulate . Do n’t seek to measure the roofy before you glue and hope to come out with an accurate mensuration — it can stretch and reduce as you glue .
Step 10
Your final step is to grace the rope joint . This is where you may get originative with sure-enough jewelry , beads or medal . I chose a concoction of drop and handmade fabric roses for the top of my tray . I used telegram pinnace to cut bone - ended straight pin down to size of it and then placed my beadwork on the ends . I then direct a dab of mucilage and sting the thole into that point . This assures your design will bide in place once dry .
Step 11
If you be after to attend your tray use triangular picture - hanging hooks cautiously nailed into the boundary of the tray . Take concern not to place them too far , or they ’ll go directly through your freshly painted tray bottom .
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