How to Renovate Old Tin Trays

An old tin tray is an easy find in thrift stores, antique stores and used items stores. Or, buy a new one from a dollar store that needs improving. Knowing how to update a tin tray for using again is a handy trick that gives new life to old. Here is how.

Steps

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    Gather the items you'll need. The items are listed below.
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    Paint the tray with the undercoat. Add a little dash of the final coat enamel paint to make the painting colour smoother.
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    Leave to dry overnight.
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    Once the tray has dried, sand it lightly. Wipe down with a rag that has been dipped into turpentine.
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    Paint with the enamel paint colour that you've chosen. Leave to dry. Depending on the make of the paint, this can take up to a week. The enamel layer should be as hard as possible.
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    Select a design and draw onto the tracing paper.
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    Use the soft lead pencil to rub the traced design onto the tray.
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    Paint the traced design using the black enamel paint. Use a fine brush.
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    Leave to dry once again. Once it has dried, wipe over with the rag again to clean it.

Tips

  • Use designs from other items in your home or kitchen range, or wander down to a kitchen store and select a design you like on items such as cards, serviettes, books, plates, tea towels, gift wrapping, etc.

Things You'll Need

  • Old or uninteresting tin tray
  • Small tin or can of enamel paint in a colour you'd like to see the tray, plus on small tin or can of black enamel paint
  • Undercoat
  • Tracing paper
  • Soft lead pencil and a normal lead pencil
  • Small paintbrush
  • Turpentine
  • Rag
  • Very fine sandpaper

Article Info

Categories: Metalwork and Wire Projects | Reduce Recycle and Reuse