Hello, sweet friends! I am chugging right through my summer haul and today, I’ve got another piece from it! I’m painting a silver plated tray with Silk Mineral Paint!
Here is how this tray looked when I scored it for only $3 at a yard sale in the spring:
If I saw this one at a thrift store, I probably would have passed on it as there are so many of these simple trays floating around out there. This doesn’t have any handles or the sweet feet that I normally love on these pieces. But, it was only $3, so I brought it home with me.
Clean
The first thing I did was give it a good cleaning with White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water…
As you can see, this tray had some engraving on it. I could only make out the year, 1971 (the year I was born woohoo!) and the middle name of Cynthia in the bottom line of text. That means this tray has been floating around out there for 54 years! (I did the math for you…see how much I love you?)
Once I had it clean, I gave it another wipe down with clean water and we were ready to get started!
Prime with Bonding BOSS
I have, in the past, prepped these trays by scuff sanding really well and spray priming, but Bonding BOSS is both a stain/odor blocking primer AND an adhesion primer in one, so if you have that on hand, that is the way to go! There is no need to sand first, and it works on all the non-porous surfaces like glass, plastic, laminate, and yep, metal!
I applied one coat of the white Bonding BOSS:
Then I let it sit for 24 hours. That’s it! In 24 hours, I was ready for paint. And as you can see above, the engraving wasn’t visible after painting this one! (And don’t be tempted to do a scratch test until after three weeks when everything has completely cured!)
Paint
I chose this gorgeous Oxford Fog that I used on this vintage table not too long ago:
After two coats, I decided to add some more detail in the way of stripes. I use stripes often because they are such an easy way to add a little more interest.
To get a color in the same family but lighter, I mixed Silk Salt Water with the Oxford Fog about 50/50:
(It is not recommended to mix Chalk Mineral Paint and Silk Paint.)
I then applied that with a small brush. I wasn’t able to tape off the curves, so I winged it…
It almost looks white there, but it did dry darker.
As soon as the second coat went on, I removed the tape:
I did go back with the Oxford Fog and touch up where it was a bit wonky once it was dry.
Adding a transfer
I felt like it could use a little something more, and I had a bunch of pieces from this Aviary Elegance transfer that I used on these nesting tables I shared last week:
Just one piece did the trick for this silver plated tray:
Transfers and decoupage papers are often limited time only, so items may no longer be available in my Etsy shop if you are visiting this post long after the posting date.
Seal
I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge applicator to apply it:
Painting a Silver Plated Tray with Silk Mineral Paint the Reveal
Here is the final look…
I love the detailed edges on these trays…
I was tempted to highlight it with gold gilding wax but opted to leave it be instead.
Here it is laying flat as it was intended to be used:
Still totally functional! (And you can barely see that I did paint and seal the bottom as well. )
I imagine this on a dresser holding favorite perfumes!
I think the jury is still out on this gorgeous color…blue? Green?
Either way, I love it!
Simple and sweet!
Only nine more to go!!
See anything you may have missed below:
Painting the Smalls #38: The Black & White Edition
Painted and Stained Nesting Tables
Painting the Smalls #37
Easy Decoupaged Tray Makeover
Crusty, Dusty Mini Suitcase makeover
Coastal Shelf Makeover with Reclaimed Wood
$5 Buffet Lamp Set Makeover with Decoupage Paper
Chunky Side Table Makeover
Black and Gold Jewelry Box Makeover
Painted Dresser with a Stained Top Makeover
Lamp Set Makeover
Painting the Smalls #36
Painted Lingerie Chest Makeover
Update an Upholstered Bench
Update a Mirror with Paint and Transfers
Painted Drop Leaf Side Table
Painting the Smalls Yard Sale Edition
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
I think it’s safe for me start thrifting for my next haul, right?? Yay!!!!! (Okay, I may have already gathered a few things, but now it’s officially time!)
I’ll be back on Tuesday with my Trashy Treasure ladies sharing what I did with this box:
UPDATE! See how clever this box turned out HERE now!
Have a fantastic weekend!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is beautiful! I love the color so much, it is a perfect blue/green color! I bet that color changes so much depending on the lighting! It is so beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I love this color too and couldn’t wait to use it again lol! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, (you’re a youngster!)….these trays are so much fun to do – like a blank canvas – and this one is so sweet; I just did two and a third one is getting a Christmas transfer…. I do have a question about not mixing Silk and Chalk Mineral…oops, I have done it with no issues so far..that I know of.
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Janice! Ooh I love the idea to do one for Christmas!! And the only issue I can foresee by mixing the two paints is maybe the topcoat that is built into the Silk might not be as strong since it has been diluted? If it has worked great…that is good to know. Keep going lol! XOXO
Jackie C says
this turned out beautiful. How you got that paint so crisp and perfect around the curves on that tray, I will never know.
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Jackie! It took patience lol! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Great makeover. I have two trays that are family heirlooms that are engraved with the family name (hubby’s) and one of them is 4 generations old and weighs a ton-it’s part of a coffee/tea service and quite beautiful so I do keep it polished and use it at family holidays.
I love that you can repurpose those old trays that aren’t heirlooms and make them useful again. You did a great job-love the colors. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! It sounds like you have two lovely treasures in those trays! I think I would want to keep them as is also if they had belonged to my family, but it is so fun to redo these less desirable ones! XOXO
Lorri says
I love the color as well… such a pretty shade.I think you made a wise decision about the gold gilding, it would have been too much.I think it looks lovely just the way it is. Just like you😘
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Lorri, thank you! Yes, I think the gold wax would have taken it a bit too far. Have a great weekend! XOXO
Cyndi says
Very pretty! Great job on the stripes! 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! XOXO
Marilyn says
Beautiful tray. I am so glad you chose not to do the gilding on the edges. I admit – I’m getting further and further away from the trend to gilded touches that was so popular a while back. This tray is gorgeous just the way it is! If I lived near you, I would buy it in a flash! I know just where I would put it! Have a great day.
Christy says
Thank you, Marilyn! Yes, I too am glad that I skipped the gilding wax on this one. I wish you were closer! XOXO
Rhonda Dunaway says
Christy, I love the tray! The color is beautiful, and the stripes add extra interest.
I have two special orders for bird trays, and I have the same transfer you used. With your inspiration in mind, I’m now off to the races!
Thanks for all of your hard work and your willingness to share your ideas and how-to’s. For me, your blog is the brightest corner of the Internet!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Rhonda! I appreciate that so much! I love that I could give you an idea for your trays. This transfer has a bunch of pretty pieces! Have fun!! XOXO
Michele M. says
This tray went from yuck to yum beautifully!!!! I was like “stripes?” when I first read but boy – I need to learn to never doubt you, Christy. It turned out fabulous and the transfer on it is soooooo cute. That color, gotta get that color, absolutely love it.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Michele! I felt like the transfer just needed a little more in the background, so stripes it is lol. This color is fantastic for sure! XOXO
Geri Davis says
Oh I love this tray in that color! Now I wish I had ordered that color with my order! Well next time I will!
Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! Aww darn…maybe next time! XOXO
Cece says
I absolutely love your work on the silver tray. Can etched aluminum trays be painted like that. Would like to try it. Thanks
Christy says
Thank you, Cece! I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see why not! XOXO