Have you ever seen silver trays at a Thrift store? Maybe at Grandma's house?
It always seems to be a shame that people don't use them. However, I do understand very few people want to spend a couple of days a year polishing silver...
So how do you stop them from ending up in landfill?
Paint it!!! Seriously, paint can do anything!
Since it is Spring, my thoughts turn towards crisp white, soft pastels and of course florals... so how do translate that into one of these trays? Here's how!!
Let's start with a typical silver tray.
And let's take a minute to understand that this is not a solid silver tray. That is not something you would paint. You would leave it in it's glorious state and polish it twice a year! This is a copper tray that has silver coated via electro-plate. Silver plated via electricity. Fancy eh?
Not only does the silver need to be polished (to remove the black oxidization which forms when silver finish is exposed to oxygen) the silver can wear and expose the copper underneath. So maintenance and discoloration has lead us to this project.
Now, on with the project!
Look at that shine!
I took the time to clean and polish the tray because I didn't want the paint to stick to anything other than the clean metal surface. Your taking a chance of the finish failing if you don't clean and polish.
Here is the first coat of paint. I used Tremclad flat white. I love oil based paint. I use it often, the finish becomes hard and much more durable than latex or acrylic paint. That may be a story for another time!
I made sure I followed the re-coat time and instructions on the can and proceeded with a second thorough coat. I then left the tray for 24 hours.
I mixed some water-based craft paint with water and brushed it on to the tray. I wanted the soft green to pick up on the details of the handles and edging. And let's not overlook the finer details on the base of the tray!
Just look at that handle!! Beautiful!
Once dry, I protected the tray with a clear Tremclad. Though it is a decorative tray, I wanted to be able to wipe it down easily, just in case I spill some wine...
And here it is, ready to serve! Soft green wash over white to give this pretty tray and second life.