How to Paint on a Wood Tray

Sand along the grain of the wood, or splintering may result.

You can easily alter the look of an ordinary wood tray by painting it. But you should know that whether your wood tray is bare or finished with stain, nothing will stick to its surface unless it is coated first with a base primer. Choose a type of primer based on the condition of the tray -- latex for bare wood or oil-based for stained wood -- or peeling may result. Paint the wood using spray paint, which is more likely to provide a smooth, attractive finish than brushed-on paint.

Things You'll Need

• Water-based degreasing soap
• Sponge
• Rags
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
• 180-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Masking paper
• Professional painter's tape
• Latex spray primer
• Acrylic spray enamel
• Oil-based spray primer

Instructions

1. Use a sponge to wash the wood tray with a water-based degreasing soap. Rinse the wood, using wet rags. Allow the tray to dry for 24 hours.

2. Place the wood tray on a fabric drop cloth.

3. Sand the tray until the finish appears dull. Sand only those portions you plan to paint. Wipe the tray with a tack cloth.

4. Apply tape to any portions of the tray that are to remain unpainted. Skip this step if you plan to paint the entire tray.

5. Coat the sanded wood tray with latex spray primer. Maintain 8 inches between the tray and spray nozzle at all times. Allow the tray to dry for four hours.

6. Coat the primed wood tray with acrylic enamel. Maintain 8 inches between the tray and spray nozzle at all times. Allow the tray to dry for four hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an oil-based primer on stained wood trays.

• Always sand along with the tray's wood grain, or splintering will result.

• Don't paint unprimed wood trays, or peeling will occur.

• Don't use latex paint on a wood tray; it does not have the durability of enamel.