DIY: Tray Makeover

ByDiane Henkler 12/03/201409/24/2022 Last updated:09/24/2022

You know how I love clock faces, right? A few weeks ago I transformed a thrift store tray with one of my favorite products just in time to use for the holidays.

You may remember I am going with a black, white, and green color scheme for my holiday decor this year. Oh! and of course a few pops of fun colors.

Today I am shaking things up a bit and posting the tray makeover project over at the True Value DIY Blog Squad blog.

How to get a super high gloss finish on table tops and this tray makeover

Wait until you see how easy it is to get that super shiny glass-like finish. It is so cool and makes the makeover look like something you picked up at a high end shop.

Head here to see-> How I transformed the thrift store tray

More Tray Decorating Ideas & DIY’s

Would you like to save this post?

Enter your email below and I’ll send it to you!

20 Comments

Carrie Seaman says:

at

Hi where do I find the clock face free printable link please

Reply
1. Diane Henkler says:
  
  at
  
  Hi Carrie – The clock face paper I used to line the tray is scrapbook paper that I bought at Michaels or AC Moore. You may able to still find it or maybe even online. I do have free printable clock faces that I used for another project. You can find those here: https://inmyownstyle.com/clock-wreath-free-printables.html
  
  Reply
Lena_J says:

at

This looks so amazing. Loving it :-)

Reply
Sharon says:

at

Thanks, Diane!

I haven’t found the perfect paper to use yet, so I still haven’t made it , but I can’t wait! Do you think fabric would work, too?

Also, you said heat isn’t necessary to remove the air bubbles and I believe you, but several You Tube videos say you need a small blow torch or a lighter. Glad to know I only need a straw!

Thanks!

Reply
Sharon says:

at

Hi, Diane!
I just discovered your blog a few days ago and I am ready to steal several of your ideas! I’m starting with this tray. I found one very similar to yours at Goodwill today for less than $3.00. I’m just wondering, since the tray has a rim, the resin won’t be able to run off the sides before it dries.

How do you keep it from pooling around the sides of the tray?

Thanks!

Reply
1. Diane Henkler says:
  
  at
  
  Hi Sharon – It is a good thing that your tray has a rim – you don’t want it to run off the sides. If you gently push the Envirotex Lite with the stirring stick to get it into each corner – the product self levels. Once you get it all spread out as even as you can, place the tray on a flat surface until it dries. It will dry flat.
  
  Reply
Di says:

at

Hi Diane,
Just found you via Pinterest and am following you now:)
Quick question: I’m having trouble with the link in the post to True Value Blog. Is it working properly? Thanks! Love all your stuff:)
Di

Reply
sharon says:

at

I love it! Just perfect!
Is it durable? If I place hot coffee cups on the finishef product will it be ok?

Reply
Sheryll & Critters. says:

at

I LOVE it…. and already shared it on my FB page.

Reply
1. Diane Henkler says:
  
  at
  
  Thanks Sheryll XO
  
  Reply
Peter says:

at

Wonderful idea! simple and beautiful:)

Reply
Jill says:

at

What a cool tray. You write the best tutorials. Thank you!

Reply
Laurie says:

at

cant tell you how much I love this! Thank you for sharing your creativity.

Reply
Teri says:

at

Wow, what a great project! I do have a question, though. When you mix up the high gloss product, does it have any odor at all?

I adore the clock faces.

Reply
1. Diane Henkler says:
  
  at
  
  Hi Teri – It does smell a bit, but not as much as some resins and glues do. I am very sensitive to smell and this is not as bad as using some soft waxes over chalk paint that I have used :-). Once it is dry it has no smell at all. I placed the tray in an unused room overnight to keep dirt and dust off of it while it dried – it would also help deal with the smell if you are highly sensitive to it.
  
  Reply
  1. Teri says:
    
    at
    
    Thanks, Diane. I think I will enlist Hubby to apply it and blow the bubbles out. I get headaches too easily. I know what you mean about the waxes; I have found that CeCe Caldwell’s clear wax does not bother me at all.
    
    Reply
Connie Nikiforoff Designs says:

at

Gorgeous! I’m getting a gifted tray very similar like yours. What a great idea to copy :-)

Reply
Linda Weeks says:

at

I used a similar set of products to do a project many many years ago, but it looks much better than mine did! Glad you did this post, cause I’m thinking of all manner of projects now! It’s not the particular projects that you do that makes them worthwhile, it’s that you do them so well! fondly, Linda

Reply
Leslie @ House on the Way says:

at

Very cool tray! Thanks for the great tutorial!

Reply
Susan says:

at

Love the tray idea! I wasn’t familiar with the product that makes the glass-like finish, but can’t wait to try it!
many thanks for the tip! Susan

Reply