Old cupboard doors are good for more than firewood when they are no longer wanted in the kitchen. Turn that old cupboard door into a functional tray. Add tray handles to the surface to make it easy to move from place to place. Hand paint a design in the center and/or around the boarder of the tray or use a stencil. The finished project will become a conversation piece that everyone is sure to enjoy.
Things You’ll Need:
Cupboard door
Sandpaper
Lint free cloth or tack cloth
Pencil
2, drawer handles
Drill
Drill bit
Spray paint
2-inch paint brush for dry brushing or a toothbrush for stippling
Complimentary acrylic paint
Screwdriver
Instructions:
Step 1 – Sand the surface of the old cupboard door to scuff up the old paint or varnish. You must sand through the surface to the wood underneath in several areas so the new paint will hold. Wipe the surface to remove the sanding dust.
Step 2 – Place the handles in the desired location. Mark the placement of the screws. Drill a hole at each location for easy attachment of the handles once the tray is finished.
Step 3 – Spray paint the back of the tray. Allow the paint to dry completely before continuing.
Step 4 – Spray paint the front of the tray. Allow the paint to dry 15 minutes. Repeat the process for a total of three times.
Step 5 – (Optional) Adding wood grain – Add wood grain to the surface by dipping just the tip of a 2-inch paintbrush in the desired acrylic paint color. Lightly brush across the cupboard, just skimming the surface. Repeat the process until the desired grain is achieved. Adding stippling – Stippling is small dots of contrasting paint on the surface of the tray. Stipple the surface by dipping the bristles of an old toothbrush in the desired acrylic paint color. Turn the toothbrush so the bristles are on the bottom and approximately 12-inches from the surface of the cupboard. Drag your thumb nail over the bristles. Small paint drops will appear on the tray surface. Repeat the process until the desired stippling is achieved.
Step 5 – (Optional) Paint a design on the surface of the tray. Allow the design to dry completely before continuing.
Step 6 – Spray three to five coats of acrylic spray sealer over the surface of the newly painted tray. Allow each layer to dry a minimum of 15 minutes.
Step 7 – Attach the handles to the tray.
Use the tray to serve drinks, food items or simply as a display piece on a table or wall. Enjoy!