Decorative Dye-Stained Wood Trays

 

Decorative Dye-Stained Wood Trays

By Dianne Giancola

Here’s an idea for making a simple wooden serving tray decorative, yet suitable for any holiday or special occasion.  Start with an unfinished wooden tray and dye-stain it to your favorite color or one that color coordinates with your home décor.  Then have a piece of glass cut to fit inside the bottom.  This will protect the bottom of the tray, but it makes the tray more versatile because you can slip holiday decorations, photos or artwork underneath the glass.  It makes a delightful surprise when entertaining family and friends and is also great for gift-giving.

Rit Dye can be used to stain unfinished wood and gives colorful results, allowing the natural wood grain to show through.  This tray is made of pine, which is a soft wood that absorbs the dye beautifully.

Supplies Needed

  • Rit Liquid Dye, Purple
  • Walnut Hollow Unfinished Serving Wood Tray (3580)
  • Measuring cup & spoon
  • Container for dye
  • Fine sandpaper (#220) & steel wool
  • Tack cloth
  • Clear polyurethane
  • Foam brushes
  • Old cloth
  • Paper towels
  • Latex gloves
  • Plastic table cover

Instructions

1. Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.

2. Sand tray lightly.  Remove dust with tack cloth.

3. Dye Preparation:  Wearing latex gloves, measure and mix 1/4 cup Purple liquid dye with 1 cup very hot water.  Stir well.



Note:  Test dye color on back of wood tray.  If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.  Dye will appear lighter when dry.  (I tried two colors.)

4.  Wearing rubber gloves, apply dye to tray using a foam brush. Let dry and, if necessary, reapply dye to achieve desired shade.

 

Note:  When staining wood, keep dye hot for better absorption.  Cover dye with plastic wrap and heat on high in the microwave for 1 - 2 minutes.

5.  Allow wood to dry completely.

6. To seal dye-stained tray, apply one or two coats of polyurethane.  Rub lightly with steel wool between coats; remove dust with a tack cloth.

 

7.  Insert holiday decorations, photos, or artwork under the glass.

For more tips, refer to the general instructions for Dyeing Wood & Wicker.

 

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