A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle

An old sign milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

When a friend asked if I’d custom make her a red tray, I kinda sorda listened. 🙂

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

She requested that it be around 18″ x 18″. So going through my stash of pallet wood, I came close and dry fit the above together.

I never worry about the wood being too rustic. Using a good palm sander takes care of that in minutes.

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Paint used / Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Tricycle and Ironstone
Wax used / dark antiquing wax

She told me she’d paint it herself, but I was dying to try out Tricycle. This is milk paint from the Miss Mustard Seed line. 

Milk paint comes in powder form, so you add equal amounts of water vs powder, and stir it up.

The beautify of milk paint is, you don’t need to prime wood first. And the finish is matte, so it distresses beautifully. Or so I’ve read.

Tip: because the paint is powder and I worked outside, the surface got a little messy with the wind blowing things around. So if you’re using two different colours, ensure you either have 2 work spaces, or more paper to cover your surface or are just a whole lot neater and smarter than I am and work inside. 🙂

The colour was pretty bright going on wet! But as it dried, the tone did deepen.

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

I had a leftover decal from my original Farmers Market sign, and used part of it to give it an old sign kinda vibe.

I didn’t think the decal would stick to the paint being that the finish was so flat. But I was wrong. There was just enough grab. I was pleased!

(And if you are one of the 1000’s that have emailed me asking me where the hey my old sign ebook is, I’ll be firing it up in the fall again! I heard that ‘yeah right…’)

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Using Ironstone for the lettering, I admit I painted as soon as I mixed it. If you allow the paint to sit for abit, the lumps go away moreso.

But then I was glad I painted it with lumps.. you’ll see why soon.

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

After the paint cured, I lightly sanded with a palm sander, touching the edges of the boards.

I was pretty pleased how well the paint bonded and how smooth the finish became! Smooth as silk after sanding.

But what really sealed the deal for me was the addition of the antiquing wax. That brought amazingly authentic patina to the red paint! And because the lettering was bumpy, it got a great finish as well.

Green hydrangeas / A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

At this point I squealed! And called her over to check it out!

Green hydrangeas / A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net
She was CRAZY in love with the red, and what the wax did to the finish!

But then asked why I put market on the sign.

And why the sides were white.

Oops. 🙂

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Yeah, she did ask for red. I just didn’t listen. I got all carried away making something into an old sign yet again.

So I promised her I’d fix it! So you are going to see one tray two different ways. Because by golly, this time I’ll listen!

Green hydrangeas in a red toolbox / A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net
Green hydrangeas in a red toolbox / A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

p.s. those hydrangeas in the toolbox use to be BLUE! Isn’t that green something?!

A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle / via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Hmm… maybe I’ll make her another milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle. You know… in case I mess this up. 🙂

 

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Categories: DIY, Junk Drawer, Reclaimed wood projects, Signs
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27 thoughts on “A milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle

  1. I think it is amazing! Love, love, love your wood shed! Keep up the great work, even if you don’t listen!

  2. Donna,
    Love love love the tray! I really like the market addition. Just sayin’!
    Always enjoy your blog!
    Smiles, Alice

  3. I love it the WAY YOU did it, more original and fun! You have to know I ma drooling over that metal toolbox! OM gosh, if you EVER part with that, I know a girl in Montana who would love it ;)!

  4. i am pretty sure that was a decorian slip haha not a fruedian you wanted to keep it as soon as you saw the red lmbo it is drool worthy xx

  5. Wowzza! Love the Market tray, just as it is! The white sides make it perfect. Haven’t tried Miss Mustards Seed paint yet, but we have a new shop in our town that sells it so I’m going downtown on Saturday to check it out.

    Wish I had the guts to decorate my house like yours, and make all the stuff you do. I’m a huge fan!!!

  6. Hi Donna,
    I love the tray. I love how the red contrasts with white. And the Market decal adds more character. And the hydrangeas…which is my all time favorite flower are gorgeous in that tool box.

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