I have been staining up a storm lately!
Between the super cool Ikea trestle sewing table…
…and the rustic shelving both in the guest bedroom, I just about feel like I really know what I’m doing!
Well, the really good news is, most of us learn by trial and error and I’m certainly no exception.
But I think my latest success is largely due to the stain I have been using.
(this post contains some affiliate links)
I have not been quiet about Fusion’s Stain and Finishing Oil.
I love the fact that you can stain indoors, and it has a built-in top coat so really, one swipe and you are done.
That is my kinda DIY product!
View all my favs in my Amazon store HERE
Or purchase from a local Fusion merchant found HERE
Because I’ve been so busy with this product lately, I’ve been taking mental notes on all the things that worked, and one of them was a simple wood plank.
Stain can get a little messy when pouring and such, so I set up what I deemed a ‘staining lab’ where a separate paper-covered table was used to mix my chosen stain tones in a paper plate.
But when the cans sat on the paper, the stain saturated it. That’s when placing them on a simple plank came into play.
I started carrying the plank around when I realized, this really works! I can carry all my stains in one fell swoop anywhere I wish without making a mess when I work.
And that’s when the brainstorm hit. Why not turn that little plank into a carrying shelf-styled tray?
Build a simple paint or stain tray
1. Cut a plank to desired length.
2. Attach two handles.
DONE!
I ended up using only the thicker plank above.
I placed all the stains along a plank to determine the length it needed to be, then cut to size.
I played around with framing it but you’ll soon see I ultimately decided not to even do that!
Toning down a brass finish
I had a couple of brass door pulls, but desired to tone them down some.
One coat of Fusion’s Vintage Gold metallic did the trick!
The metallics have a transparency so they pick up what’s underneath them. This proved to be perfect. The brassy brass was toned down perfectly with one coat.
A good idea
So here’s a really great idea that ultimately failed. But since it’s a great idea, I decided to share this part anyway!
My first attempt was to create a stain tray with actual samples of each stain. Brilliant right?
Problem is, I used a poor quality piece of wood and the stain ran behind the taped lines. I’m going to try again with a quality piece of wood at some point. I still think the idea is a total win.
I ended up simply attaching the handles to the plank as-is and called it done. This little stain shelf tray thing is so easy to cart around now and I no longer make a mess on the paper. YES.
Most helpful little 5 minute project ever!
Now to find more things to stain…
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Are you also into the wood grain look more lately too? Think you’ll start staining more pieces?
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Other easy projects to help store DIY supplies:
An old crate trolley to store stencils
Organizing DIY supplies with repurposed storage ideas
A simple fence plank shelf for paint storage
A wall hung table top for mini tool storage
That’s great Donna, don,t you just love handles,I stick them up on the wall so I have something to help me up or screw them on a piece of wood that looks at me with sad eyes as if to say “I need a little sparkle too!” Love your ideas!
Your good idea of staining the board with all your colors is brilliant! Would it be possible for you to identify the colors on the board as a reference. I haven’t used this stain but love the idea of seeing the differences so I can choose the right shade.Thanks
What a great idea. As I sit here reading your post, on the floor to the right of my feet is a one gallon can of paint sitting on a folded up cloth tarp. One of those trays in a jumbo size would be perfect and I wouldn’t have to keep wondering if any spills were going through the tarp and onto my wood floors! You are brilliant! Have a Happy Easter!
I’ve been using Fusion products a lot lately and quite like them, especially the fact that they are a Canadian company. I just bought my first can of their stain and can’t wait to try it. Seeing your stain sample board has me itching to buy every color. I love the rustic goodness of your stain tray organizer, I’d use it on my dining room table with candles. I’m swooning over your wonderful stencil crate trolley – my workshop needs one of those!