How to Remove Paint Stains From Vintage Metal Trays

Vintage metal trays make great decorations around the house. They can be used to serve snacks or to hold a number of decorative items. But sometimes, because of their age, vintage metal trays can have unsightly marks such as paint stains. If there are paint stains on your metal trays, you can remove them by brushing on a chemical paint remover that softens the paint and then scrubbing the stain with steel wool. You might need to repeat the steps a few times, but the paint stains should eventually be lifted off the metal trays.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid paint remover (for use on metal surfaces)
• Paintbrush
• Glass jar
• Steel wool
• Hand towel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Pour a cup of liquid paint remover into an empty glass jar.

   • 2

     Dip the paintbrush in the jar of paint remover and tap the brush on the side of the jar to remove excess.

   • 3

     Use the paintbrush to brush a coat of paint remover over the stain.

   • 4

     Allow the paint remover to sit on the stain for the recommended amount of time (this should be indicated on the paint remover bottle).

   • 5

     Using a piece of steel wool, gently scrub the stain using small, circular strokes.

   • 6

     Wipe away the stripped paint using a hand towel dipped in warm, soapy water.

   • 7

     Allow the metal tray to dry completely.

   • 8

     Repeat steps 2 through 6 until the stain has been removed.