I have TV trays that need to be painted. The surface is like flormica

here’s what it looks like where the finish is all spotted
  12 answers
  • Nadine Harris Nadine Harris on Feb 17, 2018

    I don't think you can paint Flormica. Check with a paint store.

  • Jana Jana on Feb 17, 2018

    Oh those are wonderful! I do understand you want them changed. There is paint that will cover Formica. You may need to put on two coats. Go to your local paint store and ask, they can direct you to the correct kind.

  • Age7768895 Age7768895 on Feb 17, 2018

    I would not bother painting them. I would simply put a large placemat when using it. The rest of the time, it is folded, right? If not a pretty placemat still looks good in my opinion.

  • Emily Emily on Feb 17, 2018

    I think that design is charming and speaks to its age. I would recommend not trying to paint them.

    • See 2 previous
    • Emily Emily on Feb 19, 2018

      Even more reason not to paint the trays. These items are the makings of potential very valuable collectibles. I know if my etsy shop daughter so them for sale she would snap them up for resale!

  • Cm Cm on Feb 17, 2018

    Check paint store for a good primer for formica. Then go to town! I did a pair of folding tv trays that were ugly. They were not formica.. so I just gessoed them and did a paint pour over them. I have one hanging on my wall as art along with the folding stand. I pull it off the wall when I need to use it.

  • Littleride Littleride on Feb 18, 2018

    once it is painted, and hard dried: spread elmer's glue all over it. Before the glue dries: spray paint with 'mirror' effect from Krylon or something like that. Let dry. The uneven glue surface will make the thing crackle. Did this to an old end table and it takes a beating beautifully

  • BC. BC. on Feb 18, 2018

    One possibility could be to lightly sand the surface and decoupage napkins, pictures or look online for decoupage ideas. The Modge Podge may adhere better than paint. Good luck

  • Castiron Castiron on Feb 18, 2018

    I would use removable contact paper, they make lots of patterns and colors and you can buy it at Target or Bed Bath Beyond online, etc. Con-Tact Brand Creative Covering is my favorite. But if you want to paint it, I would use an oil based primer, like Zinsser makes, then paint it with any paint. The oil based primer creates a bond and will keep the top coat from peeling.

  • Nancy J Nancy J on Feb 18, 2018

    I would try contact paper, it comes in really pretty patterns now.....if you want to paint it, use a chalk paint (not a chalkboard paint) lightly sand the surface, paint (will probably need a couple of coats to cover) it dries quickly, top with a few coats of polycrylic, letting dry thoroughly between each coat and lightly sanding between coats. You will need to let this cure for a few weeks before it can be used. OR for a waterproof finish, use a Spar Urethane

    ps...if you decide to decoupage, you will still need a chalk paint base, this is a matte finish and provides "tooth" for the napkin

  • I have the dishes to match, at one time even had kitchen border! Never saw the trays!



  • Joanne Waylett Joanne Waylett on Feb 18, 2018

    1) it might be possible to tile the interior

    2) have some mirror tiles cut to fit

    3) do a paint treatment on glass cut to fit

    4) paint. Priming first with zinsser primer. I have

    Best paint jobs using that. You can use regular

    Latex paint or a paint for formica. Using

    Primer first often eliminates the need for

    Formica paint unless it's exposed to chemicals

  • Doreen Kennedy Doreen Kennedy on Feb 18, 2018

    Easy to do. Just degloss by hand sanding your tray tops with fine grit paper. Follow up with TSP wash, prime then paint.