Don’t throw those bottle caps away. Find out how to make this upcycled bottle caps magnetic tray with them instead!
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Bottle Caps Magnetic Tray How-To
Printable Upcycled Bottle Caps Magnetic Tray Tutorial
Do you have a huge stash of bottle caps that you’ve been itching to make something with?
This awesome tray is a fantastic way to use them and, even more, you can totally customize it with your paint choice and bottle caps.
I made this magnetic tray for hubs to hold nails and screws while he’s doing things around the house.
Now, though, I totally want to make one for me. I have some awesome Orange Crush bottle caps in my stash that would be awesome for my tools while working on DIY projects.
Maybe I’ll even paint it rainbow because, well, that sounds awesome!
Bottle Caps Magnetic Tray Materials
Small Wooden Tray (From Dollar Tree)
Burnt Umber Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush
Paper Towels or Rag
Bottle Caps
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
2 Part Casting Resin (I love this resin)
Graduated Mixing Cup
Tool for Mixing Resin
Acrylic Spray Sealant (Optional)
Note: Always wear protective gloves when working with resin.
Step 1 – Paint Your Tray
First, remove any stickers or tags from your wood tray. Then paint your tray in small sections and rub off the excess paint with your paper towels or rag.
Continue until your entire tray is painted. Set it aside to dry completely.
Step 2 – Glue Magnets to Bottle Caps
Start by placing cleaned bottle caps in the dry tray until it is full. This will let you know how many bottle caps to glue magnets to.
Then use E6000 to glue 1 magnet to the inside of each bottle cap. Then set them aside to dry for 24 hours.
Step 3 – Attach Bottle Magnets to Tray
After your tray is dry and the glue is on your caps are dry, use your hot glue gun to attach the bottle caps to the inside of your painted tray.
Add a small amount of hot glue to 2 sides of the bottom of the bottle caps. Then press them into the tray. Continue until all of the bottle caps are glued to the tray.
Step 4 – Cover Tray Interior with Resin
Be sure to wear protective gloves during this step.
Mix up 20 ounces each of parts A and B of your casting resin.
Then pour the casting resin over your bottle caps in your tray. Use your stirring tool to spread the resin evenly and ensure that all of the bottle caps of covered.
After your resin is poured, set the tray aside in a dry, flat place to cure for 24 hours.
Step 5 (Optional) – Seal Your Tray
Lastly, seal your entire tray with a coat of acrylic spray sealant and set it aside to dry completely before using.
Tips and Tricks
The strength of the magnets makes them easily pick up the bottle caps. Be sure to keep them separate while you’re gluing otherwise you will get the glue everywhere. I held the magnet with glue on it in one hand and the bottle cap in the other. Then I carefully pressed the magnet to the center of the inside of the bottle cap.
It’s easiest to pour the resin in the center of the tray and then use your stirring tool to spread the resin over the caps. You can also tilt your tray to spread the resin around the tray.
Printable Upcycled Bottle Caps Magnetic Tray Tutorial
Upcycled Bottle Caps Magnetic Tray
This upcycled bottle caps magnetic tray is a great gift for the handy man in your life. You can also change up the paint and bottle caps to make an awesome magnetic tray for your pins during sewing or paper clips and more.
Materials
- Small Wooden Tray (From Dollar Tree)
- Burnt Umber Acrylic Paint
- Paint Brush
- Paper Towels or Rag
- Bottle Caps
- E6000
- 11/16 inch Ceramic Magnets
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- 2 Part Casting Resin
- Graduated Mixing Cup
- Tool for Mixing Resin
- Acrylic Spray Sealant (Optional)
Instructions
- First, remove any stickers or tags from your wood tray. Then paint your tray in small sections and rub off the excess paint with your paper towels or rag.
- Continue until your entire tray is painted. Set it aside to dry completely.
- Start by placing cleaned bottle caps in the dry tray until it is full. This will let you know how many bottle caps to glue magnets to.
- Then use E6000 to glue 1 magnet to the inside of each bottle cap. Then set them aside to dry for 24 hours.
- After your tray is dry and the glue is on your caps are dry, use your hot glue gun to attach the bottle caps to the inside of your painted tray.
- Add a small amount of hot glue to 2 sides of the bottom of the bottle caps. Then press them into the tray. Continue until all of the bottle caps are glued to the tray.
- Be sure to wear protective gloves during this step.
- Mix up 20 ounces each of parts A and B of your casting resin.
- Then pour the casting resin over your bottle caps in your tray. Use your stirring tool to spread the resin evenly and ensure that all of the bottle caps of covered.
- After your resin is poured, set the tray aside in a dry, flat place to cure for 24 hours.
- Lastly, seal your entire tray with a coat of acrylic spray sealant and set it aside to dry completely before using.
Notes
Remember to always wear protective gloves when working with resin.
This upcycled bottle caps magnetic tray is a great gift for the handy man in your life. You can also change up the paint and bottle caps to make an awesome magnetic tray for your pins during sewing or paper clips and more.
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
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