How to Make a Gold Leaf Bar Tray

Create a beautifully chic serving tray for entertaining by lining its surface with gold leaf.

Gold and Black Serving Tray With Glasses

Gold Leaf Bar Tray

Add the finishing touches to the bar tray. Rub antiquing finish into cracks and ridges. Wipe away any excess with rag, then remove the tape. The tray is ready to be stocked with drinks, spirits or appetizers.

By: Janell Beals

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Materials Needed:

lacquered black serving tray
painters tape
gold leaf sheets
liquid adhesive

gold leaf sealer
gold leaf antiquing
2 foam brushes

Gather Supplies

Source black lacquered serving tray, collect needed supplies. Tip: Can't find a lacquered tray? Create the look of by paiting a wooden tray with glossy black spray paint.

Black Lacquered Serving Tray With Project Supplies

Gold Leaf Bar Tray Supplies

Source black lacquered serving tray, collect needed supplies. Tip: Can't find a lacquered tray? Create the look by painting a wooden tray with glossy black spray paint.

Apply Painters Tape

Line inside lower edges of tray with painters tape, running the tape edge flush to tray surface. Press firmly in place.

Masking a Bar Tray for Gold Leaf

Line inside lower edges of tray with painters tape, running the tape edge flush to tray surface. Press firmly in place.

Apply Adhesive

Brush tray surface with gold leaf liquid adhesive. Let the adhesive set for approximately 30 minutes, or until tacky.

Applying Adhesive to Gold Leaf a Serving Tray

Coating a Bar Tray With Adhesive

Brush tray surface with gold leaf liquid adhesive. Let the adhesive set for approximately 30 minutes, or until tacky.

Apply Gold Leaf

Lay sheets of gold leaf over tray surface, overlapping slightly as necessary. Press into place with a foam brush. Tip: Don't worry about applying gold leaf perfectly. Folds and gaps in the leafing create surface interest.

Once the entire surface is covered with gold leaf, brush away loose particles with a foam brush.

Overlapping Gold Leaf on a Bar Tray

Lay sheets of gold leaf over tray surface, overlapping slightly as necessary. Press into place with a foam brush. Tip: Don't worry about applying gold leaf perfectly. Folds and gaps in the leafing create surface interest.

Gold Leafing a Bar Tray

Once the entire surface is covered with gold leaf, brush away loose particles with a foam brush.

Apply Sealer

Brush on a layer of gold leaf sealer. Let dry 30 minutes.

Adding Sealer to Black Serving Tray With Foam Brush

Sealing a Gold Leaf Bar Tray

Brush on a layer of gold leaf sealer. Let dry 30 minutes.

Apply Antiquing Finish

Brush on layer of gold leaf antiquing finish.

DIY Gold Leaf Serving Tray With Foam Brush

Antiquing a Gold Leaf Bar Tray

Antiquing finish is applied to this gold leaf bar tray with a foam brush.

Finish the Tray

Rub antiquing finish into cracks and ridges. Wipe away any excess with rag. Then, remove the tape. The tray is ready to be stocked with drinks, spirits or appetizers!