This specialty paint will give you a magnetic surface—but it won’t be like your fridge
Magnetic paint can create a fridge-like surface where magnets can stick.
You can use magnetic paint on any surface, but it’s most effective on walls.
Using the right magnets is key for getting a “sticky” surface.
You need multiple coats of paint to create a magnetic surface.
When you’re looking to paint a room, there’s much more to decide on than color. If you want to create a statement wall, consider using magnetic paint to make a conversation-starting feature.
But it’s important to review the considerations of this paint type before you commit to using this specialty paint. Whether you’re sprucing up a playroom or giving your children a place to hang art in their bedrooms, here’s everything you need to know about magnetic paint.
With iron dust particles embedded into a liquid medium, magnetic paint seeks to mimic the properties of an old refrigerator or metal cabinetry. In short, it makes the walls magnetic.
Maybe you want to paint wall murals in a room and adorn it with magnetic decorations. Or perhaps you want to make a calendar or build an interactive magnetic whiteboard to have somewhere to hang reminders without punching holes in the wall. Magnetic paint is the go-to for any of these situations.
You don’t need anything special: You can add magnetic paint to any surface that will take paint like walls, ceilings, wood, and more. (Pro tip: While you can apply magnetic paint to steel, it’s a better investment to buy a large sheet of magnetic galvanized steel and paint it.)
However, applying magnetic paint to glass, like applying any kind of paint to glass, is a challenge. You’ll need to put in extra prep work and prime the surface thoroughly to ensure solid adhesion.
The short answer: kind of!
Although magnetic paint sounds cool, know that there is some skepticism in the interior design world about whether it works as well as advertised. While magnetic paint may work on a technical level, it doesn’t have the same magnetic power as, say, a magnetic surface like a refrigerator or metal filing cabinet.
A major factor that determines whether you’ll be able to adhere magnets to your surface is by using the right magnets. Clunky refrigerator magnets will likely fall off the surface, while smaller rare earth magnets are the most likely to stay and hold up your decor. Even with the right magnets, the surface won’t be strong enough to hold multiple pictures or pieces of paper simultaneously. Magnetic paint will only allow you to display one photo or note per magnet.
Your wall won’t attract metal unless you ace the magnetic paint application. These painting tips will help you avoid a sloppy, ineffective finish.
Don’t underestimate the importance of thoroughly stirring paint before using it. This step is even more important with magnetic paint, as the heavy metal pigments fall to the bottom of the can. Using a paint drill attachment or taking advantage of a stirring service at your local hardware store helps nail down the best blend.
Magnetic paint is dark, tacky, and thick. If you can avoid getting this material on trim, flooring, or furnishings, it will save you a lot of tricky cleanup headaches. This step is especially important when it’s an oil-based rather than water-based latex paint formula.
Properly prepping your walls ensures a smooth and clean surface for the most effective paint adhesion and magnetic properties. Cover any holes or cracks with filler, sand them down, and give the walls a good scrub to remove grease and grime. If your wall surfaces are glossy, lightly sanding them helps the paint to stick to the surface better.
If your surface is properly prepared and already painted, you shouldn’t have to apply another layer of primer. However, applying a layer of water-based primer is a good idea when using the paint on new absorbent drywall. That way, the magnetic paint should go further, and you might not need to apply so many coats.
For the best application possible, the surface should be super smooth to support the strongest magnetic attraction. Use a foam paint roller to apply the paint with an up-and-down motion on the wall. Continue to stir the paint regularly while applying the coats to stop the magnetic pigment from hanging around the bottom of the can.
You’ll want to apply a minimum of two magnetic coatings before taking two coats of high-quality interior paint to the wall as your finish. However, you’ll likely want to double the recommended number of coats of magnetic paint to create a strong enough surface to hang paper from magnets. Due to the added coats you’ll need to reach your optimum magnetic power, this DIY project is not as cost-efficient as using oil or latex paint.
Consider magnetic paint as you would any paint product and proceed by following proper ventilation practices and exercising patience as it cures between coats. The manufacturer recommendations will provide the basic advice for how long you should wait between coats of paint, but factors like temperature and humidity will also influence dry time.
Using magnetic paint is a DIY project you can easily accomplish on your own with a bit of prior experience with painting and some solid prep work. However, if you’re nervous about attempting to use magnetic paint or don’t have the time, you can always hire a local interior painter to do the job for you.
Like any paint, the magnetic type has a shelf life. Depending on the formula and manufacturer, the paint can last between 12 months and 5 years for an unopened can. But even magnetic paint with a five-year shelf life can go bad sooner, depending on the storage location and temperature. Opening the tin and improperly resealing it also expedites expiration.
If your paint smells funky and is still lumpy after stirring, this is a sign it isn’t usable anymore.
Magnetic paint is only available in dark gray or black because of the iron dust particles mixed through it. If your heart is set on a less-gloomy shade, add a top coat or two of other latex or chalkboard paint. But adding more than two top coats will degrade the magnetic properties. Dark top coats work better than light shades, as the black or gray magnetic paint is less likely to peek through.
If you need a stronger magnetic surface, or you need to use a different type of paint in the room (like waterproof paint in a damp basement), there are other accessible options. You could fit a steel panel over the wall, try magnetic wallpaper, or apply chalk paint instead.
If you want an inexpensive shortcut, hang a pinboard or chalkboard on your wall. These removable options are ideal if you’re a renter who can’t repaint or plan to move in the near future.
