The Best Ways to Use Magnetic Paint in Your Home
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Magnetic Paint
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Magnetic paint or primer can be a fun and trendy way to finish a wall. Done right, the paint allows magnets to stick to it, creating a gallery effect. The paint is often used by interior designers, and it looks great in kitchens, living rooms, kids’ bedrooms, small apartments, game rooms, and even school classrooms.
However, many homeowners are unaware of what it takes to actually create a successful magnet wall. It’s not as easy as slapping on a few coats of paint or hanging a whiteboard. Magnetic paint is messy and can be time-consuming to apply. Without going through the proper steps, you might end up with an extremely weak magnetic pull, causing your decorative plans to end up sliding toward the baseboards.
Read on to learn exactly what to expect from magnetic paint — and how to use it to create a strong, aesthetically-pleasing magnet wall.
What is Magnetic Paint Made of?
It consists of primer or regular paint with very small iron filings mixed throughout. These tiny particles create the magnetic effect.
The strength of your wall to attract magnets will depend on how many iron flecks are distributed. Because of this, it’s important to apply several thin layers of paint to really achieve a magnetic effect.
How to Paint Using Magnetic Primer
You’ll start by applying somewhere between two to six coats of magnetic paint. The more magnetic paint you apply, the more powerful the magnetic pull will be.
Once you’re done, you can cover the magnetic primer with anywhere from one to three coats of regular paint. Depending on the color you’re aiming for, it can be tempting to cover the magnetic primer with lots of regular paint. But too many coats of regular paint will dull the magnetic effect, so it’s better to keep this top layer light and thin.
Tips for Applying Magnetic Paint the Right Way
As mentioned above, if you’re envisioning a quick afternoon DIY project, it’s time to shift your priorities a little.
Magnetic paint is famously messy: you’ll need to have some painters’ tape, drop cloths, and plastic ready to protect your surfaces. The paint doesn’t go on as smoothly as regular paint, so it’s important to have the right stirring tools and brushes.
Here are some tips for using magnetic paint:
Stir well and frequently
The iron particles throughout the paint are what make it magnetic. The catch? They tend to settle on the bottom of the paint can. Use a wooden stirrer to mix the paint thoroughly before you pour it onto your paint tray or dip your brush into the container. Then, stir it regularly throughout the painting process.
If you’re concerned about arm strain — a valid concern since the paint is thick — look for a paint mixing drill attachment. It will stir the paint more thoroughly and save you a lot of effort.
Protect all surfaces
Magnetic paint is drippy and messy. Cover your floors and furniture completely with plastic, and wear protective clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty.
You should also prepare for drops of paint to fall from the brush on its way to the wall. Have a lot of drip cloths ready. Whatever you think you’ll need, buy several more.
Wear gloves
Be aware it will stain your surfaces, but it will also stain your skin. Unless you’re okay with having paint splatters on your fingers for the next few weeks, you should pull on a pair of latex gloves or painting mits before you open the container.
Don’t expect to have your wall be a light color
Magnetic paint doesn’t come in light colors. While you can always apply some additional coats to the top, you won’t be able to apply enough to completely erase the dark color.
If you have your heart set on a pastel nursery, for example, it may be best to drop the magnetic paint altogether. You could also paint your walls the original light color that you want, and set aside a small rectangular area — almost like a blackboard — for the magnetic paint.
Don’t combine it with chalkboard paint
When it dries, it has an uneven surface. Chalkboard paint is also famously bumpy, so you’ll want to avoid combining the two. Instead, choose a smooth paint to reduce the bumpiness of your final product.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many coats should I use?
Most manufacturers suggest using a minimum of two to three coats of magnetic paint or primer. However, many users report better results when they use three to six coats of paint. If you want to hang heavier objects (think several pieces of paper by one magnet) you should aim for 3+ of the magnetic paint or primer.
Keep in mind that it’s better to apply several thin coats as opposed to doing one or two thick layers.
Where can I buy magnetic paint?
Magnetic paint (or primer) is not hard to find. You can buy magnetic paint at your local hardware store, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, or straight from the manufacturer. Some of the best-known magnetic paint brands are Rust-Oleum and Magic-Wall.
Will magnets stick to it? How much weight will it hold?
As long as you apply the paint correctly (see the tips above), magnets will stick to your magnetic paint wall. The magnetic strength of your wall will depend on three factors:
How many coats of magnetic paint or primer you applied
How many coats of regular paint you applied on top of the magnetic primer, and
The heaviness of the objects and magnets you try to hang
Overall, expect a magnetic wall to be less strong than something like your refrigerator. However, you can improve the power of magnetic attraction by doing the following:
Use six coats of magnetic paint or primer. This might seem like a lot, but it will ensure that you have enough particles on your wall to create a strong magnetic pull.
Only apply one coat of regular paint over the top of the paint.
Invest in some lightweight yet powerful magnets. For example, disc magnets tend to be more magnetic than flimsier refrigerator magnets, and they’ll attach better to the iron flecks in your magnetic paint.
Is Magnetic Paint Right For Me?
Creating a magnetic wall requires a lot of elbow grease. If you hesitate at the idea of a large time commitment, you might be better off getting a magnet board or dry erase board. But if you’re ready to take on a messy weekend project, the result can be a fun, unique, and practical accent wall.
Take your time to prep your room properly, stir the paint frequently enough, and manage your expectations for the magnetic power of the wall. Do all that, and magnetic paint will be a great choice for your home.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
