Magnetic paint does just what it sounds like it does: it turns your walls into a place where you can stick up anything from pictures to papers to small storage containers with the help of a magnet. And of course, it doesn't just have to be your walls. Just like chalkboard paint, you can get creative and paint furniture and accessories too.
A door (top) and a window (bottom), both transformed into bulletin boards using magnetic paint, from Design*Sponge
Magnetic paint isn't actually magnetic. It's paint filled with little bitty pieces of oxidized iron shavings, so your wall isn't magnetic -- it's metallic. Still, magnets will stick to your painted wall just as they would your fridge.
Small storage containers stuck to the magnetic wall using magnets, as seen on Apartment Therapy: Chicago
Because of the shavings, magnetic paint can have a rough texture like an emery board. You should probably sand it down a bit between coats, and if you're using a non-magnetic paint over the top, opt for a flat color. A gloss will only emphasize the bumps. It's like using a shimmery makeup over your zits -- it only draws attention to it.
You don't have to use only pre-made magnetic paint. Magically Magnetic, Inc. offers a mix-in that'll turn any brand n' color you choose into the stuff of Magneto's dreams. (He's an X-Men bad guy who controls metals like a magnet -- know your comic books!) In order to ensure a strong magnetic hold, you'll probably want two or three coats of the magnetic stuff. But once you've done your coats and sanded them down, you can take your wall an extra step toward AWESOME: paint over the magnetic paint with chalkboard paint! With a place to write notes and post up papers, who even needs a fridge anymore? (Well, I guess I still need a place to keep the vodka cold...)
And don't worry, magnetic paint won't screw up your computers and electronics any more than your fridge does. Remember, it's really metal, not magnets. Now, if you go crazy and paint all your floors, walls, and ceilings with the stuff, you risk disrupting any wifi or cell signals coming into the room, but maybe some of you conspiracy nuts are into that kind of thing. That way the government can't read your thoughts, right?
But you do think you'll get tired of having Iron Man on your walls (that's comic book reference number TWO, nerds!), here's a way to ensure easy removal. First, put up strippable wallpaper, and paint over that. When you're ready to take that paint to the scrap heap, peel the wallpaper off and you've got a fresh, non-metallic wall once again.
One last word on magnetic paint: if you decide to use it, use it right away and be careful when storing your remainders. If the iron in the paint isn't fully oxidized, it can continue to do so in the can, emitting gases and building pressure until the can goes POP! Most paints are fully oxidized, but check with your retailer to make sure the paint you're using is safe to store, just in case.
For more info, Apartment Therapy has a great article here.
Via Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy.
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