Succeed with magnetic paint
For many years, we have consulted on both big and small projects with painting walls with magnetic paint, but we have not found the time to make our own magnetic wall until now.
We have tested all the advice that we have received from our customers over the years, and then we have asked a master painter how not to do it, so that we could test it and describe here why you should not do it that way. Let's start with how you should paint with magnetic paint.
Tip 1: Clean the wall
The first tip to succeed is to clean the surface to be painted very thoroughly. It is essential for a good end result. And if you have to paint on top of wallpaper, a wash-down will also reveal if the wallpaper is too loose in some places, so you can fix it before you paint.
Tip 2: cover the floor
The magnetic paint is thick and dark, so be sure to cover the floor well. If you spill paint on the floor, you can remove it quickly with some white spirit or you can scrape it off with a flat screwdriver when the paint is dry. We can also recommend that you cover yourself with a painter's suit or make a suit from plastic bags with holes for the head and arms.
Tip 3: use masking tape and regular paint
It is always a good idea to line your painting work with masking tape. Especially if you want a perfectly straight edge. If you are painting on a lighter surface, it is a good idea to have a small dab of paint in the same color as the wall, which you paint along the masking tape before using the magnetic painting. It seals the edge so you get a perfectly straight and crisp edge. Otherwise, the magnetic paint may sneak under the tape and leave patches of unevenness along the edge.
Tip 4: mix the paint thoroughly
It is extremely important that you shake the paint bucket thoroughly before you open it and that you stir the paint bucket properly so that the iron filings are well mixed around. They gather at the bottom as a thick, hard mass. In addition to giving you a better result with even distribution of the magnetism, it also makes the paint easier to work with. If you think the paint is too thick, you can thin it with a little white spirit.
Tip 5: paint with a brush and a roller
The best result is achieved by painting with a narrow brush along the edge of the magnetic tape all the way around and then painting with a roller. Make sure to paint "wet on wet" but without paint dripping from the brush and roller. We achieved the nicest result by painting a strip of approx. 30 cm. and then painting a new strip that covered 50% of the strip that was just painted. If you paint until the roller is completely dry, you will get an uneven appearance with stripes in it.
Tip 6: wait 12 hours with the next layer
It can be tempting to add another layer of magnetic paint after a few hours because the wall seems dry enough, but it's not, so don't be tempted - wait for 12 hours.
Tip 7: paint 4-5 layers
You might be satisfied after 3 layers, but if you want to be able to hang paper on the wall and have the feeling that the magnet is secure, we recommend 4 layers. 5 layers if it is to feel magnetic like a whiteboard, where the magnet is attracted a few centimeters from the wall. We ourselves have painted a wall with 5 layers in the old premises in Gentofte. Now we have moved to Glostrup, but we haven't forgotten how to do it, so let us know if you would like us to tell you more about why we chose to paint 5 layers.
Read more about choosing magnets for magnetic painting here.
Tip 8: thorough ventilation
Turpentine has a very strong smell, which is harmful to your health if inhaled in large doses, so make sure to ventilate thoroughly - both when you paint and while the layers are drying.
What not to do
Never let the brush / roller dry
If you paint until the brush or roller is no longer wet at all, you will get some very thin layers on the wall. This leaves streaks and is only slightly magnetic. It gives both an inferior and an uglier end result.
Never paint immediately
It is super important that you stir the paint bucket thoroughly EVERY TIME you paint. Otherwise, the iron powder will not be mixed around well enough, and as a result you will not get an evenly distributed result with the magnetism.
Do not paint when it rains
The humid climate has a lot to say when you have to paint - this applies to all painting projects. Be sure to paint with magnetic paint when the weather is not too humid. This has an effect on the drying process.
Do not paint with closed windows
As previously mentioned, turpentine and white spirit is not healthy to inhale in large doses, so make sure to paint with the windows open, and air out the room at times so that the smell can escape.
Do not paint on damaged wallpaper
The results will not be great if you paint on top of damaged wallpaper, because magnetic paint is heavier than ordinary paint. You will find that the wallpaper will come off the wall if it is not firmly attached. Use your hands to feel for places where the wallpaper is not sticking properly before you paint - it may be a good idea to remove the wallpaper in those spots.
Never paint on a bare wall
Paint absorbs, and therefore you must prime your bare wall with primers or something else before painting with the magnetic paint, as you will otherwise have to paint a few extra layers of magnetic paint to get a good result, which is an expensive solution. In addition, there can also be no loose plaster, as it will detach and ruin the finished result.
Do not paint on a very uneven surface
If you have a very uneven wall or surface that you need to paint, we recommend that you smooth out the wall first so that it is fairly even, as this provides a better grip base for the magnets on the finished magnetic wall.
Still in doubt about details for your magnetic painting project?
If you have questions about your own magnet painting project, don't hesitate to contact us. We would very much like to help you start and finish your painting project successfully. We are happy to answer your questions about magnetic paint.
