Creating a magnetic surface~FAIL
Since I haven’t been getting much done around here lately I thought I would show you a big time Project FAIL! I had this vision, a magnetic pantry door to display anything I want, simply attach with a cute magnet. Easy right?
Martha Stewart
A long time ago I had painted the panels of the door with chalkboard paint so I could write all my lists, it worked great, but no, I had to go and change it.
I went to my local Home Depot and purchased my supplies and started with my first coat using a foam roller and a paint brush. (I’m not showing the brand but I’m sure you can figure it out)
A minimum of two coats is usually required, but coat after coat my magnets were not sticking.
After 5 coats and a empty can I threw in the towel and painted over the black with amazing grey. The door was not magnetic enough to hold most magnets, just the tiny ones, much less a magnet holding a piece of paper! They’d just slide down the door and fall onto the ground
Oh and did I mention how rough the door is…ugggg I did find one spot on the door that seemed to hold the containers but after a few minutes those too fell off.
If you want a magnetic space that actually works purchase a large sheet of galvanized steel, promise that stuff will work!
Who knows, it could have been user error, have you ever had luck with the magnetic paint? Hopefully my next project will be a little more successful!
I personally have not tried it, but I have read a bunch of reviews that say it does not work. Or if it did work, it was because they used magnets that were industrial strength.
I had the exact same issue with that paint! Tried to make a cute chalkboard surface magnetic! It was rough and splotchy and disgusting. I too had to trash it. Boo for crummy, time-waster projects!
At least all the rest of your space is still fabu!
I’m glad to know I’m not alone. DId you have to sand to get rid of everything?
Been there done that. We too wanted to create a magnetic chalkboard wall in our daughter’s room (large wall). I hired my painters…they followed the instructions (made sure to keep it stirred as directly), 3 or so coats (expensive since it only comes in tiny cans and is pricey to begin with), then 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint. FAIL…nothing stuck (not even the super strong magnets). Called “said company”…they admitted that we would need to coat it with more coats (5,6,?) especially if we were then covering it with chalkboard paint (it says you can paint over it…no one wants to look at that color!!). I told them 1)not happening, 2)not happy I paid my painters, 3)product failed to live up to what it claimed on the can, and 4)yes, all directions were followed. They offered to reimburse me for the paint. I would demand a refund. Personally, I am suprised it is still on the market. A few (and I mean very few) have said it works, but 99.9% say it is a total bust! I even posted about it on my blog awhile back to warn others.
Mine was a chalkboard in an antique frame. I threw it out! Couldn’t bare the thought of sanding!!
I was able to get it to work, but the one I did is holding up VERY lightweight items. They are basically pieces of laminated paper with a magnet on the back. The stuff smells terrible and is a total pain to work with. I agree they should stop marketing it the way they do… it doesn’t live up to the hype! And don’t get me started on whiteboard paint; that stuff is even worse!!!!!
Hi, I paint ALOT and have used this product. I have found that if you take your can over to the paint department and have them shake it well in their machine you will get better results and finish. The shelf life of magnetic paint is very short, it just needs a little shaking!
Ohh, I’m so glad to see this post. I just bought that same paint and was planning to paint something to make it magnetic. Glad you saved me hours of frustration. Thanks!
KC
OH NO!!!! I am so sorry it didn’t work out for you. We did this for a Chalkboard in the kids school room and it worked out. I can’t say I followed the instructions because I was in to much of a hurry to get it done. We used bare wood for ours, I haven’t tried it on any other surface as of late. But if I do I will be sure to let you know if it’s a Fail or a Win!! 🙂
xoxo
Was it for chalk or magnetic?
Thanks for sharing your fail! I’ve never tried magnetic paint but was toying with it. You’ve saved me! Blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
Awww. Well, I’m glad I didn’t attempt the huge magnetic wall in my daughter’s room after all. I read a few reviews and most people got the same results as you.
I did a magnetic wall in my daughter’s room. I did 5 or 6 coats and then covered it with 2 coats of regular paint (same color as the walls). You have to get “rare earth” (sometimes called super strong) magnets which are generally really small. I used paint I found on Amazon after reading the reviews – and you do have to lightly sand between coats. Kills your sandpaper though.
I bought the magnetic spray paint to use on an old frame that I made into a chalkboard and it didn’t work either. I’m glad to know it wasn’t just me!
I also tried with a huge FAIL to make a board for the grandkids to hang their art. SO as you mentiond I made a quick trip to the hardware sore and purchased the proper materials.
I’m so sorry the magnetic paint gave you such trouble. I haven’t tried it, but I’ve always been a little curious to know if it really works. Thanks for sharing.
Love a good fail! You go girl! I think the door looks adorable….magnets or not!
Happy day!
karianne
About two years ago, I decided to redo a chalkboard that was in my husband’s family home for his niece who was about to turn one. I decided to put magnetic paint under the chalkboard paint. Same problem that you had – I stirred the paint until my arm was about to fall off, put three coats of magnetic paint on the board, then two coats of chalkboard paint. The chalkboard works fine, the magnetic portion didn’t work at all. I’d say that magnetic paint is one big fail!
Bummer girl, and all that work. UGH, they need to know how bad it was!
I am so very glad you posted your fail (and a tiny bit happy to see that beautiful homes fail, too!). I wanted to use that paint in my niece’s new bedroom and now I will avoid it (and her unhappiness!).
I am so sorry Kristin you had to go through all of that. How frustrating! I have never tried magnetic paint. Hope you are having a great weekend!