SPEKTRA Magnetic is an interior wall paint with magnetic action, which offers a creative approach to the designand decoration of wall surfaces with a great deal of functionality. It contains a special ferromagnetic substance that allows you to easily attach and change drawings, photos, posters and notes directly on the wall without damaging its surface. Since it is based on a material with magnetic properties, which gives the paint a distinctive grey colour, it can be used as a primer which can then be painted over with a top decorative coating in your preferred colour tone without losing the effect of magnetic action. A magnetic surface therefore doesn’t mean your wall has to be dark grey – the colour can be adjusted to fully meet your own needs and style.

Method

Before you start painting, remove any dust, loose particles and other dirt from the wall, and fill in any visible cracks and damaged areas with putty. The substrate should be completely dry and set before you paint it. SPEKTRA Magnetic is ready for use and doesn’t need to be diluted. All you should do is stir the paint thoroughly to avoid sediment of pigment or other ingredients, and you’re ready to paint. Apply the paint with a microfibre roller or a paintbrush, and if you want to achieve a perfectly smooth magnetic surface, you can also apply SPEKTRA Magnetic with a stainless-steel trowel.

We recommend applying several layers, at least 3 to 4, particularly when you’re aiming for a strong magnetic effect or planning to apply a top coating in your preferred tone of colour. One kilogram of paint yields 3 coats on a surface of 1.5 m². The paint is dry enough to apply the next coat in 4 to 5 hours, depending on air temperature and humidity in the room. The time of drying is longer at lower temperatures and higher air humidity. While the individual layers are drying, your can protect your tools from getting crusty with some PVC film or a plastic bag, which will save you some cleaning work later on.

A smooth surface allows easier and stronger adhesion of magnets to the wall. After you’ve applied the last coat of magnetic paint with a roller or paintbrush, smooth it over while still wet with a stainless trowel, and gently sand once dry. Before applying the finishing paint in your preferred tone of colour, we also recommend applying a thin layer of SPEKTRA Level Fine levelling compound.

It is also advisable to test the magnetic power. The magnets you intend to use should be powerful enough for a single magnet to hold at least 5 sheets of standard office paper. If it fails to do so, the magnet is too weak, and you should either try another type of magnet or add another coat of SPEKTRA Magnetic paint to ensure sufficient adhesion even after the top coat has been applied.

The best way to apply the top coat is with a fresh roller or paintbrush, because it is very hard to fully remove SPEKTRA Magnetic paint residue from tools, and if used again, they might stain the finishing paint. When selecting wall paint for the finishing coat, you should avoid using paints which are not mechanically resistant, because the magnets can damage them and leave black marks. We recommend using SPEKTRA Latex Matt, SPEKTRA Latex Semi-matt or other high-performance paints that are resistant to wet cleaning and cutting and also offer a wide range of colour tones to choose from.

A magnetic wall that fits any home

Children love to have fun sticking drawings to the wall, but the use of adhesive tapes, various sticky putties and drawing pins will eventually smudge the wall or cause damage. A magnetic wall surface is therefore ideal for children’s rooms as it offers them endless possibilities for play. For example, they can attach or draw a complex network of roads and zoom around with magnetic race cars. To avoid damage to the wall as they drag the magnets across it, ensure additional protection by sowing the magnets into small textile pouches and fastening them to the rear of the cars. You can create the universe, a forest or a zoo, and fashion the magnetic animals by yourself, from cardboard or stiff paper. If nothing else, a magnetic wall can also serve as a mini gallery to show off all the latest masterpieces of our little artists.

However, there is no reason why play should be limited to the children’s room. Are you a fan of Scrabble? Make your own letter magnets and simply play a game on your wall. It is also a good solution for killing time if you’re a member of the family who is always first on the way out, waiting for the rest of the family to get ready.

Another great idea is wooden clothes pegs which can easily be transformed into magnets that will help you organise your home office space. They will hold all the picture cards, magazine cuttings, photos, children’s drawings and other keepsakes until placed elsewhere. Globe trotters might like the idea of a world map which displays a collection of magnets or other small souvenirs from their various travels. A magnetic wall can be a convenient element in the kitchen, when you need to organise your recipe cuttings or shopping lists.

Recently there is also a growing trend to use magnetic foil of large dimensions, printed with images such as large geometrical shapes, which can be moved around space over and over to form a wide array of new structures. A wonderful opportunity for all people who like to freshen up their space often, quickly and easily.

As a somewhat unconventional alternative to the classic Christmas tree, you can also create a magnetic tree that will grow with your family and your magnet collection, which can be moved anywhere in your home just like your other furniture. You can move and change it as many times as you like, and in the warm months, it can be hidden from view under a decorative top coat in the hue of your choice. Another option is to draw your Christmas tree on a large piece of cardstock, attach it to the wall and decorate with magnet ornaments. This is perfect for small apartments where space to set up a Christmas tree is harder to find with every year.

A magnetic wall allows you to express your creativity in your home for a long time after your have finished remodelling it. Life is full of changes, so why should your walls stay the same?