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does magnetic paint affect magnetic information and electrical equipment? for ex., if i paint the wall behind my desk and computer, do i have to worry about the magnetic paint's effect on my computer?

The paint has metals in it that are not magnetized so it acts like any other metal - magnets are attracted to it.

So says their web site:

http://www.kling.com/magneticpaintindex.html

They even say it doesn't harm computers.

Cool idea.

call me a killjoy, but once painted, how do you un-magnetize the wall? This stuff could easily be the "previous owner's textured wall/venetian plaster" nightmare of 2005.
I'd put it on wood/tackboard, though.

when this was posted before didn't someone say it was a problem for wireless systems? I'm going to guess it's just metal shavings in the paint, so wouldn't harm electronic waves anymore than having a refrigerator does . . .

hilarious to think about it as a weird remnant that the next person in the space inherits...or maybe not so funny
still
sooooo intriguing!

I used it in my office right near my computer--and it hasn't caused any problems. I used two or three coats (can't remember exactly) and it's not superstrong but, with strong magnets, it works well enough. And the magnets from that ebay store are top notch--and offered in tons of different finishes to complement just about any look. The only change I would make: a few more layers of the primer and cover the whole wall with it. I painted the primer in a square on part of the wall and, after four coats of red paint on top, I can still see the outline of the primer. It's a bit frustrating but oh well.

Just remembered, I actually bought my magnets from a different ebay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/K-J-Magnetics

Oh, dang. You had me me at "magnetic paint". My Ebay order has gone through.

their full range of products, including magnetic thumbtacks, which i prefer to the cylinders, is available from their website:

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

Hi all, our company makes the magnetic paint and I wanted to pass along some info: because of the iron particles in the paint it will have a texture to it (like an emery board) and rolling it on is fast but it will increase the texure since it lifts "up" the paint. To reduce this, after the paint dries, use a green Scotch-Brite scrub pad to buff the paint and remove some of that texure - that will give you a smoother surface. You can also put a strippable wallpaper up first and then put the paint on over that if you are concerned about taking it off. Happy Painting!

Or make your wall into a magnet and a chalboard with magnetic-chalkboard paint from Yoyamart!

http://www.yoyashop.com/ys_product.asp?cat_id=41&prd_id=97

Ah, Magnetic Paint.

I used to work for a company that sold this stuff a few years before I got there.
I offer you this warning.

USE IT RIGHT AWAY. Do not let it sit in your closet or basement. Why?

The oxidizing process of the iron shavings suspended in the paint IS slowed down, but it is not stopped completely. What do you get when you combine oxidizing (rusting) particles and a sealed paint container?

A violent explosion whereby the lid of the paint can flies off, spraying grey primer everywhere, or a solid chunk of unusuable grey paint.

After replacing several carpets and automobile upholsteries, and refunding thousands of dollars to customers who had other problems with it, they decided to stop selling it.

I've been told those problems are mostly worked out, but I'd STILL be very careful with that stuff and use it RIGHT away....and yes, the surface does get rather rough and you'd have to sand it off if you ever wanted a smooth wall again. I'd recommend covering a large piece of masonite with the stuff, and tacking it to the wall.

thank you beccajo
for the pre-explosion info

now I want to buy it and leave it sitting in a safe area just for the explosion! lol

how long does it take before liftoff?

Well, from what I know, it WAS about 6 months to a year from date of manufacture.

However, as I said, they 'supposedly' fixed that problem. I'm not even sure the original company that made the paint is the one making it now.

We still got people 3-4 years after they had bought it calling us and saying 'It's a big congealed lump, what do I do?' and I had to refund their money outright, no questions asked.

So it either exploded, or congealed, and I don't know what factors determined the outcome.

If you want the same effect, try this

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/lemonjuicerockets.html

Hi, regarding the explosions, all Magnetic Paint is not made the same way. We use a totally pre-oxidized iron powder - there simply isn't any further oxidization happening. All I can tell you is that we've had cans in our warehouse for four or five years and they haven't exploded. Also, the paint has been through both the QVC and HSN QA/QC programs, which are extremely rigorous. I hope this eases your minds about this product :)

I have a web site at www.lyt.com that sells a magnetic paint additive, a harmless dry powder that mixes easily with ordinary paint to make a super strong magnetic paint. It mixes easily, fresh each time you use it, no sitting around in closets and car trunks waiting to explode. It's child and pet safe, no dangerous chemicals and it can't harm anything in your computer. Magnetic paint does not have any actual magnetic energy of it's own and does not attract steel objects. Like a steel surface, magnetic paint only attracts magnets. My Magically Magnetic Paint is safe. I can't attest to the safety of the premixed explosive liquid magnetic paints on the market. The only danger conected to my additive is if you would drop it on your foot. It's heavy. We put eight pounds of magnetically attractive material in every gallon of ordinary paint.

Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about my product.

I am still wondering about wifi signals ...

http://www.theregister.com/2006/12/06/no_wifi_for_xmas/

I've never heard of magnitic paint before. This is such a cool idea!

How bad is it without insulation?

Um and Uh - because this paint has a high density of metal shavings, i would say this will basically stop any wireless signal from passing through the wall, acting like a faraday shield. the solution to this is to either not use it on a wall you want wireless signals to pass through or only use it on a small portion of the wall.

follow-up to that - a recent post mentions that this stuff can't hold a magnet without many many coats, so i'm gonna scratch my "high density" suspicion and say that this will probably only cause signal degredation rather than outright blocking.