#1 Home Improvement Retailer

Cart

Cart

Home
Paint
Craft Paint
Chalkboard Paint
Rust-Oleum Specialty Chalkboard Paint

Internet # 202351175

Model # 247596

Store SKU # 430032

30 oz. Dark Gray Magnetic Primer

Questions & Answers (59)
$42.49
Apply Now
Pay $17.49 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. 
Apply for a Home Depot Consumer Card
  • Convert almost any indoor surface into a custom magnet board
  • Works on wood, metal, masonry, drywall and plaster
  • May be top-coated with any latex or chalkboard paint
  • View More Details

Free & Easy Returns In Store or Online

Return this item within 90 days of purchase.

Read Return Policy

Ask about this product

Get an answer now with AI

Magic Apron Assistant is an AI virtual assistant. By proceeding, you consent to the recording and use of your information by The Home Depot (and authorized third parties). More information

Product Details

About This Product

The Rust-Oleum Specialty 30 oz. Magnetic Primer is a base coat that allows you to create a surface that attracts magnets almost anywhere. Use it to create a fun and unexpected way to hang notes, photos and more. Paint may be applied to wood, metal, masonry, drywall and plaster and then top-coated with any latex paint or chalkboard paint.

Highlights

  • For interior use on wood, metal, masonry, drywall and plaster to create a magnetic attraction
  • Container provides enough product for three coats of coverage on a 16 sq. ft. area; if coating a surface larger than 16 sq. ft., use additional product
  • Flat finish provides a surface that can be easily top coated with any latex or chalkboard paint
  • Oil-based formula creates a surface that attracts magnets
  • Apply three coats of primer 30 minutes apart, top coat 4 hours after final coat of primer
  • Unique formula contains actual metal particles and cleans up with mineral spirits
  • Metal pigments will settle to bottom of can; stir thoroughly prior to use to ensure a smooth, lump free consistency
  • Continue to stir product throughout application to keep metal pigments evenly dispersed
  • Applying to smooth surfaces creates the strongest attraction
  • Use a dense, foam roller and apply with a consistent up and down motion during application
  • Apply at least 3 coats of primer to surfaces, additional coats will intensify attraction to magnetic surface
  • First coat of primer should be sufficient enough to completely hide underlying surface and subsequent coats should be of equal thickness
  • Strong heavy-duty magnets with minimal weight perform best
  • Wait 48 hours before use to ensure surface completely dry
  • Read all instructions prior to use
  • Online price includes PaintCare fee in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DC, ME, MN, OR, RI, VT, WA
  • Note: product may vary by store
  • Return Policy
  • California residents
     see Prop 65 WARNINGS

Product Information

Internet # 202351175

Model # 247596

Store SKU # 430032

Additional Resources

Shop All Rust-Oleum Specialty

Specifications

Container Size: 1 Quart

Dimensions

Container Size

1 Quart

Details

Application

Specialty Finish/Small Project

Application Method

Brush

Base Material

Acrylic

Coating Product Category

Paint

Color Family

Gray

Color Family

Gray

Color/Finish

Gray

Coverage Area (sq. ft)

16

Dry to Touch (min.)

30 min

Interior/Exterior

Interior

Kit

No

Number per Package

1

Paint Key Features

No additional features

Paint Product Form

Liquid

Paint/Stain Clean Up

Mineral Spirits

Returnable

90-Day

Sheen

Flat/Matte

Specialty Finish

Magnetic

Surface Material Use

Drywall, Masonry, Metal, Plaster, Wood

Transparency

Solid

Questions & Answers

Doesn't look like this is a white paint that can be tinted to a specific color. So my question is: Can I paint over top of this with my paint color and still have it work?/Will it still work with another paint over top of it?
ByMay 10, 2023
1 Answer | 
Answer This Question

Great question, Jessi! Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer can be topcoated with any latex topcoat after 4 hours. Avoid heavier coats of the topcoat, as it will reduce the effectiveness of magnets. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 3

By|May 11, 2023
    Can I used this on cork board to make a magnet surface?
    ByFeb 28, 2023
    1 Answer | 
    Answer This Question

    Happy to help, Jackie. Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer can be applied to wood, metal, masonry, drywall and plaster, unfortunately it cannot be applied to corkboard, it will not adhere to that material. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 6

    By|Mar 1, 2023
      Can I use this over a chalkboard?
      ByNov 6, 2022
      1 Answer | 
      Answer This Question

      Happy to help, Michele! For the best results, we recommend applying Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer to a clean, smooth surface. A smoother surface will provide for a stronger magnetic attraction. Make sure the surface is clean of any chalk dust to ensure full adhesion. Please keep in mind, this product will not create a writable surface. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 3

      By|Nov 7, 2022
        will this paint hold up refrigerator magnets? We have a large collection, and are considering this paint to convert a drywall into a "display case" for fridge magnets. I heard that if you if you many coats (7-10) it will work better. Thoughts?
        ByAug 12, 2022
        1 Answer | 
        Answer This Question

        Thanks for reaching out, David. Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer is a base coat that allows you to create a surface that attracts magnets. For best results, shake the can in an electric shaker in the paint department or stir paint thoroughly for at least 10 minutes, scraping the bottom of the can. Stir to a smooth, lump free consistency and stir regularly during application. Apply at least 3 coats of primer and no more than 2 coats of top coat for maximum attraction. Rare earth magnets adhere best to the treated surface. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 6

        By|Aug 23, 2022
          (1)
          can you put this on a canvas
          ByMar 24, 2021
          2 Answers | 
          Answer This Question

          Thanks for reaching out. Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer can be applied to wood, masonry, metal, drywall and plaster, it cannot be applied to canvas. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 6

          By|Mar 24, 2021

            No

            By|Oct 29, 2021
              how much does one can cover
              ByJan 4, 2021
              2 Answers | 
              Answer This Question

              Read the can.

              By|Sep 5, 2021
              (1)

              Happy to help Chico! Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer has practical coverage of 39-48 sq. ft. (1 coat) per quart, 13-16 sq. ft. (3 coats) per quart. When calculating coverage, keep in mind 3 coats of Magnetic Primer is recommended for best results. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 6

              By|Jan 5, 2021
                can i use dry erase paint
                ByOct 17, 2020
                2 Answers | 
                Answer This Question

                Probably; I used chalkboard paint over it. However, the magnetic paint is not very strong at all, and even less so through another coat or two. Plus, if you’re painting directly on a wall, you’ll be dealing with an uneven surface. I highly recommend getting a magnetic dry erase board instead, if you can make that work for your project.

                By|Oct 19, 2020

                Thank you for your response, Kris. No, we do not recommend using the Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer under the Rust-Oleum Specialty Dry Erase Kit. The Dry Erase Kit is a 2-part epoxy that requires a minimum of 3 coats for proper application. Since epoxies are thicker than regular paint and so many coats are needed, the Magnetic Primer is not strong enough to work through the Dry Erase Kit. For a multi-purpose surface, instead, use Rust-Oleum Magnetic Primer with Rust-Oleum Clear Chalkboard Paint. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-30-oz-Clear-Chalkboard-Paint-2-Pack-284469/205725795 - Rust-Oleum Product Support 5

                By|May 12, 2022
                  (1)
                  Can this magnetic paint hold tools on a wall?
                  ByJun 19, 2020
                  3 Answers | 
                  Answer This Question

                  No can’t hold a small refrigerator magmatic can hold tools

                  By|Aug 19, 2020

                    Absolutely not. Barely holds refrigerator magnets. Get the magnetic strips designed for that.

                    By|Oct 19, 2020

                    Happy to help! Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer creates a surface that attracts magnets to it. This product will not hold up metal objects on its own. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 3

                    By|Nov 30, 2021
                      (1)

                      Viewing 1-8 of 59

                      Customer Reviews

                      2.6 out of 5

                      • 2.6 out of 291 reviews
                      • 40% recommend this product
                      Filter by:
                      Showing 1-10 of 291 reviews
                      Aug 6, 2025
                      Do not buy! Need to skim coat with drywall to fix
                      Wish I could give it zero stars. Had the store mix the paint. Started project same day and followed the user instructions. Painted 4 coats as recommended for a strong hold and light sanding as found it was bumpy. Says it’s compatible with their chalk paint so put 2 coats on top of magnetic primer. The wall turned out super bumpy and when primed with chalk prior to use the chalk no longer wipes after for a nice surface. The wall looks so bad that we consulted 3 paint companies and we are looking at 1,000$+ to have a company skim coat the one wall to get it back to normal ready for us to paint. So the small DIY cost 300$ in Rust-Oleum paint and now the repair to not even have the magnetic/chalk wall we wanted for the play room.
                      by
                      Response from Rust Oleum TeamAug 7, 2025
                      Thank you for sharing your experience with us. This is not what we expect from our Magnetic Primer and Specialty Chalkboard Paint. It certainly appears you did everything correctly. We do want to gather more details to look into this further. Please give us a call at 1-800-387-3625. We would be more than happy to assist you further as we would love to make things right if you give us another chance. – Rust-Oleum Product Support 1 rustoleum-ca
                        Mar 13, 2023
                        Difficult to work with but it is magnetic...
                        My kid wanted a MAGNETIC CHALKBOARD WALL (137inx89in) so I bought this product as well as the recomended foam roller and a quart of Beautitone Chalkboard paint in black. First of all, the "light grey" primer is more like thick black sludge that you have to constantly mix by hand. (Getting the store to mix it in the shaker didn't do anything) Use in little batches because it dries fast and causes clumps as it dries. I thought one can would be enough for 2 coats but I was sadly mistaken and had to hunt down another can. 2 cans resulted in 2 full coats and enough leftover for spot touch ups for where I thought my kid would use magnets the most (concentrating on the middle strip of the wall) The end texture was like sand paper and roller marks were visible. I hoped the paint would cover that... I was wrong. Because the primer was pretty much black, I thought this would help with extending the black chalkboard paint I was going to put on top. Again, I was wrong. I put on a first coat of chalkboard paint with a regular pile roller but when it dried I didn't like how rough the wall was, it wouldn't be good for chalk... So for the 2nd coat I hand-painted it to get in the grooves and used a squeegee to try and make it smooth. After drying, even if the texture was less gritty, you could still see all of the roller marks from the primer through the paint! So back to the store I went for more chalkboard paint! The 3rd coat I just hand-painted on as well to make sure I had a good even coverage. I will edit my review once dried for 7 days and chalkboard conditioned.
                        by
                          Jan 19, 2022
                          It works if you work
                          This is a great product but you need to follow the directions and not take shortcuts. Mix it well. It says covers 20 sq feet, don't count coats, calculate coverage. Earth magnets are a must not just a suggestion. They are not expensive and well worth it.
                          by
                            • Recommended
                            2 found this review helpful
                            Nov 10, 2021
                            Love it
                            Mixing was tough. Once on the wall, I had to sand to make smooth
                            by
                            • Verified Purchase
                            • Recommended
                            1 found this review helpful
                            Aug 26, 2021
                            Do NOT waste your money and time
                            Should have taken it as a sign not to purchase when the product was missing its UPC on the can. When I purchased it, all the cans on the shelf did not come in boxes as pictured on line, product outdated? I proceeded to purchase 3 cans of the magnetic paint, had the product mixed at the store, went home directly after, opened the cans and the product was still in big clumps, and was adhered to the sides of the can. Spent half an hour mixing it myself. Proceeded to follow the steps on the can, had a new foam roller as directed. Applied 4 thin coats, waited until each coat dried 4 hours before applying the next. Continued to apply each coat hoping that it would get better but it got worse and worse. The foam roller absorbed more of the product than what was placed on the wall. After each thin coat was applied the wall appeared to be gaining a grainy texture. The product rolled off the brush when trying to paint the edging and splattered everywhere. Again, praying it would get better I applied the 2 thin coats of chalkboard paint, this time with a nap roller, but it was too late to save the wall, the texture of the magnetic paint has made it look like an eyesore. I consulted a professional painting company and was advised that the magnetic primer would have to sanded down, or plastered over. Was told that a foam roller should not have been used to apply the magnetic paint, as it does not spread the product properly, contradictory to what the can states. This product is not worth the aggravation, time, and money.
                            by
                              Aug 14, 2020
                              We bought this because my wife wanted to create a magnetic chalkboard to use while teaching remot...
                              We bought this because my wife wanted to create a magnetic chalkboard to use while teaching remotely from home. The one can was enough for three coats for the size she wanted and it works like a charm for magnets. She then painted over it with chalkboard paint, and it looks and works great.
                              by
                              • Verified Purchase
                              • Recommended
                              9 found this review helpful
                              Jun 19, 2020
                              Yes it will hold thin magnets!
                              Get it shaken at the store! [But youll still need a couple stir sticks] The paint is metal flakes suspended in liquid, it will settle. It also carries a very strong scent. Cleared out quickly but you'll need ventilation during the job. As a gearhead I loved the smell: picture a million mile oil pan with the purest sludge you've ever seen, mmm. Best to start with super smooth skim coat[level 5] Now, 7 coats. If you're doing this after 2017 and are still complaining about magnets not sticking youre not thinking outside the box. I read a few reviews with 3 coats this and that and immediately said, ok 6 coats. Yes my wife balked at 3 cans but I guaranteed results. Get your cans opened, stir stick in hand and spoon all the paint into a bucket, 2 gal is sufficient. Grab that handheld mixer attachment that's been sitting in the kitchen for 30 years and get it on your drill. Now mix the paints going from a low to high setting while continually getting the coat off the bottom of the bucket. Mix well between pour and keep covered with plastic, it sets quickly. When the last magnetic coat is ready to pour add your top coat at 1/3 to 1/2 volume and blend in bucket. Should only have to top coat once for full coverage.
                              by
                                • Recommended
                                17 found this review helpful
                                Feb 22, 2020
                                Easy, effective
                                As advertised and as you can see, when applied this paint produces a magnetic surface. It's as easy as paint to apply but 1. Make sure to have it shaken at the place of purchase just before you start your project, if you let it settle you are unlikely to get good results and you absolutely cannot shake it adequately by hand. 2. Apply 3-4 coats, maybe 5 if you're painting a textured wall. 3. For best results skim coat the surface you're painting. Regular fridge magnets work on this surface. If done correctly this product is great and is as easy to apply as regular interior paint.
                                by
                                  • Recommended
                                  5 found this review helpful
                                  May 16, 2018
                                  Very expensive, purchased two cans and still it would not work as mentioned. On the plus side the...
                                  Very expensive, purchased two cans and still it would not work as mentioned. On the plus side the black looks good but now will be covered up. Now resorting to either metal or cork board.
                                  by
                                  Response from Rust-OleumSupportMay 17, 2018
                                  Thank you for sharing your experience! There are several things to keep in mind when using the Rust-Oleum Specialty Magnetic Primer. The first thing is that the iron-containing pigment in the paint can easily settle to the bottom of the can, so stirring to get all of the pigment re-incorporated into the paint is essential. Also, it's important to use the right amount of paint for the area you're painting. Ideally, one quart of the primer is needed for about a 16 square foot area. If the product is not applied heavily enough, you won't get the full magnetic effect. If it takes more than 3 coats to get the proper amount on the surface, that's ok; simply keep applying until you have the correct amount on the surface for the area that you are covering. The smoother you get the primer on, the better it works, since the magnet will have more contact points to hang on with, so a foam roller is recommended for application. Larger, flexible magnets are usually the best to use, since they're stronger and have more surface area. As a primer, this product can be painted over with just about any kind of wall paint without affecting the magnetism. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 7 Rustoleum
                                  • Verified Purchase
                                  Apr 22, 2018
                                  This is a decent magnetic surface, and more coats does improve the hold. It will not hold somethi...
                                  This is a decent magnetic surface, and more coats does improve the hold. It will not hold something super heavy. I purchased 30 mil magnetic sheets and even one coat will hold small magnets on. I do recommend 2 - 3 coats if you would like a stronger hold.
                                  by
                                    • Recommended
                                    3 found this review helpful
                                    Showing 1-10 of 291 reviews