Customer Reviews for Rust-Oleum Specialty 30 oz. Dark Gray Magnetic Primer

This was hard to get used to. You really have to mix with a stick slowly to get all of the metal to blend. It bent the can to put it into the shaker since it is so heavy. It makes a rough surface to paint over with the color you choose. When the project was done the magnets stuck to it without a problem. I made an ocean on the wall with magnet fish and the kids loved it.

Works well if you use a strong magnet.

Love this product ! I painted my hallway with this and the magnetic primer from this brand and it worked great !

My plan is to make a magnetic white board in the kitchen. I watched a video which indicated it could be done. I have put on six coats of this magnetic paint and it seems to have gotten stronger with each successive coat. This review was mostly to mention that you will be throwing away the paint tray and any brush/roller you use after you have finished with this. It is so greasy, thick, smeary... it's like tar when mixed. Also note that it settles really quick in the can. Stir it every time before pouring into your paint tray.

The first coat went on a little clumpy. After that dried we put on a second coat and that went on better. We sanded it a little and it didn't take much to smooth it out. We tried a magnet on it and it was sticking everywhere we put it. We will put on one more coat. Nice little product for a kids room.

can this go over latex

I would not recommend this product - I was painting a wall with it and applied 3 coats. It is thick and tar like so you have to mix it well. The odor is very strong. Only a strong magnet will sort of stick to it. I had to apply 2 coats of regular paint on top of it because it goes on streaky and then absorbed the regular paint making it streaky. I wish I would have just painted the wall and not used this paint. Tooooo much trouble for such little magnetic ability.

I created a 4 x 4 ft magnetic chalkboard on a drywall surface. I had help from an associate finding the first quart of magnetic primer. It would have been nice to be told that it should be shaken prior to taking it home to mix in the thick clay-like iron and pigments. I ended up having to mix it by hand and deal with lumps. I was able to apply 3 coats with one quart and it still wouldn't hold magnets. I then returned and purchased a second quart, of which it took the paint counter 2 times of shaking and stirring to get it smooth and well-mixed. I again applied another 3 coats and now have a surface that will hold magnets fairly well. I did cover it with 2 coats of chalkboard paint as well.Things to note: Not only do you need to be sure to have it shaken and use it fairly soon after, but it it the consistency of tar, along with the odor of tar. Super strong smell!! It would not go away until covered with the chalkboard paint. Also, it took on a very rough texture in some areas. After 6 coats of paint, I would have to really power sand my wall to remove this. It splatters really easily as well and does not come off. P)lan to toss everything it comes in contact with...paint roller, paint tray, etc. It does not wash off well with soap and water. Super greasy!

I purchased this to paint a magnetic chalk board on my wall (5'x4'). Although I carefully followed the instructions, the magnetism is extremely week. I had to purchase expensive magnets and they barely stay on the wall. I wouldn't waste your money on this product. I ended up sanding and painting over it and purchased a real magnetic chalk board.

I have concrete block sections in my classroom that nothing sticks to (tried the tacky poster board stuff and tape). I had one section that I used as my tester wall with the magnets and posters. It took six coats to get my posterboards to stay put but now my class doesn't have to strain to read our charts. I clearly states on the can at least three coats. That was the purpose of the test section. It dries super quick so I had time to check magnetic integrity after each coat. Completely satisfied and well worth the price and work involved.

Its pathetic... Yes it is “magnetic” But even after three coats it still won’t hold a magnet! and yes I mixed it well. I returned it to Home Depot for a full refund. They should seriously consider pulling this product from there shelves it’s that bad.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Great product really works well!

Did not work as expected. I would not recommend

Love this product! It makes any wall magnetic and is great for a kitchen.

I followed the instructions exact and it works great

The stuff is nasty and almost impossible to smooth.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

With a very minimum top coat everyday magnets don’t have the strength to stay. Disappointing product.

I am very experienced painting but this product was almost impossible to use and failed to be magnetic. I was really disappointed.

I painted a wood board and waited for it to dry. I attached several magnets to the board and they fell to the ground and broke...Very disappointed in the product.

Takes multiple layers, AND very expensive. Put thin layer of paint over and didn't work as well..... Had to buy another quart and paint again. Works, but nowhere near something of this price should....

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

This stuff is not safe for children

This stuff is not safe for children

I followed the directions exactly and it did not perform as expected. Magnets barely adhered to the surface. I tried several sizes. It says you could put a coat of paint or chalk paint over it, but I don't think it would hold at all if that happened. This was $20+ wasted.

The product does not work. Waste of money.

When using this, remember that it's not metal - it's paint with metal particles. It's never going to be as effective or strong as just buying a sheet of metal.That said...I was expecting it to be better quality in general than it is. It really isn't worth the price since you really need to use 6 layers before magnets start actually holding onto it, and after 6 layers things can start looking wonky, depending on the object you're painting (and, if you're painting a wall, it can get expensive really quickly to do a whole wall - I'm trying to make decorative magnetic chalkboards myself, hence the 'too many layers makes it wonky', but I've seen a lot of DIY's for magnetic walls as well). It's a really great concept, but I think the company needs to invest in trying to find ways to improve this product or at least lower their prices to a more reasonable rate for what they're selling.