okay then, from the decorating notebook. this is me Being informative…

the project began, as so many do, with me waving my beloved husband off on a business trip. By the time his car had cleared the driveway, I was up on a ladder stripping wallpaper.

The clandestine paint job had been planned for weeks, but a client’s question about magnetic primer had added a new level of intrigue. Deciding not to rehang a worn magnetic chalkboard, I dedicated the wall on which it had hung to the pursuit of knowledge: Magnetic Primer, Theory and Practice.

Some preliminary research offered up blog posts and reviews that ranged from ‘fabulous’ to ‘just shy of a lawsuit’. I suspect the reviews correlated to whether or not the user had read, understood and hello! - followed the application instructions.

There was also some mention about blocking wi-fi signals.

Uh oh.

When not traveling on business, the beloved husband works out of the house. Blocking the wi-fi signal? Not a plus in the marital harmony column. While the wifi was still wifi-ing, I dashed off a quick email…

To: My Beloved Husband
Subject: Magnetic Paint

Good morning, dear.
Nothing to be nervous about… just a little technical question…

Hypothetically speaking, if a person were to paint a wall with magnetic paint… do you think that would affect the wifi signal in their home?

When I say ‘wall’, I mean an expanse of say… 25 or 30 square feet.
And when I say ‘person’, think… kindly ol’ grandmama.
And when I say ‘hypothetically’, well… then you know you’re in trouble.

Have a nice day, dear.

So much for the element of surprise. But after a quick email exchange and a reassuring phone call, I picked up quarts of Rustoleum Magnetic Primer (Home Depot, $20.99) and black Chalk Board paint ($9.99). Let the games begin.

If you’re thinking of using magnetic primer, do read the technical info and instructions. Following them would also be a plus. Stir, stir and then stir some more, before and during application. Use a foam roller for smoothest application, wear gloves and open a window - it’s a latex product, but has a strong solvent odor. Understand that you won’t be hanging anybody’s thesis on the wall. Flat magnets work best and they hold one or two pages well. Awesome for art work and photos.

Rustoleum recommends one quart to do three coats over 16 square feet. Our lab technician (me) put five thin coats over approximately 28 square feet. They also recommend two coats of finish paint. I opted for black Chalk Board paint, but any latex paint will work. I applied two very thin coats and went back for a third coat to achieve a more uniform finish, with no adverse effect on the attraction. The magnets’ or mine.

If you use Chalk Board paint, Rustoleum recommends letting it cure for three full days before conditioning and use. ‘Conditioning’ is just coating the surface with chalk, then erasing. This helps to lessen the ghosting effect left after writing on and erasing the surface. It takes some time, not to mention a LOT of chalk to condition 28 square feet. Conditioning and dry erasing produces a softer, vintage-look finish.  If you prefer a crisp black finish, opt for wiping with a damp, lint free cloth.

I am totally stuck on this wall. Mostly because it looks so good, but also because I calibrated my expectations based on research, and it’s doing a fine job of living up to them.

And, I’m still married.