PAINTING & DECORATING

Paint a chalkboard or magnetic wall

Paint a wall with chalkboard or magnetic paint for a fun, functional feature finished in one session.

AB-01Clear and protect the roomMove furniture away from the wall and lay dust sheets over the floor and skirting. Take down anything hanging on the wall, including picture hooks and screws. Open a window for ventilation, especially if using chalkboard or magnetic paint, both of which have a strong smell while wet.
1 each · Dust sheet
1 roll · Low-tack masking tape
AB-02Check what kind of wall you've gotThis changes how much filling and care your prep needs, even though you're only painting. Knock along the wall: solid brick or block sounds dull and firm all over. Plasterboard on timber or metal studs sounds hollow between the studs and firmer where a stud sits behind it — you can find studs with a magnet or stud detector if you want to know. Dot-and-dab plasterboard sounds hollow almost everywhere, with a slight give when pressed. Lath and plaster (common in pre-1930s houses) sounds hollow too, but often feels less solid and may have hairline cracks already.
AB-03Fill any holes, cracks or dentsOn solid brick or block, and plasterboard on timber or metal studs, fill normally with multi-purpose filler and sand flush once dry. On dot-and-dab plasterboard, fill gently — pressing too hard with the filling knife can push the board off its dabs, so use light strokes. On lath and plaster, use a flexible filler and avoid heavy sanding, since the old plaster keys behind the surface can be brittle and crack further if you're rough with them.
1 tub · Multi-purpose filler (1kg tub)
1 each · Filling knife
1 pack · Sandpaper, 120 grit
AB-04Sand and clean the wallSand any filled patches smooth once fully dry. Wipe the whole wall down with sugar soap and water to remove dust, grease and old furniture polish, then let it dry completely. A clean, dry wall is essential — both chalkboard and magnetic paint are heavier and thicker than normal emulsion, and they won't grip properly over grease or loose dust.
1 500ml bottle · Sugar soap
2 each · Cleaning cloth
AB-05Mask up edges and fittingsRun masking tape along the skirting, ceiling line, door frames and around any socket or switch faceplates. Press the tape down firmly so paint can't creep underneath. Don't remove socket or switch covers for a paint job like this — just mask around them.
1 roll · Low-tack masking tape
AB-06Prime the wall if neededBare plaster, freshly filled patches, or a wall that's a much darker colour than your new paint all need a mist coat or standard primer first. Let it dry fully — usually a few hours — before moving on. Skipping this on porous or patchy walls can leave uneven colour or patchy magnetism once you apply the specialist paint.
1 tin · Primer/mist coat, 1L
1 each · Roller sleeve, short pile
1 each · Roller tray
AB-07Apply the chalkboard or magnetic paintStir magnetic paint thoroughly before use — the metal particles settle fast, so stir again between coats. Magnetic paint usually needs three coats for a strong pull; chalkboard paint usually needs two. Use a short-pile roller for the main area and a small brush for edges and corners, letting each coat dry fully (check the tin, usually a few hours) before the next. On lath and plaster walls, several heavy coats of magnetic paint add real weight — check the wall isn't already bouncy or cracked before committing to it, and consider chalkboard paint instead if you're unsure.
1 tin · Chalkboard paint, 750ml
1 tin · Magnetic paint, 1L
1 each · Roller sleeve, short pile
1 each · Paintbrush, 25mm
AB-08Cure and season before first useLeave the paint to cure fully before you write on it or stick magnets up — this is usually 24 to 72 hours, so check the tin. For a chalkboard finish, season it first: rub the whole surface with chalk on its side, then wipe off with a dry cloth. This stops your first real message leaving a ghost mark behind.
1 box · Chalk, box
1 each · Dry cloth
AB-09Tidy upPeel off the masking tape while the paint is still slightly tacky for a crisp edge, pulling it away at a shallow angle. Wash rollers and brushes straightaway so the paint doesn't set in the bristles. Fold up dust sheets and bin any filler or paint scrapings once fully dry.
1 bottle · All-purpose brush cleaner
1 roll · Bin bags

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