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You are here: Home / DIY / DIY Magnetic Frame

DIY Magnetic Frame

November 24, 2013 By: Leslie2 Comments

Magnetic Frame - DIY Magnetic Frame
Months ago I set out to make a DIY Magnetic Frame. I wanted to have somewhere to put the magnets we receive from friends and family when they travel. Bob and I collect magnets from our travels too, and we put them on the refrigerator. Since, I don’t want the fridge to be too cluttered, I wanted another place for the magnets.  I started with a yard sale picture.

Magnetic Frame - frame before

I definitely didn’t buy this for the picture.  Strangely, I bought this same picture/frame another year at a yard sale too!  But, no one would know since that picture was transformed too.  I separated the frame from the glass.  The frame got sprayed with Rustoleum’s Heirloom White, my go-to white paint.  My plan for the glass was to coat it with Krylon’s Magnetic Paint.

Magnetic Frame - glass with krylon magnetic paint before

I had never used magnetic paint before, so I carefully followed all of the instructions.  I knew shaking the can well was important, as was multiple coats.  I think it took me two different weekends of spraying, since it needed so many coats.  I checked in between if it was magnetic enough, but it wasn’t.  So, I ended up spraying it with the whole can.

Magnetic Frame - glass after spraypaint

Unfortunately, even after a whole can it was not magnetic enough.  I could get a magnet to stick in a few spots, but not many.  I didn’t know what to do, but of course other people came to my rescue. It was so long ago, I can’t remember how the solution came to light, except for that it was The Kim Six Fix who suggested I try sheet metal.  I didn’t want to spend much money, since I had already wasted it on the can of the magnetic paint – glad I had got that half priced!  So, finally a few weekends ago I bought a piece of 12 x 16 piece of sheet metal at Lowe’s for $4.77.  I really only needed 11 x 14, so that was as close as I could get.  Now, I was stumped again….how to cut the sheet metal?  I decided to use trial and error as my approach.  We have plenty of tools in the garage, so one day I just started using them.  None were very successful initially, I tried wire cutters, a saw, and I think they were wire strippers.  I didn’t know they were wire strippers until Bob told me.  They actually cut the sheet metal, just not very nicely or easily.  Then, Bob said I should try another tool, which I didn’t think would work because they are only my gardening trimmers.  But, he was right, worked like a charm.

Magnetic Frame - cutting sheet metal

I was able to cut right along the lines that I had traced onto the sheet metal to cut it to the right size.  Once it was cut to size, then came the fun part, painting.  I was determined to use what I had, just to see what I could come up with as a finished product.  Here are my supplies: two colors of chalk paint, Frog Tape shape tape, and a brush.  I got all of these items for free when I was at the Haven Conference.

Magnetic Frame - painting supplies

The turquoise is a bit bright for me, but I didn’t want this to be too boring of a project, so I went for it.  I painted the turquoise first.

Magnetic Frame - sheet metal painted turquoise

It took a few coats to get it a nice color. My time was limited, so I think it was spread out over several days, which in my case probably meant several weekends.  After I had it coated well and it was definitely dry, then I applied the Frog Tape. I didn’t want it to be too busy of a pattern, so I decided to use the wave tape to make a bit of a frame.

Magnetic Frame - Frog tape wave tape placed on sheet metal

Getting each corner to meet right was a challenge, and they still didn’t turn out perfect, but they are good enough for me.  After I had the tape applied, I started to paint the white over top.

Magnetic Frame - painting white over shape tape

I just fully coated the whole sheet, and again it took several coats.  After allowing to dry, which was again at least a whole week, I finally removed the tape.

Magnetic Frame - removing shape tape

I removed the tape very slowly and I was quite excited to see such nice crisp lines when I began removing the tape.  But, I was quickly not as excited when the turquoise paint also started to come up with the tape.

Magnetic Frame - removing shape tape part 2

I don’t know what caused it to remove the paint too, but it was not fun.  Fortunately, since the lines were so crisp, I just used a small artist brush to touch up the turquoise paint without having to tape again.  After my touch-ups dried it was finally time to put the sheet metal inside the frame and hang it.

Magnetic Frame- sheet metal after painting and shape tape

Probably not the most exciting DIY project, and it may have been the most drawn out project, but I am happy with the results.  I finally have a pretty place to keep the magnets that I can see them regularly.

Magnetic Frame - After with magnets

It’s already pretty full…maybe I should have used a bigger frame and sheet metal!  Oh well!  I’m happy with the results, and glad I remained persistent even when my original project failed.

Have you had any DIY fails?  Did you give up or try again?  Anyone else collect magnets from your travels?

 

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Comments

  1. 1

    Kim (TheKimSixFix) says

    November 25, 2013 at 2:18 am

    That looks great! I love the way you used the frog tape! I have also tried that magnetic paint and it didn’t work for me either!

    Reply
    • 2

      Leslie says

      November 25, 2013 at 5:23 am

      Thanks Kim! I was so disappointed with the magnetic paint. But at least with your suggestion my project could still be completed. Thank you…I never would have thought of sheet metal!!

      Reply

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