ᐅ Kallax and Magnetic Paint – Does It Work?

Hello everyone,

I’m considering whether it’s possible to combine an IKEA Kallax shelf unit with magnetic paint to make the sides or back panels magnetically usable. My question is: does this really work if you apply magnetic paint to the back panel or shelves of a Kallax unit?

I know that magnetic paint often isn’t as strongly magnetic as one might hope, so I’m also interested in whether the weight of standard magnetic boards or magnets makes a difference.

Additionally, it would be useful to know if there are any special considerations regarding the surface of the Kallax—wood or maybe MDF?

Has anyone tried this themselves? And if so, how strong are the magnets in practice?

Thanks in advance for your insights and experiences!

Combining Kallax shelves with magnetic paint is generally possible, but there are some limitations.

Magnetic paint usually contains iron powder that reacts magnetically but does not generate a strong magnetic force. This means the adhesion on painted or veneered surfaces, common for Kallax, is often only sufficient for very light magnets or paper items with small magnets. Heavier metal magnets or larger objects generally do not hold well.

For better adhesion, it is recommended to apply the paint on raw or primed surfaces. Therefore, with Kallax, the surface would need to be properly prepared to ensure good paint adhesion.

Additionally, magnetic hold can be improved by applying multiple coats of magnetic paint or by combining it with chalkboard paint.

So, if a flexible and lightweight system is desired, this is feasible. For stronger magnets or heavier loads, however, installing metal plates behind the cabinet is advisable.

sarpa schrieb:
The combination of Kallax shelves with magnetic paint basically works, but with some limitations.

I agree completely – magnetic paint tends to have weak holding power and doesn’t always perform well on smooth surfaces like those of Kallax.

I tried it myself on my kitchen backsplash, which has a surface similar to Kallax. There, the magnetic paint only held very small magnets and notes; larger metal magnets tended to slip off.

It’s important to lightly sand and degrease the surface before applying the paint. Otherwise, the paint adheres poorly to the substrate, which further reduces its effectiveness.

If you only want to attach lightweight items, magnetic paint is a simple solution without major modifications. But for stronger magnets or heavier objects, a thin steel sheet behind the Kallax, as sarpa mentions, provides a significantly more stable hold.

I'll go into some detail since your project involves several technical aspects:

First, the standard backing material for Kallax units is made of thin MDF or particleboard with a veneer surface. This type of surface is not ideal for magnetic paint because veneers are often coated or sealed, so the magnetic paint does not adhere well.

Second, magnetic paint is not really a paint in the traditional sense. It is a mixture containing iron particles, but it is significantly less magnetic than metal.

Therefore, you should:

1. Unscrew and sand the backing panel to ensure good adhesion.
2. Apply several layers of magnetic paint (at least 3, preferably 4-5) to achieve a sufficiently thick coating.
3. Lightly sand between each layer to improve adhesion.
4. After drying, apply a layer of chalkboard paint on top to create a usable surface.

Important: The magnetic force comes from the iron particles in the paint but is not comparable to metal. Small neodymium magnets will hold well, but larger or heavier items will not.

An alternative would be to mount a thin magnetic sheet (e.g., steel plate) behind the backing panel. This may require replacing the backing or adding an additional panel.

What exactly do you want to attach or hold in the shelf compartment? How heavy are the magnets and the objects?

Depending on the application, there are practical differences.

TEBILO schrieb:
What exactly do you want to attach/store in the shelf compartment? How heavy are the magnets and the objects?

Thanks for the detailed response!

I mainly want to attach light pen holders, sticky notes, and possibly small metal containers to the side panels, so nothing weighing more than 200 grams (7 ounces). The magnets I plan to use are small neodymium disc magnets—relatively strong but small.

Do you think this is practical under those conditions?

It is also important to me that the surface after painting does not feel unpleasant or become noticeably uneven.

I haven't considered steel plates behind the back panel yet, but that sounds like a visible solution? Or can they be somehow concealed?

I’m curious if anyone else has practical tips or experience with Kallax.

Sebastij68 schrieb:
I mainly want to attach lightweight pen holders, notepads, and possibly small metal containers to the side walls

This should be possible using several layers of magnetic paint and neodymium magnets. It’s best to sand and degrease the side walls before painting.

Steel plates are usually visible unless you install them behind a removable cover panel.