"Using magnetic paint" Topic

I was thinking about using magnetic paint to paint the bottom of a plastic tackle box to use to carry 28mm miniatures around, has anyone tried this?

So much easier to use steel paper or sheet magnet.

Magnetic paint is magnetic, but it isn't very powerful. I wouldn't think that it was strong enough to hold even plastic miniatures firm, let alone metal ones.

I did try exactly what you suggest a few years ago and it wasn't even close to working. But you never know; maybe there's a better magnetic paint these days that would do the job…

Hugh

You're unlikely to get a strong enough field to hold anything beyond steel paper. Better to use magnetic sheet of a reasonable thickness.

Magnetic paint is made with steel filings. Do not try to stick steel bottom figures to it. It is not good for heavy figures with magnetic bottoms. It barely holds fridge magnets. If you have mag bottom figs, use thin sheet steel, if steel bottoms, use magnetic sheets. Get both from MacMaster-Carr

link

It would probably be soft iron Bob, not steel – better magnetic properties, though I do think one product may be a ferro-nickel alloy.

Magnetic paint is designed for walls or similar installations where very light loads are to be placed – mostly limited to paper and thin card. Even then you need multiple coats (one brand says 4-6 as a minimum). It is very expensive and totally useless for the purpose you describe.

Bob gives good advice for a better solution. Get a thick, self-adhesive iron sheet for best 'pull', particularly if you have heavy figures.