DIY Magnetic Glass Dry Erase Boards

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Things You'll Need

  • Picture frame

  • Magnetic primer

  • Foam roller

  • Paper

  • Ruler

  • Pair of scissors

  • Glass cleaner

  • Cloth

Create your own dry erase board from an old picture frame.

The usefulness of a magnetic dry erase board in your home or work-place is limited only by your imagination. Unfortunately, magnetic dry erase boards may be priced outside your budget. While glass is an ideal surface for dry erase writing, and windows often serve as makeshift dry erase boards, glass is not magnetic. Adding a magnetic primer to the glass adds the second level of functionality to your message board. With an old picture frame and a few coats of paint, you can create a glass magnetic dry erase board that will fit a small budget.

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Step 1

Remove the backing board from the picture frame.

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Step 2

Paint the backing board using a foam roller and magnetic primer. Apply three thin coats of magnetic primer allowing 30-60 minutes of drying time between each coat. To produce a stronger magnetic surface that will hold heavier magnets, use more coats of paint. Dispose of the foam roller or clean it with xylene before storing.

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Step 3

Measure the dimensions of the backing board using the ruler. Cut a sheet of white or other light colored paper to the dimensions of the backing board.

Step 4

Remove the glass window from the frame. Clean both sides of the glass using glass or mirror cleaner and a clean cloth. Replace the clean glass in the frame.

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Step 5

Insert the sheet of paper into the frame behind the glass. Replace the backing board with the newly painted surface closest to the paper. Secure the backing board in the frame before using the glass window of the picture frame as a magnetic dry erase board.

Tip

It is best to use magnetic primer outdoors. If you plan to paint indoors, ensure that you have good ventilation. The iron filings in the magnetic primer quickly settle to the bottom of the paint container. For best results, stir the paint often during use to ensure an even distribution of metal throughout the paint.

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