Specialty Paints

Traditionally, when one thinks of paint, we tend to think in terms of exterior, interior, and different types of finishes like matte, gloss, etc. But there are some paints available today that push the boundaries of what is possible and open up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to painting. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Chalkboard Paint

You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate chalkboard paint. This type of paint can turn any surface into an instant chalkboard. Imagine having a wall where the kids can draw to their heart’s content. Of course, that’s not to say that the young at heart couldn’t enjoy it, too!

Chalkboard paint comes in a variety of colors sure to be appealing to those who want a modern flair for their chalkboard. Standard available colors include dark gray and navy, even clear (so the wall color shows through!). Rust-Oleum even makes a tintable chalkboard paint that allows for up to 12 different colors to tint your paint. Benjamin Moore®, Krylon®, and Valspar® also offer chalkboard paint.

Whiteboard / Dry-Erase Paint

Maybe you aren’t a fan of chalk dust and want something a little more grown-up? How about having a whiteboard (dry-erase board) anywhere you want? With dry-erase paint, you can have just that. Using this type of specialty paint can create the dry-erase surface just about anywhere.

One benefit of dry-erase paint is its cost in comparison to buying an actual whiteboard. Per square foot, a whiteboard painting kit wins, hands-down. Besides, who wants to damage their walls by hanging a huge whiteboard on the surface? Now you don’t have to.

Dry-erase paint is good for planning, flow charts, calendars, meeting notes, etc. Dry-erase markers are available in a wide variety of colors, so the use of a whiteboard surface is only limited by your imagination. Leaders in this field include Rust-Oleum and Benjamin Moore®.

Magnetic Paint

Have you ever run out of room on your refrigerator door for all of those magnets everyone collects? Imagine if you could have a whole wall (or a part of a wall) set aside for such an application. Well, now you can.

The “magic” that is literally behind magnetic paint is the primer. Magnetic primer gives a magnetic paint its attractive personality. Once applied and dry, the magnetic primer gets a topcoat of latex in the color of your choice. You can even use this magnetic primer with the chalkboard or whiteboard paints mentioned above – giving your magnetic paint area a unique and multipurpose use. Once again, Rust-Oleum is a leader in this area of specialty paints as well.

Other Specialty Paints

SuperPaint by Sherwin-Williams®

Sherwin-Williams® SuperPaint® with Air Purifying Technology is a low VOC paint, meaning it has less of the volatile organic compounds of many paints, reducing that smell that gives you a headache when you’re painting indoors. SuperPaint® with Air Purifying Technology also has technology built-in that helps reduce common indoor odors. Learn more here.

Sherwin-Williams® also has a SuperPaint® with Sanitizing Technology. This paint is EPA-registered and kills 99.9% of staph and E.coli on painted surfaces within 2 hours of exposure. It continues with ongoing antibacterial action, remaining effective in killing 90% of certain bacteria, even after repeated contamination. Learn more here.

Let’s Get Painting

Our team at CertaPro Painters® of Grand Rapids is trained to help walk you through the process, from color to finish. Schedule your estimate online, or by calling us at 616-724-2424 to speak with a painting professional about the painting plan that fits the goals of your space and your budget.