Multitasking Paint to Make Your Life Easier

Want to find paint that works as hard as you do? Here are some paints that can make your house prettier, more functional and in some cases, downright off-beat!

Ceiling Paint

There's nothing more frustrating than looking up at the ceiling you just painted and seeing all the spots you missed! With EZ Track technology, this paint goes on pink so you can make sure coverage is complete before climbing down from the ladder, then dries to a smooth white finish. www.Glidden.com

Blackboard Paint

Whether for the kids room, near your desk or in the kitchen, wouldn't a blackboard in a custom shape and size be handy for notes and To-Do lists? This paint can be used on wood, tile, sheet rock, glass, metal and a few other surfaces. Originally intended for use with liquid chalk markers, it also works with stick chalk. www.dickblick.com

Magnetic Paint

Tired of pin and nail marks in your walls? Here's a product that paints on smooth despite the metal particles mixed in and lets you decorate in a whole new way. It can be purchased as an additive to your own paint or as a gray primer that you paint over. They also carry a magnetic chalkboard paint. www.magnamagic.com

Appliance Paint

Is your scratched up, mustard yellow fridge or dishwasher bumming you out? Give it a gleaming new coat of paint. The colors aren't all that inspiring in themselves (white, black, biscuit, almond and stainless steel) but I'm planning to do my freezer in black and the fridge underneath in white! Or maybe a harlequin pattern. Be creative! www.rustoleum.com

Non-Allergenic Paint

Milk Paint from this manufacturer uses only natural ingredients and comes in powder form so you can determine whether you want to use it as a wash, full cover paint or for stenciling. Perfect for homes with paint allergic folks and for children's toys and furniture. www.milkpaint.com

And a Few Off-Beat Offerings:

Invisible Black Light Paint

This is a fluorescent clear coat paint for cars, buildings, etc. It comes in aerosol and brush on. Check out their website to see the effects--invisible in daylight, impressive under black light. This website also sells 3-D glasses and Black Lights, along with party packs. www.Clearneon.com

Glow in the Dark Paint

These paints come in a huge range of colors and they're made in both solvent and water based varieties. They also have Glow Film, Pellets and Powders. And a special product for floors. www.Lumi-lt.com

Fire Proof Paint

PyroProof paint withstands temperatures of 2000 degrees F, minimizes smoke and can be painted or wallpapered over. Non-toxic and can be used on just about any material, if $350.00 a gallon isn't out of your price range! www.Alsacorp.com

"Mood" Paint

Also from Alsa Corporation, a paint that's heat sensitive. Cold, the color is black or blue, warm, it changes to white (when painted on a white wall). This can also be combined with other paint products to produce different colors. Groovy, man!