Fun magnets to dress up a boring car?

November 15, 2008 7:03 PM

Where can I find magnets for my car (ideally so that I can "dress it up" as a cow like the old Dell boxes?

We have a boring white leased car and I'd like to "dress it up" for my girlfriend's upcoming birthday either as a cow or with polka dots.

I found this polka dot set, but I'd rather have all the same color so it looks a little more classy than clownish (if a polka dotted car could be considered classy) but I've struck out on any more variety in terms of magnets. She LOVES cows and I'd love to dress our car up as a cow like the Dell cow boxes ... any ideas? Thanks!

posted by stewiethegreat to grab bag (11 comments total)

The easiest thing to do may be to find a sheet of flexible magnets and cut them out yourself. Something like this comes in black and is not terribly spendy and while it mght not be good for long term, for just a birthday surprise it would be perfect.
posted by jessamyn at 7:16 PM on November 15, 2008

I'd try to this with paper, preferably shiny paper, and about five Post-It Note glue sticks. They won't harm anything, but they should keep everything in place until you want it removed.

Much cheaper and easier.
posted by rokusan at 7:19 PM on November 15, 2008

Dell boxes were never holstein spotted. You're thinking of Gateway.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:47 PM on November 15, 2008

Gateway, my bad.

rokusan, I'd like my solution to be a little longer lasting than that...I don't want to have to take them off before she drives it, then she wouldn't get to enjoy having a cow spotted car!
posted by stewiethegreat at 8:05 PM on November 15, 2008

Talk to a sign making shop about having some "lo-tac" black vinyl cut. It's removable without much fuss, but will hold on quite well. If you wanted monochromatic polka dots, it might even be cheaper than oddly shaped Holstein patterns.
posted by piedmont at 8:43 PM on November 15, 2008

This is the type of stuff piedmont is talking about I think. I've been meaning to get some to do something like this.
posted by zengargoyle at 9:03 PM on November 15, 2008

Not Contact Paper exactly. The vinyl from a sign maker will be much much thinner, much stronger and much more removable. It's the stuff those overpriced Blik wall decals are made of.
posted by piedmont at 9:16 PM on November 15, 2008

Office supply store (staples etc) sell packs of 8x11 magnet backed paper. $13.

posted by Xhris at 6:23 AM on November 16, 2008

link
posted by Xhris at 6:24 AM on November 16, 2008

Ah, I thought it was just for a one-time gag.

Then the above are correct: sheet magnets.

Assuming that this car is actually magnetic, of course. Some imports (and even Saturns, I think) are fiberglass that magnets won't stick to.
posted by rokusan at 7:16 PM on November 16, 2008

If you can't find anything pre-fab, talk to the folks at Blik for a custom order.
posted by radioamy at 11:25 AM on November 17, 2008