Remove any blinds, valances, or other items screwed to the walls. It’s easier to paint without having to cut around items on the walls.

Be sure to remove any wallpaper borders.

To remove RV wallpaper borders

• Use a heat gun and heat the border for easy removal
• Apply acetone to remove any remaining adhesive

Note: Do not try to remove the full wallpaper from the RV interior wall panels. It adheres really well, and you risk damaging the plywood.

Fill in any old screw holes or dings with DAP wood filler. Use wood bondo for large patches.

If the surface is raised around the screw hole:

• Use a razor blade to scrape the raised material
• Apply the wood filler
• Once it’s dry, sand with 220 grit sandpaper.

You only need to sand areas of the walls you’ve patched—no need to sand the walls entirely.

Cleaning the surface of the walls is a critical step when painting your RV’s interior. You should use a high-quality solution to prevent bubbling, fish-eyeing, or other imperfections in the paint.

Use TSP and wipe down all the walls. You want to remove any oily residue to ensure proper paint adhesion.

With Frogtape painters tape, tape off any areas that you don’t want to get paint on like:

• Light switches
• Outlets
• Window frames
• Console panels

You can also use 3M masking film to mask off larger areas.

Note: Are you team blue or green? I recommend Frogtape because it gives you cleaner edges with little to no paint bleed.

Once you have finished prepping the walls, it’s time to apply primer. Primer is essential for ensuring that your paint will adhere and last longer on the walls. Be sure to cover all corners and edges evenly with primer and allow it to dry completely before proceeding onto the next step.

Use a good primer like Gripper or Kilz Adhesion.

1. Apply 1-2 coats of primer on all the walls that you will be applying color.
2. Once everything is primed, go through and putty any missed holes and caulk any visible gaps. You want to ensure all caulking is done before painting because many caulk brands will turn yellow with UV exposure.

Plan your RV renovation accordingly – wait 24-48 hours before applying your first coat of paint.

Important: Do not skip priming! This step is essential, so your paint doesn’t flake or scratch off in time. Also, ensure you’re painting in the recommended temperatures according to the paint manufacturer or you’ll get undesired detail like the image below.

Now comes the fun part—choosing which color you want for your RV walls! It’s important to choose a color that will complement the rest of your decorating scheme and reflect light well enough so that your RV doesn’t feel too dark inside when closed up during travel. If you are unsure which color would work best for your space, consider consulting an interior designer for some advice before committing to a shade.

After waiting at least 24 hours after priming, it’s now time for painting! Start by using a brush or roller along the edges and corners first before moving onto larger sections of wall space using a roller or sprayer (if available). If possible, try not to overlap areas as much as possible; instead, use long strokes in one direction until you finish each wall section before moving onto another one. You may find it helpful to divide each wall into sections while painting so that everything looks even when done drying later on.

Make sure not to forget about painting around windows and doors as well—these places often get overlooked but are definitely worth spending some extra time on as they add character and texture to an otherwise plain wall space!

Let your first coat of paint dry for about 24-48 hours, then apply a second coat in the same manner. Again, wait 24-48 hours, and once the second coat is dry, be sure to lightly sand and wipe down between the coats.

Tips for getting the best finish when painting RV walls

• Get good quality paint. At least an eggshell or satin finish is recommended.
• Use a brush to get in the corners of the walls and use 3/8″ nap rollers to apply most of the paint. You could also use a paint spray for a flawless finish. If you opt for a sprayer, we recommend the Graco Magnum paint sprayer.
• To hide any brush strokes, roller marks, or even to get a spray finish smooth as glass, it’s highly recommended to use Flood Floetrol. Mix 8oz in 1 gallon of paint.

RV interior paint recommendations:

• Behr Marquee
• Benjamin Moore Regal Select
• Sherwin Williams Duration