How to Paint Interior RV Walls
Project
Room
Cost
Skill Level
Looking to paint your RV, but don’t know where to start? Below I’ve outlined all the steps on how to paint the interior of your RV. Also, check out my expense report to see how much it cost me to paint a 30′ trailer. The total includes paint for the walls, ceiling, and cabinets.
Breakdown of the amount of paint I used for a 30′ trailer.
- 3 gallons of Gripper Primer or Kilz Adhesion Primer
- 4 gallons of white (Frost by Behr)
- 1 gallon of green (Pewter Green by Sherwin Williams)
- 1 gallon of black (Broadway by Behr)
Other Resources:
Shopping List
Paint recommendations:
- Behr Marquee
- Benjamin Moore Regal Select
- Sherwin Williams Duration
- Behr Ultra Scuff Defense (This is a flat finish and I’ve had great results with durability)
Tools/Supplies
Instructions
Step
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. Also, be sure to remove any wallpaper borders. To remove the wallpaper borders, use a heat gun and heat the border for easy removal. Use acetone to remove any remaining adhesive.
Please note: Do not try to remove the full wallpaper from the plywood wall panels. It adheres really well, and you risk damaging the plywood.
Step
Patch. Fill in any old screw holes or dings with DAP wood filler. If the surface is raised around the screw hole, first use a razor blade to scrape the raised material. Then, apply the wood filler, and 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.
Step
Degrease. Use TSP and wipe down all the walls. You want to remove any oily residue to ensure proper paint adhesion.
Step
Caulk. If you have any small gaps along the ceiling and walls, use Dap Extreme Stretch Caulk to fill the gap. Wipe any excess off.
Important: You’ll want to use a paintable caulk and has a lot of flexibility since campers flex while going down the road.
Step
Tape. With Frogtape painters tape, tape off any areas that you don’t want to get paint on, like switches, outlets, and window frames. You can also use 3M masking film to mask off larger areas.
Note: I do recommend Frogtape because it gives you cleaner edges with little to no paint bleed.
Step
Prime. Use a good primer like Gripper, which can be found at Home Depot or Kilz Adhesion. Do 1-2 coats of primer on all the walls that you will be applying color. Wait 24-48 hours before applying your first coat of paint. Once everything is primed, go through a putty any missed holes and caulk any visible gaps. You want to make sure all caulking is done before paint, because a lot of caulk will yellow with UV exposure.
Important: Do not skip priming! This step is important so that your paint doesn’t flake or scratch off in time.
Step
Paint. 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. I recommend the Graco Magnum paint sprayer. Let your first coat 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.
Tip: To hide any brush strokes, roller marks, or even to get a spray finish smooth as glass, I highly recommend using Flood Floetrol. Mix 8oz in 1 gallon of paint.
Paint recommendations:
Step
Remove any painter’s tape and put everything back on the walls. Be careful with the freshly painted walls for about 2 weeks. They take a while to cure and have a durable finish fully.
