Transforming Popup Campers With Paint: Is It Possible?

Painting your pop-up camper is a great way to give it a new lease of life and there are several ways to go about it.

If you want to paint the canvas of your pop-up camper, you can. But you will need to be careful. First, clean the canvas with soapy water and a rag. Once dry, apply acrylic paint with a standard brush. Use small amounts and the paint will remain flexible. Leave it to dry for 24 hours.

If you want to paint the exterior of your pop-up camper, you will need to prep the surface. Remove any stickers, pinstriping or decals. Sand the surface with a drill and a sandpaper disc attachment. Pressure wash the entire area and allow it to dry. Seal off the areas you don't want to paint, such as tires, handles, latches and lights, with masking tape and plastic sheets. Remove the shore power inlet and the freshwater supply inlet. Then, follow the steps outlined in the article 'How to Paint a Car with a Spray Gun' on the website 'It Still Runs'.

If you want to paint the cabinets of your pop-up camper, you can. But you will need to be careful. First, clean the cabinets with a TSP type cleaner. If there are any exposed MDF or wood areas, do not get any TSP on them as it will make them swell. If the laminate coating is peeling off, use a small amount of wood glue to re-adhere it. If the laminate coating is torn or missing, use wood filler to cover the exposed MDF, then sand it down until it is smooth. Remember, imperfections will be magnified once you paint, so make sure you don’t have any lumps or lines where your wood filler is. Give the cabinets a coat of Zinsser primer. Once the primer is dry, give everything two coats of Rustoleum spray paint.

If you want to paint the roof of your pop-up camper, you can. But you will need to be careful. First, strip and sand it to almost bare aluminium. Use rust oleum primer and white rust oleum.

Prepping the surface

Clean the Surface:

Start by giving your camper a thorough cleaning. Use a soft drill brush or a similar tool to reach into the nooks and crannies, and pair it with a suitable cleaning solution like Camco Wash and Wax. This step will remove any dirt, grime, or old decals that may interfere with the painting process.

Remove Old Decals:

Old decals can show through the new paint job, so it is recommended to remove them beforehand. You can use a heat gun or a hair dryer to heat up and peel off the decals gently. Be careful not to damage the surface of the camper during this process.

Sand the Surface:

Lightly sand the surface of the camper to create a rough texture. This step will help the new paint adhere better to the surface. Use sandpaper or a Scotch-Brite pad to gently scuff the surface, ensuring you don't damage the metal.

Use a Primer:

Apply a suitable primer to the surface of the camper. A primer will not only help the new paint adhere better but also provide a more durable finish. Choose a primer that is suitable for the surface of your camper, such as an oil-based primer for metal surfaces.

Tape Off Areas:

Use exterior painter's tape to tape off areas that you don't want to paint, such as lights, windows, and other fixtures. This step will ensure clean lines and make the cleanup process easier.

Protect Surrounding Areas:

If there are surrounding areas that you want to protect from paint splatters, such as the tires, handles, or latches, you can use plastic sheets and masking tape to cover them. This step is especially important if you plan to use a spray paint technique.

Choose the Right Paint:

Select a suitable paint for the surface of your camper. For metal surfaces, an oil-based or enamel paint is recommended, while for canvas sections, a specific popup canvas paint is necessary to maintain flexibility.

Prepare the Paint:

If you're using a spray paint technique, prepare your paint according to the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure you have the right equipment, such as a low-pressure, high-volume sprayer, and follow safety precautions.

Test the Paint:

Before you begin painting, it is a good idea to test the paint on a small, inconspicuous area of the camper. This will allow you to ensure that the paint is adhering well and that you are happy with the color and finish.

Start Painting:

Once you are satisfied with the prep work, you can begin painting your camper. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the paint you are using, and maintain a consistent distance from the surface while spraying or rolling on the paint. Work in small sections, and allow adequate drying time between coats.

Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate protective gear, including a respirator, gloves, and eye protection.

Removing old decals

Heat Application:

Start by parking your camper outside, away from direct sunlight. Using a hairdryer or a heat gun, apply heat to the decals you want to remove. This will help soften the adhesive, making it easier to peel off the decals. Work in small sections, slowly lifting and pulling the decal from one edge as you apply heat. Be careful not to apply too much heat, as it can damage the camper's surface.

Scraping Technique:

Once the decals are warm, use a plastic scraper, an old credit card, or a plastic putty knife to gently scrape them off. Always work from one side of the decal to the other, being cautious not to tear it, as this will make the removal process more challenging. This method is particularly useful for small, peeling decals that are easier to lift off.

Adhesive Removers:

For more stubborn decals, you can use adhesive removers like Goof Off, Goo Gone, or even WD-40. Apply these products to a rag or paper towel and gently rub them over the decals. These removers will break down the sticky residue, making it easier to scrape off. Remember to clean the area with soapy water afterward to remove any solvent residue.

Eraser Wheels:

Another option is to use an eraser wheel attachment for your cordless drill. This method is effective for dry-appearing vinyl decals that don't respond well to heat. Simply attach the eraser wheel and apply light pressure as you work your way through the decal. This technique may generate rubber residue, which you can easily wipe off afterward.

Traditional Solvents:

For more challenging decals, you can use traditional solvents like mineral spirits or paint thinner. Soak a rag or heavy-duty paper towel with the solvent and place it over the decal for a few minutes before scraping. These solvents are particularly effective for removing both the decal and the glue residue it leaves behind.

Remember to be patient and take the necessary precautions to avoid damaging the surface of your camper. Always do a small test area first to ensure the chosen method works well for your specific decals and camper surface.

Painting the exterior

Step 1: Clean the Surface

Start by giving your camper a thorough cleaning. Use a soft drill brush to get into all the nooks and crannies, paired with a good cleaner like Camco Wash and Wax. Remove any old decals as they can show through the new paint and affect the overall finish.

Step 2: Prep the Surface

Once the camper is clean and dry, it's time to prep the surface. Use exterior painter's tape to protect areas you don't want to paint, such as lights and windows. If you have any remaining decals that you want to keep, make sure to tape over them as well.

Step 3: Choose the Right Paint

For the exterior paint, look for a paint with primer to make the job easier and ensure better coverage. Choose a colour and finish that suits your taste. You can go for a simple colour like white or get creative with stripes or other designs. Just make sure to use the right type of paint for the material of your camper. For metal surfaces, an oil-based enamel paint is a good option, while for canvas, a specific popup canvas paint is necessary to maintain flexibility.

Step 4: Paint Application

Now it's time to start painting! You can use a roller for larger areas and a brush for smaller areas and details. Apply at least two good coats of paint to ensure complete coverage. Be careful not to paint on a windy day, as the paint may splatter.

Step 5: Let it Dry

Once you're done painting, let the paint dry completely overnight before removing the painter's tape.

Step 6: Final Touches

If desired, you can add new decals or pinstripes to your camper. You can find these online or even create your own custom designs. And that's it! You now have a freshly painted pop-up camper to show off on your next camping trip.

Painting the cabinets

Meet my best friends when it comes to painting laminate. I absolutely love Zinsser primer. It is easy to use, dries quickly, and has excellent coverage. I always use it on all my projects. I started by cleaning all the cabinets really well with a TSP type cleaner. Make sure that you don’t have any exposed wood or MDF or the TSP will make it swell. Like I mentioned before, the wood manufacturers use to make camper cabinets is not high quality. They use the cheapest MDF possible and coat it with a paper-like wood print covering. I left that laminate covering on my cabinets and painted over it. I just gave it a light sanding with a sanding sponge and filled in any gaps, gouges, or holes with wood filler. I forgot to use wood filler on a couple of joints, and they were very visible once they were painted. If that bothers you, make sure you go over your cabinets very carefully and fill any imperfections.

If I had spots where the laminate coating was peeling off, I used a little bit of wood glue to re-adhere it. If the laminate coating was torn or missing, I used wood filler to cover the exposed MDF and then sanded the wood filler down until it was smooth. Remember, imperfections will be magnified once you paint, so make sure you don’t have any lumps or lines where your wood filler is. When I was satisfied with my sanding job, I gave the cabinets a coat of Zinsser primer. Once the primer was dry, I gave everything two coats of Rustoleum spray paint. I really don’t like brush strokes, and since I was pulling everything out of the camper, I used spray paint. Would I do it again? I’m not sure. I am pretty happy with the results, and as Mr. TypeTwoFun says, “It is a camper,” but there are places where the spray paint left some streaks. Spray painting is a little tricky to master. It also took a lot of spray paint to paint all those cabinets. If you are unsure of your painting abilities, brushing or rolling on a good oil-based paint is a safer bet… and much easier to touch up when necessary.

Yes, we chose an off-white color. I often get asked if it shows dirt or looks dingy. It does require the occasional swipe with a Magic Eraser, but overall, it stays pretty clean. I give my cabinets a good cleaning in Spring and do any touch-up painting necessary. Overall, though, I’m very happy with the color. I removed all the ugly brass hardware and replaced it with pretty brushed nickel pulls and hinges. It really makes everything look sleek and updated. Bye bye, 90’s!

We used our Rustoleum spray paint to paint the plastic t-trim on the cabinets, too. The Rustoleum paint was recommended for use on plastics, so we thought it would work just fine. After a few months, though, we started noticing chips in the paint. I touched them up for a few months, but when I just couldn’t stand it anymore, I decided it was time to replace the trim.

We started by removing all the t-trim on the cabinets. If you are planning on replacing your t-trim to begin with, I would remove it before you start painting. It will eliminate the need for touch-ups. We pulled all the t-trim off, and by the time we were finished, there were paint chips everywhere. The paint definitely does not adhere well to plastic.

After we had the t-trim removed, we used a flat-head screwdriver (or a toothpick works, too) to gently clear out the channel in the wood. I can’t stress enough that you need to be really gentle with this step. You don’t want to gouge anything–just clear away and debris.

Once the channel is clear, you can install your new t-trim. I ordered our 3/4″ t-trim molding off of Amazon here. Even though they had a good selection of colors, they didn’t have off-white, so we settled for white. It’s not a perfect match, but it looks much better than the chipping, painted trim. We cut the trim to size, and inserted the barb into the channel in the wood.

Mr. TypeTwoFun used a rubber mallet to gently tap the trim into place. We didn’t need glue or epoxy to hold it into place. The plastic barbs do a good job keeping the t-trim where it needs to be.

Since we opted to purchase 3/4″ t-trim, there was a bit of an overlap along the edges of the trim. Mr. TypeTwoFun used a Band-It Edge Trimmer to trim down the extra plastic overlap. It worked beautifully. He used a simple razor blade held flush against the cabinets to trim the areas where the Band-It wouldn’t reach.

Because we painted the cabinets when the original t-trim was installed, we did have a bit of touch-up painting to do. It wasn’t all that bad, but again, if you know in advance that you will be replacing the t-trim, I advise painting the cabinets after the trim has been removed. That way, when you install the new trim, you won’t need to touch up anything.

And there’s the new trim all installed. Pretty, right? I wish we would have done this in the beginning. It looks a million times better than the painted trim did.

The fridge and heater grate got a coat of appliance epoxy paint. We chose biscuit, but they have so many other fun colors. It instantly updated the look of the kitchen. I also opted to add chalkboard vinyl to the front of the fridge to give it a cutesy feel. I can use the chalkboard vinyl to keep track of food items or menu choices. I love it! It’s amazing what a little {or a lot} of spray paint can do.

I thought I’d also point out that we ran a bead of caulk along the perimeter of the camper (before we laid the flooring) to seal everything up. Then we reinstalled the cabinets.

One last update that made a huge impact was changing out the old thermostat. Let’s face it, we live in the digital age. I hate reading those old thermostats, and its location under the dinette bench made it doubly hard to read. Mr. TypeTwoFun and his dad used their amazing electrical skills to change out the old one for a brand new digital one. It works like a charm, and it makes all the difference in the trailer. There is a lot of information on the Internet about just how to do this. We relied heavily on the expertise of the people at The Pop Up Portal. If you haven’t checked it out, head there NOW! But be warned, you may just spend all day there.

Painting the canvas

Step 1: Clean the Canvas

Use a rag and some soapy water to clean the canvas thoroughly. This will ensure that you have a clear and clean surface to paint on. Make sure to give it enough time to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Choose the Right Paint

It is crucial to use the right type of paint when painting the canvas of your pop-up camper. Acrylic paint is a good option, as it will remain flexible if used in small amounts. You can also find specific popup canvas paint that is designed to maintain the flexibility of the canvas without cracking or peeling. It is also important to use a primer before applying the paint for a more vibrant and long-lasting finish.

Step 3: Apply the Paint

Once the canvas is clean and dry, you can start painting. Use a standard brush and apply the paint in small amounts. Be careful not to apply too much paint, as it could make the canvas stiff and interfere with its ability to insulate and maintain heat. It is also important to allow enough time for the paint to dry completely before using the camper again.

Step 4: Consider the Colour

When choosing a colour for your canvas, you have a few options. If you want to paint it the same original colour, try to get as close to a match as possible. You can purchase a sample and test it on the canvas to see how it looks when dry. If you plan to paint it a different colour, consider using a darker colour as it will be more effective at covering up the faded fabric. Lighter colours may require more layers of paint to completely cover the original colour.

Tips for Painting the Rest of Your Pop-Up Camper:

• Unsnap the roof canvas and remove it from the camper.
• Remove any stickers, pinstriping, or decals.
• Sand down the surface area you intend to paint using a drill with a sandpaper disc attachment.
• Pressure wash the entire area and allow it to dry.
• Use plastic sheets and masking tape to seal off areas you don't want to paint, such as tires, handles, latches, and lights.
• Remove the shore power inlet and the freshwater supply inlet before painting.
• Use an air compressor and a low-pressure, high-volume sprayer to apply the paint.
• Allow enough time for the paint to dry completely before using the camper again.

In conclusion, painting the canvas of a pop-up camper is a feasible project that can enhance its appearance and provide additional protection. Just make sure to use the right type of paint and follow the proper steps to ensure a successful outcome.

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