Painting Camper Walls: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Painting the inside of your camper or RV can be a daunting task, but it's a great way to make your space feel like your own. It's important to prepare the walls before painting to ensure a quality finish that will last. This includes removing any items screwed to the walls, such as blinds or valances, as well as any wallpaper borders. It's also crucial to repair any holes or imperfections in the walls and sand them down for a smooth finish. Once the walls are prepared, it's time to prime and paint, choosing colours that complement your decorating scheme and reflect light to brighten up the space. While the process can be tedious and time-consuming, the payoff is worth it, giving your camper a brand-new feel.

Prep the walls

Prepping the walls is the most important step when painting the interior of your camper. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you prepare your camper walls for painting:

Remove Items and Wallpaper Borders

First, remove any items that are attached to the walls, such as blinds, valances, outlet covers, light lenses, doorknobs, and hinges. This will make the painting process easier and prevent paint from getting on these surfaces. If there are any wallpaper borders, use a heat gun to heat them up for easy removal. You can then apply acetone to remove any remaining adhesive. Do not attempt to remove the full wallpaper, as it adheres well to the plywood and you risk damaging the walls.

Fill in Holes and Sand

Next, fill in any holes, dents, or imperfections in the walls with a wood filler or caulk. Let the filler dry completely, and then sand the areas until they are smooth and even. You can use a sander or sandpaper for this step. This process will ensure that your walls have a smooth finish and that the paint adheres properly.

Clean the Walls

Cleaning the walls is a critical step to ensure the paint adheres well and that your new paint job lasts. Use a high-quality degreaser or a pre-paint cleaner like TSP (trisodium phosphate) to wipe down all the walls. This will remove any dirt, grease, or oily residue. If you're concerned about the toxicity of TSP, you can opt for a TSP substitute, or natural alternatives such as a water and vinegar mixture, or a cleaning solution like Simple Green. Make sure to wear gloves and eye protection when using TSP or similar products.

Prime the Walls

Priming the walls is essential for ensuring that your paint will adhere properly and last longer. Choose a good bonding primer suitable for the surface you're painting, such as KILZ Adhesion Bonding Primer or PPG Gripper. Apply one to two coats of primer evenly to all the walls, covering corners and edges. Let the primer dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Caulk and Putty

Once the primer is dry, go back and fill in any remaining holes or gaps with putty or caulk. Choose a paintable caulk that has flexibility, as campers flex while on the road. Caulk any seams or gaps to ensure a clean finish and to keep your camper sealed.

Tape Off Areas

Use painter's tape, such as Frogtape, to tape off any areas that you don't want to get paint on, such as windows, doors, or other surfaces. This will help create clean, crisp edges and protect these areas from accidental paint splatters.

Now that your camper walls are properly prepped, you're ready to start painting! Remember to use a thick paint with a built-in primer, and don't skimp on the amount of paint you buy—you'll likely need more than you think!

Choose the right primer

Choosing the right primer is essential to ensuring your paint job is long-lasting and of good quality. Before selecting a primer, it is important to determine whether you will be using an oil or water-based paint, as this will influence your choice of primer. While you can generally use a water-based paint over an oil-based primer, you should not apply oil-based paint over a water-based primer. Thus, a good rule of thumb is to stick to either water or oil-based products for both your primer and paint.

When it comes to primers, not all are created equal. Using paint with a built-in primer is not the same as using a separate bonding primer. A separate bonding primer is thicker and provides better coverage, which is key when painting the interior of a camper. A bonding primer is designed to stick to a variety of challenging or slick surfaces, including vinyl, laminate, Formica, fiberglass, and wood paneling. It comes in both water and oil-based options and gives the paint something to adhere to, preventing it from peeling, cracking, or chipping later on. Popular options for bonding primers include PPG Gripper, Kilz Adhesion Primer, INSL-X Stix Bonding Primer, and Glidden Gripper.

In addition to choosing the right type of primer, it is also important to apply the appropriate amount. For best results, it is recommended to use two coats of bonding primer before applying two coats of paint. If you plan to paint any surfaces a dark colour, consider using a tinted primer. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for dry and cure times, as well as optimal temperature conditions for application.

By taking the time to choose the right primer and following the necessary application steps, you can ensure a successful paint job that transforms the interior of your camper.

Select your paint colour

Painting the interior walls of your camper can be a daunting task. It is important to choose a colour that will complement the rest of your decorating scheme and reflect light well enough so that your camper doesn't feel too dark inside when closed up during travel. If you are unsure which colour would work best for your space, consider consulting an interior designer for advice before committing to a shade.

When choosing a paint colour, it is also important to consider the type of paint you will use. Most camper walls are made of vinyl-covered plywood or wood veneer, so using a bonding primer before painting is highly recommended. Not all primers are created equal; using paint with a primer mixed in is not the same as using a separate bonding primer. Bonding primers stick to a variety of challenging or slick surfaces, including vinyl, laminate, Formica, fiberglass, and wood panelling, and they come in both water- and oil-based options. The consistency of bonding primers is thicker than average, so they can be slightly more challenging to work with, but the coverage is much better. This can also help smooth out any texture imperfections in the surface you paint.

In addition to choosing the right type of primer, it is important to select a high-quality paint for your camper walls. At least an eggshell or satin finish is recommended. You may also want to consider using a paint sprayer for a flawless finish. If you opt for a sprayer, the Graco Magnum paint sprayer is a good option.

When choosing a paint colour, it is crucial to take into account the amount of paint you will need. Painting camper walls can require more paint than expected, so it is better to overestimate than underestimate. Additionally, if you are painting over a dark colour or a particularly absorbent surface, you may need additional coats of paint.

Finally, consider the lighting in your camper when choosing a paint colour. The same colour can look very different in natural light during the day versus artificial light at night. Test out your chosen colour in different lighting conditions before committing to it.

Paint the walls

Painting the walls of your camper can be a daunting task, but it's definitely worth it! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Prepare the Walls

Start by removing any items that are attached to the walls, such as blinds, valances, or wallpaper borders. If you have any old screw holes or dings, fill them with wood filler and let them dry. Then, lightly sand the walls with sandpaper to create a smooth surface.

Step 2: Clean the Walls

It is crucial to clean the walls with a degreaser like TSP or a natural alternative like a water/vinegar mixture to ensure proper paint adhesion and prevent bubbling or other imperfections. Wipe down all the walls, removing any oily residue.

Step 3: Prime the Walls

Priming is an essential step to ensure that your paint will adhere to the walls and last longer. Choose a good bonding primer suitable for the surface of your RV walls, such as Kilz Adhesion Bonding Primer or PPG Gripper. Apply one or two coats of primer evenly to all the walls, covering all corners and edges. Let the primer dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Choose Your Paint

Select a paint colour that complements your decorating scheme and reflects light well, ensuring your RV doesn't feel too dark inside when closed up. Consider consulting an interior designer for advice if you're unsure about the shade.

Step 5: Paint the Walls

Finally, it's time to paint! Use a brush, roller, or sprayer to apply the paint. Start with the edges and corners, and then move on to larger sections of wall space. Try to use long strokes in one direction and avoid overlapping areas too much. Don't forget to paint around windows and doors, as these add character to your walls. Apply at least two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry for about 24-48 hours.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Newly Painted Walls!

Once all the painting is done, make sure to give it ample time to dry completely before closing up your RV for travel. Enjoy your refreshed and personalised space!

Allow time to dry

Painting the interior walls of your camper can be a daunting task. It is important to allow ample time for the paint to dry. The drying time will depend on the type of paint used, the number of coats applied, and the environmental conditions. Most paints will require a minimum of 24 hours to dry before applying a second coat or recoating. However, it is recommended to wait 48 hours to ensure the paint is completely dry.

During the drying process, it is important to maintain good ventilation in the camper to promote airflow and speed up the drying process. It is also crucial to keep the area free from dust and debris, as any particles that settle on the wet paint can ruin the finish. If possible, avoid using the camper for cooking or other activities that may produce smoke or steam, as this can affect the paint's curing process.

Additionally, it is important to allow the paint to cure completely before closing up the camper for travel. The curing process typically takes longer than drying, and it ensures that the paint is fully bonded and hardened. This will prevent smudging or streaking on freshly painted surfaces.

To speed up the drying process, you can use fans or heaters, but always follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for recommended drying and curing times.

Frequently asked questions