How to Paint the Interior Walls of an Old RV

Painting the Interior Walls of an Old RV

I have written specifically about painting the exterior of an RV, but what about the interior? I receive numerous questions about this topic every week, so I figured it was about time I shared my tips! Here is everything you need to know about painting the interior walls of an old RV.

About RV Walls

The first question most people usually ask is in regards to the walls themselves. You’ve probably noticed that most older RV’s were manufactured with either a fake wood paneling or a thin wallboard that is covered in what seems to be wallpaper. First off, do not attempt to remove this wallpaper. If you are dealing with a camper that has had some water damage or there are spots where this wallpaper is bubbling or rippling, I’d suggest you inspect this for further damage before proceeding. I have seen some rippling in the wallpaper around windows, due to aging or humidity, but not necessarily water damage. If it’s minor, I suggest sanding the area down, or using a knife to cut away the rippled area. If it is really bad, you may need to cover this area with new wallpaper, paneling or trim. But like I said, don’t attempt to peel back the wallpaper or you will have created way more work for yourself.

Read: How to Paint the Exterior of an RV

Prep Work

Before painting the interior walls of your RV, the prep work is just as important. Make sure your walls are clean, free from dust and grease. In many cases, a high quality paint will have no trouble adhering to a clean, dry wall without the use of an extra chemical. But, if you are dealing with a really old RV with exceptionally dirty walls, you may want to use a TSP substitute like Krud Kutter. If, by chance, your walls are actually covered in real wood, you may want to use a liquid sander first. This will remove the glossy finish! I really like this one.

Paint and Primer

I have had great success with Behr Marquee paint and primer in one. It covers great without the use of an additional primer and almost always covers in one coat! On the other hand, I have also used a bonding primer like Stix or Gripper, and then topped with a less expensive paint. As long as your surface is clean and dull, you shouldn’t need anything fancy. If you are concerned about the type of wallpaper you are covering or the fake wood has some gloss to it, I would definitely recommend using a bonding primer first. I also recommend using a low luster paint with a satin or eggshell finish. Semi-gloss will show up too many imperfections, but flat paint will not ware well in high humidity. I do not recommend using oil based paint. I tried it once thinking it would adhere better, and had problems with it flaking off.

Here is the summary of what I suggest you use:

• Latex paint, not oil based
• Satin or eggshell finish, not flat or semi-gloss
• Clean and prep the surface with TSP substitute like Krud Kutter
• Sand down or cut away any wallpaper that is bubbling or rippled due to age
• Check for water damage before painting
• Use bonding primer like Stix or Gripper if there is any sheen to your walls

Other Options for Damaged Walls

If you are trying to correct an area that is badly damaged or imperfect, you may want to cover it with something other than paint. Clean the surface as best as you can and then consider covering with one of these options. Disclaimer: don’t cover damage without first correcting the issue. If there is a leak, fix the leak and remove damaged wood, don’t just cover it up and ignore the problem!

• Wallpaper: I have used both peel n’ stick and pre-pasted wallpaper. I have had decent success with peel n’ stick, but it is not recommended for exterior walls that are prone to condensation due to the changes in whether. If using a peel n’ stick, it is generally recommended that you use an additional adhesive. Don’t cover every wall in wallpaper, but use it as a great accent to cover damaged walls!
• Peel n’ stick tile: I love using peel n’ stick tile in my RV’s. It is inexpensive, easy to install and doesn’t add additional weight. Check out my Amazon Store for some of my favorite options!
• Vinyl tile: I have used vinyl tiles as an accent in my vintage trailers. It’s lightweight and easy to cut. Find some here: Vinyl Tile
• Paneling: I wouldn’t normally recommend adding a lot of paneling if weight is a concern, but there are so many great options out there to choose from! From thin wood planks, to vinyl tile panels and faux brick, create the look of a focal wall that also reinforces or covers over damage.

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