How to paint interior Camper walls (watch the video)
Are you searching for easy tips on how to paint interior Camper walls? It really isn’t hard to do if you have the right tools and know how to start.
And no matter what type of RV you have, you can use all the recommendations from this article.
Your RV will definitely look so much better after you are done painting your interior walls with a fresh coat of paint. Promise.
If you need tips on paint colors, that are neutral but will make the inside of your Camper look so much better, read on:
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Step 1: Select your wall color first
Best paint to use for interior RV walls
I used interior paint from Sherwin Williams with primer in a semi-gloss finish in my Travel Trailer. The first time I renovated it I painted it light blue. In the updated version a couple of years later I used an off-white, also from Sherwin Williams.
If you love Behr or Benjamin Moore, go for it. Just make sure to use a semi-gloss or satin finish, because it is so much easier to wipe down if necessary.
If you have the color already selected, get a sample mixed at your local Lowes or Home Depot.
Choose a light color to freshen up your camper. I love light blue, green, or rose. Don’t buy a yellowish beige, it makes the inside look very dull.
These are some good color choices if you want to add a white color to the walls:
- Sherwin Williams Iconic White (bright white)
- HGSW 7551 Greek Villa
- HGSW 7008 Alabaster
- Sherwin Williams Snowbound (off-white)
- Sherwin Williams Belgian White (warm white)
- Behr Moonlit Beach (pinkish white)
If you want to add color to your walls but keep the cabinets as they are, these are good choices:
- HGSW 6799 SOAR (Light blue)
- HGSW 6800 Something blue
- HGSW 6505 Atmospheric (grey blue)
- HGSW 2327 Minto to be
- HGSW 2337 Pristine Skies
- HGSW 1337 Sweet Salt Air (light teal)
Always get a sample and try it out inside your Camper before you buy the paint, you might be surprised how the color actually looks inside your RV.
If you need some help deciding on the wall color, take the free mini-course to find the right wall color for your RV here.
Step 2: Get your material
Here is your shopping list:
Depending on the size of your Camper you need to get enough paint (18 ft. TT walls = 1 gallon of paint without priming)
Shopping List: Paint
Get your sample first and try it out inside your Camper. Then get enough paint to cover the walls twice.
- Sherwin Williams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex
- Behr Marquee
- Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Shopping List: Tools
- (Kilz Primer) if you have really rough, dark and beaten-up walls
- TSP (to clean the walls before painting)
- Wood Filler (to fill in holes)
- Angled brushes (different sizes)
- Paint Tray and foam rollers (different sizes)
- drop cloth for your furniture and floor
- masking tape to protect outlets, switches, etc.
Step 3: Prepare your walls
If you had a leak and you need to update the walls, prepare them before you start painting.
So of course, fix the leaks first. If the wallpaper bubbled on some spots, you have to fix that. Use a utility knife, cut into the bubble and glue it back on using Elmers Glue All or similar. Let the glue dry and sand lightly over it to even it out.
Step 4: Before you start painting
Remove the valances, all stickers and the wallpaper border. If the wallpaper border doesn’t come off easily, use a heat gun to warm up the adhesive for easier removal. Should there be some residue left over, use acetone or deglosser to get rid of it carefully.
If you have holes in the walls, fill them up with wood filler or use a Spackling Small Hole Repair Kit. Sand over it lightly after it is dry. Sand all the seams of the paper so it is flush.
Clean the walls, they have to be dust-free and clean in order for proper paint adhesion. Wipe them down with warm water and detergent or use a deglosser if the walls are really bad. TSP is cheap and does the job well. Don’t forget to wear gloves while doing this.
DO NOT remove the wallpaper, unless it is coming off by itself. Normally the wallpaper can’t be removed because it is glued onto the luan board/cardboard walls, which will be destroyed when you try to remove the wallpaper.
I don’t use masking tape as I am faster by using the angled brush, but if you feel better adding masking tape around the outlets, windows, light switches, then use it.
(Step 5: Prime your walls if needed)
If the walls look really dark, old, and dated, you have to apply one coat of Kilz Primer (or similar).
If you are changing the color of your wall from dark to light (which I am suggesting if you want a lighter look) priming the walls first will make it easier to cover with the lighter paint color and could save you from applying a second or even third coat of paint.
Step 6: Test the paint
If you bought paint that includes a primer already, then you can skip adding a separate primer.
But it all depends on the surface of your camper walls and if the paint is easy to apply.
To find out how your paint will cover the wallpaper, try it out. Apply paint with a brush to a small area on a wall (I tried it on my kitchen wall) and see for yourself.
You can see it here on the right of the picture, the light blue is looking good and covers the wallpaper color great. And this is just one coat of testing out the paint.
Painting the walls in your camper is not hard if you follow my easy steps:
This is what you need for painting interior walls:
(See the shopping list with links on top of the article too).
- Paint for 2 coats (1 Gallon is plenty for a 20 ft. RV)
- Medium size Foam Roller
- Small Foam Roller
- Paint tray
- Primer
- angled brush small and medium
- drop cloth
- masking tape
Now there are only 5 more steps until you are done!!!
How do you start painting the walls? Painting interior RV walls in 5 steps:
If your camper is empty, then it is no problem. You might want to cover the floor to prevent stains.
If you have furniture inside, cover everything with a drop cloth for stain protection.
I don’t recommend using a paint sprayer inside. First of all, you have to cover everything up really well, and second, you don’t want to inhale all the fumes.
STEP 1:
The first step is the most important step. Take your time and paint all the edges and corners first with the angled brush. This might take a little time but makes using the roller afterward so much easier.
And I don’t use frog tape to protect furniture, floor, or ceiling. If you take your time while using the angled brush, you can do it without taping.
STEP 2:
Now use your medium size foam roller and paint the walls from top to bottom. Don’t stop in between, finish one wall after the other.
Load enough paint onto your roller. Don’t overload it, the roller shouldn’t drip. Roll the roller without lot’s of pressure on the wall.
Paint in one direction only, from top to bottom. Don’t go all over the place.
Use the small foam roller for the small walls or spots which are hard to reach.
STEP 3:
Let the paint dry for at least 5 hours (depending on the humidity level in your RV you want to wait at least one day). Then check if the walls look good with one coat or if you need to apply another one.
STEP 4:
Add another coat of paint and let dry for at least 5 hours. Check the walls for imperfections when dry. Use your brush or your small roller to go over missed spots one more time.
STEP 5:
Now clean up. Wash your brushes and rollers with clear water. Remove the painters tape (if you used any) and clean up any paint drippings. Put your valances back up, or maybe you want to use the opportunity and add curtains now. Here is a very easy tutorial how to add curtains.
Summary of How to paint interior Camper walls the easy way .
Painting walls in your RV doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Especially if you do your prep work it can be easily done.
And just think about how awesome your RV looks afterwards. So many new opportunites to decorate and to make it pretty with a freshly painted and bright background. Congratulations, you did it.
Watch the video on how to paint camper walls easily:
More RV renovation Ideas
This is just the beginning of your renovation? Yes please, there is so much more you can do.
How about painting your cabinets, or updating the floors? Do you need to see how to do it all? Then my video course is a great start to learn how to update your Camper.
Get the easy to follow “How to glam up your RV’ workshop and get it done in no time.
Here is all the information you need:
See you on the road,
Conny
