I want to paint the inside of my RV. I'm sick of the neutral colors that are brown, brown and more brown.I've done the research, and was just told not to do it because it will turn out awful (dealership guys I work with). And god forbid the resale value!!!!! The reason is that the paint will peel off the walls, blah, blah,blah.I plan on keeping my RV for quite a while, and am not going "color crazy" mostly white and greys. Anyway, I've done my research, I know that a good primer is key, but now I'm second guessing myself.Anybody have experience? How is your paint holding up now if you've done it? Any regrets?

I painted mine last week.. (1993 model, so not too worried about resale value). Kilz2 & Glidden Essentials Paint went on great with the Wagner sprayer... I'll have to wait a few years to tell you how it holds up :)Best of luck!

Surface preparation is the key. Nothing will stick if that surface isn't clean and oil free. Scrub it down with a degreaser (which smell awful leave the doors and windows open). If the surface is something like paneling I'd rough it up a bit too. I'm no pro painter tho but I've spoken a lot to the ones we had where I worked.

agesilaus wrote:Surface preparation is the key.Yes, I forgot to mention the 18 hours of cleaning we did before painting.

If you are painting plastic surfaces, use an adhesion promoter.I don't ask a lot of questions at paint distributors, anymore (been at it awhile, I guess). Some of the counter guys at a paint store like Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore are very knowledgeable. Don't believe any advice at a Home Depot or Lowes. In fact, don't buy paint there, at all.

Just make sure you are painting over papered veneer. That will be a failure for sure.

Painting RV inside... | Good Sam Community

Oasisbob
Explorer
Mar 28, 2017
A friend did this to his TC. Very detailed prep. Still looked bad and he regretted it. Also hurt him on resale as folks figured he was covering damage. Sorry to discourage. Perhaps try one wall and see for yourself?
ppine
Explorer II
Mar 28, 2017
Great idea. A little risky with a rig on only a couple of years old. With units that have some age it is a swell update and a way to get rid of dated decor. Show us some pictures.
tonyandkaren
Explorer
Mar 28, 2017
Scrub it, prime it, paint it. We painted the walls on our new motorhome because we didn't like the colors. No problems at all in eight years. We repainted last year just for a different look. Scrubbed and painted the second time but didn't prime. Looks great!
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2017
I've not done it, but see no problem doing it. Just about anything can be painted if done correctly. As to resale value, the new owners could simply wall paper over the painted surfaces if they didn't like your handy work.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Mar 28, 2017
My office at work has the same type of vinyl stuff on the walls as RVs. Mine and several others have been successfully painted with regular latex paint, nothing done extra. The walls were washed down, let dry, and the paint rolled on. Looks great, and a HUGE improvement.

Use a de-glosser on the cabinetry and wash it all down with something like TSP.

If you are really really unsure, do a small area and wait to see how it works for a few months.

I'm with you, the browns are way too old-school.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Mar 28, 2017
Just make sure you are painting over papered veneer. That will be a failure for sure.
westend
Explorer
Mar 28, 2017
If you are painting plastic surfaces, use an adhesion promoter.

I don't ask a lot of questions at paint distributors, anymore (been at it awhile, I guess). Some of the counter guys at a paint store like Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore are very knowledgeable. Don't believe any advice at a Home Depot or Lowes. In fact, don't buy paint there, at all.
Bjcombs1989
Explorer
Mar 28, 2017
agesilaus wrote:
Surface preparation is the key.

Yes, I forgot to mention the 18 hours of cleaning we did before painting.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2017
Surface preparation is the key. Nothing will stick if that surface isn't clean and oil free. Scrub it down with a degreaser (which smell awful leave the doors and windows open). If the surface is something like paneling I'd rough it up a bit too. I'm no pro painter tho but I've spoken a lot to the ones we had where I worked.
Bjcombs1989
Explorer
Mar 28, 2017
I painted mine last week.. (1993 model, so not too worried about resale value).

Kilz2 & Glidden Essentials Paint went on great with the Wagner sprayer... I'll have to wait a few years to tell you how it holds up :)

Best of luck!

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