Paint over wall paper and on cabinets?

DutchmenSport wrote:
...Actually, under the wall paper was the old style Masonite (very heavy) wall paneling, very dark brown....

I found this very same thing on a NEW MH I bought!

I decided to put up a spring loaded shower curtain and tightened it down real tight. A couple of years later I decided to take it down and it ripped the wallpaper. Under neath was wood paneling!

All I could think of was they had a stock pile of coaches with wood paneling when the switch over to wallpaper became more popular so they wallpapered over it at the factory. I would have never known had I not ripped it!

There are only two ways a paint can stick over a substrate.

1 a chemical bond, meaning it melts in to the substrate or previous finish to get a hold, or

2 a mechanical bond, meaning you sand the substrate to leave fine scratch marks for the paint to adhere to.

Yes a good primer will help over any surface.
Yes you can paint over stained wood.

They do make a paint specifically for going over a non porous surface, such as Formica. It would probably work well over the fake vinyl wood grain used in trailers, but I would take the advice of someone who has had good results.
Good luck.

donn0128 wrote:
TSP here

Ah. Maybe it was a local/state law that wouldn't let them sell it any more.

We did ours a few years ago. Painted everything with Kiltz primer and painted over.

I do a lot of this in houses.

My best tip: Do test spots with multiple techniques.

You can use Kilz, Gripper, Z-prime, and similar primers. Try with and without sanding, with and without deglosser, with and without TSP-substitute (last I heard, actual TSP is not sold anymore because toxic).

Obviously you won't try all of those! But do a few, especially with and without sanding. If you can skip that step your life will be easier.

Leave the samples overnight. Then try to scratch the primer off. Use your thumbnail, and if it still sticks try a butterknife or something. Do the cabinets with whatever you can't scratch off!

If everything scratches, try samples of something else. You DO NOT want a finish that comes off easily. That is the road to misery. Seriously, it is not worth it.

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I agree about not painting the wallpaper. If you don't want to remove it, cover it with thin stiff wallcovering that comes in 4x8 sheets -- you can get fiberglass, fiberboard, etc. options. Some look like plaster, some like wallpaper, etc. You could use this on the panels of your cabinet doors, too, if they are fake wood.

I have done similar work in homes with good results. First thoroughly clean all surfaces, make sure all grease is removed and rinsed. Apply one coat of Kilz2 latex with a good quality angled brush around the edges, then use a 1/4" nap 7" roller for large surfaces, repeat this step with a quality latex satin enamel for walls and semi gloss for cabinets. Using a 1/4" nap roller will ensure smooth finish. Two top coats will be more durable and ensure complete coverage.

donn0128 wrote:
First you need wash everything with TSP. Then prime with something like Kilz primer. Finally you can choose a suitable paint color. Lighter the better. Dont skimp on any of the products or you will regret it. Latex paint is best, either semi or gloss.

This. If you use a flat or eggshell finish on the walls, the bumps/texture will be less noticeable. Go for semi-gloss on trim & cabinets.

There is a really nice product called Smart Tile available that looks like glass tiles--great for a backsplash. While you are at it, replace the countertop, sink & faucet. You will have a great-looking RV when finished.

Check out the RV Interiors site on Facebook. You will be amazed at what people are doing inside their RVs. Lots of painting. I'm thinking about doing mine also.

Another alternative - apply new wallpaper - it's inexpensive and easy to apply. Not sure about the cabinets - repainting kitchen cabinets to make them look great requires good prep and some might argue a spray gun. Many kitchens come with veneer finish - you might be able to just buy/apply new veneer ...??