Hi everyone,I'm working on my very first DIY camper conversion, using a 2010 extended Ford E250.Today I have a question regarding wallpaper, I've noticed that some RVs have them on the outside walls.My question is, can I simply buy "standard" wallpaper with glue on the back or do I have to buy the ones you have to add glue to the back and maybe use a certain kind of glue?After googling it I found that some were talking about factory installed heat/bonded to the plywood or commercial glue and some say residential wall paper is ok.With the heat/cold/humidity extremes and all I just don't want to see it start peeling after a couple of months :-/I plan on installing some on the outside walls and ceiling, but as you can see in the pictures I won't have a lot of square footage.Thanks for any info!

If you prime the surface and then "size" it correctly, the paper should stick really well. You may want to look at wall paper that has a vinyl or other material as an outer layer as that might be more durable.

I'm envious of your project! I am redoing the inside of a 94 Toyota motorhome and know nothing about wallpaper. I got lucky and found a guy on the net who is a retired wallpaper hanger and RV'er. He had no issue wallpapering an RV. He suggested using Romans 935 primer, it is used to wall paper over glass and tile and other difficult surfaces. He said he would use a high clay content paste, but was up to me, i opted for pre pasted.In hindsight I would look for some wider wallpaper, the 21" makes too many seams.My 2 peso's worth. Plywood can cause some adhesion issues with various adhesives. I always coat plywood with a shellac based primer sealer before I do anything else! Zinsser Bin is a good choice. Jim

westend wrote:If you prime the surface and then "size" it correctly, the paper should stick really well. You may want to look at wall paper that has a vinyl or other material as an outer layer as that might be more durable.When you say "prime the surface" you mean painting the walls/ceiling with a basic water based latex primer? before installing the wallpaper.

jjrbus wrote:My 2 peso's worth. Plywood can cause some adhesion issues with various adhesives. I always coat plywood with a shellac based primer sealer before I do anything else! Zinsser Bin is a good choice. Jim I think I may have a gallon of this thing also:

In my trailer it is some synthetic material, probably vinyl film. Definitely not a paper. Attached to plywood panel extremely well, I suspect some thermal laminating process rather than glue.Not sure what you mean by "outside walls". Nobody covers exterior wall outside with wallpaper. There is normally a 1/4" interior plywood panel (covered with wallpaper), then 1.5-1.75" void filled with insulation, then exterior aluminum or fiberglass siding (or a steel sheet in motorhome).

Wallpaper vs RV | Good Sam Community

westend
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
If you prime the surface and then "size" it correctly, the paper should stick really well. You may want to look at wall paper that has a vinyl or other material as an outer layer as that might be more durable.
jjrbus
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
I'm envious of your project! I am redoing the inside of a 94 Toyota motorhome and know nothing about wallpaper.

I got lucky and found a guy on the net who is a retired wallpaper hanger and RV'er. He had no issue wallpapering an RV. He suggested using Romans 935 primer, it is used to wall paper over glass and tile and other difficult surfaces. He said he would use a high clay content paste, but was up to me, i opted for pre pasted.

In hindsight I would look for some wider wallpaper, the 21" makes too many seams.

My 2 peso's worth. Plywood can cause some adhesion issues with various adhesives. I always coat plywood with a shellac based primer sealer before I do anything else! Zinsser Bin is a good choice. Jim
evy
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
westend wrote:
If you prime the surface and then "size" it correctly, the paper should stick really well. You may want to look at wall paper that has a vinyl or other material as an outer layer as that might be more durable.

When you say "prime the surface" you mean painting the walls/ceiling with a basic water based latex primer? before installing the wallpaper.
evy
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
jjrbus wrote:
My 2 peso's worth. Plywood can cause some adhesion issues with various adhesives. I always coat plywood with a shellac based primer sealer before I do anything else! Zinsser Bin is a good choice. Jim
I think I may have a gallon of this thing also:
Almot
Explorer III
Apr 09, 2016
In my trailer it is some synthetic material, probably vinyl film. Definitely not a paper. Attached to plywood panel extremely well, I suspect some thermal laminating process rather than glue.

Not sure what you mean by "outside walls". Nobody covers exterior wall outside with wallpaper. There is normally a 1/4" interior plywood panel (covered with wallpaper), then 1.5-1.75" void filled with insulation, then exterior aluminum or fiberglass siding (or a steel sheet in motorhome).
Naio
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2016
You can also buy thin wallboard with wallpaper already attached, in 4x8 sheets (or metric equivalent). Fewer choices of patterns, but it might be worth checking to see if there is one you like!

Your plan looks great :)
Daleg70
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
Naio -- where would you buy the wallboard with wallpaper attached that you mentioned?

thx -- Dale
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
Looks like you have got a project.. I did one many years ago I took a class A down to the frame and started all over again, took the better part of 6 months. Good luck with the re build
DrewE
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2016
Almot wrote:

Not sure what you mean by "outside walls". Nobody covers exterior wall outside with wallpaper. There is normally a 1/4" interior plywood panel (covered with wallpaper), then 1.5-1.75" void filled with insulation, then exterior aluminum or fiberglass siding (or a steel sheet in motorhome).

Presumably the meaning is "exterior walls," as opposed to "interior partitions." At least, that's what I took it to mean.

For a simple and inexpensive and likely long-lasting (but not necessarily beautiful) finish, a good latex exterior house paint, on top of a decent primer, would be pretty good. I've heard of people painting wooden boats with such paint and getting good service, no worse than expensive marine boat paints. The paint companies know that house paint is a good portion of their sales, and so put a fair bit of research and development into formulating good exterior paints that last well even under damp conditions.
evy
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
Naio wrote:
Your plan looks great :)

Thanks, this is actually an older version, the new one is basically the same but a lot more detailed and refined.

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