Painting interior of brand new camper

One of the issues with painting wood doors, drawers, and cabinet faces is that if they're made with an open grain wood like Oak, there will be a rough surface when done with paint. To get a smooth finish aspect, the grain needs to be filled and that can be done with a grain filler before painting.

As suggested previously, visit a local paint store and seek advice on how to proceed. You may have three or more different surfaces to paint and each deserves the best prep for good results.

I do paint for a living, occasionally. I am West of Mpls--Shorewood. You can PM me for a phone number if you think you need consulting, I'm happy to help.

Coleman sells entry level trailers, there will be a plastic like paper over OSB most likely with the cabinets, the doors may be hardwood. If I were going to do this, I would test the whole procedure where it couldn't be easily seen before going ahead. I have seen this go bad and destroy the value of the trailer. A high end trailer with solid wood cabinets wouldn't be a problem, the OSB if it gets wet enough to swell and separate and even if it appears what is underneath has been covered, it can reappear later especially in the sunlight.

I would consider maybe using a Contact sticky back stuff over the paper/plastic area and walls and just painting the drawer and cabinet fronts.

tlieder wrote:
We just purchased a Coleman 1805RB and the first modification we are doing is to paint the interior cabinets and walls white. First, I would love advise on everything from technique to supplies to the name of a great white color paint. Second, is the paint process for this any different since it is a brand new camper and not a used one? Finally, do I just paint right over the wall, and if so, will there be a texture that shows through?

thanks for all the advise!

Nuvo Cabinet paint.
www.nuvocabinetpaint.com

justafordguy--
that looks so nice!! exactly the look I want!

Our Keystone Outback came with white cabinets and the moment we saw it my wife loved them. They look great and are very easy to keep clean. You'll love them!

justafordguy - that looks very nice!

We hated the dark interior of our 5th wheel also so we redid the inside last summer. It is like a beach cottage now instead of a funeral parlor. ;)

We used Glidden "Gripper" primer on the walls and cabinets and the paint is holding up very well so far. X2 on the eggshell for the walls and semi-gloss for the cabinets.




(Moderator edit to fix photo URL's)

fulltimedaniel wrote:

ken56 wrote:
The point of the vinyl covering in the cabinet frame is a good one. It may not stay stuck if it gets wet with paint. The doors on mine are wood but the cabinet frame is vinyl covered which is standard on the average unit. That said, we used the Rustoleum product for cabinets in our home and it came out fantastic. Its labor and time intensive and prep is vital for a good outcome.

X2 Those cabinets are mostly covered with the printed plastic over particle board. While the DOORS might be some light wood the rest will probably be plastic covered. This will NOT take to paint.

I understand your wanting to change from the dark colors these manufacturers put in seemingly all RV's except Airstream.

But you might have to re-think this. Also most of the walls and cabinet sides are thin luan with a plastic printed coating.

Adhesion promoter---visit your local paint store and get some knowledge about painting different surfaces.

If plastic couldn't be painted, we would all have primed and scratched to yellow bumpers (like NYC, lol).

ken56 wrote:
The point of the vinyl covering in the cabinet frame is a good one. It may not stay stuck if it gets wet with paint. The doors on mine are wood but the cabinet frame is vinyl covered which is standard on the average unit. That said, we used the Rustoleum product for cabinets in our home and it came out fantastic. Its labor and time intensive and prep is vital for a good outcome.

X2 Those cabinets are mostly covered with the printed plastic over particle board. While the DOORS might be some light wood the rest will probably be plastic covered. This will NOT take to paint.

I understand your wanting to change from the dark colors these manufacturers put in seemingly all RV's except Airstream.

But you might have to re-think this. Also most of the walls and cabinet sides are thin luan with a plastic printed coating.

Could always order an extra piece of wall from manufacturer and have some sections to play with. Might cost you $100 but would definitely give more prep options