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How to Repaint the Interior of a RV

How to Repaint the Interior of a RV
RV ownership has much in common with home ownership. Both homes and RVs are major investments and are things you live in, and just like a home, an RV requires periodic refurbishment to maintain a clean, well-maintained appearance. Also in common with a home, a new paint job is one of the quickest, simplest methods to give the interior of an RV a fresh appearance. But unlike your home, your RV's walls are made of vinyl, a substance only a few people have experience painting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Kitchen grease-cutting cleanser
  • Scrub brush
  • Pail
  • Medium-grit sandpaper
  • Hand-sanding block
  • Masking tape
  • Brushes
  • Roller
  • Oil-based primer
  • Semi-gloss or glossy latex paint
  • Pen knife
Step 1
Air out your RV by opening all the windows and skylights.
Step 2
Clean the walls, paying particular attention to oily stains. Most kitchen grease-cutting cleansers, plus a pail of water and a scrub brush, will be enough to do this job.
Step 3
Sand the walls. The smooth, glossy surface of vinyl offers paint very little to "latch" onto, and a sanding will help. Use a medium-grit sandpaper and a hand-sanding block. Sand only enough to give the surface a rougher texture.
Step 4
Cover the borders of areas you do not want to paint with masking tape.
Step 5
Apply a layer of oil-based primer to the vinyl walls using a hand brush or roller. Use short, even strokes to apply a thick coat of primer, especially if you are re-painting in a color that is lighter than the original. Allow this to dry for at least eight hours.
Step 6
Paint over the primer using semi-gloss or glossy latex paint. Once again, use either a hand brush or roller and apply a thick coat in short, even strokes. Wait at least eight hours for this coat to dry, and then apply a second coat. Repeat for a third coat only if necessary.
Step 7
Remove the masking tape. Beware of pulling up the latex paint as you go, and have a pen knife handy to cut the paint away from the tape if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

 
Semi-gloss or glossy latex paint offers an easier-to-clean surface than a flat finish.
 
Use a power sander only if you are already handy with it. A loss of control could take too much off the vinyl surface, forcing you to replace an entire panel.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

Write for Trails.com

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