Cheap and Easy RV Upgrades: Ideas for Using Spray Paint to Elevate Your Space

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Updating or remodeling an RV can become very expensive very quickly depending on how much you are changing, but one budget-friendly and super easy way to upgrade your space is to use spray paint. Spray paint comes in a wide variety of colors and textures including matte, gloss, metallic, hammered, chalkboard, and even glow-in-the-dark. There are also a surprising amount of places in your camper or RV that could benefit from a little spray paint face lift.  We have a can of black and white with us at all times while we are full-time traveling in our camper.  Read on to learn about several cheap and easy RV upgrades we did in our camper using a can of spray paint.

In this article I will go over the different materials that can be spray painted, places inside and outside of your RV that can be spray painted, how to safely spray paint, and other important considerations. Keep reading to learn more! 

Types of Materials You Can Spray Paint

Most materials around the inside and outside of your camper can be spray painted, including:

• Wood
• Plastic
• Metal
• Glass
• Concrete
• Fabric

It is important to note that some plastics made of polyethylene (like a storage tote or plastic bottle) may be harder for regular spray paint to adhere to, so for those you’ll want to use a type of spray paint designed to be used on plastic or start with a coat of plastic primer.

What Can I Spray Paint in my Camper?

We have spray painted so many things in our campers to brighten them up and match the new decor style we wanted. A lot of the plastic fixtures in our rig were an off-white color and we wanted them to be bright white or black. Inside we have successfully spray painted:

• Ceiling vent covers
• Light Switches
• Light fixtures
• Fuse box cover
• AC Vent cover
• Outlets
• Cabinet Hinges

But the spray painting updates don’t just have to stay inside, there are many uses for it outside as well, including: 

• Cord Cover
• Tongue Hitch
• Propane Tank cover
• Hub Caps
• Water Heater Door
• Bumper

Types of Spray Paint

There are a few different types of spray paint and you will want to choose the kind that would work best for your project. These are the 3 we have found we use most often on our RV projects.

1. General Purpose spray paint: This is the most common type of spray paint and can be found easily at any hardware or big box store, and will adhere to most surfaces
2. High Heat spray paint: This is great for areas that will get very hot like a grill or fire pit
3. Rust-preventative spray paint: This is used for spray painting metal that may be exposed to the elements like an outdoor table or chair.

There are additional types of spray paints like acrylic, chalkboard, epoxy, oil based, frosted, and glow-in-the-dark spray paint that will all give a different type of finish. Be sure to always read the can to make sure you choose the paint best suited for your project.

How to Spray Paint

Now that you have some ideas on what you can spray paint in your camper, let’s go over how to safely spray paint. 

Outside in a well-ventilated area is always the best place to spray paint. Any item that you can remove and take outside you should do so. If it can’t be removed, be sure to protect the area around where you are painting with something like newspaper, cardboard, or painter’s tape. If spray painting indoors, be sure to open windows for proper ventilation. 

Make sure the item you are painting is clean of any dirt, dust, or old chipped paint. If you are painting a glossy surface, lightly sand and clean off. 

Shake the can for about one minute once you hear the ball rattling inside, and shake periodically during use.

Hold the can about 10” from the surface and begin spraying, spray in a back and forth motion, overlapping each stroke a little. Be sure to keep the can at the same distance throughout painting. Keep the spray moving and don’t spray it on too thick or the paint may start to run or drip.

If you are painting outside, take into consideration how windy it is and what direction the wind is blowing. Apply 2-3 coats if needed a few minutes apart.

Always read the instructions on the can for best application directions, including temperatures, drying times, and when to apply sealants if needed. 

Other Considerations

Spray paint can rub off over time in high traffic areas like light switches, or floor vents that may be walked on, they may need more frequent respraying. 

If painting outlets, be sure to only spray the outlet cover, not the outlet itself.

If you are spray painting outside in a buggy area, you may want to bring your item inside to dry so it does not get covered in bugs while the paint is drying (We learned this one the hard way).

Final Thoughts On Using Spray Paint for Cheap RV Upgrades

By spray painting items inside and outside of our camper instead of buying replacements we have saved so much money. A replacement fuse box cover costs about $50, and a new propane tank cover is $75, while a can of spray paint usually runs around $7 and can easily paint both of these items plus more. Spray paint has allowed us to update the finishes on our campers without breaking the bank, and the end results of these cheap RV upgrades are great. 

It’s also not limited to items that come in your camper, spray paint is also a great way to create some DIY decor as well. Is there a picture frame that you love the style but not the color? Spray paint it! Do you have a plain utensil holder that needs a bit of jazzing up? Spray paint it! 

The options really are endless for ways to use spray paint in your RV. 

Have you used spray paint as a budget-friendly way to update something? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for other easy and cheap RV upgrades and DIY ideas? Check out these ideas:

• 27 RV Decorating Ideas (with Photos!)
• 23 Ways to Make a Budget RV Makeover Extra Simple!
• Small RV Changes with Big Results
• How to Decorate an RV on a Budget