Painting RV Cabinets: How to Get Good Results

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Have you ever thought about painting RV cabinets, but weren’t sure if it was doable? The good news is, it is! With so many RV’s being manufactured with dark or outdated-looking cabinets, many RV renovators paint RV cabinets to update the space. It’s crazy how something as simple as changing the color of cabinets can transform a whole RV! We will break down how to paint RV cabinets so that by the time you’re done reading this article you are knowledgeable about it and excited to get started!

Can You Paint RV Cabinets?

Absolutely! Many RV owners have painted the cabinets in their camper or motorhome and have been very happy with the results.

Just check out this article to see all the stunning transformations.

Is Painting RV Cabinets a Good Idea?

Painting cabinets can be a great way to update your RV interior, and even make your cabinet faces more durable, but we always aim to be transparent and talk about any potential drawbacks. Here are a few for you to keep in mind so you can make the best decision for you.

Here are some potential drawbacks to painting your RV cabinets:

• Undesired results
  • To avoid undesired results (because stripping paint off is a pain and may not be possible!) you’ll want to test some samples and make sure you go with a paint color you love
• Paint could scratch or peel
  • This is possible even with the more foolproof and durable processes, but the more care you put into the prep work, the less likely this will happen
• White paint shows dirt
  • We all know that white shows a lot of dirt in any material. If you want things to look pristine, you may want to forego white for a different paint color.
• Wood cabinets are coming back in style
  • This may be true, but it’s your RV, so the decor should be a personal decision of what you like.
• Chance of reducing trade-in value
  • If you plan to sell the RV in the near future, painting the cabinets (especially in a new/newer model) can reduce the trade-in value. This can be especially true if you choose a bold paint color or if the paint job doesn’t look professional.

Want to see some examples of beautifully renovated RVs where they didn’t paint the cabinets? Take a look here!

When Painting RV Cabinets is a Good Idea

Here are some reasons TO paint your RV cabinets!

• When you are doing a complete renovation
  • This can complete a look and give you the ultimate style you are looking for
• If it’s an older camper or motorhome that has already significantly depreciated
  • Painting can update it and increase the value
• To improve the look of damaged cabinets
  • Instead of replacing them, fixing and painting wood cabinets can drastically save money and improve the aesthetic
• When you don’t care about resale value and want your camper to look the way you like
  • If you how your RV painted-cabinets look, that’s all that matters!

How to Prep RV Cabinets for Painting

As with most renovation DIY jobs, there is a lot of prep work involved, and it’s all very important. You don’t want to skip any steps, or your final product may not be as polished and durable as you want.

• Step 1: Remove the cabinet doors and label them with painter’s tape so you can remember where they went. This is essential!
• Step 2: Sand cabinet doors and boxes. If your cabinets are made from solid wood, we recommend thoroughly sanding them with an electric orbital sander to completely remove old varnish.  If your cabinets are made from wood veneer or laminate (“fake wood”), lightly sand to rough up the surface without tearing through the outer layer.
• Step 2: Thoroughly clean your cabinets.  To remove sawdust, a damp rag will do.  To remove grease and grime, we recommend cleaning with a TSP substitute, not TSP, because TSP can cause a chemical reaction with some primers that interferes with adhesion.

Can You Paint RV Cabinets Without Sanding?

Yes and no! Many people advocate for various methods and paint brands that don’t require sanding.  Many types of paints and primers don’t require sanding, but it’s going to depend on many factors. If you’re trying to figure out how to paint laminate rv cabinets, then you’re going to come across a lot of information that highly recommends priming, but forgoing sanding.

Before choosing whether to sand or not, we would recommend reading multiple reviews from people who had good results using the technique for cabinets made from the same material as yours. This will give you a better idea of what you’re getting into before you start so that you’re fully prepared.

How to Prime RV Cabinets

The purpose of primer is to cover stains and help with paint adhesion by preventing oils from seeping out of the raw wood. Primer also creates a “rough” surface that paint can better adhere to. Primer is essential for the longevity of your paint job.

Priming tips for RV cabinet makeovers:

• Choose a bonding primer.  We like Kilz Adhesion Primer!
• Use a handheld sprayer or foam cabinet roller to achieve an even finish without streaking.
• Read the label on the can of primer and follow the instructions for surface preparation, temperature, and drying time.
• Find more tips for priming your RV cabinets in this article

How to Paint RV Cabinets

When it comes to painting RV cabinets, it’s key to understand what your cabinets are made of and to choose the right process for that material. If your cabinets are solid wood, the process will be the same as painting residential kitchen cabinets: sand off the old varnish, prime, and then paint with a good cabinet paint. Where it gets more tricky is if your cabinets are made of laminate wood or “fake wood.” Read our in-depth article about how to paint camper cabinets and walls to learn the step-by-step process for painting travel trailer cabinets or painting motorhome cabinest of any kind.

RV Cabinet Painting Tips:

• Choose a cabinet paint, as these are specifically designed to have a more durable finish.  See this article for our brand recommendations!
• Don’t use cold paint. If you are painting inside a chilly RV, store your paint in a heated space and only take it outside when you’re ready to use it.
• Don’t paint when it’s too cold or too hot, this can mess up the curability. Read the label on the paint can to see which temperatures are recommended.
• We recommend using a handheld sprayer to paint your cabinet doors to achieve professional-looking results. They are not very expensive and can cut the time in half!
• Use a foam roller on cabinet boxes if you are unable to spray them to achieve a smooth, even finish free of streaks and paint brush hairs.
• Be sure to allow the paint to dry between coats for the number of hours specified on the paint can.
• Take care to avoid scratching the paint before it has fully cured.  This may take up to a week, depending on temperature and humidity.

The Best Primer for Painting RV Cabinets

There are a few bonding primers that have received multiple recommendations from RV owners who used them with good results! Let’s look at them here:

• Kilz Adhesion Primer
• Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond
• Behr Bonding Primer

The Best Paint for Camper Cabinets

There are also some paint brands that are tried and true for different RV DIYer’s. We only like to recommend items that we know others have had good results with.

This article breaks down some of the best RV paint options, but here are a few for cabinets we love:

• Behr Marquee
• Heirloom Traditions
• Sherwin Williams Emerald

Best Cabinet Paint to Use Without Sanding

Prefer not to sand your cabinets? Here is the paint you’ll want to use.

The Heirloom Traditions is praised as an all-in-one paint that doesn’t require sanding. The same can be said for Mineral Fusion, which is a chalk paint with a built-in primer and top coat. An enamel paint can also generally be used without sanding, such as Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.

Here’s a list of all the best paints!

Additional Resources

Want to brush up on more knowledge about RV painting hacks? We have it all! Here are some RV interior painting tips – because you may be painting just more than the cabinets. If you want more help with understanding the priming process, check out this one.

Here’s a list of painting mistakes to avoid – always something good to be aware of before you dive into a project like this! 

RV Makeover Inspiration

Looking for some inspiration? Here are some beautiful RV’s that were renovated without painting the walls. Not a fan of the neutral trend? Here are colorful RV interior makeovers for you to get some inspiration from!

We even found some dark interiors for those who want something opposite of the modern farmhouse look! How unique are these!

Want to update your wood cabinets without painting them? Check out all these beautiful and clever ideas!

Conclusion

Renovations are a big undertaking in an RV, and painting motorhome cabinets or traveil trailer cabinets is no different. But don’t let that intimidate you! With some knowledge on your options, what brands are best, tools you need and mistakes to avoid, you can go into this project and feel confident.

Have you painted an RV before or have questions? Leave us a comment below!

We encourage you to download the free Quick Start Painting Guide found on this page.