HOW TO PAINT RV CABINETS WITHOUT SANDING
It’s so worth painting the cabinets in your RV. It will completely transform the space and paint isn’t very expensive!
Here are the easy steps to follow:
Here are the easy steps to follow:
PREP WORK
If you’re not painting the walls, you’re going to want to tape and protect anything you don’t want paint to get on. I always paint the cabinets and walls, so I don’t tape off the walls when painting the cabinets.
For more info on painting RV walls, check out our blog post here!
REMOVE DOORS, HANDLES AND HINGES
This step makes painting so much easier. On this renovation, we replaced the hinges and pulls, so we definitely needed to remove the old ones. Make sure the laminate is in good condition. If it’s peeling or bubbling, painting over it won’t fix it.
Pro tip: Label where each door goes and tape the corresponding hardware on the back of the door if you are keeping them. You might think you’ll remember where everything goes, but you won’t. So trust me, label everything with painters tape!
DEGREASE CABINETS AND DOORS WITH ZEP
This is the most important step in order to get the paint to adhere properly. Simply spray, spread with a towel and wait 5 minutes. Then, rinse the walls with a damp cloth and let dry.
PRIME WITH CHALK PAINT
Why chalk paint? Chalk paint adheres to plastic. Cabinets in campers are usually particle board with glued on laminate (plastic). So chalk paint bonds easily to this. Make sure to let the chalk paint dry for a day before painting over it. At this point the paint will not be completely cured, so if you scratch it, the paint will come off. Chalk paint needs to be sealed or painted over with latex paint, otherwise the paint will always scratch, chip or fade.
Why chalk paint? Chalk paint adheres to plastic. Cabinets in campers are usually particle board with glued on laminate (plastic). So chalk paint bonds easily to this. Make sure to let the chalk paint dry for a day before painting over it. At this point the paint will not be completely cured, so if you scratch it, the paint will come off. Chalk paint needs to be sealed or painted over with latex paint, otherwise the paint will always scratch, chip or fade.
PAINT 2 COATS OF LATEX PAINT
After the primer dries for about a day or at least overnight, paint with your color. We used Zinsser paint with no dye because I like the bright white. Do the first coat and then let it dry for 1-2 hours. Then do your final coat!
Paint in good weather- don’t paint if the temperature is below 50 or above 85. If its too cold or too humid your paint may not adhere well.
Pro tip: If you notice any paint drips, lightly sand, wipe clean and repaint the small area. That way, you keep the same texture and the sanded area won’t stand out.
REPLACE THE HARDWARE AND DOORS
Wait at least 24 hours before replacing the doors and attaching the hardware.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE
Paint takes a long time to fully cure, or harden. Sometimes up to 30 days. I see many people on forums complain that when they touch or scratch the paint on the cabinets it comes right off and they’re afraid the paint wont hold up. So just don’t touch it! Paint the cabinets and be careful until it fully cures. We recommend letting the camper sit about a week after painting before taking a trip.
After the primer dries for about a day or at least overnight, paint with your color. We used Zinsser paint with no dye because I like the bright white. Do the first coat and then let it dry for 1-2 hours. Then do your final coat!
Paint in good weather- don’t paint if the temperature is below 50 or above 85. If its too cold or too humid your paint may not adhere well.
Pro tip: If you notice any paint drips, lightly sand, wipe clean and repaint the small area. That way, you keep the same texture and the sanded area won’t stand out.
REPLACE THE HARDWARE AND DOORS
Wait at least 24 hours before replacing the doors and attaching the hardware.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE
Paint takes a long time to fully cure, or harden. Sometimes up to 30 days. I see many people on forums complain that when they touch or scratch the paint on the cabinets it comes right off and they’re afraid the paint wont hold up. So just don’t touch it! Paint the cabinets and be careful until it fully cures. We recommend letting the camper sit about a week after painting before taking a trip.
