RV Renovation Inspiration
Meet Sarah
Renovating RVs since before it was cool!
Author of the book “All Things Camper Renovating,” blogger at allthingswithpurpose.com, RV renovator, and speaker.
Join our community of renovators that are supportive and helpful!
Latest from the Blog
How to Paint RV Walls
Painting the Walls of an RV How do you paint the walls of an RV? What type of paint do I use to paint RV walls? Do I need to use any special prep before painting the walls in an RV? It may seem rather basic, but I receive numerous questions about this topic every …
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BOOKS AND TRAINING TOOLS FROM THE PROS BOOKS All Things Camper Renovating – Sarah Lemp The Nomad’s Guide to Decorating – Katy Nathey VIRTUAL CLASSES RV Family Renovators Course – Use code “PURPOSEBLOG” for 10% off I cannot recommend …
1994 Pace Arrow Class A Motorhome Renovation
PACE ARROW RENOVATION This RV was purchased through a friend of a friend. They were the only owners and had stored it in a heated facility for the last decade. It had been taken out for routine maintenance and kept in pristine condition. I’ve never seen an RV this old, in …
How to Paint RV Cabinets Like a Pro
How to Paint RV Cabinets I’ve been renovating RVs for almost 10 years. I’ve tried numerous techniques over the years and have tried every brand of paint and method. I’ve made mistakes by trial and error, and I’m going to share with you what I now do …
1974 Airstream Argosy For Sale
Vintage Argosy UPDATE: This RV has SOLD Lilo, our 1974 26′ Argosy travel trailer is officially for sale. This Argosy (made by Airstream) is everything I ever wanted in a small vintage trailer; lightweight, easy to tow, tons of character, and room for our large family. The …
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Frequently asked questions about RV renovating
(answered by Sarah)
Q
What kind of paint do you recommend?
A
I prefer latex paint in a low luster finish like egg shell or satin. I firmly believe that that the prep work is more important than the brand of paint. Most surfaces will hold paint better when they have been sanded, cleaned, and covered in a bonding primer before using paint. My favorite go-to primer is Gripper by Glidden or Stix, and my go-to paint is Behr Ultra Scuff Defense or Benjamin Moore Advance.
For more ideas, see this post: How to Paint the Interior of an RV
Q
How much does it cost to renovate an RV?
A
This will vary greatly depending on the type, year, and condition of the RV you are renovating. I always budget around $2,000 to do cosmetic changes without major repair work or high-end upgrades. If there is a lot of water damage or you are wanting to replace countertops and a shower, you will need to prepare for a much higher budget.
For more ideas, see this post: How Much Does it Cost to Renovate an RV?
Q
How do you paint the exterior of an RV?
A
The “right” answer to this question involves using professional autobody paint and equipment. However, I have had great success using exterior latex paint and a high-quality roller. I do not recommend this method for newer RVs, but for an older RV that has seen better days, by all means, paint that thing! It can’t get worse than it already is, right?
Fore more ideas, see this post: How to Paint the Exterior of an RV
Q
How do I cover ugly dinette cushions in my RV?
A
There are so many creative ways to cover ugly cushions and furniture in your RV. Some ideas include:
– Use painter’s drop cloth or old curtain fabric
– Purchase slipcovers or fitted sheets on Amazon
– Cut a board for the back of the cushion, cover the front of the cushion with fabric and staple it to the back
For more ideas, see this post: How to Recover RV Dinette Cushions