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Tag: RV Renovation

  • Painting an RV: Part II

    Painting an RV: Part II

    With the increasing popularity of RV ownership, many people choose to renovate their RV interiors. Renovating allows for individuality and personalization, and there are so many projects you can complete in the process of modernizing an RV. Painting your RV walls and cabinets is one such project that, arguably, yields the most results.

    Previously, we discussed how to prep your RV interior for paint. Prep work involves smoothing all walls, sanding, cleaning, and taping and covering all areas you don’t want painted (see previous post for more details). Once your prep work is done, you are ready to begin the task that will show actual results: painting! Follow along with the steps below for best results.

    1. Choose your paint

    This might just be the most important decision in your whole painting process. Paint colors should be chosen alongside the RV’s overall color palette. After all, in a space of less than five hundred square feet, it is even more important to select specific colors that match a cohesive theme. This will ensure that your finished product looks polished and classy.

    Head to the hardware store and select your favorite color swatches from your preferred paint brands. Bring home a variety of swatches and hold them against your RV walls. Envision them filling your space, and ask friends and family for their opinions. Consider taking a few days to think about your choice before you begin. This is a big decision and you don’t want to rush it.

    Paint colors are a personal preference but it is often recommended to stick to neutral tones in tiny spaces. For instance, white is great for opening up a space and making it look bigger – which is why it is a popular choice amongst RV renovators. However, many are wary of choosing white because it can also be a challenge to keep clean and fresh. Paler grays are also popular, as they are easier to keep clean and still brighten up the space while keeping it neutral.

    Bright colors are fun, but they can also make a small space look tacky if used in excess. If you are wanting some color, you may want to consider painting just an accent wall here or there. If you choose to paint in all neutrals, you can always use decorations, furniture, blankets, throw pillows, rugs and more for pops of color.

    Once you have chosen your colors, you will need to choose your desired paint finish. There are many different opinions and preferences, but most agree that cabinets should be painted with a gloss or semi-gloss finish. This makes them more durable and easier to clean. Walls, on the other hand, can be painted in whichever finish you prefer. Eggshell and satin tend to have a lower-gloss look and are easier to clean than matte paint.

    2. Gather your supplies

    Once you have chosen your paint colors, head to the hardware store to gather your supplies. You will need painting trays, disposable paint tray liners, a paint roller handle, disposable rollers, paintbrushes, and, of course, paint and primer. Be sure to purchase a variety of roller sizes for all the different surfaces in your RV. Two and four-inch rollers are great for cabinets and smaller surfaces, while six and eight-inch rollers are excellent for walls and other larger spaces.

    In addition, select the best quality paint brushes and rollers that you can find. This way, you will avoid leaving bristles and lint behind in your paint to ensure a smoother finish. Finally, consider buying more supplies than you need to avoid additional trips to the store. You can always return the extras when you are finished, and this will be less inconvenient than having to pause your project and head to the store multiple times.

    3. Test your colors

    If you carefully selected your colors, pictured them in your RV, and asked friends and family for advice, it may feel unnecessary to test the colors in your RV. However, this step is crucial to ensuring that your final product is exactly as you envisioned it. Paint a small section of a few different areas in your RV, and allow the paint to dry for a few hours. If the dried product looks good, you are all set to move forward with the final steps. If it is darker or lighter than you expected, or if you don’t like the finish, it is time to head back to the hardware store to select and test some more colors.

    4. Apply primer

    Although there are many paint and primer combination products, applying primer separately has many benefits. When covering darker walls or cabinets, you will need a few layers of paint for full coverage. This means that you will likely not paint a single coat of paint and be done with this project, so you might as well take the time to apply primer.

    Primer will serve as a buffer between the walls and your final coat(s) of paint. It will also ensure better paint adherence and durability. For best results, be sure to choose a higher quality primer (such as Kilz or Zinsser Cover Stain) and paint one or two coats. Allow the primer to dry for a minimum of twenty-four hours between coats for the best and longest lasting results.

    5. Paint!

    Once you have completed steps one through four, you are finally ready for paint. To avoid drips and runs, paint during the day when the sun is out. For best visibility, open all windows and turn on all the lights in the RV. If the paint runs or drips, be sure to smooth over it before it dries.

    If all goes well, you will only be painting your RV once. Go slow and take your time to minimize mistakes and imperfections. For full coverage, it is best to apply at least two coats of paint. As with the primer, allow the paint to dry at least twenty-four hours between coats for best results.

    Although it is only the first step in the renovation process, painting yields big results. When you have finished painting, your RV will look like an entirely different space. This may leave you excited to move onto the next step in the process. Be sure to check out the other guides in this renovation series to learn how to replace your floors, install new lighting, and more.

    Have you painted an RV before? What was the process like? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you haven’t already, don’t forget to check out Part I of our RV painting series.
  • Painting an RV: Part I

    Painting an RV: Part I

    Renovating an RV has become an increasingly popular challenge in recent years. A simple search of the “RVrenovation” hashtag on Instagram will instantly yield photos of thousands of brightly-colored, modernly-designed units all over the world.

    The reasons for remodeling an RV interior differ, but the main motivation stems from a desire to make an RV your own. Many RVs come from the factory turn-key ready, but some people feel that these lack personality and individuality. Additionally, older RVs from different eras (8+ years old) are often outdated in the decor department and in need of some serious sprucing. Still, others may just not match the taste and style preferences of their respective owners. Whatever the reasons for beginning an RV renovation and whatever projects you have planned, your very first project should be painting.

    Painting an RV is no small job. While the surface area of the total space may be small, there are many nooks and crannies, which makes painting time-consuming and labor-intensive. In addition, there is quite a bit of prep work involved. In order to ensure that the paint adheres to the surface, you must sand, clean, and tape, all before beginning the actual paint job. To get started – you’ll want to:

    1. Decide where you want to paint

    The very first step to painting is deciding exactly which surfaces you plan to paint. When renovating an RV, many people paint both the walls and the cabinets. Others decide to paint the walls and leave the cabinets with the original wood-grain look. No matter which surfaces you decide to paint, determining this ahead of time is important because it will let you know which areas to prep. Once you have decided where to paint, you can move on and start your prep work.

    2. Flatten out all surfaces to be painted

    Most people paint right over the wallpaper in RVs. Removing wallpaper is a sticky and messy process, and there is really no reason to complete this extra step prior to painting. However, if there are wallpaper borders present, these must be removed before painting. Failure to remove these will result in a bumpy and uneven surface, and the finished product will not be as polished.

    Most wallpaper borders in RVs can be found in either the kitchen or the bathroom. To remove these, simply slide a thin tool under the border to begin peeling it up, and pull the border away from the wall. There will be some resistance, but it should eventually peel off in one piece. If you are unable to remove the wallpaper, try melting the glue with a heat gun. Scrape any excess glue off the walls once borders are removed.

    Additionally, you must fill any and all holes or nicks in the walls with putty if you want a smooth final appearance. Allow the putty to dry for at least six hours before moving on to step three.

    3. Sand all surfaces to be painted

     

    Sanding is arguably the most important step of the painting process. Assuming your RV will travel to a variety of climates in its lifetime, it is especially important to ensure that the paint adheres to the walls as best as possible. Since RV wallpaper and cabinets are typically covered in a glossy, laminate finish, you must be sure to remove this before you can paint. Failure to complete this step will result in a finished product that is extremely prone to peeling and does not hold up well over time.

    It is best to sand with an electric sander and some 80 or 120-grit sandpaper. Any size sander will get the job done, but a smaller, hand-held sander will be easier to maneuver into tight spaces. Be sure to sand all surfaces that will be painted. This will take up quite a bit of time, but it is very important and worth every second when your final painted product lasts for years.

    3. Clean thoroughly

    After sanding, everything in the RV will be covered in a thick layer of dust. It is vital that you clean up all of this before painting. If you don’t clean well, residual dust may stick to your paint as it is drying, discoloring it, and leaving the walls looking perpetually dusty. Thoroughly wipe down all countertops, and then vacuum and sweep up all dust particles on the floors.

    Next, wipe down the walls, cabinets, and any other surface that will be painted with TSP. Otherwise known as trisodium phosphate, TSP is a heavy-duty cleaner that is diluted and used for cleaning surfaces that will later be painted. You can find it at any hardware or home repair supply store.

    4. Remove hardware 

     

    If you are painting your RV cabinets, you will need to remove all cabinet doors and drawer faces before you can begin to paint. It is best to do this after sanding so that you don’t have to sand these on a tabletop or on the ground. In addition, you should remove all hardware (hinges, handles, etc.) to ensure that you can paint as closely as possible.

    NOTE: If you have plastic or metal hardware, it is best to remove the hardware prior to sanding the cabinets.

    You must also remove all outlet covers, lights and light switch covers to ensure they are not accidentally painted. You can complete this step with either a screwdriver or a drill with an appropriately-sized bit.

    5. Tape Before You Paint

    This is the final step of prepwork. Before painting, you must tape off anything that is not going to be painted. This includes the ceiling, floors, baseboards, appliances, windows and anything else that you do not want to accidentally paint. Be sure to tape carefully and as closely as possible for best results. If you are not planning to replace your flooring after painting, be sure to cover the floors in drop cloths to avoid drips.

    Once you have completed all of these steps, you are ready to gather your supplies and begin painting. Keep an eye out for the next post in the series, where we will discuss painting tips and tricks that are sure to leave your RV looking good as new.

    Have you painted an RV? What did you do for prepwork? Feel free to share in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out Part II of our RV painting series.

  • 5 Simple Ideas for Renovating Your RV

    5 Simple Ideas for Renovating Your RV

    In the past decade, RV ownership has risen tremendously. From people living and traveling in RVs full time to people taking them on weekend trips and vacations, more people than ever are becoming RV owners and enjoying their vacation homes on wheels. With hundreds of types of RVs available, RV life looks a little different for everybody. One thing remains the same though: many RVs have fairly outdated interiors.

    Some modern RVs have interiors that match current decor trends. However, many from the 90s and early 2000s are dark and covered in floral fabrics. This may be a deterrent to those who would like to buy but do not like certain RV interiors. Some people may not have considered this, but RV interiors are customizable and can be completely renovated.

    The idea of renovating an RV may seem rather daunting and difficult to a first-time owner. However, certain small adjustments can make a huge difference, especially in a tiny space. A little goes a long way, and just a few weeks of work can have your RV looking bright, cozy and modernized in no time. After all, traveling in your tiny home on wheels is much more fun when done in style. Consider these suggestions for simple projects that will make the biggest changes in your RV.

    1. Decorate

    Decorating can completely transform your space without requiring a complete renovation. Simple changes like fresh throw pillows, bedding, curtains, decorative blankets, wall hangings, area rugs, photos and plants can add a ton of character with only a bit of work. Decorating is all about personal preference and taste. Find items that make you happy and incorporate them throughout your RV. You can even utilize items found on your travels to remind you of the places your tiny home as taken you.

    When decorating a tiny space, it is usually best to keep the same theme and color scheme for the entire RV. Be sure to choose a theme that matches your personality, and the rest is up to you! Remember that a little goes a long way in a small space, and just a few items can make a big difference.

    2. Add new window treatments

    Swapping window treatments is one of the simplest things that makes the biggest difference. Window valances in older RVs are typically covered in busy patterns and cover a large portion of the windows. Removing these can instantly brighten up the space, let in more light, and create a much more modern look. They can easily be replaced with roller shades, accordion blinds, or curtains. You could even go with a combination of curtains and shades.

    If replacing the window valances entirely is outside of your comfort zone, they can easily be removed and recovered with a simpler fabric, then returned to their original position. This will allow you to choose a color scheme that matches your new RV design without overly changing the space, if that is what you prefer.

    3. Swap furniture

    Replacing furniture is another fairly easy task that can change an entire space. Sofa beds can be easily replaced with a new futon, and recliners are easily swapped with an accent chair. IKEA has a great line of furniture geared towards small spaces. Be sure to bolt any new furniture to the floor to keep it from sliding around when you are on the move.

    Dinettes can also be transformed fairly easily. If yours is the type with a table and chairs, these can be easily replaced with a modern set. If you have a dinette with a table and benches, consider painting the benches and recovering the cushions. You can even add throw pillows to the dinette benches for extra comfort. This will completely change the overall look and feel of your living and dining room space.

    4. Paint

    Painting an RV is no small task. However, the reward is a beautiful space that will feel much more bright and airy. Many RV renovations are completed with white paint because of the openness it allows the floor plan. However, other neutral colors such as gray and beige also look nice and often stay cleaner-looking.

    If you are thinking about painting with bright colors, consider utilizing accent walls as a pop of color, while keeping the rest of the walls neutral colors. Remember that very bright colors can sometimes feel overpowering in a small space, so they are often best in small doses.

    Before you paint, there is a bit of prep work involved. First you need to decide if you want to paint the walls only or both the walls and the cabinets. Wallpaper and wooden surfaces should then be lightly sanded to remove the outer coating. Next, you should clean the walls and cabinets thoroughly. It is best to use TSP (trisodium phosphate), as it is best at removing all dirt and debris, allowing paint to better adhere to surfaces. Finally, you should begin with a coat of primer before painting with at least two coats of the final color.

    5. Replace the flooring 

    Replacing the flooring in an RV is another task that is time-consuming yet very rewarding. Over time, the carpet in RVs becomes very worn and often somewhat dingy. If you remove the carpet, you are free to install a new floor. The most popular option is wood-look laminate flooring. Real hardwood floors are beautiful, but they are typically too heavy for a standard RV weight limit. Laminate floors are made to look like wood at a fraction of the price and weight.

    When choosing flooring options, you must decide between peel-and-stick floors and click-and-lock floors. Each of these types of flooring has different pros and cons, so you will need to do your research to decide which type is best for you and your RV.

    There are so many more changes that can be made to RVs, but these are some of the most basic concepts. If you are new to the world of RV renovation, the idea alone may seem daunting. However, if you begin with these five steps, you are sure to create a beautiful space that you will love.

    The unit above is for sale! Check it out here on RV Trader. 
  • Believe it or Not – These Small Businesses All Operate Out of RVs

    Believe it or Not – These Small Businesses All Operate Out of RVs

    Long gone are the days of small businesses sticking to brick and mortar storefronts. Many creative entrepreneurs have decided to take their businesses out on the road… in their RVs! We’ve compiled a list of a few genius businesses that are all fully functioning out of campers, trailers, and motorhomes. These businesses will delight, surprise, and might even inspire you.
    Check out a few of our favorite mobile businesses below.

    J.D. Luxe Fashion

     
    Image: J.D. Luxe Fashion

    Brick and mortar boutiques will become a thing of the past with designers like J.D. Luxe Fashion going mobile. Their flagship “truck and mortar” store opened its doors in 2011 in beautiful Woodland Hills, CA to offer customers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

    Now you don’t need to visit the closest shopping mall to find the hottest trends in fashion. This mobile boutique offers California locals a unique (and chic) shopping experience on wheels. While they do run storefront locations, J.D. Luxe swept up media attention on the streets of Los Angeles and at festivals like Coachella. Their eye for design, the mobility of their store, and online shop makes J.D. Luxe Fashion a competition for standalone fashion entrepreneurs everywhere!

    It’s a Dog’s Life Spaw

     
    Image: It’s a Dog’s Life Spaw

    We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a business having something to do with animals in our RV businesses piece, and we didn’t have to look far – It’s a Dogs Life Spaw made us fall in love with their mission of providing a traveling, tail-wagging worthy grooming experience for West Coast pups! Kristi, creator of the “Spaw,” has loved animals as long as she can remember. No matter what the situation, every time she saw a stray dog, she brought it home with her. Over the course of her lifetime, she’s owned and raised a number of other pets, including horses, and exotic species.

    It didn’t take her long to realize that her passions were driving her to commit to a future of full-time employment with pets. More than anything, Kristi loves spending time with individual pets, getting to know their unique personalities, characteristics, and tendencies. Her website reflects her feelings that “All pets are truly a special soul that deserves nothing but the best.”

    Having graduated from a licensed academy of pet grooming and styling from Amber Lewin, a master certified groomer, Kristi is well-taught in not only styling, but also CPR and first aid. She presents with IPG (International Professional Groomer) certification, and notes that her philosophy is to “treat all her clients as if they were her own pet.”

    The Spaw itself is state-of-the-art, and comes fully equipped with warm water, climate-controlled mani areas, and top-of-line amenities with zero cages or crates. It’s designed to provide not only a bathing experience, but a relaxation, stress-relieving (“Spaw”) experience for the animals, too – so the open, comfortable environment makes for just that.

    The Winneburger

     
    Image: Winneburger

    What do you get when you mix burgers with classic Winnebago vibes? Winneburger, of course. Based out of Montreal, the Winneburger is a fully-equipped traveling kitchen, operated by the popular local restaurant Nouveau Palais. Functioning out of a 1980s revamped Winnebago, it is designed to blend vintage vibes and decor with modern, freshly produced grub.

    Always including a veggie-friendly option with their meals, their goal is to provide all customers with a memorable, unique cuisine experience. Owners Gita Seaton, Mary Martha Campbell, and Jacques Seguin are the seasoned chefs and restaurant business experts behind the small business and noted a few go-to items on the Winneburger’s menu, including kettle chips, homemade lemonade and iced tea, and ‘old-fashioned’ milkshakes.

    Their famed, sweet challah buns make their burgers famous, and nothing compares to these key dishes, such as the Mushroom Burger (imagine a breaded, fried Portabello cap- stuffed to the brim with cheese, then placed on a challah bun) with all the fixings.

    Silvercloud Trailer Events

     
    Image: Silvercloud Trailer Events

    In need of a photographer for your event? Why not mix it up and rent out the Airstream Photo Booth curated by creative entrepreneurs Yvonne and Chris Johnson?

    Based out of the Austin, TX area, Yvonne and Chris are both experienced in the wedding photography industry, and noticed a popular trend developing in the industry: rentable photo booths. Hoping to offer an individualized spin on this trend, they aligned this interest with Texas’ popular affinity for Airstreams. Switching up the traditional backdrop of large events, regardless of whether it be a wedding or festival, the Airstream Photo Booth experience comes fully equipped with fun, engaging props for dress-up, and the company offers both a full-size Airstream and smaller sized ‘Bambi’ trailer for smaller-scale events.

    Ink Minx 

    Image: Ink Minx

    Tattoo culture is often a male-dominated space, but Shanzey Afzal had a plan to create change. Shanzey is a 26-year-old tattoo artist who converted a 1963 Shasta trailer into a mobile tattoo studio called Ink Minx. The mobile tattoo studio isn’t your average parlor, it caters to a specific audience – women. Shanzey was inspired at a young age by henna tattooing, which is a tradition from her Pakistani culture. The inspiration turned into something more and she began a tattoo apprenticeship at age 21, becoming a licensed artist soon after.

    As she observed the tattoo industry during her apprenticeship, she came to find that it wasn’t always an inclusive place for women so she made it her mission to create an inclusive and safe space for women to express their creativity and participate in tattoo culture. Ink Minx might be located in a small trailer, but it is packed with a lot of heart. The trailer includes just the tattoo basics like one tattoo table, a counter station, fold-out desks, and a few other odds and ends required to get the job done.

    The pink interior gives off a feminine and welcoming vibe to anyone about to make a tattoo commitment. One of the main reasons Ink Minx is a mobile unit is that Shanzey’s mission is to empower women across the country. Shanzey has recently traveled up and down the East Coast to tattoo women and plans on adding additional stops (including music festivals) in the near future.

    The Caravan Camera 

    Image: Home Crux

    Brendan Barry attended art school in England, but found out pretty early on that he quite frankly “wasn’t very good at art”. He began getting into photography and years later received his master’s degree and later started teaching the subject.

    Barry has built a variety of handmade cameras in the past but started thinking outside of the box – or should we say camera. He was inspired to make a camera where people would be physically invited into the process of photography. That’s when the Caravan Camera was born.

    The Caravan Camera is an RV converted into a working camera obscura. From buying the unit to having it fully completed took roughly 2-3 weeks. Individuals can stand outside of the RV to get their photograph taken by the caravan. The inside of the camera also hosts a darkroom where the film is then developed.

    Barry has grand plans for the Caravan Camera, including taking it to schools, hospitals, and community groups to excite and engage people in the process of photography. He plans on building a bigger camera in the future that will be wheelchair accessible so a variety of people can appreciate the art of photography.

    Andrea Denniston Ceramics 

    Image: Andrea Denniston Ceramics

    Andrea Denniston is a studio potter based in Virginia who decided to get creative with her art show display. She entered the craft show world and wanted to find a way to make the most of her allotted booth space, that’s when she began researching trailers. During the summer of 2015, she designed a chassis and commissioned outside assistance to make her dream mobile display come to life. Her mobile gallery is a 4×6 foot teardrop trailer that is cute as a button, yet still very practical for her needs.

    Denniston loves pottery and that love shines through each of her creations. Her goal is to make pottery that will find its way into someones home and works to create unique and engaging objects. She enjoys working with a bright color palette and her mobile gallery highlights her work in a way that’s incredibly pleasing to the eye.

    The display has a hatchback style opening on the back of the trailer complete with a variety of shelves to securely hold and protect her stunning porcelain creations. Due to its small size, the trailer can be easily towed to various craft shows where Denniston displays her work. There is not a lot of interior room to spare, but when fully set up, the trailer even has space for a packaging station.

    Denniston’s husband Seth, who is also a potter, occasionally uses the trailer to display his gas reduction stoneware. He runs a business called Poor Farm Pottery.

    These are just a few stories of courageous entrepreneurs that have made it big with their RV businesses. So many small business owners are now operating “storefronts” out of their campers and motorhomes – we’re excited to see what they come up with next! What are some other small businesses you know of that are operated out of RVs or trailers? Would you ever consider developing a small business startup in your own camper? Let us know in the comments below!

  • RV Reno: Tips for Flipping Older Trailers into Refurbished Masterpieces

    RV Reno: Tips for Flipping Older Trailers into Refurbished Masterpieces

    Rather than buying a brand new RV, have you thought about purchasing an older unit and remodeling it with a custom design tailored to your preferences and style? While this may seem intimidating in terms of scope and scale, RV renovation projects can actually be some of the most fulfilling. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out these prime examples of how motivated, creative RVers have completely redone their motorhomes to fit exactly the look and feel they’re looking for.
    While a number of great updates have been made to this unit, the privacy and airy feel provided by the window curtain is a great touch.
    Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors that stand out against freshly polished aluminum.
    Sometimes, too much patterning on furniture can become less of a decorative accent and more of a distraction from the ‘hominess’ of the rest of the RV. Keeping patterns minimal and bright helps keep the space from seeming aged and crowded.
    Similarly, furniture doesn’t need to be expensively reupholstered to provide a fresh and simplistic feel. You can easily purchase a quilt or coverall to quickly drape over a couch or chair, and ta-dah – a seemingly brand new seating area is ready to be decorated with accent pieces.
    Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit by contrasting light, muted tones with bright and colorful ones. Doing so creates a more centralized, positive feel to your motorhome, and can cause anyone who enters your vehicle to feel a number of ways – for example, turquoise for relaxed, yellow for energized, or deep red for comfortable.
    Similarly, there’s no need to choose between painting all your furnishings a single neutral color. Placing darker tones on grounded/lower pieces and brighter, more airy colors on pieces towards the ceiling provide a feeling of upward expansion, making the space appear to have much more headspace than it actually does.
    Yet another way to add more life and vibrancy to your unit: update those lighting fixtures! Acquiring more simplistic or modern-looking appliances for your lights and contrasting the types of lighting (for example, warmer-toned bulbs) tends to add dimension, making your mobile home seem just as accommodating as a traditional home.
    We love a number of things about this unit but the thing we love most? The added warmth from a centralized feux fire heater! Who said you couldn’t bring the comfort of a cozy, warming fireplace on the road?
    Believe it or not, having solid-colored, muted walls doesn’t mean you have to incorporate heavily decorated bedding. In fact, keeping your comforter singularly toned as well and playing with fabrics, textures, and varying patterns or colors on your throw pillows can draw eyes toward the top of the bed, lengthening the amount of space your sleeping area appears to have.
    If you’re into rustic, vintage vibes, you may want to leave certain features in their older, more aged state. For example, paint your heart out on your walls and drawers, but let the drawer pulls and handles contrast with these new features by maintaining their old-school vibe.
    Have you ever tried or considered redesigning an older trailer? If you had the time and resources, how would you like to “flip” your RV? Comment and let us know, and submit photos to rv.trader.social@gmail.com for the chance to get featured!