Motorhome Cabinet Painting: Prep, Paint, And Finish (2024)

Painting your motorhome cabinets is a great way to refresh your space. It's a fairly easy and popular DIY project, but it's important to do it right to avoid issues like paint peeling. Here's a step-by-step guide on what you need to do to paint your motorhome cabinets:

Step 1: Remove Hardware and Prep the Cabinets

First, remove all hardware, drawers, and doors from the cabinets. Then, repair any damage, such as chips or holes, with wood filler. Sand all surfaces thoroughly, as this will help the paint adhere better and prevent peeling. Clean up the dust from sanding, and tape off any areas you don't want to get paint on.

Step 2: Prime the Cabinets

Apply a coat of primer to the cabinets and doors. An oil-based primer is recommended, as it dries quickly and works well on both real wood and fake wood cabinets. Let the primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Paint the Cabinets

Use a paintbrush, foam roller, or paint sprayer to apply 2-3 coats of paint to the cabinets and doors. Allow sufficient drying time between coats. The type of paint you use is a matter of personal preference, but satin interior paint is often recommended for its ease of cleaning.

Step 4: Reinstall Hardware and Enjoy Your New Cabinets!

Once the paint is completely dry, remove the tape, clean up any paint splatters, and reinstall the hardware, drawers, and doors. That's it! You now have beautifully painted motorhome cabinets to enjoy.

Remove hardware and drawers

Painting your motorhome cabinets is a great way to refresh the space. The first step to painting your motorhome cabinets is to remove the hardware and drawers. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

• Use a drill to remove everything from the cabinet base, including handles, drawer stops, cabinet doors, and drawers. You may also need to remove outlets or other accessories.
• Decide whether you want to keep the hardware original, paint it, or replace it. Spray paint is a good option for painting hardware.
• All of the following steps will also need to be done on any drawer fronts and cabinet doors. It is recommended to take them outdoors to paint to help with fumes and provide more workspace.
• If you are removing drawers, push down (or up) on the little black levers on both sides while sliding the drawer out.
• Label the hardware and separate the hinges and screws into jars to make them easier to find later.
• If you are planning to replace the hardware, fill in the old holes with wood filler and sand them down before drilling new holes.

Repair and sand surfaces

Repairing and sanding the surfaces of your motorhome cabinets is a crucial step in the painting process. It ensures that the paint adheres properly and prevents chips in the future. Here is a detailed guide on how to repair and sand the surfaces of your motorhome cabinets:

Repairing the Surfaces:

• Inspect the cabinets for any chips, cracks, or holes.
• If there are any imperfections, use wood filler or wood glue to repair them. For larger gaps or missing sections of the cabinet surface, you may need to use wood filler and sand it down smoothly.
• Allow the wood filler or glue to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Sanding the Surfaces:

• Sanding is a crucial step that should not be skipped. It prepares the surface for paint adhesion and ensures a smooth finish.
• Use 220-grit sandpaper to sand all parts of the cabinets and doors. If your cabinets are made of solid wood, you can use an electric sander for faster and more efficient sanding.
• If your cabinets are laminated or have a veneer surface, be careful not to sand too aggressively, as you don't want to remove the veneer layer.
• Sand the surfaces until they feel smooth to the touch and there are no visible scratches or imperfections.
• After sanding, use a damp cloth or a vacuum to remove any sawdust or debris from the cabinets. It is important to ensure that the surfaces are clean and dust-free before proceeding to the next step.

By following these steps, you will have properly repaired and sanded the surfaces of your motorhome cabinets, creating a smooth and even base for the primer and paint to adhere to. Remember to take your time during this process, as it will ensure a high-quality and long-lasting finish for your motorhome cabinets.

Clean up from sanding

After you're done sanding, it's important to clean up the dust and debris to ensure a smooth finish for your paint job. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the clean-up process:

• Use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner: Start by using a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove the majority of the sanding dust from the cabinets and surrounding areas. This will help you get rid of the larger particles and prevent them from spreading during the next steps.
• Brush off the remaining dust: Use a large, soft paintbrush to gently sweep away any remaining dust from the surfaces. Get into crevices and corners using the bristle tips, and consider using multiple brushes of different sizes to clean various areas effectively.
• Wipe down with a damp cloth: After vacuuming and brushing, use a clean, damp white cloth to wipe down all surfaces. This will pick up any remaining dust particles and ensure the cabinets are ready for painting. If you notice the cloth picking up a lot of dust, go back and vacuum or brush the area again.
• Use mineral spirits or denatured alcohol: Optionally, you can use mineral spirits (also known as paint thinner) or denatured alcohol to wipe down the wood. These liquids will remove any remaining dust and stains, preparing the surface for paint. Be sure to wipe along the wood grain to avoid scratching the surface.
• Tackle tough stains with trisodium phosphate (TSP): If there are any stubborn stains or particularly dirty areas, you can use a trisodium phosphate cleaner. Apply it with a stiff brush, following the manufacturer's instructions for dilution if it's in powder form. TSP will effectively remove stains without damaging the wood.
• Blow away dust with an air compressor: As a final step, you can use an air compressor to blow away any remaining dust particles. Be careful not to blow dust into your workspace or other areas. After using the air compressor, give the cabinets a final wipe with a damp cloth to remove any settled dust.

Prime cabinets

Step 1: Choose the Right Primer

The first step to priming your cabinets is selecting a suitable primer. It is essential to use a gripping primer designed for wood or laminate surfaces. Some recommended primers include Gripper Primer from Home Depot, Stix primer, and Kilz oil-based primer. The primer helps the paint adhere better to the surface and ensures a long-lasting finish.

Step 2: Prepare the Cabinets

Before applying the primer, ensure that the cabinet surfaces are clean and free of any grease or residue. Use a degreaser or a solution of water and dish soap to wipe down the cabinets. If there are any holes or imperfections, fill them with wood filler and let it dry completely. Lightly sand the cabinets to create a rough surface for better paint adhesion. Use a liquid sander or 220-grit sandpaper for this step.

Step 3: Tape Off Surrounding Areas

To avoid getting primer on other surfaces, use painter's tape to cover areas that you don't want to be painted. This includes taping off walls, floors, light fixtures, and any hardware you want to keep untouched. Be careful not to tape over areas that will be painted, as the tape may peel off the primer or paint later.

Step 4: Apply the Primer

Now, it's time to apply the primer to the cabinets. Use a paintbrush or a foam roller for this step. Start with one coat of primer, covering all surfaces of the cabinets and doors. Allow the primer to dry completely, following the instructions on the primer can. It usually takes around 24-48 hours for the primer to dry thoroughly.

Step 5: Lightly Sand and Wipe the Surfaces

Once the primer is dry, lightly sand the surfaces again with a fine-grit sandpaper. This step helps create an even smoother surface and removes any imperfections. After sanding, use a damp cloth or a tack cloth to wipe down the cabinets, removing any dust or debris. Ensure that the surfaces are clean and ready for the next step.

Step 6: Apply a Second Coat of Primer (Optional)

Depending on the coverage and the colour of your cabinets, you may need to apply a second coat of primer. If the first coat of primer seems uneven or there are areas where the original colour is still visible, go ahead and apply a second coat. Allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 7: Prepare for Painting

With the cabinets primed, you are now ready to start painting. Refer to the paint instructions for the drying time and climate conditions required. Choose a suitable paint, such as Behr Ultra Scuff Defense, Benjamin Moore Advance, or Sherwin Williams Emerald. Select a finish that suits your preference, such as eggshell or satin. You can use a paintbrush, a foam roller, or a paint sprayer for a smoother finish.

Paint cabinets

Painting your motorhome cabinets is a great way to refresh your space. It's a simple and fairly easy DIY project that can be done in a few steps.

Step 1: Remove Hardware

First, remove all the hardware from your cabinets. This includes handles, drawer stops, cabinet doors, drawers, and any outlets or accessories. You can choose to keep the hardware original, paint it, or replace it.

Step 2: Repair and Sand

Next, repair any chips or holes in the wood with wood filler and let it dry completely. Then, sand all surfaces thoroughly. Sanding is an important step as it allows the paint to adhere better and prevents peeling. Use 220-grit sandpaper and be sure to sand in the direction of the wood grain. After sanding, clean up the dust with a microfiber cloth and water or a vinegar solution.

Step 3: Clean and Tape

Once the cabinets are sanded and cleaned, it's time to tape off any areas you don't want to get paint on. Use painter's tape to protect walls, floors, light fixtures, and electrical outlets. You can also lay down drop cloths or newspapers for extra protection.

Step 4: Prime

Now, you're ready to prime your cabinets. Use an oil-based primer, as it dries quickly and works well on both real wood and fake wood cabinets. Apply one coat of primer and let it dry completely before moving on to painting.

Step 5: Paint

Finally, it's time to paint your cabinets! You can use a paintbrush, foam rollers, or a paint sprayer for this step. Apply 2-3 coats of paint, allowing sufficient drying time between coats. The number of coats will depend on the colour you've chosen; darker colours may require an extra coat.

Step 6: Reinstall Hardware

Once the paint is completely dry, you can reinstall the hardware and put the cabinet doors and drawers back in place. Enjoy your freshly painted motorhome cabinets!

Frequently asked questions