Just because you have an old RV doesn’t mean that it has to look old! I’ll share the best tips I’ve picked up over the years for how to make your RV look like new.
Changing up your RV can be a great way to add some new spice to the place you’ve been living in or vacationing in for so long. The changes you make can bring about a new feeling of pride and ownership, while giving you something different to focus on.
Even if you have a fairly new RV the average RV owner will drive their rig for an average of 15,000 miles a year. This means that each year they are putting on 15,000 miles of wear and tear. The good news is that there are ways to keep the inevitable wear-and-tear to a minimum, so your RV will look great for years to come. Here are some tips for keeping your RV looking shiny and new both inside and out.
11 Tips To Make Your RV Look Like New
Cleaning The RV Exterior
One of the quickest and best ways to give your RV a new lease of life is to clean the RV exterior. If you want to level this up and make your RV look like it’s just come from the dealership then use a bottle of Zep Wet Look Floor Polish after you’ve cleaned it with bleach, for this you’ll need:
- Long handle sponge mop
- Bucket
- Zep Wet Look Floor Polish
Cover the white gel coat with the floor polish in an upward movement, after about 8 coats your RV will look like new and it will last for at least a year. This Youtube video shows you exactly how to do it.
It works a treat and your RV will look like new for the next year, the best part is that it only costs around $35.
Cleaning The RV Interior
Just like the outside the RV interior will feel newer and fresher after a deep clean. Use an RV vacuum and get into all the crevices, you’ll be surprised what it picks up, even if you think it’s clean.
Bleach all the surfaces, cabinet doors, appliance handles and bathroom. I like to leave the bleach soaking in the sink, toilet and tub for a while to give maximum effect.
Add some air fresheners after you’ve cleaned and it will feel like new.
Add New Furnishings
Adding a pop of color with new cushions, curtains and throws is a quick and easy way to give your RV a brand new look. You can change up the bedding too.
You can even make your own cushion covers and curtains if you have a knack for sewing.
Use Wallpaper
Wallpaper for RVs might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is a growing niche. Some individuals are looking for alternatives to paint, which can be time-consuming and requires frequent upkeep. Others are looking for something with a bit more flair than what’s offered in the typical paint store.
You can add some wallpaper to your RV for another quick way to transform the look. You can wallpaper as many walls as you like or go for a bold feature wall, do whatever suits your personality to add some character and style to your RV.
Install LED lighting
Installing LED lights in your RVs is not only a great way to create an instant cozy atmosphere in your RV but it can be a great way to save on your electricity. It’s also environmentally friendly because LED lights use up less power and produce less heat.
In addition, LEDs are able to last much longer than other types of light bulbs – there is no need to replace them as often. You can also get a variety of different colors LED lights that will fit the mood you want for your RV. I have an article about adding an LED light strip to your RV.
Reupholster The Furniture
Reupholstering the furniture in your RV is another way to maintain the appearance of the interior and extend the life of your vehicle.
If you’re handy, you can reupholster yourself. You’ll need foam or other stuffing for seat cushions and backrests, and fabric (velvet, vinyl, etc.) for upholstery. You can even use the same fabric for the curtains to create a theme in your RV.
Add Indoor Plants
Indoor plants have been shown to help improve the air quality of living spaces. In RV’s, this is exponentially important because you are sealed up in a very small space, and it can get stale quickly. Luckily there are many low-maintenance plants that work great for living spaces. Try to add one or two plants in your RV and see how it improves the quality of your life!
Adding indoor plants will create a natural ambiance. You can even use fake ones if you’re not green fingered like me, they look just as good. I especially like hanging plants in an RV.
Use Mirrors To Make Your RV Feel Larger
RVs are not always the largest spaces to live in. One way you can make your RV seem larger is by using mirrors to create an illusion for yourself that there is more space inside.
The mirrors inside of your RV make the space seem like twice its size and will make you feel like you’re in a mansion during your next road trip.
The simplest solution: use mirrors to create the illusion of extra space.
Fixing RV Trim and Moldings
One important RV maintenance task is fixing trim and moldings. Trim is the edge pieces on an RV. Moldings are the rounded strips that go along the top edge of cabinets and doors for appearance and protection. If these pieces get loose, it will affect how your RV looks and can lead to water leakage or other damage.
Maintaining the RV trim and moldings is an important part of maintaining your RV. Most damage that occurs to these exterior pieces of the RV come from the elements, such as UV rays and rain. The caulking on your trim can deteriorate over time, allowing moisture to enter into the trim, which will eventually lead to molding rot which could cause structural damage.
Replacing this caulking is an essential task in order to avoid costly repairs. It will also make your RV look newer.
Paint the Cabinets
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in improving the look and feel of a living space, but it can also be pretty expensive. Painting your cabinets is a great way to spruce up an older RV without spending any money.
The key to painting cabinets is planning, preparation, and patience. But once you have finished it will look like a brand new kitchen.
The first step to painting cabinets in an RV is to do a complete wipe down of all surfaces inside the RV. This ensures the paint will not peel off due to dirt and grime left on the surface. Next, tape off any trim or molding that you don’t want painted. Then, use a high quality primer for cabinetry to paint all four sides of each cabinet. Then paint the cabinets, you will probably have to do a few coats.
Install New Flooring
If you are trying to get the most out of your RV, then you might want to consider adding new flooring. This project is not too difficult and just requires some materials, a few hours of time, and a little creativity.
The process includes removing the original carpet or vinyl, determining what type of flooring to install, and measuring the space. There are many different types of flooring to choose from, including wood floors, laminate, carpeting, and tile.
Just make sure that the flooring you choose is hard wearing as well as good looking so it will last for years.
How To Make Your RV Look Like New – Final Thoughts
Having an RV that looks like new is a lot easier than it seems. All that is needed are a few hardworking people and a little bit of elbow grease.
Owning an RV means that you have the freedom to travel, but it also means that you have to maintain your mobile home. It helps to know how to make an RV look new again, so you can enjoy the benefits of owning one while maintaining its value.
Every RV owner knows that the inside and outside of their vehicle will show wear and tear over time. The buildup of dirt, stains, and a variety of other things can make a camper look old and unattractive. With the few quick hacks listed above, you can have that shiny new RV look back in no time at all.
A clean RV is a happy RV! One way to get your rig looking its best is to wash it from top to bottom both inside and out.
