How to Paint the Exterior Hard Shell of Your Pop-up Camper

How to Paint the Exterior Hard Shell of Your Pop-up Camper

In this tutorial, I will show you the tips and techniques I used to paint my 1994 StarCraft Popup Camper. Before I get into the dirty stuff, I want to provide a list, that helped me stay on track and allow the paint to adhere and stay on for years to come.

My Checklist:

• Clean the camper very well!
• Remove old decals and any debris
• Wash again! But use a power washer! (If applicable)
• Prep and Tape! Only lights, covers, and switch plates (optional)
• Paint and then paint again! 2 Coats
• Relax!!!!

My Popup Camper 

I own a 1994 StarCraft popup camper. My popup camper’s hard shell was made from embossed fiberglass reinforced plastic paneling. The kind you see in restaurant kitchens or bathrooms. This was standard for StarCraft’s campers at that period. If your pop-up camper is made with a different material, do a test run before you continue, let it cool. Look for warping or cracking in the material.

Products I used

• La’s Totally Awesome All-Purpose Cleaner

• Goo Gone Adhesive Remover

• Old towels, rags, or new sponge

• Elastomeric Roof Coating, 1 gal., White for Aged Acrylic Coatings, Aged PVC, Built-Up, EPDM, Metal, Modified Bitumen Roofing

• Angled brush

• 1 painters Tray

• 3/8″ nap roller and frame

• Plastic bag or sheet for under paint tray

• Duck Brand “Clean Release” Painter’s Blue tape

When should you paint?

When it’s warm and low humidity in the air.

My Checklist in Depth!!!

Clean the camper very well!

Clean everything, including the roof. Scrub over the decals and loosen them up. Rinse and remove all cleaners very well to avoid residue.

Remove old Decals and any debris

Dirt and grim will affect the paint and its adherence. If you have old decals peeling them completely remove them. Painting over them doesn’t work and when the decals underneath start peeling the new paint will come off with it and you would need to repaint. Done that!!! I did this by using a hairdryer and a metal spatula. It took 3 hours in total to peel off the decals. I played my music the whole time, so it went by pretty fast, and it was kind of satisfying to tell you the truth.

Check out this: How to Remove Factory grade Decals from Your Popup Camper Exterior

Wash again! But use a power washer (If applicable) 

Power wash everything, including the roof. Once I was rid of all the decals, I gave it a good wash to get rid of any residue left by the stickers. This was fun! And I saw such a dramatic change in the color of the camper. I used many different cleaners, but the pressure washer did the trick. If you don’t own one or can’t barrow one from a friend that is ok, you can head to your local car wash, they are just as powerful and do the trick.

Allow to dry thoroughly before moving to the next step.

Prep

This step can be completely optional but for people who can be accidentally careless, like me, then doing this will save time cleaning up later. Prepping your workspace is a good way to be organized and allows the process to proceed faster.

I painted my camper in the spring and in my shop. I used a plastic tarp just around the paint tray and had all my items ready. I also taped the lights. I didn’t want to get paint on them and then would have to remove it later.

Paint and then paint again! 2 Coats 

Now the fun part! I started with the edges and used a brush. Then I moved to a large roller and painted the entire camper. I would note I started with the roof and worked my way down to the sides. By the time I was completed the roof was dry and looked great. I allowed it to completely dry and cure for 2 days. Probably a little bit much 24 hours would do, but I didn’t want to mess with it.

I came back and did a second coat, which wasn’t necessary, but I had extra paint leftover. At that time, I peeled the tape off and let it dry again for another 2 days.

I wasn’t shy with the paint; it was very thick and covered well. I also painted over the old caulking and molding, then I went around the roof vent to safeguard against water leaks.

Relax!!! Or?!?!?!?

Now it’s ready for decals or goes a step more and perhaps add a mural or racing stripes. I am still trying to figure out what I want to add next. But for now, I’m enjoying this clean and crisp color white exterior paint.

Finished Product!!!