Here are 17 easy steps to paint canvas on your pop-up camper. It will give your camper a new look and hide any dents or spots.
Can You Paint Canvas on Pop Up Camper? Yes, you can paint canvas on the pop-up camper. It is a bit tricky thing, but you can do it with proper guidance. Utilize the best quality paint with spray bottles and brushes. Always use high-quality covering tapes for designing, and focus on the finishing. Choose excellent locations for spray painting so that you never harm any community. It takes around $7000 and 1 to 2 hours to paint the canvas of the camper.
Can You Paint Canvas on Pop Up Camper?
In this article, we have added proven techniques for painting a canvas on your pop-up camper.
Tools required
- Cleaning sponges
- Fiber-free cloths
- Primer
- Drill machine
- Thinning agent for paint
- Pressure pipes
- Sandpapers for edges
- Discs
- Small to big brush kit
- Semisolid paints
- Roller
- Frame for designing
- Tape
- Scratcher
- A paint gun
- Protective gloves
- Goggles(to protect the eye)
- Mask(fume prevention)
Select location
Choose a proper location to park the camper during the process. You cannot start it anywhere because the method has restrictions.
The paint which people use in the canvas painting of a camper is toxic for humans. The paint produces specific fumes that people consume through inhalation.
Sometimes the people around can get allergic skin reactions. Carry out the painting at a place that is far away from the population. Choose a garage with preventive measures.
What kind of paint do you use on a pop-up camper?
The selection of color is an essential feature when you are trying to paint a camper’s canvas. Purchase the paint of your choice from the market.
Apply this paint at a specific spot and leave it for some time. Check the paint’s quality after drying and make sure you got the same color. If the paint does not match your expectations consult with the professionals about it.
Always use a darker shade for the re-painting of the canvas. Mix the paint in a bowl or painting dish before application.
Never use a low-quality paint or brush set for the camper. The blue, black, and dark blue colors provide a fresh and appealing appearance.
When you are using a light color, then apply at least three layers of paint. Washing by soap and sponge
Sometimes cleaning the canvas with a fiber-free cloth is not enough. The scratches and dirt remain intact even after rubbing them.
Use a washing soap and sponge for better cleaning. Few brushes also help in cleaning the surface. The bristles of the sponge and the cleaning capacity of the soaps remove all the unnecessary stuff.
The thin brittles of the washing brushes go inside the corners and sides of the camper. Proper cleaning is essential before painting the canvas.
Few people have designs and stickers on the canvas, and these things cause restriction during the painting process. Remove all the extra paper from the canvas and clean these areas carefully.
Remove the canvas (optional but convenient)
Unscrew all the nuts and bolts of canvas from the roof of the camper. It helps to loosen the setup, and you can bring it out. It is suitable to paint a camper’s canvas by removing it, but few people do not like this step.
Cover irrelevant areas
These areas mean those parts which you do not want to paint. These areas include freshwaters inlets specifically. Never spray paint on the nozzles and inlet valves of water sources.
The substance is toxic naturally, and it is lethal for human health. Cover all the wheels and lights, and with tape. It is a material that is water repellant, and you can wash the camper after this process.
Insulate the water inlets
The water source of this vehicle links with the air compressing machine. The inlets and valves work every time, but they are not part of the canvas.
Insulating the hose and air compressing areas is an essential feature. Disconnect any open passage that can take paint in it. Tighten all the valves and do not allow any water flow during the painting process.
Sand washing
The sandpaper technique is the spreading of sand on cracky surfaces before painting. It helps in proper cleaning of the areas.
Attach the sandpaper disc with the drill machines. A camper is a mega vehicle, and you cannot perform every step manually.
Take the help of types of machinery for precision and impact. Cover the canvas surface with sand accurately, and access a water pipe with maximum pressure.
It helps in deep washing and cleaning, even from the corners. Make sure the water source and pipe are not from the same camper on which you are working.
If you are doing it in the open ground, and park it near the electric and water sources. Wash it and leave it for natural drying.
Mix the paint
It is an essential step in the painting process, and it requires professional expertise. Some people like to paint one particular color on their canvas, but there are exceptions.
If you want to give a mixed touch, then mix the colors in a bowl. Mix them by using fiber-free brushes and keep doing this for approximately one hour. Add the color in the spray bottles once you get the color of your choice.
Start spraying
Spraying paint on the canvas is tricky and a bit difficult. Manage for a ladder or other such stuff like stool.
It helps you to reach the upper sides and corners of the area. Mix the paint in the spray bottle, and there is a small quantity on the front side.
Never spray with a solid push because the coating comes out with a patch firstly. Shake the bottle on every spray; remove the first line of patchy emulsion.
Start spraying from one corner of the canvas and move from the bottom to the top area. Make spray linings up to the height of your shoulder.
Everyone has their different length in terms of their body, and they spray accordingly. There is no formula for this procedure. o
Make spray lines one by one, and keep on doing it until you cover the bottom area. Stand on the ladder and spray the upper portion in the same way. Move the spray in the same direction as the lower area.
Allow some time of drying to the paint. The paint for the upper part of the canvas takes more time for drying than casual paint.
When you find out that the layer has dried, then apply another layer of spray paint. It provides fines and finishing the process. It is tricky but more casual than the first coating. You need to follow in your footsteps.
Use a paintbrush
Use brushes for painting the edges and corners of the canvas. The bristles of the sharp and thin brushes help the painter to find the hidden corners.
Strike two to three times in a sequence, and cover all the edges accurately. In these situations, there are deep edges with rough sides.
Fill the scratches of the canvas with wax and allow them to dry. Never push spray paint on these points. Always use brushes and apply slight strokes.
Cover the sides so that they look the same as the other canvas. Paint the screws and bolts with a small brush. Apply the same number of the coating as the canvas, and it offers an accurate appearance.
Double coating of paint
People like to coat the paint twice and even thrice. Some of them do this to get an excellent dense appearance.
The double coating of paint repels the heat and other weather conditions. Sometimes the result is a mess, and there is no way to reverse it. The process is time-consuming, but the ending worth the cost.
Allow drying
Drying is essential for the entire canvas after painting. It takes much time, and leaving it is the best option.
Never use the RV when the paint is fresh and wet. It destroys the whole setup even if you are not using the canvas.
Fingerprints and other lines present an ugly appearance. It is a suggestion to leave it for at least 23-24 hours without touching.
Never cover it with any fabric or sheet. The wet paint sticks with the sheet and destroys the sequence. Observe it after every 3-4 hours to find out any issue. Coat the sides with small brushes if you find any change after dryness.
Benefits of painting the canvas on a pop-up camper?
The campers get old with time, and the paint shreds provide an ugly appearance. A canvas of a camper is one of the significant portions that enhance its appearance. Painting the specific area not only offers a fresh look but also makes it appealing.
People consider it a new pop-up camper due to such a fancy and shiny lookout. It helps to increase the beauty of the structure. You can add color to it and it will become attractive for the viewers.
Hide bad spots
The paint on the canvas hides all the scratches and bad spots. It is beneficial to cover the entire old structure. Few people add designs to the canvas painting.
They perform the process in a way that they cover every deep spot in designing. People find it a unique way to hide the ugly areas. The campers offer an eye-captivating appearance.
Protection from weather
The paint is resistant to the weather conditions and their fluctuations. The rainwater flows from the sticky material without harming the body beneath the layer.
Snow and sunlight cannot affect the upper coating for a period, and the layers of paint protect the body of the vehicle. People tend to coat the camper 3 to 4 times due to its immense benefits and for waterproofing its canvas.
Prevent accidents
Few campers are white naturally, and painting them is an excellent option. A canvas of a Camper is one of the prominent parts. It remains dominant when it moves on roads.
The dark color provides signs to the other drivers in the dark and other foggy conditions. It helps to prevent accidents and other such losses.
How much does it cost to paint a canvas on a pop-up camper?
Painting a whole pop-up camper is expensive than covering the canvas area. A camper utilizes approximately $13000-$29000 for the painting process. The average cost of panting a camper’s canvas ranges up to $7000-$8700.
The price increases with essential qualities, and the features are excellent. If you are buying the whole paint bag that includes the brushes, spray bottles, and preventive gadgets, it may cost you extra. The average cost of material and the kit is up to $10000- $15000.
Examples of Camper paints with price
- Semi-gloss paint – 1-2 gallon – $30 to $33
- Pro storm – Valspar – 1-2 gallon – $23 to $24
- Season Flex paint – 3-5 gallon – $120 to $135
- Ever last paint – 5-6 gallons – $220 to $235
- Satin paint – 1-2 gallons – $30 to $32
- Duramax – 1-2 gallons – $42 to $45
- Barn paint – 1-3 gallons – $17 to $20
How often to paint the canvas of your pop-up camper?
It depends on the quality of the paint and the coating. Few people only apply one layer of material to save their money.
As a result, the material starts shredding even after 2-3 weeks. In those situations when the layers are two to three in number, the paint remains intact.
It fights against all the environmental conditions. The average stay of the pain to stay on the canvas is six months to one year. Protection of the paint is the responsibility of the owner.
Can you paint the canvas without detaching it?
In some situations, it is easy to paint a camper’s canvas without removing it. Add all the preventive measures when you wash it. It is a tricky process, but few people find comfort in it.
If you are one of those who do not mind small quantities of pain inside the main area, then use this method. Add a smooth sheet with artificial hairs or threads on it. It absorbs the extra amount of paint and prevents destruction.
Can you paint the canvas alone?
It depends on the size and model of your camper. The size of the specific structure also determines this feature. It is beneficial to take the help of a friend, but it causes different paint patterns.
You can also take your vehicle to the professionals; it is slightly heavy on the budget. The professional person provides maximum quality, and it worth the cost. Your pop-up camper will look good with new paint on its canvas.
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