RV Painting Tips and Cost
Painting your RV is a big, and potentially costly, decision. However, while the cost can be prohibitive, there are reasons why it might be necessary to update the paint.
If you want to professionally paint an RV that’s 30 foot or longer, and you want to use two to four different colors, you could spend between $5,000 to $15,000. The cost will depend not only on the length of your RV, but also on the type of paint, and who does the work for you.
Fortunately, there are several ways to help keep the cost down, while giving your RV an updated look.
Have Any Body Work Done First
Most paint shops will fix minor body damage at the same time they paint the RV. However, you can save some money by finding a body shop to repair any damage before you decide on a paint shop. If the paint shop won’t match the body shop estimate, you can save money by having bodywork done first, then having the RV painted.
Multiple Paint Colors
A four-color paint job will cost you thousands of dollars more than a two-color paint job. And a one-color paint job will be the cheapest of all. Find a few simple and attractive paint designs, and use those for reference. Using fewer colors won’t give you a cheap look, but it will save you money.
Forget About Paint Graphics
Adding graphic features to a paint job increases the cost substantially. An airbrushed design can cost quite a bit. If you really must have graphics, go with high-quality vinyl decals that you can apply yourself. Custom vinyl graphics can cost thousands of dollars less than custom painted graphics.
Forgo the Custom Finish
Everyone wants to customize their RV, but going with a custom finish can be very expensive. A custom finish will not only cost more upfront but if a custom finish gets scratched or chipped, the only way to repair it is to repaint the entire area. You can customize the look of your RV after it’s painted a single color; then you can customize the look with pinstriping or vinyl decals, instead of a fancy custom finish.
Wrapping Your RV
Doing a vinyl wrap on your RV can be a good alternative; wraps involve less prep work and it won’t take as long as painting. Plus, while wrapping is still expensive, it’s still cheaper than painting. If you have a smaller RV, you could spend as little as $1,000 for a vinyl wrap, compared to $3,000 to $5,000 to repaint it. For a large Class A motorhome, you could spend $50,000 or more for a paint job, but a vinyl wrap could cost as little as $6,000 to $8,000.
Related Video: