Don't Paint Your RV Cabinets! Easy Cabinet Remodel - No Prep! Won't Scratch Off!

When we went full-time, we bought a new 2019 Grand Design 19RLE. I love the floorplan, but the cabinetry is all DARK, I mean really DARK - Just about black. And there's a lot of it. And it's depressing, especially since we can't travel right now.

So, I thought about painting it. But, here's the deal - you may already know that your entire RV is coated with plastic! Like contact paper adhesive vinyl. Probably a little thicker, but maybe not. Plastic is practically impossible to paint successfully. If you sand it, you risk making scuffy places that will show through the paint. And the paint's not going to stick much better anyway, because --- it's PLASTIC.

My wonderful husband came up with a great idea!!! Read on to see how I completely redid my upper cabinets with extremely minimal prep - and it won't scratch off, or peel!!! 

Protect Your Glass Doors

I was on a forum and someone was showing a complicated way they pad all their glassware and dishes before moving the trailer. Hah! I thought to myself, I am more clever than that! I don't have to do anything before we move because everything is arranged nicely in the shelves and stays put!  

Then I saw a conversation about the damage to the glass doors from the items rubbing on them during travel. Hmmm, this might be an issue. Sure enough, when I opened the cabinets, I could see a couple small areas where the dishes had rubbed on the glass and damaged some of the frosted pattern. I have no idea whether the frost is really etched or just a sprayed on finish. It really doesn't matter at this point, either way, there's damage.

Well.... do I want to spend an hour getting my camper ready to move every time we change location? That's an easy question - NO - NO I DO NOT - I spend a lot of time and effort designing storage systems so that we pretty much lift anchor and sail away without a lot of prep (to mangle a metaphor or two)

So, what to do?

How To Install A Real Working Stainless Steel Dishwasher In Your Tiny House Or Rv, Travel Trailer Or Camper

I am a big fan of modern technology! Did you know they actually make real stainless steel dishwashers that are only 17 inches tall and only uses 3 GALLONS OF WATER?  When I saw that there were small dishwashers that I could fit into my travel trailer, I knew I would have to get one! They will fit into virtually any RV, Camper or Travel Trailer.



A lot of people think it's silly or frivolous to have a dishwasher. However, there are many benefits of having a dishwasher in your RV / Camper / TT:

#1 - Steam and heat are contained. This is especially important in smaller RV's as humidity and condensation are a big issue. A lot of vapor goes into the air from a dishpan full of hot water.
#2 - uses only 3 gallons of water to wash up to 3 days worth of dishes
#3 - sanitizes the dishes
#4 - does a great job cleaning dishes
#5 - hides dirty dishes, no more dishes in the sink!
#6 - much better for my hands and back
#7 - more time for hiking/relaxing/playing games.

This is the one I got and I'm going to show you how I installed it.

Double Your Drawer Space

If you're new to my blog, make sure you click here and check out all the tutorials & ideas I have on my blog. 

I don't know about you, but I never have enough drawers! Especially in my camper, where I only have two small drawers.  This project will work in your home too!

I recently came up with a way to double the storage in my drawers!

How to Make Your Own Sink Cover for More Counter Space DIY Tutorial.

This is a simple project, and really adds a lot of space. Most campers/trailers/rvs come with a cover for your sink, but some are not very useful. Mine was made of the same chipboard/formica as the counter. I couldn't even use it as a cutting board, and after a few years, being by the sink made the chipboard swell up and become 'unsightly'. Of course, if you buy a second hand camper, you might not even get one!

I decided to make a more useful, durable and attractive cutting board / sink cover myself.