Painting the sticky vinyl-covered walls

[BenHud]

After many hours looking at various threads, getting lost and sidetracked, I need some direction. My yellow, dingy vinyl walls are gross, and I had thought I would simply paint them. Research here shows that many have tried many products and techniques with varying levels of success.

Isn't there yet a tried and true way of doing it right? I don't mind spending the extra time and money buying the right products... My cabinets are out and I aim to paint this weekend. Hopefully the right way.

Any insight/help (or a thread I may have missed) would be great.

Thanks!

[Skatiero]

We had the same problem and solved it beautifully with a product called Krylon fusion. The thread is in the 1986 Excella section titled something about a two bedroom bunkhouse. I can try to link it if you can't find it. Fusion chemically bonds to the vinyl-- it is NOT regular paint.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by BenHud

After many hours looking at various threads, getting lost and sidetracked, I need some direction. My yellow, dingy vinyl walls are gross, and I had thought I would simply paint them. Research here shows that many have tried many products and techniques with varying levels of success.

Isn't there yet a tried and true way of doing it right? I don't mind spending the extra time and money buying the right products... My cabinets are out and I aim to paint this weekend. Hopefully the right way.

Any insight/help (or a thread I may have missed) would be great.

Thanks!

After you degrease or de-nicotine the vinyl, then sand it with 120 to 150 grit sandpaper.

Sand it not scuff it.

That will properly prepare the surface for a primer paint, which you must do before a regular paint.

Then and only then will you have a good interior paint job.

Andy

[Skatiero]

Actually if you read the directions for fusion, it does not require a primer. In fact, since it chemically bonds they do not recommend a primer. After cleaning thoroughly with an ammonia-based cleaner you are ready for fusion. It works great on ABS as well, like your shower. We love how "factory" the vinyl walls and ceiling look now, right down to the slightly cross-hatched finish- it does not look or feel painted. It looks and feels like new vinyl. It's great stuff. Just follow the directions to the letter. It's not forgiving if you don't! Friends of ours introduced us to Krylon fusion after full timing for a couple of years after using fusion on their shower pan and sink. (Which still looks perfect.) we were sold! We used it on our last Airstream as well. Several friends have used it too.

[Skatiero]

Also, if you don't want to use Krylon fusion, we recommend a primer called BullDog Adhesion Promoter from NAPA. (My husband Rob paints vehicles too) and you can topcoat that with any automotive paint. It's good stuff too. Before using Bulldog, clean the vinyl thoroughly with Bulldog abrasive cleaner and rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry. Bulldog is great but it is not sold to the public usually. It's our second choice after Krylon fusion though. It's much more expensive (about thirty bucks a quart) and still needs to be topics yes with paint. Krylon Fusion is still our favorite.

[BenHud]

Wow, Fusion looks like it may be the way to go! Now it's just about calculating how many cans to buy....

[Skatiero]

Well we used 45 in our 32 footer! But that was still much cheaper than bulldog adhesion promoter and automotive paint.

[J. Morgan]

Industrial Imron 3500 HG would be cheaper than all of those cans.

It will brush on and flow out very nice.

I get it for about $135 per gallon with activator. (Walk in price would probably be about $200 a gallon) I would expect that it would take less than a single gallon to cover the inside of an Airstream with a brush, half that with spray. It covers amazingly well and is simply beautiful and very durable.

Of course as Andy said, the surface should be clean and sanded.

I wouldn't spray this without a booth and safety equipment, but I would brush it on with decent ventilation.