In this guide, you will discover how to paint RV exterior fiberglass.
You will also learn about the necessary items needed to get the best results with your RV painting. In addition, you will be exposed to the best kind of paints to use for the exterior fiberglass of your RV.
So if you want to give your RV that beautiful look to produce a WOW effect amongst fellow campers, this guide is created just for you.
Also Read: How to Refill Fresh Water Tank During Camping
What Kind of Paints is Best for Painting an RV Exterior Fiberglass?
The first step when painting RV exterior fiberglass is determining what paints to use.
And the truth is that almost every RV has a fiberglass exterior!
When it comes to RV painting, a regular standard all-purpose paint won’t give you the correct type of finish for the job and may even cost you more in time and money.
The best RV fiberglass paints usually contain polyurethane, polyester, acrylic, or epoxy, with a wide range of colors and finishes, including matt, gloss, and high gloss.
All these will help you to get the right kind of finishing that you desire.
So when you go out to purchase an RV paint, read the label on the containers to ensure that what you are buying will be efficient for the job.
Materials You Need to Paint RV Exterior Fiberglass
To prep the RV surface;
- An automotive sponge
- Soap
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Palm sander
- Painter’s tape
- Denatured alcohol
For painting;
- Latex-based primer-or similar
- RV Fiberglass paint
- A paint gun or paintbrush
- Acetone
For final finishing;
- RV wax
- A soft cloth or rag
- Fine sandpaper
When painting an RV exterior fiberglass, it is always good to start with a primer.
Although it may cost some extra cash, a primer would ensure that you get that perfectly smooth surface for your RV painting.
When choosing a primer for your RV painting, it’s best to go for ones based on epoxy, latex, or urethane… And if possible, stick with the same brand of paint and primer.
How to Paint RV Exterior Fiberglass

Step 1: Prep the RV Surface
The items needed for this are listed above.
1. Choosing a Good Site for Work
Your garage would be an excellent place to start. Also, note that when choosing a good site for an RV painting, it’s best to pick one that is adequately ventilated.
You can also carry out the work along your driveway, as long as it is out of intense sun reach.
2. Making Use of the Soap and Automotive Sponge
You can prep the fiberglass exterior by cleaning the RV well with your soap and automotive sponge.
Remove whatever mess accumulated over the past years of travels with the RV by wiping down softly.
And don’t forget to focus more emphasis on the rooftop of the RV as bird droppings, dirt, and grime have been known to accumulate more in such regions.
3. Using the Palm Sander and a Wet Sandpaper for a Better Smoothening Effect
There’s no need to spend much time on this. You just want to create a bit of surface texture so that the primer and paint can adhere to each other and the RV surface.
It should not take you more than an hour to cover the whole surface area of the RV. Avoid going back to areas that you have already covered.
4. Applying the Denatured Alcohol
This involves taking an old rag and wiping the entire fiberglass exterior with your denatured alcohol. The denatured alcohol helps eliminate any form of grease left on the RV.
5. Placing the Painter’s Tape
Now, cover whatever part of the RV that needs to be protected from the paint with the painter’s tape. This includes the windshield, windows, doorknobs, and whatever area you feel should be restricted from the paint reach.
Step 2: Painting the RV Fiberglass Exterior
First, start from the front of the RV by applying the primer using whatever method you choose. Your aim must be to cover the entire fiberglass exterior with a smooth, uniform product layer.
Leave it for some hours to dry (depending on how long the manufacturer recommends).
Then apply your RV paint just the same way you did with the primer. You can use a long fluid motion just to keep things going smoothly. By doing this, you tend to avoid paint drips.
Now, leave the painted surface to dry, which takes a bit longer than with the primer.
Note: It may even take up to a day or sometimes longer!
Once dry, if you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can add another coat of paint for a better look.
Step 3: Finishing the RV Painting
Examine the paintwork and check for any area that looks uneven.
You can fix this by simply rubbing over the surface with fine sandpaper. And to get that specific RV sparkle, give the entire exterior a good polish with the soft cloth or rag and RV wax.
Read through the manufacturer’s instructions to know exactly how long the waxes would take to cure.
Finally, remove all the painter’s tape to reveal the finished result of your successful RV painting job.
Conclusion
When learning how to paint RV exterior fiberglass like a pro, it’s always best to read through the manufacturer’s instructions for the given brand of primer, paint, and waxes you would use for the work.
Check out this Youtube video on how to paint RV exterior fiberglass.