Do-It-Yourself Camper Restoration
Old campers may need only a mild touch up or would benefit from a more significant reconstruction. Once finished, your camper will have all the amenities usually found in a brand-new camper without the expense of buying it. Additionally, like a car, new campers depreciate as soon as you drive them off the showroom floor. A vintage camper, such as an Airstream, on the other hand, is far more likely to retain the value of the money and effort that you put into its restoration.
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Things You'll Need
- Wire brush
- Rust inhibiting paint
- Pressure washer
- Soap
- Water
- Degreaser
- Bleach
- Replacement flooring
- Paint or wallpaper
- Replacement wheels and tires
Instructions
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1
Clean the exterior of the camper with soap and water to remove excess dirt, dust or other contaminants. During this phase, inspect the camper for signs of rust.
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2
Inspect the frame and undercarriage of the camper. If you discover rust, use a wire brush to clean off the excess rust, then apply a rust-inhibiting paint to the entire undercarriage and frame.
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3
Prepare a mixture of water and bleach in a 50 percent solution. Use this mixture with the pressure washer to remove any moss that has grown on the sides of the camper while in storage or due to lack of cleaning. Be careful, however, to avoid delaminating the exterior walls of the trailer; don't spray high-pressure water near windows, doors or other seams.
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4
Inspect the interior to determine what needs to be replaced and what can be preserved. Likely candidates for replacement include the existing flooring and soft surfaces. Preservable pieces may include the cabinets, windows, doors and walls.
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5
Replace or clean the floor if necessary. Camper floors are usually linoleum, so replace them with the same material. If you want to upgrade the appearance of the camper, you can use laminate hardwood floors. Carpeting is not recommended, however, as you may find that it will become dirty quickly.
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Paint the cabinets with normal house paint, and then wallpaper or paint the walls. Keep several windows open to prevent glue and paint fumes from becoming overpowering. When you paint the cabinets, remove the drawers and cabinet door fronts prior to painting to ensure a smooth, professional paint job.
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Replace the soft surfaces of the interior of the camper. You won't have to stitch your own, because many choices for soft surface replacement are available at your RV dealer. Make note of the measurements of the pieces you need, including bedding mattresses, dining table pads and any other surfaces you wish to replace.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't over-restore a camper unless it has intrinsic collector value. Campers rarely appreciate in value, and you may find yourself putting far more into it than it's worth.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
