::
Hi Carol,
Most RV interior walls are not drywall like a house. They’re usually thin paneling with a vinyl coating, which is fairly slick. Because of that, paint won’t stick well unless the surface is prepped first.
Start by cleaning the walls really well with a degreasing cleaner. RV walls tend to collect cooking residue, dust, and fingerprints, and paint won’t bond properly if that’s still on the surface. After cleaning, lightly scuff the walls with a fine sanding sponge or around 220-grit sandpaper. You don’t need to remove the finish. The goal is just to dull the shine so primer has something to grip.
Next, apply a bonding primer designed for slick surfaces. This step makes the biggest difference in how well the paint holds up. Once the primer dries, you can paint with a good quality interior acrylic latex paint. Many RV owners go with a satin or eggshell finish since it cleans easily and hides imperfections better than flat paint.
Using thin coats and allowing the paint to cure for a few days helps it hold up better over time. RV walls flex a bit during travel, so good prep and patience during the painting process go a long way toward preventing peeling or chipping later.