There's nothing like the thrill of hitting the open road in an RV for vacation or a nomadic lifestyle. Did you ever wonder if it was possible to trick out your recreational ride like never before? We researched a range of fantastic RV exterior paint jobs that are sure to catch your eye. Check out our selection of classic paint jobs to unbelievable hyper-style art covering today's RVs.
Show off your personality, blend in with the landscape, or shock and awe passersby with trending, creative, colorful RV paint jobs. Choose to customize an RV by centering around a specific color scheme, pinstripe, or tribal design, or a specific mood. Think out of the box and get excited about the following 15 slick exterior paint ideas for your RV:
- Green Flash
- Black and Silver
- Desert Sands
- Tribal Earth
- Retro Swirl
- Metallic Battle
- Wicked Orange
- Flight Ready
- Brutal Classic
- Cool In White
- Wild Mosaic
- Rock 'n' Roll
- Monochrome Electric
- Road Warrior
- Hardcore Lady
Feel inspired to travel the highways and byways with the ultimate style and luxury that only a custom RV paint job provides! Let's take a closer look at these ideas with photo examples.
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Exciting RV Exteriors
Live large with an RV paint job or wrap that turns heads and fits your lifestyle. The exterior of an RV is as important as the interior and allows for the full realization of your personal style. It can also help with maintenance. We chose the following RV exteriors for their colors, bold design ideas, and memorable style.
1. Green Flash
A dash of color used alongside neutral colors black, gray, and white make this RV's exterior stand out. Check out how a classic tribal abstract design moves the eye down the vehicle like it's on fire as it heads down the road. Make a move and hit the road with smooth slick graphics.
2. Black and Silver
Pay homage to old-school trailers, campers, and classic nomadic life with a combination of silver tribal-style accents sandwiched with a matte black. A highly reflective color like silver makes an RV more visible down the road, while large areas of black paint look refined and polished. Note how a thin accent of metallic plum-brown adds that bit of pop color.
3. Desert Sands
Blend in perfectly in southwestern landscapes where the desert, cacti, and heat are standard. Note how clean and chic this RV looks covered with a layer of black on the top, with the bottom covered in accents of tan, sandy brown, taupe, and a light brown-orange.
4. Tribal Earth
It might feel like traveling in a literally rolling stone with this simple color scheme on an RV. The exterior seems like a modified camouflage relying on sharp tribal, abstract designs, balancing between a soft tan and a shale grey mixed with brown. Feel right at home parked next to mountains or hills with or without a treeline.
5. Retro Swirl
Feel at home with an RV that has a more retro color scheme for an under-the-radar appeal. The organic stripes in gray and black wrap the car, in contrast to the metallic cream soda bottom, white center, and battleship gray top, appearing aerodynamic. A color scheme like this gives a calm vibe that wouldn't attract any negative attention when rolling along.
6. Metallic Battle
Have an exterior on an RV that looks like it's a sophisticated road warrior. The paint job features some tough, strong tribal striping, which instantly jumps out against the contrasting cool, metallic blue-silver paint throughout. A bit of white on the exterior is equally cool but still bold, allowing the black and gray accents to stand out.
7. Wicked Orange
Go all the way with a paint job for an RV that comes straight out of the early 2000s. Check out the liquid-looking orange and slick metallic silver accents wrapped around a glossy black exterior. A paint job like this makes an RV look serious, heavy-duty, and ready to handle anything the road throws your way.
8. Flight Ready
Something about this RV's exterior makes us think of a soaring eagle. See the abstract design carved out of the negative off-white, cream color, accented by sweeping burgundy and gold accents that move up the vehicle, like a bird. The remaining areas of the RV are black, allowing the lighter areas of the paint job to come forward.
9. Brutal Classic
There is a lot going on visually with this RV exterior, featuring a nice fade between the wine color top into a bit of black. Rugged splatters of color in metallic bronze and red loosely cover a splash of white on the sides. A crest-like section in bronze at the back is emblazoned with an appropriate tagline.
10. Cool In White
Stay cool no matter where your destination takes you in a sweet-looking RV that has a mostly white exterior. The cool white reflects the heat and makes the thin contrasting accents of tan, shale gray, and black stand out in a good way.
11. Wild Mosaic
Feel wild and free with an exterior that looks more like a tile mosaic or fanciful mural than a traditional paint job. There are various colors and textures from the front of the vehicle, starting with black with white polka dots. The side is a mix of wave-like marks of alternating silver and bronze. Retro, pastel shades of goldenrod, peach, gray, white, and taupe are next to each other. A radial design in the upper corner stands out the most,with striking red lines moving outward.
12. Rock 'n' Roll
Sometimes the paint job that has the most impact is the simplest. Check out this road-ready RV painted in a solid, high-sheen coat of deep black paint. The only accent that makes this RV stand out is a clean, thin, lightening bolt design going across the side of the vehicle perfectly.
13. Monochrome Electric
Say less with more and pack a visual punch with contrasting black and white. Note the organic, erratic designs that look like tissue, scales, or electricity. There are also some sweet fades between the black and white, as well as abstract tribal pinstriping for added pop.
14. Road Warrior
Check out an RV with an exterior that seems inspired by classic military colors and relies on a simple palette of black, white, and gray-brown hues. The back of the RV is the most eye-catching because the black and white stripes look like the road is coming up the vehicle. The loose black and white tribal-style accents are classic and provide visual interest.
15. Hardcore Lady
There's nothing like tearing up the road in an RV covered with a custom hyper-realistic mythical banshee character crouched down and screaming on the side. The imagery is highly detailed, eye-catching, and is enough embellishment over a simple black and silver exterior.
What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On A Fiberglass RV?
If you have a fiberglass RV, you will want to use either gloss, high-gloss, or matte finish fiberglass paint. Whenever possible, purchase the highest quality fiberglass paint for professional results and a long-lasting finish. Look for fiberglass paint containing acrylic, epoxy, or polyurethane for a weather-resistant finish, and avoid paint that contains oil.
What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On Aluminum RV?
Believe it or not, it is possible to refresh and upgrade the look of an aluminum RV using paint. Choose an acrylic latex or oil-based paint that you can apply to the RV with a sprayer. Before painting, make sure to apply an aluminum oxide primer and evenly coat the RV. Allow enough time for the primer to dry before painting, and apply a minimum of two coats of paint. You can also use car paint, as most vehicles are aluminum.
How Much Does It Cost To Repaint An RV?
Investing in repainting an RV can run you between $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of your RV, type of paint used, and geographical location. On average, prepare to spend on applying two to four coats of paint and any necessary prep work. If you want high-quality results for your RV's exterior, it is better to consult and hire a professional.
How Do I Keep My RV From Fading?
Keep your RV's exterior looking brand new by regularly giving it a wash and wax to protect it from the elements. Certain soaps contain detergents that can strip away the RV's finish and lead to fading. Opt for a product made for an RV that contains Carnauba wax to protect the finish.
In Closing
We hope you feel inspired by our curated list of RV exteriors. Let your imagination run wild; opt for stylish abstract designs, mural-like designs, or keep things simple with a classic palette. Before you hit the road, use the right paint for the job if painting it yourself, or hire a professional for a stunning custom exterior.
Before you go, you won't want to miss out on the following articles:
How Much Does it Cost to Repaint a Car? [Touch Ups vs. Full Paint Job]