Originally published October 3, 2018 · Updated by the editor November 11, 2026
When I bought my 2004 Keystone Mountaineer travel trailer, which I named the Mountain, the renovation possibilities seemed endless. The interior was not glamorous, but I could see the home I wanted to make. Painting the cabinets became my first big project.
The work reached the kitchen, bookshelf, entertainment center, bathroom, and bedroom. I removed the cabinet doors and began priming. The photos show the original surfaces, the work in progress, and the finished rooms.
Prepare a finish that will stick
Before starting your own project, identify the surface you are painting and choose a compatible cleaner, primer, and paint. Test adhesion in a small area. Clean grease and dirt off first, and follow the product’s sanding, ventilation, drying, and curing instructions.
Rust-Oleum’s cabinet-paint instructions illustrate why preparation, light coats, and curing time matter. They apply to that product, not automatically to every paint or every RV cabinet finish. The historical colors below describe my remodel; compare current labels before buying supplies.
Paint the kitchen cabinets
Sanding was the most difficult part. I had applied too much primer and ended up with bumps that needed smoothing. Taking the time to prepare the surface paid off once the color went on.
I chose a pale color called “Icy Breeze” from Lowe’s. The primer and finished paint looked quite different, especially once the doors were back in place.
For the handles, I used black spray paint and later a clear gloss. If you refinish hardware, choose coatings compatible with the material and each other, and follow their cure times before reinstalling it.
The kitchen took weeks, but seeing the finished cabinets around the window made the effort worthwhile.
Refresh the bookshelf
This space mattered to me because of my book collection on Austrian economics, philosophy, and ethics. I used a paint-compatible glitter additive in the black areas, including the bookshelf, bedroom cabinets, and trim.
I also found a shiny decorative paper at Hobby Lobby for the back of the bookshelf, covering the wallpaper behind it.
Paint the entertainment center
After the kitchen, the entertainment center felt straightforward. The comparison photo shows how the pale finish changed the cabinetry around the open shelves.
Brighten the bathroom cabinets
The same pale color helped the small bathroom feel brighter. This was the same process in a different room, with a visible change around the cabinet and mirror.
Finish the bedroom cabinets
In the bedroom, I chose dark cabinets with pale surrounding surfaces. The before-and-after photos show the different direction I took for this room.
For me, the project was a lesson in accomplishment: a series of patient, sometimes messy tasks that turned an old trailer into a home that felt like mine.
