Leo Martínez
Painting the interior walls of a mobile home is a great way to quickly and cheaply update the space and make it your own. Most manufactured homes use vinyl-on-gypsum (VOG) wall panels, which can be painted, but there is a specific process to follow. Before painting, you must decide whether to leave the battens (plastic strips covering the seams between panels) in place or remove them and fill in the seams. Leaving the battens in place is easier, but removing them will result in a more even finish. Once you have prepared the walls, you will need to apply primer and then at least one coat of paint.
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What You'll Learn
Removing battens and covering seams
Next, sweep dust and dirt out of the exposed seams to ensure that the tape will have a secure bond. Apply a layer of drywall tape, also known as "mud", over each seam. You can use either fibreglass tape or standard wall repair tape. The mesh-type seam tape has an adhesive backing.
Now, it's time to apply the joint compound. Hold the putty knife at a 45-degree angle and spread a thin layer of joint compound over the surface of the tape. Smooth out any rough spots and ridges in the compound and allow it to dry. Once the compound is dry, sand it down with medium-grit sandpaper. When the surface of the compound feels smooth to the touch, apply another layer of compound and let it dry.
Finally, once the compound is completely dry, sand it down one last time and then you're ready to paint.
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$54.95
Using primer
Painting over paneling in a mobile home is a great way to update your space. However, it can be a tricky process, especially if you want to remove the battens and cover the seams. The vinyl surface of VOG panels will accept paint better if you first coat them with a good-quality acrylic primer.
Before applying primer, it is important to clean the walls with a mild detergent or TSP solution and a rag. Go over each surface twice, then finish by wiping down with a fresh cloth dampened with clear water. Once the walls have dried, use painter's tape to mask the edges along the trim, ceiling, and floor. If there is any damage or holes, fill them with spackle and sand smooth. Be careful not to damage the vinyl coating on the wall panels when sanding.
When choosing a primer, opt for a high-quality acrylic primer. Cheaper varieties tend to flake and provide uneven coverage on vinyl walls. Benjamin Moore's "Fresh Start" 100% acrylic primer is a premium option that will cover any patterns on the vinyl and provide excellent bonding. You can also use an angled trim brush to cut in the primer along the edges of the wall, followed by a roller for the broad areas.
It is recommended to apply two coats of primer for the best results. Allow the primer to cure for at least 24 hours before applying the finish coat. You may also want to lightly sand the primed surface to smooth it down, being careful not to tear the vinyl coating.
By following these steps and using a good-quality primer, you can ensure that your paint job will adhere properly and transform the look of your mobile home.
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Painting techniques
Painting the interior walls of a manufactured home is an excellent way to make the space your own and create a signature look for your home. The vinyl-on-gypsum (VOG) wall panels used in most manufactured homes can be painted, but there is a process to it.
First, you need to decide what to do with the strips or battens that cover the seams. Most people opt to remove the battens and cover over the seams, but this can be time-consuming and cumbersome. If you can live with the battens, you can simply paint over them, which makes for an easier painting project.
If you decide to remove the battens, use a putty knife to carefully pry them out, being careful not to damage the wall panels. Once the battens are removed, use a taping or joint compound to fill in the seams between the panels. Apply a thick layer of compound over the seams using a 6-inch drywall knife, then cover with strips of joint tape and press into place with a 4-inch drywall knife. Apply another layer of compound over the tape and let it dry completely. Once dry, lightly sand the joint to smooth it down, being careful not to damage the vinyl coating on the panels.
If you decide to leave the battens in place, you will need to clean the walls with a mild detergent or TSP solution, wiping down with a damp cloth afterward. Once the walls are dry, use painter's tape to mask off the edges along the trim, ceiling, and floor.
Regardless of whether you remove or keep the battens, it is recommended to apply a primer before painting. The vinyl surface of VOG panels will accept paint better if you first coat them with a good-quality acrylic primer. Use an angled trim brush to cut in the primer along the edges of the wall, then apply it to the broad areas using a roller. Let the primer dry completely before applying paint.
When choosing paint, opt for high-quality paint to avoid flaking and uneven coverage. Apply at least two coats of paint, using gentle strokes with the roller to avoid damaging the walls.
It is important to note that old paneling may soak up paint, so it is recommended to do a test patch in an inconspicuous area before starting the entire wall.
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Wall preparation
Before painting the walls of your mobile home, you will need to decide whether to leave the battens up or remove them. Removing the battens and filling in the seams will give a more even paint job and a finish that resembles standard walls in non-mobile homes. However, this option is more time-consuming and cumbersome. If you can live with the battens, you can simply paint over them, which is a more cost-effective and easier option.
If you decide to remove the battens, you will need to pry them out using a putty knife, being careful not to damage the wall panels. Then, use wall repair tape and a taping or drywall joint compound to cover and fill the seams between the panels. Apply a thick layer of the compound over the seams, using a 6-inch drywall knife. Cover the wet compound with strips of joint tape and press it into place with a 4-inch drywall knife. Immediately cover the tape with another layer of joint compound, then let it dry. Lightly sand the joint to smooth it down, being careful not to tear the vinyl coating on the panels.
If you decide to leave the battens up, you can skip the above steps and simply prepare the walls for painting. Start by covering the floors and furniture with drop cloths. Clean the walls with a mild detergent or TSP solution and a rag, going over each surface twice, then finish by wiping down with a fresh cloth dampened with clear water. Once the walls have dried, use painter's tape to mask the edges along the trim, ceiling, and floor. If the walls have any damage or holes, fill them with spackle and then sand smooth, following the manufacturer's directions and being careful not to damage the vinyl coating.
Regardless of whether you remove or keep the battens, it is recommended to apply a coat of primer to the walls before painting. Choose a high-quality acrylic primer, as cheaper varieties may flake and provide uneven coverage. The primer will help the paint adhere properly to the walls and cover any patterns or prints on the vinyl. Apply the primer with an angled trim brush along the edges of the wall, then use a roller for the broad areas. Let the primer cure for at least 24 hours before applying the paint.
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Paint types
Painting the interior walls of a mobile home is a great way to make the space your own and give it a signature look. Most mobile homes use vinyl-on-gypsum (VOG) wall panels, which can be painted, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, decide whether to remove the battens, the plastic strips that cover the seams between panels. Removing them will result in a more even paint job, but it is time-consuming and requires taping and patching the seams with drywall compound. If you leave the battens, the painting process is easier, but the finished look may not be as smooth.
Next, prepare the walls by cleaning them with a mild detergent or TSP solution. If there are any holes or damage, fill them with spackle and sand them smooth, being careful not to damage the vinyl coating. Then, use painter's tape to mask the edges along the trim, ceiling, and floor.
When choosing paint, opt for high-quality paint and primer to ensure even coverage and prevent flaking. Avoid regular latex paint, as it may not adhere properly to the vinyl walls. Instead, look for a good-quality acrylic primer, such as Benjamin Moore's "Fresh Start" 100% acrylic primer, which will cover any patterns or prints on the vinyl and provide a good base for your paint. Zinsser BIN primer and Glidden's Gripper (a latex primer) are also recommended. Let the primer dry for at least 24 hours before applying the paint.
For the paint, consider using a premium 100% acrylic paint from a reputable paint dealer, such as Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams. You can also find paint-and-primer combinations, such as Behr Ultra, which can save time and money. Apply at least two coats of paint for even and consistent coverage, and use gentle strokes with the roller to avoid damaging the walls.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can paint over paneling in a mobile home.
VOG stands for Vinyl on Gypsum (or vinyl over gypsum). It is a popular material for mobile home walls because it is cheap to manufacture, lightweight, water-resistant, and easy to install and clean.
First, you need to decide whether to remove the battens or paint over them. Removing the battens will give a more even finish but is more time-consuming. Next, you will need to apply a primer—a good option is Benjamin Moore's "Fresh Start" 100% acrylic primer. After the primer has cured for at least 24 hours, you can apply at least two coats of paint.
First, test how the paneling will react to mud and paint in an inconspicuous area. If the paneling soaks up the paint, you may need to buy a separate primer. If you want to fill in the grooves and seams, you will need to clean the walls with a mild detergent or TSP solution, then fill any holes or damage with spackle and sand smooth. Finally, apply at least two coats of paint.
Avoid using regular latex paint, as it will come off in sheets. Instead, opt for an acrylic paint and primer.
