It’s an age-old question. Do you take your RV to a custom paint shop or go with a DIY RV paint job? As an RV owner, it’s a question that you eventually have to face when your RV’s exterior begins to wear. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a professional RV paint job or going the DIY paint route. Here’s 3 benefits to consider for both options to help you decide what’s right for you and your RV.

3 Benefits to DIY:

#1 Cost
The most likely reason a person chooses to go DIY is due to the cost factor. Depending on the size and style, the average RV paint job can range from $5,000-$15,000+. Painting an RV on your own, however, can be as cheap as $300 if you’re willing to invest the time and effort. Much of the cost difference lies in the preparation for painting that goes into repainting a motorhome or trailer, such as sanding the surface. If you can spare the elbow grease, you can do the labor yourself and save money in the process.

#2 Information
With help from the internet, you can learn to accomplish anything.There’s a wealth of knowledge to guide you step-by-step through the process of painting your RV. You can pull up a written guide on your phone (or print them out) or you can follow along with a YouTube video. There’s even online communities of people who share their passion over all things RV where you can find additional tricks and tips, supply recommendations and everything in between. While it may seem daunting to sift through, with patience and determination, you can use these resources to help you transform your RV exterior.

#3 Control
When you decide to paint your motorhome by yourself, you have total control over what happens. You decide what type of paint and supplies are used. You choose the design. Be as flashy or as modest as you wish. As long as you have the ability to, you can customize your exterior to your liking. There’s also a sense of accomplishment that comes with taking on a big DIY project. You can’t beat the feeling of standing back and feeling pride in the hard work you’ve put in.

3 Benefits to Going to the Pros

#1 Quality
It may cost more to go the professional route, but it pays off in the end. When you go to a custom paint shop, there’s an expectation in the quality of the final product. That expectation comes from the experience and resources that a paint shop has to offer. Custom paint shops feature employees that are trained in a process that’s been performed countless times. That process has been nailed down into an efficient routine for the shop workers. Additionally, custom paint shops will have industrial-quality tools that would not be readily available to the average person.

#2 Design
Not every person is creatively inclined. And creating designs for an RV might be harder than expected. If you aren’t the artistic type, an RV paint shop will have plenty of well-made designs and colors to pick from. They’ll work with you to get the best look out of your RV. Whether you want a brand new look or a similar design to what you currently have, you’re in control. []

#3 Convenience
While DIY is a cost-saving measure, it will take up a good chunk of time to complete painting your RV. Estimated time to complete a DIY RV project can take up to 30 hours or more. Those who work full-time may find it difficult to find the free time outside of the weekend to undergo painting their mobile home. Those of you who may have that free time during the week, may not want to exude the energy that planning and executing a big project will take up.

Ultimately, the decision is yours on how to take care of your RV. It’s your vehicle and your adventure. Just be sure to consider all your options when making that choice. If you decide to get your paint done professionally and are looking for a premium, high-quality service, check out CDI Custom Paint today and get a quote.