The Improvement of RV Steps on a Tight Budget
If you own a RV, the only part that really takes a lot of punishment is the step that leads into it. From constant use, contact with weather factors and the actual weight which the steps are expected to bear at any given moment, best RV steps are bound to dull and have that tired look. It can get costly to replace them with brand new RV steps but all it takes are simple modifications to bring back and enhance the worn out steps for a few dollars.
Assess the Damage
Look at your current RV steps and determine what parts of it needs some work. Check for:
Raised – Bolts that involve screw holding on side mirrors, seat belt holders, engine/dash parts, bumpersBolts It should be noted that, although 10 of them may be pressed easily, if applicable, the rest needs to be raised.
- Cracks or holes
- Rust
- Fading/peeling paint
- Wobbly handrails
However, ensure you focus on cracks on the corners and the underside of the RV steps, as these are the parts that show damage first. Find all problem areas and all the materials you should have handy if you were going to carry out the fixes and improvements.
Deep Clean
Sturdy movements that might be correctly designed can develop a slightly bleak appearance as time elapses. First wash down before getting preoccupied with cosmetic changes. Here’s a simple cleaning solution that works wonders:
Supplies:
- 1 gallon warm water
s – 1/2 cup white powder of powdered laundry detergent.
1⁄2 cup of powdered dish washing soap - Medium bristle scrub brush
Together in a large bucket, pour in water, the laundry detergent and the dish detergent. With the scrub brush, apply the solution in liberal manner, all over the steps. Allow it to dwell for 5-10 minutes in order to allow the soapy solution to remove difficult dirt and stains. With the scrub brush wash out the steps giving them some tough work then hose them down. If it doesn’t take of the area in one try, repeat the process in that area again.
Fix Structural Damage
If, during the inspection, you found out that the hardware is loose, there are cracks, the wood has rotted or other structural problems, now is the time to fix them so the improvements will last. Here are some common fixes:
Tighten loose screws/bolts
Apply a power drill and never allow any bolt or any fixing to be freed or loosened and may even require fixing again. Replace studs removed without replacing or extremely heavily rusted.
Fill small holes and cracks
Exterior wood filler can be applied on it and allowed to dry and when it has dried you can smoothen it by sanding.
Replace rotten boards
Prudently pry out the spoiled board and/or substitute the part of the structure with the new one made from the pressure-treated lumber of the standard length.
Reinforce wobbly areas
Attach these with the help of metal plates and use additional screws for joining the parts. Before you do superficial repairs, you have to take care of any structural problems completely to get value from your improvements.
Add Grip Tape
Another part that can really make a difference and doesn’t have to be expensive is grip tape. This very gritty, skate-like tape offers avoidance of slips as well as falls. All it requires is to simply get the width of the step tread at each step, get your grip tape, unsticking the adhesive layer and stick on the grip tape.
If you need some added reassurance for grip days at camp on rainy days, there is special grip tape for wet conditions. Before applying make sure the deck surface is clean so the adhesive on the tapes will stick. Grip tape usually endures well in the outside environment and pedestrian trafficked areas for years before wearing out.
Stencil Custom Designs
Here’s an easy way to add personality while hiding imperfections, stencil a custom design! Lightly sand and wipe down steps so it takes paint well and to remove shininess, dust and other grime. Painter’s tape should be used to protect sections of your car that you do not want to be painted.
This is a simple pattern, Styroham cut with scissors into an ordinary stencil of small dimensions from thick plastic, cardboard or reusable material for stencils. Put the stencil where you want and paint two to three thin layers of exterior paint with a foam brush or roller. Let dry fully between coats. Once the final coat is dry for at least 24 hours, the now carefully remove the masking tape from your desired camper step design.
Replace Handrails
Childhood and teenage hammering handrails has peeled and rusted with underframes that are painful and dangerous for touch. Replacing them is as simple as redesigning and making steps safer and most of all more attractive in 1 simple move. Only measure old rails in order to establish the distance of new ones and the required hardware for placing them.
Search up new handrails that are made with vinyl, plastic or any form of composite that is not easily damaged by weather. Other good kinds are galvanised or stainless also do not rust. To avoid corrosion, use protective hardware installation such as the aluminium joiners installation. Figure 17 Some particular styles and some finishes are easier to hold and so are safer.
Install Lighting
Interior step lighting is functional as well as aesthetic when the sun sets and lights go out. Avoid falls by using LED step lights which can be powered with either solar panel installations or wired to permanent sources.
Select small profile fixtures that are installed along handrails or at riser heights. Seek out warm white or amber LEDs– as opposed to bluish cool white to produce welcoming glow. Ensure that lights have an outdoor kind of IP65 rating or even a higher rating. So fix down lighting to make sure each tread is nicely lit without glary.
Resurface with Sandpaper
If your RV steps are badly worn out, chipped, split, dented and have other irreparable problems such as cracking and splintering, then resurfacing is the way to go. Sanding down steps can be time consuming and labour intensive, but it eliminates imperfections to leave an opening for reinvestment.
Start by getting rid of any steps and then make sure you vacuum everything thoroughly. Utilise a belt sander or an orbital one but that at a coarse grit of as low as 40 so that you can start sanding away the damaged material. Then, use extra coarse sandpaper of 80, and then sander of 120 and finally sander of 220 to make the wood surface even.
After peeling off paint and varnish to bare wood lets RV steps finish drying. Paint 2-3 layers of a protective coat you can recommend for exterior use, such as Spar Urethane. The gap to allow for as much time as between coats is important. In other, RV steps which are fully cured should be changed. Your once weathered stairs will look as if they have left the factory only yesterday!
Spruce Up Accessories
To complement your camper step makeover don’t forget about small items such as numbers, corner caps, skirting and even door compartments. Revive these accessories by washing them or if they have some worn out components, remove and replace them. Instead, they may use adhesive numbers, painted designs or new hardware to restore value.
When you target the worst areas and apply DIY upgrades and fixes, it proves very economical because it doesn’t require replacement of the entire RV steps but can yield a complete revamp of safety and magnificent looks which are long enduring. Try these simple step to have the best camper access for more happy trails to come!
