Painting Woodwork

I have a 1999 Symbol. Overall it is in great condition for its age however, the wooden cupboards are showing their age and could do with a refresh. 

I'm thinking about painting them but before I make a complete mess of it I wondered if anyone else has done this and if so what preparation is best and what type of paint? 

I'd like to do a pale/mid green to match the upholstery. Does anyone have any thoughts and/or advice?

I saw on another forum some one had there's wrapped don't know cost but looked good and can be wiped down

I've seen quite a few vans for sale where people have painted the interior/cupboards.


Its always looked terrible to me, and you're destroying the originality of the interior.

Certainly the Monocoque vans which last the earlier ones are possibly starting to become "classics" and this would certainly harm their value in my opinion for anyone looking for an "original" or "unmolested" van.


Why not just rub down and reapply a clear varnish which is probably what's started to deteriorate ?

In a recent MMM magazine article, Martin Watts, in his 'Vintage Vans' column, brought up this subject.
He mentioned that painting the woodwork will invariably affect the value of classic vehicles, as Benzene mentions above.
Your '99 Symbol is falling into that category, so think long and hard about whether you're likely to pass the van off or not.
I suppose it all matters on how bad your doors really are; but try and keep it "in kind".

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Thank you all for your responses. I am inclined to attempt to make good, after all the woodwork is pleasant and should be easier than a paint job that won't last another 25 years