I have a 1973 Pan Familia that is in original condition. I like the fact that it's authentic to its era, but I don't like the fact that it's now a bit faded and lacklustre inside. The previous owner made some colourful 70s style curtains and I'm planning on making some new cushion covers that will brighten it up. While I'm at it I was thinking of doing something with all the faded dark woodwork to freshen it up and lighten up the interior.

It goes against the grain to paint over veneer (excuse the pun) but it would be a relatively simple way of adding some colour and light to the inside. I'm interested if anyone else has done something similar, and also whether the old school aficionados would consider such a thing sacrilegious :-)

Thanks

Nick

Hi Nick and if you check the picture gallery I'm sure that you will find many pictures of things that others have done

Tom and Margaret

Thanks Tom, Margaret. Yes I've looked through the gallery for inspiration, and lots of different styles on there. But all have kept the veneered woodwork which is what I'm thinking of painting or otherwise brightening up.

One option maybe to bleach the woodwork. https://www.liberon.co.uk/product/wood-bleacher/ is an example of this type of product. It may be worth giving it a go before finally committing to paint.

Well on our last one [a 430] we removed the gas heater, to create a storage area, then removed the toilet / shower, to make a good sized wardrobe, then dismantled front of the cubicle and pushed the wall back 8" to give more room in the living area, then turned the double dinette at the rear into a permanent double bed, amazing what you can do with these vans, unfortunately it got wrecked in Italy but never mind I've just started on this one just removed the toilet yesterday, just got to rebuild the inside now.
Dave

Thanks Colin for your advice, and Steve for the wood bleaching suggestion. Great info, I shall look into both options. Sorry to hear about your wrecked van Dave after putting so much work into it. Good luck with the new project.

Thanks Colin, I've decided to go for painting the woodwork in any case to add some colour.

Hi - I have a Triton 430 GT 2004 and I would like to remove the gas heater for more storage - can you tell me what was behind the heater (was there any wiring, pipes etc. which may have a compromising effect on storage drawer) and did it need a professional gas person to remove it. Thank you

I disconnected and removed mine [when we had a 2004 430 ] it leaves quite a nice big space but the wheel arch is partly in there, you need to make up a small hole in the floor and cap the gas pipe, from memory I used a 9mm brass compression fitting, then I used a cable tie on the under sink tap so that it could not be turned on by mistake, [belt and braces].
Dave

I’ve never been a fan of painting wood whether it be natural or veneer. Rub it down with good quality sandpaper to remove the old finish which will bring up the natural wood. To add a superb finish use table top polish which you can buy from Fiddes and Son (google it) and then see what a difference it makes to your tired wood finish.