There is good news and there is bad news that I hope will turn into good news.
First the good news. I got a couple coats of paint on the center console and it didn't turn out half bad. Little unsure about the color though. HammerTone, supposed to be brown, but it is turning out more bronze/grey. Will have to see how it looks in the truck I guess.
Before and afters: 
My parent's conversion van has a lot of the same type of trim. when the wood started drying out real bad, my mom stripped it, and varnished it. You might want to try that?
I think you'd be a lot happier with it. I'll try to take some pics when my brother gets back from wherever he is.
