Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: JW1 on March 24, 2013, 01:31:18 pm

Title: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 24, 2013, 01:31:18 pm
My van is nicely ply lined and sealed at the edges. 

I'm about to have a WFP system put in it, should I bother lifting the floor ply and Protectakoting or just leave the ply down for better insulation and protection?

Will it be harder to bolt the system to the chassis through the ply?

Thanks

Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: chez on March 24, 2013, 01:47:09 pm
Hey. 
When I had my system fitted the van was ply lined and I protectacoted it. Trouble was that when I lifted the reel in and out it wore the protectacote off and started to bubble underneath. So I bought off ebay a large sheet of aluminium tread plate purely for the reel side of the van. Sealed it and screwed it onto the ply. In the summer ( if it ever comes) I'm going to line the whole of the bottom of the van with one sheet of tread plate which will pretty much last the lifetime of the van. If you aren't going to lift reels in and out and are going to bolt them down protectacote should be fine.
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 24, 2013, 01:52:51 pm
Thanks for the advice

Do you mean Protectakote OVER the ply?

Or should I just get a plastic carboot tray for the hose etc and not bother painting it at all?
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: Jack Harris on March 24, 2013, 01:57:59 pm
I took the ply off the floor of mine and used protectakote and its perfect for me  :)
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: chez on March 24, 2013, 02:28:31 pm
Thanks for the advice

Do you mean Protectakote OVER the ply?

Or should I just get a plastic carboot tray for the hose etc and not bother painting it at all?

Yes that's what I did. Cos it needs some kind of protection otherwise the ply will just rot cos of all the water from the pole hose etc.  Hence that's why I put the tread plate on as something hard wearing cos protectacote will wear away. You could use a tray but its a bit of a pain putting it inside of it all the time. And remember that the hose that connects to the reel will still have water in it which will go on the floor and help to rot it.
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: steven ainger on March 24, 2013, 03:11:10 pm
What i would do is,
Remove the ply
Paint the floor ( doesnt have to me p/kote, it aint that good anyway )
Install rubber matting ( with holes in ) in the work area
Drill some drain holes in the van floor, in places where the water wont run into chassis etc
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: CF Facilities on March 24, 2013, 11:27:01 pm
JW1 have decided then who you are going for with your system or are you going to go DIY?
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: R.C Property on March 24, 2013, 11:55:07 pm
i ripped out all my ply, then painted it, replaced the ply with external ply, this is treated, and then on the back have a section of bathroom lino stuck down!
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 09:01:44 am
JW1 have decided then who you are going for with your system or are you going to go DIY?

Yes I've decided, I didn't fancy going DIY - maybe next time  :-[
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 09:04:27 am
Thanks for all advice.  I'm a bit undecided, I may just leave the ply down to be honest and put a plastic tray in the back for the hose etc.

I don't fancy taking the ply up, it's such a good protector and probably helps with insulation.

Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: Ian101 on March 25, 2013, 09:10:15 am
other alternative is to not bother with either of course.
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: Scrimble on March 25, 2013, 09:25:11 am
in my old van the floor was ply and when i took the tank out before i sold it the wood floor was all rotting and the underneath of it was covered in mould, a health hazard,

imo best is a plastic or rubber load liner, you can get them for most vans, something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INDESTRUCTIBLE-LOAD-LINER-MAT-FIAT-DOBLO-MULTIJET-NEW-/270292009147?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item3eeea8c0bb

or this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-COMBO-CARGO-LINER-LOAD-COMPARTMENT-GENUINE-9162863-/221203901063?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3380c7aa87
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: DG Cleaning on March 25, 2013, 09:29:38 am
The ply will rot I'd take it out
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 09:36:54 am
Ok

I'm running out of time, so I think I'll opt to Protectakote over the top of the ply, and maybe have a tray at the back for hose reel etc

Thanks to all those who gave advice  :)
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: steven ainger on March 25, 2013, 10:00:06 am
so most of the advice is to take the ply out & your still going to leave it in.
why did you ask  ???  ???
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: paul13 on March 25, 2013, 10:04:47 am
Fibber glass over the top of the ply,
Get it from peter window cleaning tools
Not  expensive
None slip
Hard wearing
Easy patched as time goes by
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 10:19:37 am
so most of the advice is to take the ply out & your still going to leave it in.
why did you ask  ???  ???

LOL - I think my choices were;

Remove the ply then paint and leave
Remove the ply then paint and replace the ply
Leave the ply and paint over it
Leave the ply and do nothing
Put a rubber mat or lino down

After all the helpful answers I was not 100% convinced that lifting the ply was necessary.  

I briefly looked for a liner on ebay, and rang Peugeot parts to see if they had one - both drew a blank.

I therefore need to make a decision as I haven't got long before installation, and thought that the insulating/hardwearing properties of the ply, with an additional protective layer of paint was the best compromise for me, without the hassle of lifting the sealed ply and preparing the surface.

I asked because I wanted the opinions of those that have experience, and I'm grateful for the replies.  I might still change my mind  ;)
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 10:23:23 am
Fibber glass over the top of the ply,
Get it from peter window cleaning tools
Not  expensive
None slip
Hard wearing
Easy patched as time goes by

Thanks,  do you have a link by any chance?
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: steven ainger on March 25, 2013, 10:26:38 am
http://www.window-tools.com/window-cleaning.htm
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: paul13 on March 25, 2013, 10:45:14 am
Fibber glass over the top of the ply,
Get it from peter window cleaning tools
Not  expensive
None slip
Hard wearing
Easy patched as time goes by

Thanks,  do you have a link by any chance?

Where you based?
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 10:51:48 am
http://www.window-tools.com/window-cleaning.htm

Many thanks

Where you based?

Bucks/Northants
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: paul13 on March 25, 2013, 11:19:07 am
Seen a jw window cleaning van round our way thought
might have been you.
Good luck
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: DG Cleaning on March 25, 2013, 11:31:09 am
In the time you've spent posting on here the ply could have been out ::)roll
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: R.C Property on March 25, 2013, 12:03:07 pm
http://www.window-tools.com/window-cleaning.htm

Many thanks

Where you based?

Bucks/Northants

northampton based here! lol
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: JW1 on March 25, 2013, 12:26:10 pm
In the time you've spent posting on here the ply could have been out ::)roll

Good point - well made

I emptied the back of the van, having decided to take the floor ply up.

30 minutes later I haven't managed to get any of the screws out (and there are quite a few)

I'm either useless (most likely) or the chippy who owned the van before me put the ply in well to stop divs like me from taking it out  :-[
Title: Re: Protectakote or Ply?
Post by: Jack Harris on March 25, 2013, 03:23:28 pm
Just rip it out lol man up