[Jon_Phelps]

Ok so I've been cleaning windows for nearly 6 years now and i still have the same set up form when i started. obviously technology has advanced since then so I'm planning on upgrading.  I bought myself a new van about 18 months ago and i simply swapped from old to new with out much thought. 

just to give you an idea of the space and weight i can carry it a citroen berlingo enterprise 850kg model which I've ply lined.  so heres the question(s):

I'm planning whilst the weather is nice on removing the ply lining and insulating behind the panels. but with regards to the floor what shall i do?  i  protectakoted my previous van.  same again here, speedline or fibre glass?

my current tank is a 350 flat strapped in.  space is sparse in the back of the berlingo so going for an upright.  is it worth investing in a metal cage? also should i get baffle balls with the upright as centre of gravity is higher?

I'm currently using a shurflo pump and varistream digital controller.   opinions on the liquid logic controllers with one shot? and can i use this with my current delivery pump? or do i need another?

oh i need a new good every day pole as my old clx is knackered.  worth the extra for an SLX? and the new brushes, hybrid soft for every day use? on old victorian sash and new windows?

i appreciate theres quite few questions here but i thought its best to get it all on one topic then lots of little ones. at least i can keep track of it then.

any other little tips or add ons that you find makes the working day easier then let me know.  I'm looking to do this DIY because I'm quite handy and need a project to keep me busy.  I'm not interested in motorised fixed hose reels etc as i remove all but the tank in my van to make space for my mountain bike when i hit the trails.

some pics of examples would be nice

thanks in advance,  Jon

[Scrimble]

My advice would be to remove the ply lining, with all the water in the back it ends up mouldy,

Google empf he makes custom tanks and he can make whatever shape or size you require.

[SeanK]

Its all a matter of what your prepared to spend, an SLX pole is better than an CLX there's no argument there
but I find very little difference in both poles at 22ft and under.
Protectakote will more than do the job on your floor but it needs to be applied right, if you lifting a metal reel in and out
then you would be best setting it on a rubber mat,
Brushes will be a matter of your own personal choice but as a rule of thumb the heavier brushes usually last longer so expect
to pay more yearly for the lighter ones.
As for your system if it does the job and its working ok  then why change it.

[Jon_Phelps]

thank you for the comments so far.  updating purely because its usable but not flexible enough for my needs.  my business is expanding so i need a slightly larger water tank.  i'm also picking up interest on some local holiday lake lodges and they require deck jet washing/cladding etc and I'm struggling to fit all i need in the back of the van.

thats whats prompted the decision really

theres some things that i simply need to get because I've put it off long enough like a new pole.  This clx is way past its best!
I'm happy to adapt what i have already and its likely thats what ill do but its always a good idea for a second opinion.

again thanks in advance

[richard groves]

Do you have a solid bulkhead ?
I strap a 400L upright to mine, no worries
baffles  - cut sections of 80 mm diameter plastic perforated land drainage hose, 25 m length is about £40 or so on ebay delivered.
Don't protectakote ( I have but wouldn't again ) instead if the ply is dry underneath, seal the edges and fiberglass with a roof kit, 5 sq m is about  £70, will wear better, look neater and will mean the floor is flat and easy to dry and keep clean, not so with a bare metal floor that is corrugated - it will collect pockets of water and dirt .
System - why fix what isn't broke ?  simple is as simple does to quote forests mum
Yes an slx would be worth upgrading to, but buy longer than you anticipate currently needing, as you say you are expanding and there is nothing worse than finding you cannot reach  and then needing to go down the extension route, you can always remove a section or two.
Brushes - thats a personal choice. I've two supremes, mixed medium hybrid  with pencil and fan jets fitted ( swap between depending on what suits ) regular work, and soft flocked with fan jets for georgian, leaded, upvc, shop signs etc.
Everybody has different opinions, these are just mine, hope they have been of help 

[SeanK]

Have to disagree slightly with Barry, Potectakote will more than do your job and as long as you use a bit of common sense it will last a lifetime, on other words don't throw anything onto it that will scrape the surface and throw a mat down if you need to.
With Barry's method you have no way of knowing is a small amount of water getting trapped  under the ply, you could find out
that your floor has rotted away underneath without you even catching on.
That's why I don't like fibreglass on a floor full stop, with Protectakote you can see and sort any problems that might happen
as and if they do.
Again this is just something to think about and I'm not saying that Barry's methods wont do your job or that fibreglass doesn't
work for others.

[Jon_Phelps]

thanks guys.  yep have a half solid and half meshed bulk head which the tank is secured to along with the load hooks.

I've protectakoted before so i know how to apply etc so isn't a completely a new concept like the fibreglassing.  i have rubber matting for the hose reel too ( learned from the previous van)

great tip on the  plastic perforated land drainage hose!

thanks for the pole advice too.  i have a super max 50 with the extensions which is in near mint condition still.  perhaps a new slx 25? could go clx 27 though. not much difference in price.  the old clx 22 won't be wasted though - planning on converting into a conservatory roof sprayer.

[duncan h]

How much water do you guys spill on the van floor? I have had a piece of marine grade ply outside for 6 years. Its dirty but still solid. Thats rain, snow etc. If a bit gets by the ply, it will evaporate. Its not acid

[Don Kee]

Did this to mine




D.I been taken out since, and now have two pumps running

Get hose reels, that dont fall over (with rear wheels) would be my top tip!!

[SeanK]

How much water do you guys spill on the van floor? I have had a piece of marine grade ply outside for 6 years. Its dirty but still solid. Thats rain, snow etc. If a bit gets by the ply, it will evaporate. Its not acid

I only wish my old Renault 5 had known that, every time there was a shower of rain it melted some more.

[Jon_Phelps]

thanks,

Don Kee - is the tank strapped down under the ply?  if i adapt the tank i have then id like to box mine in like that as well as insulate it.

i mean to solve the extra need for water in the future all id need is a few 25litre barrels saving the cost of a new tank a suppose

[richard groves]

Have to disagree slightly with Barry, Potectakote will more than do your job and as long as you use a bit of common sense it will last a lifetime, on other words don't throw anything onto it that will scrape the surface and throw a mat down if you need to.
With Barry's method you have no way of knowing is a small amount of water getting trapped  under the ply, you could find out
that your floor has rotted away underneath without you even catching on.
That's why I don't like fibreglass on a floor full stop, with Protectakote you can see and sort any problems that might happen
as and if they do.
Again this is just something to think about and I'm not saying that Barry's methods wont do your job or that fibreglass doesn't
work for others.

That's whats great about here and opinions. We are all different.
My van is protectakoted for the second time since installing wfp in it. You are right that you do have to look after it or it will chip and peel, I didn't and so had to re apply a coat ( several years later ).
I'm still sold on the fiberglass route for my next van after watching this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFc1cxIF2xA
Done right I think it would be a lot more hard wearing and neater, provided the ply is dry and edges sealed I would not see it being a problem.
As Duncan H says how much water do we spill ?
I've put a mat down now so the protectakote will last longer ( I throw mountain bikes, camping gear, building materials etc in back of my van that probably doesn't help )
But I agree, nowt wrong with protectakote, just if I were to do things again I would do them differently 

[richard groves]

thanks guys.  yep have a half solid and half meshed bulk head which the tank is secured to along with the load hooks.

I've protectakoted before so i know how to apply etc so isn't a completely a new concept like the fibreglassing.  i have rubber matting for the hose reel too ( learned from the previous van)

great tip on the  plastic perforated land drainage hose!

thanks for the pole advice too.  i have a super max 50 with the extensions which is in near mint condition still.  perhaps a new slx 25? could go clx 27 though. not much difference in price.  the old clx 22 won't be wasted though - planning on converting into a conservatory roof sprayer.

I did the same with my clx 27 Jon.
I now just have one pole for cleaning, supermax 40.
However I have saved money by adapting it to the "hoseless" concept, hose only runs permanently through first section with a rectus fitting that the rest of the pole hose attaches to. Means I can add/remove sections easily in less than a minute ( stop tape removed from sections 1 and 4 ) so my smax 40 is also an slx 25 equivalent with 3 sections removed. I can only use one pole at a time so buying twice of a similar quality seemed pointless especially when 40 ft only makes up maybe 10 % of my work.