[Matt Gibson]

Right guys,

For those that have used it in their vans, whats the process? Do you need to undercoat with any kind of primer?
Also, how much is needed? 2 coats of the final coating?

I'm looking to do a LWB Transit, so i dont want to run out half way through.

Should i lift the ply and protektacote to the van floor then re-lay the ply?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Ian Lancaster]

1: Take out the ply.
2:  Make sure the van floor pan is CLEAN
3:  Scrub with abrasive paper to kill the gloss, wash and dry.
4:  Mask the sides to allow painting up to about 4-6" - don't forget the doors.
5:  Apply 2 coats with a special roller or stipple brush, don't leave any places where water can get contact with the steel.  Allow the first coat to dry, preferably for 24 hrs before applying the second.  Use a good respirator type mask or keep all the doors wide open and take frequent breaks in the fresh air.

Someone else may be able to advise how much you need, haven't done one for a few years so can't remember.

Someone else may tell you to leave the ply in place and paint over - fine until water finds its way underneath, then your unprotected steelwork will rot like pears on the orchard floor.

[Matt Gibson]

Thanks Ian,

Just what i wanted to know.
So you dont need to prime as long as you key the paintwork?

I thought that if i left the ply down that exact scenario would happen, plus i dont want the ply to rot, or need to replace it and have to lift all the coating.

Much appreciated.

[timglaze]

I used a 4 litre tub for a LWB Vivaro. Personally I'd leave the floor ply out as this will rot in no time. The van will stink to high heaven for a couple weeks after so keep the window open whilst you're in it. As for preparation just key paintwork then give a wipe over with Jif...or Cif as it is now. Wear old clothes or overalls as the stuff will not come out and takes ages to scrub off your skin

[SeanK]

Ian has just about covered it but I wouldn't worry about the doors as the seals separate them from anything wet on the floor,
just make sure you remove the seals and paint under them including the back doors latch cover.
As Ian has said the secrete is to make sure you remove the gloss.

[Matt Gibson]

Thanks guys.

Last question, Does it last a good while? or does it start to chip and crack? I'll be having the ply back down over it, its more to just give the floorpan a bit of a chance against the water. Will be putting some drain holes in near the machines too.

[robert mitchell]

Mine has been down about 18 months and had worn away completely where I put my hoseree in and out , in fact some parts are down to bare metal !

However there is not even a spot of rust as my van is galvanised ( trafic)
, I'm not convinced protectakote is necessary .

[SeanK]

Thanks guys.

Last question, Does it last a good while? or does it start to chip and crack? I'll be having the ply back down over it, its more to just give the floorpan a bit of a chance against the water. Will be putting some drain holes in near the machines too.

It will last the lifetime of your van as long as you don't drag hose reels and similar over it, a rubber mat will sort this, plus as long
as its applied right it wont chip or crack as its flexible.

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

utter rubbish stuff , not worth the time and the bother it will look old and drity in weeks pointless stuff that we would never use again

[SeanK]

utter rubbish stuff , not worth the time and the bother it will look old and drity in weeks pointless stuff that we would never use again

Yes if its on a the floor of a mechanics workshop but what's going to dirty it in a window cleaning van ? but cant disagree with
it being pointless as my next van will have a mesh rubber mat thrown over the floor and nothing else, like the sides unless
you scrape the paint off then its not going to rust.

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

utter rubbish stuff , not worth the time and the bother it will look old and drity in weeks pointless stuff that we would never use again

Yes if its on a the floor of a mechanics workshop but what's going to dirty it in a window cleaning van ? but cant disagree with
it being pointless as my next van will have a mesh rubber mat thrown over the floor and nothing else, like the sides unless
you scrape the paint off then its not going to rust.

just getting in and out ,bits of  grass  the dust sticks to it like mad , its hard to wipe clean , and after 3 months its old a tired looking we would never use it again

 we like your vans mint , clean tidy and new looking at all times and the joy of just being able to wipe down the inside of you van with a cloth making it look new is great

[jk999]

I have had my vivaro 8 years protecta kote still going strong all it cost me was about eighty pounds for all material s ,can't fault it

[cgh window cleaning]

I have said it before on hear and I'm yet to see a van that's been protektakoted that looks good after 6 months.of use.for the time it takes to apply and go off and for the product to be not fit for purpose 6 months later I wouldn't  bother with it.

[SeanK]

I have said it before on hear and I'm yet to see a van that's been protektakoted that looks good after 6 months.of use.for the time it takes to apply and go off and for the product to be not fit for purpose 6 months later I wouldn't  bother with it.

Mine still looks good after 7 years of use, didn't find it hard to apply either, if you add a hardener to the mix it will be dry within
an hour.

[cgh window cleaning]

I have said it before on hear and I'm yet to see a van that's been protektakoted that looks good after 6 months.of use.for the time it takes to apply and go off and for the product to be not fit for purpose 6 months later I wouldn't  bother with it.

Mine still looks good after 7 years of use, didn't find it hard to apply either, if you add a hardener to the mix it will be dry within
an hour.

Fair play Sean the hardener is possible giving it added strength .
I have seen two or three vans local to me that just look tatty after a short space of time.
We have a window cleaning shop here and the owner occasionally fits out vans he was waiting days for the stuff to go off .
I suppose it's like anything apply it Wright  and look after it ,it should serve you well.its just what I've  seen .

[Clever Forum Name]

I have said it before on hear and I'm yet to see a van that's been protektakoted that looks good after 6 months.of use.for the time it takes to apply and go off and for the product to be not fit for purpose 6 months later I wouldn't  bother with it.

Mine still looks good after 7 years of use, didn't find it hard to apply either, if you add a hardener to the mix it will be dry within
an hour.

Going on "when" you work. I would imagine it would last 70 years 

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers for all the feedback guys... think ill grab some hardener when i order the coat.

As for it looking a bit tatty after a while, ill be putting ply back down over it, and the van is full of stuff anyway..

[H20cleaning]

Fiberglass is the next up and coming stuff I think,they use it for flat roofs now so will last a lifetime! Just top up the topcoat now and again to make it look neat.
I'm doing mine when I'm off at xmas, going to throw some sand over the top before its dry for a little bit of grip as I have heard its slippy she wet

[DaveG]

I did my little van (Peugeot Partner) last year with fibreglass and finished it with blue gel coat, still looks like new.

[H20cleaning]

I did my little van (Peugeot Partner) last year with fibreglass and finished it with blue gel coat, still looks like new.

I know a few people who have and they said it's great.
I should imagine if you use a mounted hose reel there is no reason why it would ever look shabby.
Can't wait to get mine done I just havnt got time at the moment and it's to cold to work with fiberglass