[Klean07]

I'm about to remove rotten plywood in my van and  just use metal floor but not sure whether to use Protectakote or Hammer rite waterproof paint or neither. I have a two man system with one reel that will be secured and another free standing. So taking this into consideration with all the twoing and frowing on a daily basis is it worth spending all that money on something that's going to crack sooner rather than later?

[richard groves]

How is the condition of the floor ? e.g. good painted condition as new ? or any signs of bare metal or rust ?
If good I wouldn't bother doing anything other than laying a rubber mat down to stop it getting scuffed or scratched. Its going to be far easier and less time consuming to address any issues with your system that could create leaks with good leak free fittings and maybe a plastic drip tray for the free standing reel.

[IDEAL50]

I used Protecthkote, a nice blue colour, adds a nice touch and protects, it is pretty good and hard wearing, however after having to continuously keep touching up the paintwork I added a rubber mat too!

[CleanClear]

I used Protecthkote, a nice blue colour, adds a nice touch and protects, it is pretty good and hard wearing, however after having to continuously keep touching up the paintwork I added a rubber mat too!

Probably just me being modded, but you say it "protects" and its "hard wearing" but you just got to keep touching it up ? So you added a rubber mat ?
 I'm just confused right now, i'm having a bad episode in my life, i'm gonna look at this thread later and see where we're up to. Paint, don't paint, add a rubber mat....... i can do without this right now, i'm looking foreward to a definative answer i don't wanna be wasting money and time painting stuff that doesn't need painting.

[nathankaye]

Once youve taken the ply off, whats the condition of the metal floor?
How bad does any of your equipment drip/spill in your van at the moment?

If the condition is bad then i personally would paint it with hard wearing metal paint. If your heaving you reel in and out take that into account, either several layers of paint and allow good dry time between layers or be sensible and place a matt for added protection (makes sense).

A friend of mine used the protechkote and less than a yr it needed touching up in places, but thats obvious as things do get scuffed. Your not going to get a definitive answer as scuffs n chips happen depending hiw carefull you are lifting things in and out of the van.
Im fortunate as my van is fibreglassed throughout.  I inherited it when i purchased the van. Its lasted me nearly 2 years and still going strong, not sure how long it was kitted out before i purchased it, but it was an animal wardens before me.

[Dry Clean]

I used Protecthkote, a nice blue colour, adds a nice touch and protects, it is pretty good and hard wearing, however after having to continuously keep touching up the paintwork I added a rubber mat too!

Probably just me being modded, but you say it "protects" and its "hard wearing" but you just got to keep touching it up ? So you added a rubber mat ?
 I'm just confused right now, i'm having a bad episode in my life, i'm gonna look at this thread later and see where we're up to. Paint, don't paint, add a rubber mat....... i can do without this right now, i'm looking foreward to a definative answer i don't wanna be wasting money and time painting stuff that doesn't need painting.

If your van floor is in perfect condition then it wont need painting, if its had the odd scuff / scrape, bare metal showing then a covering of Protectakote will be hard to beat as a cost effective rust protector as its flexible compared to Hammerite.
If your using machinery such as pressure washers, generators gutter vacs and so on then a rubber mat will be needed as neither
will take the abuse of these being dragged in and out of the van.
Fiberglass will offer a better protection ( if applied right) but will still get scraped and scruffy looking if not protected against the above.
Floor in perfect condition, rubber mat.
Scuffed floor, Protectakote plus rubber mat.
OCD over the top types, fiberglass.
More money than sense types, Speed liner or similar.

[nathankaye]

I use painted wooden slats to hold or designate where my equipment goes, so it prevents the scrapes and bangs/chips.
So it all really depends how you look after your van/equipment

[dave f]

er how come your van floor is spotless mine is black already ive only just put protecta coated it and the reel is bolted to the tank frame

[IDEAL50]

That's a nice clean van and well sorted.