1 week to decide

[AW Services]

Get some waxoyl and spray a few passes over the floor as corrosion resistance 

@Ian Docksey

 

[dazmond]

When you get your tank fitted and its full of water get a gun and silicone around the bolts and flooring if your not going to protectakote it. Will stop any water getting under the flooring and rotting out the floor pan 

Do you know any window cleaners who ve managed to rot their van floor?didnt think so....its a myth.

I've had a few old vans over the years  and was always getting the van floor wet,flooded the vans many times...not a spot of rust and these were 13-14 year old!

 

[AW Services]

Do you know any window cleaners who ve managed to rot their van floor?didnt think so....its a myth.

I've had a few old vans over the years  and was always getting the van floor wet,flooded the vans many times...not a spot of rust and these were 13-14 year old!

Yes I do, 

 

[Pjj]

Do you know any window cleaners who ve managed to rot their van floor?didnt think so....its a myth.

I've had a few old vans over the years  and was always getting the van floor wet,flooded the vans many times...not a spot of rust and these were 13-14 year old!

Yes lots mainly Ford transits , transit connects ( the older ones ) right rust buckets , newer ones are supposed to be better time will tell 

 

[ched999uk]

Yes lots mainly Ford transits , transit connects ( the older ones ) right rust buckets

But they rusted even without water and tanks in the back just UK weather! They were just made poorly with poor materials and bad designs. 

 

[AW Services]

But they rusted even without water and tanks in the back just UK weather! They were just made poorly with poor materials and bad designs. 

When i brought a new 55 plate transit connect year's ago I spent ages preparing it for normal use prior to any kit being fixed into it.

I took all the inner door cards off and wax oiled all the inner panel's, pillars & inner wheel arches then replaced all the fibre arch coverings which were also waxoyl sprayed.

All the inner sills and engine bay then put it up on ramps and 4 coats of waxoyl over two weeks to allow setting time before coats.

Also good religious preventive maintenance every month washing the under side with just a garden hose and soft brush. 

Didn't ever pressure wash it as I didn't want to disturb the coatings.

My brother now has the van and only a month ago for MOT it needed a 50p size hole welding on the nearside sill.

7p's ?

 

[ched999uk]

When i brought a new 55 plate transit connect year's ago I spent ages preparing it for normal use prior to any kit being fixed into it.

Proper maintenance and care always best chance to prolong life. But by 2015 Ford should have sorted it so you didn't need to do all the waxoilling.

I had mk1 escort back in 1988 (it was 1974) and that had a bit or rust on rear arches. Years later 1996 I bought a 1993 mk5 escort and it rusted on rear arches same way as the 1970's car did!! So in 20 years they hadn't solved the issue they had. I have seen 2015 or there abouts connect vans and they still had rusty arches in same place!!!

Hopefully they now galvanize the bodies?

 

[AW Services]

Proper maintenance and care always best chance to prolong life. But by 2015 Ford should have sorted it so you didn't need to do all the waxoilling.

I had mk1 escort back in 1988 (it was 1974) and that had a bit or rust on rear arches. Years later 1996 I bought a 1993 mk5 escort and it rusted on rear arches same way as the 1970's car did!! So in 20 years they hadn't solved the issue they had. I have seen 2015 or there abouts connect vans and they still had rusty arches in same place!!!

Hopefully they now galvanise the bodies?

Take the Ford KA for example. Generic week spots and water holding panels 

The half moon rust blow out in and around the fuel filler cap. Both front inner sills, front nose of bonnet and rear boot lid. I've never owned one but rebuilt and welded new panels on 6 haha 

 

[Davy G]

You'd hope that manufacturers would have sorted rust problems and other issues by now. They've been making cars for long enough. Some have been making them for over a hundred years. They should be getting the hang of it by now, we'd hope, but hey! Steel will rust eventually. It's not in their commercial interest if vehicles last too long or are too reliable. They look for the repeat business of servicing, consumable replacement and repairs. Therefore they try to strike a balance with vehicles that are reliable, (but not too much). Rust resistant, (but not too much). Long service intervals, (but not too long). They do this to gain repeat revenue. But, the vehicles have to be of a good enough quality to compete with the other makers, so they have to be of at least a reasonable standard, yet from the manufacturer's point of view with a degree of inbuilt redundancy. Thats the dilemma the makers
have to try to balance.

I'd very highly recommend anyone to watch the documentary ; Who Killed the Electric Car. This shows how manufacturers don't want to lose the golden egg of servicing, consumables and replacement.

With this in mind, I will always try to keep the inside of the van as dry as possible. I accept that some water will leak into the van. I accept that steel will eventually rust and I try to slow this down as much as I reasonably can. I buy my vehicles second hand with as much care as my limited mechanical knowledge allows. I have a long time, well proven, trusted mechanic that takes care of the mechanical side of things.

It makes sense to me to try and protect the floor, it also acts as heat insulation and helps to reduce scratches and road noise.

 

[AW Services]

You'd hope that manufacturers would have sorted rust problems and other issues by now. They've been making cars for long enough. Some have been making them for over a hundred years. They should be getting the hang of it by now, we'd hope, but hey! Steel will rust eventually. It's not in their commercial interest if vehicles last too long or are too reliable. They look for the repeat business of servicing, consumable replacement and repairs. Therefore they try to strike a balance with vehicles that are reliable, (but not too much). Rust resistant, (but not too much). Long service intervals, (but not too long). They do this to gain repeat revenue. But, the vehicles have to be of a good enough quality to compete with the other makers, so they have to be of at least a reasonable standard, yet from the manufacturer's point of view with a degree of inbuilt redundancy. Thats the dilemma the makers
have to try to balance.

I'd very highly recommend anyone to watch the documentary ; Who Killed the Electric Car. This shows how manufacturers don't want to lose the golden egg of servicing, consumables and replacement.

With this in mind, I will always try to keep the inside of the van as dry as possible. I accept that some water will leak into the van. I accept that steel will eventually rust and I try to slow this down as much as I reasonably can. I buy my vehicles second hand with as much care as my limited mechanical knowledge allows. I have a long time, well proven, trusted mechanic that takes care of the mechanical side of things.

It makes sense to me to try and protect the floor, it also acts as heat insulation and helps to reduce scratches and road noise.

I saw a YouTuber who broke dead Tesla's for parts and repairs them himself due to the monopoly and sole distribution rights of Tesla service centres and their parts licence 

 

[Ian Docksey]

So ,I decided,  I'd give the floor of the van a coat of protectakote,  then I'll lay the rubber flooring. I'd rather do as much as I can to protect the floor,also make it look as good as possible 

So ,I decided,  I'd give the floor of the van a coat of protectakote,  then I'll lay the rubber flooring. I'd rather do as much as I can to protect the floor,also make it look as good as possible 

 

[AW Services]

So ,I decided,  I'd give the floor of the van a coat of protectakote,  then I'll lay the rubber flooring. I'd rather do as much as I can to protect the floor,also make it look as good as possible 

View attachment 22414

The more you do now the less expensive it gets later. Great job nice finish 

 

[J and S]

Aren't the floors galvanised nowadays?

 

[Pjj]

Aren't the floors galvanised nowadays?

Most vans are phosphate coated to prevent rust or some other types of treatment as well,  sprinters , Vito , and transits are the worst for rust just look at vans as you are out and about you will soon see what is best avoided .

 

[Davy G]

Got to say that the Mk1 Vito was a devil for rust. I had an 03 one for years. A rust bucket for sure but incredibly reliable and a delight to drive up to the time I sold it with huge mileage on the clock. The Sprinters of that time were also definitely another rust bucket from the looks of them but I have no personal experience of Sprinters at all.

I currently have two Vitos, the work van 05 and a campervan 09. I thought the Mk1 was a great van but my current ones are in another league. More power again than the Mk1. Job to find a bit of rust on either of them. I don't notice these current models standing out as rust buckets like the early ones when I see other folk driving them. Vitos definitely are in a minority in our trade. I don't know why? I don't even consider any other model. The size is perfect for us. The power, the amount and range of useful equipment we can carry, a place for everything and everything in its place. I feel like we're almost a fire crew.

I'll stay faithful. ?

 

[Pjj]

Got to say that the Mk1 Vito was a devil for rust. I had an 03 one for years. A rust bucket for sure but incredibly reliable and a delight to drive up to the time I sold it with huge mileage on the clock. The Sprinters of that time were also definitely another rust bucket from the looks of them but I have no personal experience of Sprinters at all.

I currently have two Vitos, the work van 05 and a campervan 09. I thought the Mk1 was a great van but my current ones are in another league. More power again than the Mk1. Job to find a bit of rust on either of them. I don't notice these current models standing out as rust buckets like the early ones when I see other folk driving them. Vitos definitely are in a minority in our trade. I don't know why? I don't even consider any other model. The size is perfect for us. The power, the amount and range of useful equipment we can carry, a place for everything and everything in its place. I feel like we're almost a fire crew.

I'll stay faithful. ?

I have a couple of friends that have vitos one is 2011 the other 2009 both are rusty especially  underneath and around the seams by the rear light and rear quarter panels and wheel arches and sills the headlights are like gold fish bowls ???? I do like them though I still have a mk1 2003 Vito nice van to drive but rusty as an anchor . Picking up my new van in the morning long drive up to Manchester leaving in a bit 

 

[Ian Docksey]

I have a couple of friends that have vitos one is 2011 the other 2009 both are rusty especially  underneath and around the seams by the rear light and rear quarter panels and wheel arches and sills the headlights are like gold fish bowls ???? I do like them though I still have a mk1 2003 Vito nice van to drive but rusty as an anchor . Picking up my new van in the morning long drive up to Manchester leaving in a bit 

Safe drive mate. 

 

[AW Services]

Aren't the floors galvanised nowadays?

To a degree yes however panel thickness now is like a 2020 quality streets tub compared to a 1983 tin 

 

[Davy G]

I have a couple of friends that have vitos one is 2011 the other 2009 both are rusty especially  underneath and around the seams by the rear light and rear quarter panels and wheel arches and sills the headlights are like gold fish bowls ???? I do like them though I still have a mk1 2003 Vito nice van to drive but rusty as an anchor . Picking up my new van in the morning long drive up to Manchester leaving in a bit 

I cant answer outside of my own experience and observations. Definitely very little rust on either of my vans. I do live well inland away from the sea air.

As Ian says, 'Have a safe trip'. Hope your new van is very lucky for you.??

 

[Pjj]

I cant answer outside of my own experience and observations. Definitely very little rust on either of my vans. I do live well inland away from the sea air.

As Ian says, 'Have a safe trip'. Hope your new van is very lucky for you.??

Yes we do get a lot of salt down hear that could be the issue, but I hate to say it but the renaults traffic and master , and the Vauxhall’s equivalents dont rust like it , I hope we will long old trip sat nav is saying 385 miles each way ??? 

 

[Iron Giant]

So ,I decided,  I'd give the floor of the van a coat of protectakote,  then I'll lay the rubber flooring. I'd rather do as much as I can to protect the floor,also make it look as good as possible 

View attachment 22414

Nice job, there is some small holes at the bottom of the bulkhead make sure you have sealed those up with silicone otherwise if you ever overfill the tank as in flood the van the water goes straight through in to the passenger foot well.