Abstract: A collapsible portable protective wall system for use in protecting the interior surfaces of elevators. The system comprises an articulated backwall and articulated sidewalls hingedly connected to the ends of the backwall. The backwall comprises a central base panel and at least two hingedly connected wing panels. Each sidewall has at least two wall panels hingedly connected to each other. The outer surfaces of the protective system is provided with a padding material such as carpeting or the like to avoid abrasion of the interior elevator surfaces. The system may be inserted into an elevator interior in the folded compact position in which the padded surfaces are exposed. It can then be unfolded to conform generally with the elevator walls so that the padded outer surfaces of the wall panels are exposed to the interior elevator surfaces, thus minimizing the possibility of damage during installation.