str8shot's new-to-me 4.5 car makeover

[str8shot]

Bought a new house this past fall with my fiance. Finally have a garage that fits my needs (3 cars, boat and countless tools).

House is about ~13 years old. 3400 sq feet, garage is ~1300 sq feet.

The garage is 3 wide, with a single door representing 13'w x 40'd, and a double door representing 25'w x 24'd.

The double side is nicely finished with skipped drywall, painted and trimmed out in hickory. Has a large floor drain, natural gas heater and hot/cold hose hook-ups.

Previous owner left some large dual 12" MTX floors speakers hanging from the ceiling on chain. More than adequate to bug the neighbors.

Only real issue is the garage floor. It's a stamped overlay that's popping off. Will scrape it clean, then lay down some Rust Bullet after re-painting the walls in my preferred color scheme (probably blue/white/grey with BMW roundel accents).

Some initial pics taken prior to closing:

1/2 stall side:

3/4 stall side:

1/2 stall side heater and hot/cold hose hookup:

Red outline is the garage. Blue line represents the 1-2 / 3-4 garage partition.

You can really see the garage overlay popping off in this picture. That will be tackled this spring after a repaint in a new color scheme:

 

[str8shot]

First update -

Flat screen TV, shelf and receiver.

TV mount managed to hit two studs while allowing the TV to still center:

Shelf for the receiver was a different story. Had to throw a backer board up for integrity and ****-retentive symmetry:

Finished product:

Receiver is fed off the TV, TV content is from a Chromecast. Good enough for now. Might tweak it when I pull everything down again for paint.

 

[Styx]

Nice looking place. are you going to keep it seperated? sure would look huge without the wall...


Cheers Randy

 

[CombatNinja]

First thing I would do is get rid of most of that dividing wall.

 

[YukonXL04]

First thing I would do is get rid of most of that dividing wall.

You say that... but how nice would it be to have a dirty shop space and a clean parking area for the daily cars. I battled that dilemma on my current design.

I vote keep the wall

 

[str8shot]

I'm going to keep the wall. It's much easier to heat the smaller space, and I can keep all the clutter on the other side.

I want an extremely clean look area not just for parking cars, but for entertaining. I can see hosting Brewer games, early season Packer games, etc in the garage.

I've got a fridge, work bench (which might need upgrading), and nice rolling tool chest that will rest on one wall.

Will be putting in a folding table tops, etc in the future.

 

[str8shot]

Added another update today. Built a wifi-connected garage door opener using an ESP8266 and a relay.

Tapped into the built in limit switch to sense when the door is fully closed or open.

Controls are through a self served webpage. Adding Alexa / Google Home capability next.


Tapping the built in limit switch (blue/white wires). Contact is closed when the door is fully closed:

There was an existing hole in the opener housing - just had to poke through a sticker:

ESP8266 and relay module wired up. Used a 4 pin connector for easy removal - but unnecessary since the firmware can be updated over wifi.

Cheap housing off of Amazon. Two housings for ~8 bucks.

Mounted, connected and working on the first try!

What the webpage for status / control looks like:

It's only accessible via LAN, but I can access it remotely through VPN if need be. Eliminates worrying about someone unauthorized controlling it and having to create a security layer.

Works great! Video in action:

 

[str8shot]

Been working on the floor, trying to remove the stamped overlay that was popping off in places.

What a PAIN. Where it was laid on thick, it comes right off in chunks. Where is laid on thin, it grabs the floor like no other.

Started with a hammer and chisel:

After my arm was jello, I decided it was time to step it up. Rented a power floor stripper:

The initial pass was super easy, and I thought the whole floor was going to be a breeze. Unfortunately, the first pass was it. Either the blade dulled immediately, or I just got lucky the first try.


Spent about 5 back breaking hours getting 2.5 of 9 sections cleared:

Decided there has to be a better way. Ran to Harbor Freight and bought one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/42-in-long-reach-air-scraper-62687.html


Works awesome. Super quick:

Unfortunately there was a learning curve and I ended up taking a chunk out of the floor. Any ideas how to fix this?

Otherwise progress is now smooth and going quickly. Should be done after another session or two.

 

[Bob275]

How deep are those spots? Can you grind them smooth? If they are too deep your only option will probably filling them with some form of leveler.

 

[str8shot]

It's definitely too deep to grind down.

Can you suggest a product to fill it?

I'm assume apply and just trowel smooth...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[str8shot]

Started working on some shelving for the long 3/4 stall side.

The plan was near ceiling storage shelves for getting totes and other miscellaneous items off the ground.

I was following directions here:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Wasted-Space-High-Garage-Storage-Shelves/

Seemed easy enough. Ripped two sheets of 4x8' 3/4" plywood lengthwise to get four 2x8' shelves.

Got the wall anchor up, then started running into problems. The ceiling joists run the wrong way, which meant my 2' wide shelves would have to be 1'6" wide (closest ceiling joist to anchor a 2x4 to).

Decided to make them taller so I could stack totes on top of each other. Got everything mounted except the plywood, and decided I hated the way it looked.

They hung way too low, and the ceiling 2x4 seemed wonky with just 3" screws supporting half the weight.

Choice was made to re-purpose some of the lumber. Made frames for the plywood shelves, then took a trip to Fleet Farm.

Bought chain, perforated angle iron, lag bolts, and threaded eye hooks.

Plan is to lag the perforated angle iron between two ceiling joists, then support the outside of the shelve with chain from the ceiling. Should be much stronger.

Got the framing done and the plywood screwed to the frame:

Eye hooks installed with a large washer for support:

All that's left is to lag the angle iron to the joists. I bought 2' sections and they just don't quite reach both joists (weird). Will go back for 3' sections today.

Going to run three of these shelves in a row for 24' of 2' storage. Don't have room to do all four on this wall due to a preexisting shelf in the back and the garage door track.

 

[str8shot]

A little more progress made - got my first shelf mounted / hung. 3 more to go...

Went 18" down from the ceiling. Might add a little more height - the totes are pretty tight to the ceiling and it might be useful to be able to open a lid to see what's inside without pulling the whole tote down.

 

[str8shot]

Was able to take advantage of a nice day last week and get the patio cleaned up.

Few before / after pics and a time lapse video:

Some Benny Hill action:

 

[rixtrix1]

Looks good, well worth all the effort you've put into things!

 

[Jarch]

looks like the patio stamp held up better than the garage one

 

[str8shot]

looks like the patio stamp held up better than the garage one

The overlay did. Considerably better. There's maybe one or two chips.

Unfortunately, the whole thing has sunk towards the house by 5-6 inches. Will have to be poly leveled in the spring.

Found poly level seems to be longer lasting than mud jacking.

 

[str8shot]

Nothing super interesting, but got the 2nd shelf up.

 

[str8shot]

Winter is back for a few days in WI, so took care of some much needed wiring cleanup.

House luckily has at least 1-2 runs of Cat5e to every room. I would've tripled the runs if I was building myself, but this has so far sufficed.

Here's the media box with wiring terminations when we moved in:

No labels, and just some 110 punch down for bridging to a few telephone jacks (we don't have or need a land line).

Borrowed a toner from a friend, and was able to figure out where everything runs.

First patch panel installed:

Second patch panel installed:

Removed the passive coax splitter and replaced with with a powered distribution block. Also installed my HDHomeRun (OTA antenna to IP bridge) and power strip:

And built a rack out of some old telco posts my buddy and I chopped in half:

Have an AP on each floor blanketing the house in WiFi. Good enough for now...

 

[str8shot]

Got a lot of stuff out of the main garage and into the other side, which cleared the floor for some more chiseling.

By far the hardest part is stripping this area at the end of the garage where the concrete was swept / brushed. Must give the top coat a good surface to bite.

I'd like to replace the garden hose (hot / cold hook up is behind it) with a retractable solution. I was thinking a 1/2" self retracting air reel.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[str8shot]

Also had some problems with the opener safety sensors.

The door kept snagging the bracket for the sensor, moving it up or down and knocking it out of alignment.

Got tired of fixing it, so I moved the sensors to the door framing instead of the rail.

Before (the door snagged this and moved it up about 4 inches):

After:

 

[str8shot]

Still working on this damn floor. Have 6 of 9 sections totally cleared.

Don't have a compressor, so I borrowed a friends. The wheels were lost before he even got it, so I decided to make a makeshift wheel setup.

Pretty sloppy, but I don't have a welder:

Also broke the summer car out of storage. Quickly realized my driveway doesn't have the best shade after 9AM for any type of car wash.

Good thing the garage has a floor drain and hot/cold hose hookup!

Clean and freshly waxed:

 

[Woffski]

Very nice!!!

 

[str8shot]

Gave the fiance's Buick some much needed post-winter love.

2 hand washes followed with some Menzerna Power Lock.

If you've never used it - I highly recommend Menzerna Power Lock. Excellent polymer sealant that lasts quite a long time, and beads / sheets like crazy.

 

[Jarch]

cars are looking good and clean. makes me want to do a full detail on mine...

but the track on the wall? Slot Car?

 

[str8shot]

but the track on the wall? Slot Car?

Yea - I believe it belonged to my uncle when he was a little kid. I found it in my grandparents basement when I was 6 or 7, and my dad put it together for me.

It's been sitting in his garage ever since, so ~30 years. Gonna refurb it for the son.

Takes up a ton of room, so I might turn it into a table that folds down from the wall. Open the table top, and then the track is in there.

 

[str8shot]

Quick non-garage related product recommendation - the wheels on my X5 were absolutely caked with brake dust from not being hand washed all winter.

Tried a bunch of different solutions. Magic eraser seemed to work, but took ~10 minutes for one little spoke. The wheels were stained with a brownish brake dust hue in some spots, with black caked on dust on the sides of the spokes.

Tried some Meguiar's Hot Rims wheel cleaner after reading a few internet reviews. Must be acid based, because the dust came right off with minimal effort (just a little brush agitation).

Highly recommend! Haven't been this impressed with a cleaning product in a while.

Before:

After (sorry about the finger):

 

[DynoDave]

Good to know. The wheels on the Suburban could use some attention.

 

[Purist]

A fellow BMW-fanatic! Garage and cars are looking good. Keep it up!

 

[str8shot]

Have another product recommendation - Car Pro IronX.

This stuff chemically changes iron (like rusty brake dust deposits or rail dust deposits) and dissolves it into a purple liquid that's hosed off, with no brushing or agitation.

Here's a test on the running board of my X5:

A lot easier than using claybar to clean up paint...

 

[str8shot]

Got a third shelf up yesterday. Now I just need to figure out where to put the 4th one.

 

[str8shot]

Time to kick garage organizing in to high gear. I have a 195 Glastron SE that was supposed to come out of storage yesterday, but no place to put it at the moment.

Luckily the guy storing it is going on vacation for a week, and said I could leave it until he gets back.

Started hanging things, and trying to find places to put all the random stuff I've collected over the years. Stock parts off my 135i is a huge issue.

Couldn't find a place for the exhaust, so on the wall it went:

Looks kinda neat? New form of garage wall art? I'll find a better place for it eventually. I envisioned strapping it to the bottom of the shelves somehow, but that's tough to do by yourself. Maybe when a friend stops by.

 

[str8shot]

A fellow BMW-fanatic! Garage and cars are looking good. Keep it up!

Thanks! I assume by the name you have a 335? N54 or N55? Mods?

I'm FBO with full suspension and an e30 tune. Tune could be more aggressive, but I estimate it's good for ~450-475 whp (via virtual dyno).

 

[Purist]

Thanks! I assume by the name you have a 335? N54 or N55? Mods?

I'm FBO with full suspension and an e30 tune. Tune could be more aggressive, but I estimate it's good for ~450-475 whp (via virtual dyno).

I had an 07 335i (N54) with mainly aesthetic mods, but did have a catback exhaust. Sold that in winter of 17 and bought a 2013 Raptor. Sold that and now daily an '18 Accord Sport 1.5T and bought myself an e46 M3 as a weekend car!

450-475 whp ain't too shabby at all! That thing must be a damn blast to drive!

 

[str8shot]

I had an 07 335i (N54) with mainly aesthetic mods, but did have a catback exhaust. Sold that in winter of 17 and bought a 2013 Raptor. Sold that and now daily an '18 Accord Sport 1.5T and bought myself an e46 M3 as a weekend car!

450-475 whp ain't too shabby at all! That thing must be a damn blast to drive!

Traction is an issue...I also dialed in more camber for auto-x days and that didn't help. Actually lost a lot of grip. Think I'm at -2.2 in the rear.

Will have to flatten it out and see what impact it has.

E46 M3's are great. Almost bought one but ended up with the 135i when I read about the tuning potential.

 

[Richie Rich]

Have another product recommendation - Car Pro IronX.

This stuff chemically changes iron (like rusty brake dust deposits or rail dust deposits) and dissolves it into a purple liquid that's hosed off, with no brushing or agitation.

Here's a test on the running board of my X5:

A lot easier than using claybar to clean up paint...

Stuff works great, just make sure your driveway is soaking wet before using and douse the heck out of areas where the runoff water pools (like around your tires) after spraying off. I didn't and now have a couple of permanent rust stains in my driveway from it.

Great garage BTW. I did a similar hanging shelf arrangement in the garage at my old house

 

[str8shot]

Got the 4th and final shelf up. Now have 32 ft of shelving on the left side, and 8 ft on the right side.

Ordered a tire storage rack off Amazon, so the right one will have to be moved over to make room. :|

Made some progress organizing stuff as well.

New house = finding a new home for everything.

Last but not least, found a fire pit. Cast iron, which is a lot nicer and heavier than the stamped steel ones I was finding at all the big box stores.

Going to try to get a permit today so we can break it in tonight...

 

[str8shot]

Stuff works great, just make sure your driveway is soaking wet before using and douse the heck out of areas where the runoff water pools (like around your tires) after spraying off. I didn't and now have a couple of permanent rust stains in my driveway from it.

Great garage BTW. I did a similar hanging shelf arrangement in the garage at my old house

Good info. I'll make sure the drives wet when I use it again.

 

[str8shot]

Finally got my boat home out of storage and running.

3/4 side deep stall is almost ready to go. Just have to clear out a few more things, but got it to fit as-is.

It's a tight fit. Too tight for comfort.

There's a good 2-3 feet at the back of the garage available where I have my lawn mowers and snow blowers stored. Might be time to build a shed...

 

[str8shot]

No super exciting updates yet, but with summer winding down I'll start on the garage again.

Got married in June, followed by a honeymoon to Barbados, so the summer was kind of eaten up.

 

[str8shot]

Installed a self-winding hose reel for the low pressure water a few weeks ago.

Got tired of having the crank the cheap suncast up whenever I needed the hose for a few minutes.

The new reel is super convienent. Just pull, and it winds up like an air reel. Bought one specific to water since it's a larger diameter hose (1/2"), but it still lost a little pressure.

Poor picture of the old suncast:

New reel installed. Had to put a backer board up since it was between two studs:

Not super happy it doesn't fold flush to the wall. Might pull it down when I paint and lag it to the concrete. Would take up far less room that way.

Old vs new:

And the last touch - installed a ball valve inline with the hot/cold hose spigot. This way I can set my ideal temp and shut the water off. Next time it's ready to go - don't have to futz with the knobs to get the temp back.