Broken Old Garage Gets New Life

[tcianci]

Bull, I mentioned the roof painting because I have seen it done on commercial buildings. I did a quick web search on "painting roof shingles" and there were many articles on it. One article even said that Behr (depot) has a paint specifically for roofing although the article also stated that any good 100% acrylic paint would do just fine.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Bull, fantastic effort man. It really looks great.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Looking good! One question...is it just me, or is the overhead door a little out of alignment?

 

[Bull]

I'm not sure, as I didn't notice anything.

It would fit the leaning, out of square charm of the rest of the structure, though.

Looking good! One question...is it just me, or is the overhead door a little out of alignment?

 

[thomask]

Bull,

I told you that paint would put you over the top. SUPER just SUPER....

 

[SnyperBob]

Looking good! One question...is it just me, or is the overhead door a little out of alignment?

I noticed that too in the last picture. I think the door just isn't closing flat correctly or something like that. (I hope)

Anyway, that's a minor adjustment. I just wanted to post up and say nice work man!

Initial pictures and I thought it would be easier to start over, looks like you saved quite a bit of money, and you can always upgrade later (concrete pavers/paved pad, etc)....

Looks great!

 

[Bull]

You guys have good eyes!

I looked at the door after work today. On each side, there is a piece of wood for it to close on, until I get the final grade up to the proper level. A 1/4" shim was under the door on the right side, causing it to sit crooked when closed. Fixed now! Nice catch.

 

[thomask]

Hey Bull,

What color will you paint that neat antique light fixture? Red, black, white... ?

Best,

Tom

 

[Bull]

Hey Bull,

What color will you paint that neat antique light fixture? Red, black, white... ?

That's a good question. I was going to remove it and replace with new, but I am now playing with the idea of reusing it. You think I can fish a new wire into it, replace the socket on the end, and call it good as new?

As for a color, I'm not sure what would go well with the building's colors. Black, maybe?

 

[thomask]

That's a good question. I was going to remove it and replace with new, but I am now playing with the idea of reusing it. You think I can fish a new wire into it, replace the socket on the end, and call it good as new?

As for a color, I'm not sure what would go well with the building's colors. Black, maybe?

.....

Sure you can BULL.

You already know how, just as you said run new wire through pipe, add your new socket and paint the hood a nice black and the inside a bright white.

It will be a part of the history of your garage and a really nice fixture for little money.

 

[nissan_crawler]

nice job, man. Give that light a coat of flat black outside and shiny white inside.

 

[Woogeroo]

Good reading...



... keep at it and it'll get to where you want it.

-W

 

[kevncar]

I started reading this thinking, "what the heck is this guy doing? I like old stuff too, but just knock it down and start over already."

I've thourghly enjoyed watching your progress though. Sooo glad you saved it. And I can't wait for more updates. Keep up the good work!

 

[pswarren]

The garage is looking great!!

You have mentioned your "linseed paint" a couple of times now. Can you tell us a little bit more about it, what kind it is and where you bought it? I have seen some online that is imported from somewhere....I will be painting our 1920 craftsman bungalow next spring after I tear off the vinyl siding a previous owner installed and I am researching options.

Paul

 

[Mad_Science]

Impressive!

I've got a garage in similarly wretched condition that I was going to ask about teardown VS refurb...but you've convinced me I can get the job done and keep this one (and my finances) alive.

My only comlication to re-doing the floor is that I've got support posts down the middle...

 

[Bull]

Thanks for the recent batch of feedback. I like the people who started out thinking "wtf is this guy doing" and who now thing "hey, cool result on the cheap!"

As for the linseed paint, this is where I get it from:
http://solventfreepaint.com/zero-waste-paint.htm

This stuff is NOT cheap, but I love it. I wont try to convince anyone of its merits, but I love working with it and the result it provides.

Mad_Science, will you be starting a thread for your project? I hope so!!!!

 

[thomask]

BULL, your persistence pays off.

You have had some good feedback and motivation from people who enjoy building and helping people do good things.

Hey how about that light fixture? ;pic?

P.S.

Best to Mad_Science.

Waiting for his posting of "before" pictures to get started.

 

[cyclopsblown34]

Bull, nice save of an old building. Does it look awkward in the shadow of a Geobarn? I'm thinking that's a Geobarn in your avatar.

 

[walrus]

Latex house paint will stick to shingles and it will add years of life to them. Never done it but a local guy says it works well?

Nice job on the building, it looks great

 

[Bull]

Thanks guys. I look forward to being able to make a substantive update soon, but I just have not had time to make any more progress since last week.

Cyclops, good eye. Do you also have a Geobarn? I'd say this crooked little garage certainly must have some envy issues when having to stare at the Geobarn every day!

I am definitely painting the shingles in the spring, then. I NEVER would have thought that an option. The roof doesn't leak, so if I paint them to match the house and get some more years out of them, that will be awesome!

 

[Bull]

Minor progress to report. I was able to paint the east wall with the first coat of linseed oil paint. 3 hours it took! The first coat ***** to do, because the wood is dry and weathered to a rough texture. I really have to work the brush back and forth the whole time to get the paint into the nooks and crannies. The second and third coats should go on quicker.

I also finished digging the holes for the little build-out on the east wall for trash cans and, maybe, recycling. Not sure exactly what it will look like, but I think my builder has some ideas to throw around. Thankfully, this is the last 4' deep hole in heavy-as-lead clay that I will have to dig this year. The only other digging I can think of is an 18" trench for electrical.

I think the trash can addition will be about 12' long...plenty of room for four cans plus more, I hope.

 

[thomask]

BULL:

Looking good.

Sounds like a lot of hard work in painting and digging.

What color will you paint the fascia board?

 

[markviii]

I don't know if you're still checking this thread since it's been a few months. Terrible weather at this time of year, but we're still working on our buildings.

I love to see old buildings brought back to usable form! It looks great. Sweat equity is the way to go, for sure (though I must admit I'm saying that having had no personal swinging of the sledge hammer or working the jack hammer or shoveling the footings). Money, or lack thereof, is a motivating factor, to be sure. My husband's done this with an old automotive/welding shop from the 1930s. If you're interested, see his thread at:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=51567

Also, about all your cement slab debris....You might consider putting in a sunken waterfall/pond garden as part of a future landscaping plan. We used TONS of rocks like that as the base in ours. You wouldn't have to break them up in that case. Or, maybe you could make a garden path through your property using the stuff in broken up form (though this is definitely more labor intensive!). You might also consider getting a little tractor (we have a John Deere 650) to help with any major digging. Ours has come in handy, especially with digging trenches for water lines, etc, on our 5 acres.

I enjoyed this thread. Keep up the good work. Everything is a work in progress!

Chris (markviii)

 

[Bull]

This garage is STILL not finished. I need to finish painting it, skin the inside in OSB or plywood, paint the inside, get up shelving, organize etc. Not sure if I am going to bother running power to it.

It sure is a lot more useful than it was before we fixed it up. Nothing to puff my chest out about, but its a functional and decent looking little structure.

This was taken today.

 

[knedgr]

FANTASTIC BULL! Ever think about finding a salvaged door to put in it instead of the "new" one. Just don't seem to fit the building character IMO.

Glad you saved it and brought it back to life.

 

[redfred18t]

That's still a huge improvement. Where in western MA are you located? I'm out in the springfield area (chicopee). I like seeing local guys on here!

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

Nothing to puff my chest out about

I disagree!

 

[sscustom]

wwwwoooww awsome work

 

[theoldwizard1]

How is your compacted floor holding up ?

 

[rsa]

I disagree!

LOL, that were my exact words, too!

Great thread and great job.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

WOW... Looks great. nice job. it's amazing what a come along can straighten out. Nice work BULL

 

[bobemmerich]

Great thread! Its great to see someone saving an old building rather than just demolishing and starting over. The "siding" you have there is what my whole house is sheeted with. Over that they put shiplap siding. Unfortunately my old garage was just too bad to save and was destroyed. Love the "build". Great work.

 

[thomask]

"I need to finish painting it, skin the inside in OSB or plywood, paint the inside, get up shelving, organize etc. Not sure if I am going to bother running power to it."

BULL,

Nice job, we are glad your back, thought you had left town ...LOL

Shoot, I say keep going, you got the hard part over, now the finishing touches. That 69 pontiac looks happy in that great space. Run some electric for that neat light fixture.

Best to you and yours.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Minor progress to report. I was able to paint the east wall with the first coat of linseed oil paint. 3 hours it took! The first coat ***** to do, because the wood is dry and weathered to a rough texture. I really have to work the brush back and forth the whole time to get the paint into the nooks and crannies. The second and third coats should go on quicker.

I often apply paint with a 1/2'' nap roller, and then use the brush to finish spreading it and to make it go with the grain. Very fast and easy, but you need a good drop cloth under it. You can roll up and down or sideways, just don't wait long to brush it out. I would roll out about four of five courses of clapboards up and down for about two or three feet, then brush out sideways.

It may sound a little odd, but once you try it, it is hard to go back. I even paint doors with a roller and a brush, by rolling the panels first, and than the flats. The roller makes it fast, the brush gives a painterly finish.