Finishing my garage

[thkfast]

Scott,

I started my garage makeover about a week ago and was directed to this website for ideas. Like everyone else, I was stopped DEAD in my tracks when I saw your garage! I said to myself that's the kind of garage I want to create and I'm trying to incorporate some of your design cues.

Drywall is completed and painted, light fixtures and ceiling fans installed and on Monday I get the final phase of my copycat project: new dual pane windows, RED paint along the bottom half of the wall (just high enough to clear the workbench), box in and trim around the windows and add black baseboards. I'm not even going to attempt your storage and soft lighting ideas...I think I'll just end up "freshening up" my old workbench with dark colored counter-top and put up a few wall mounted cabinets. If it turns out anywhere near what I'm picturing in my head, I'll post some BEFORE/AFTER shots.

It has to be very satisfying to hear such overwhelming appreciation for what you've created. Bravo

 

[e-tek]

OK - in nearly 4000 posts I have NEVER used this phrase - until now:

YOU ****!!!​

IN A VERY good WAY!!!


I am just about to re-do my attached garage and this is the first idea I've seen that I REALLY like (like everyone else). Kudo's to you. By the number of times your boy has been pictured, looks like he spends some time in there as well! Is he into cars/garage work?

Thanks for posting.

 

[XcYZ]

Scott,

I started my garage makeover about a week ago and was directed to this website for ideas. Like everyone else, I was stopped DEAD in my tracks when I saw your garage! I said to myself that's the kind of garage I want to create and I'm trying to incorporate some of your design cues.

Drywall is completed and painted, light fixtures and ceiling fans installed and on Monday I get the final phase of my copycat project: new dual pane windows, RED paint along the bottom half of the wall (just high enough to clear the workbench), box in and trim around the windows and add black baseboards. I'm not even going to attempt your storage and soft lighting ideas...I think I'll just end up "freshening up" my old workbench with dark colored counter-top and put up a few wall mounted cabinets. If it turns out anywhere near what I'm picturing in my head, I'll post some BEFORE/AFTER shots.

It has to be very satisfying to hear such overwhelming appreciation for what you've created. Bravo

Very kind words. Thank you.

OK - in nearly 4000 posts I have NEVER used this phrase - until now:

YOU ****!!!​

IN A VERY good WAY!!!


I am just about to re-do my attached garage and this is the first idea I've seen that I REALLY like (like everyone else). Kudo's to you. By the number of times your boy has been pictured, looks like he spends some time in there as well! Is he into cars/garage work?

Thanks for posting.

lol, thanks!

My son likes being out in the shop when I'm out there working. He enjoys the car stuff now and then, but just likes being 'one of the guys'.

 

[SShink]

Scott, how has the Hot Dawg heater worked out for you this winter? Can you share how much your gas bill has gone up? What temps do you keep it at? Do you lower the temp when you are not working in it and how quick does it take to warm up?

I'm looking at something similar for my shop.

Thanks for putting up with all the questions.

Stan

 

[AndrewBigA]

very nice garage. sweet car as well!

 

[bignick]

badass garage, im jealous

 

[Munich77]

Amazing garage and car - congratulations!

 

[XcYZ]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words.

Scott, how has the Hot Dawg heater worked out for you this winter? Can you share how much your gas bill has gone up? What temps do you keep it at? Do you lower the temp when you are not working in it and how quick does it take to warm up?

I'm looking at something similar for my shop.

Thanks for putting up with all the questions.

Stan

I've had that Hot Dawg in the garage since 2001 and it has been working fine. Hard to say how much the gas bill has gone up as I keep the shop at 40~45 all winter for the past 9 years.

I like to have it at 60~65 when I'm working out there, and it only takes about 10 minutes get it warmed up.

I guess if I had to find a complaint, it would be that it's a little loud. It's not obnoxious or anything, but compared to 60k Hot Dawg, it's louder.

 

[marty_p]

:S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!!! (at the very least!)

 

[Ryan M]

Garage looks great. And so does the Camaro. Seems very well thought out.

Do you have any pics or any info on the door tracks for the storage area? Not sure how they work.

Thanks

 

[XcYZ]

:S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!!! (at the very least!)

Thanks.

Garage looks great. And so does the Camaro. Seems very well thought out.

Do you have any pics or any info on the door tracks for the storage area? Not sure how they work.

Thanks

The doors are hung from a bypass track system. The kit comes with the track, several sets of rollers, and hardware. The track comes in different length. My local Menard's had the 8' kits for around $12 each.

As you can see in this pic, the track has a front and rear channels that allow the front and rear doors to bypass each other. Simply mount the roller brackets to the back side of the doors so the hardware is hidden, then hang the rollers on the track. Simple, cheap, and functional.

 

[Mojo1]

Thats the same tracks I used and they are pretty cheap too! , my redo is still in process and I am having fun doing it but the garage is a complete mess now and Iam having to park outside,wife still gets her spot inside..

 

[Twelvizm]

This is the kind of look I want for my garage. Not too big, but big enough to rip a car apart if you need to. Looks badass with the Camaro parked in there too!

 

[Tom Fuehrer]

Scott - that garage looks just right. Its come a long ways since I visited.

Have you ever thought about using a Liftmaster 3800 opener? Your place is soooo clean that the overhead opener really stands out. The 3800 is a very clean solution.

I put one in my garage last month and love it. There is a place locally that sells them for around $275.

Tom

 

[XcYZ]

Thanks guys.

Scott - that garage looks just right. Its come a long ways since I visited.

Have you ever thought about using a Liftmaster 3800 opener? Your place is soooo clean that the overhead opener really stands out. The 3800 is a very clean solution.

I put one in my garage last month and love it. There is a place locally that sells them for around $275.

Tom

You're not kidding, Tom. It was a dive when you were here. lol I had to choose my battles though.

I've looked at those openers, very slick. I'm going to get one once my old opener takes a **** in the attached garage. I'll move this one out of the shop and replace it with a Liftmaster.

 

[redjalopygarage]

Sweet baby Jeeeeezus. That is an amazing transformation. From an average guy's 2 car to a temple. I hope your kid knows how good he's got it!

 

[Mojo1]

Your workmanship is much better than mine,

 

[GregN]

XcYZ-

I just noticed that you are in MN. Where in MN (PM me if you don't want that info floating around on the web)? I just bought a house in Rogers, MN two years ago. I think I am going to steal your soffet storage idea as well (again, because it is a great idea to finish it instead of just let it hang out there).

Do you ever make it to Porky's or Anoka? Car Craft? I try to make it to Porky's every Friday in my 1968 Buick GS400 or riding with one of my buddies. I don't recall ever seeing your car cruising around. Another fun show is the Automotorplex show "Cars and Cafe" in Chanhassan (it's free). www.automotorplex.com

They have more high end import stuff, but also some nice muscle.

 

[XcYZ]

Greg, I'm in the Rochester area. I get to Car Craft every year, Hastings a few times a year, but haven't been to the Cars & Coffee at the Automotorplex. I'd sure like to, I keep hearing about it. I'm guessing it would be a little more than an hour drive. What kind of turn out do they get there on a Saturday morning?

 

[GregN]

I just put some pics from the first one I went to last year on Photo Bucket:

http://s736.photobucket.com/albums/xx4/Orange_yj/Automotorplex/

The place is packed. I don't know how many people exactly, but a ton of nice cars. It is about a 30 min drive for me. I would say that it is worth an hour drive at least once (with or without the car if you don't like driving it all that much since it is a beauty).

You could probably talk to HIRISC and park in front of his place:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46593

I don't personally know him, but just saw this thread.

 

[XcYZ]

Looks awesome, great variety of cars. I'm definitely going to try to make it sometime with the car.

 

[GregN]

Let me know when you are going to show up, I want to see that car in person. If not, I will probably see it at Car Craft. Where do you usually park? I am usually on the street in front of where they did the 0-60-0 Baer Brakes test two years ago (where the Mustang lost control into a tree and the poor girl driving had to go to the hospital).

 

[XcYZ]

Will do.

At Car Craft, we usually park at the intersection of Dan Patch and Cooper.

 

[thkfast]

XcYZ,

My garage makeover is almost complete and I have you to thank for the inspiration and helping me keep my eye on the ball! Still need to do something with the floor and throw a TV on the wall. You da man Scott!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

[XcYZ]

Cool, great colors.

 

[Weedwaka]

No, what you see around the Hot Dawg is how it's going to be. I don't want any circulation issues.

The car was going to be a twin turbo. I had an all forged 427 small block (Dart 9.325" tall deck), the turbos, headers, intercooler, BS3 ECM, etc, but sold it as a package and went to the LS7.

Smart move. NA LS7 FTW !!

 

[XcYZ]

I thought I'd post a follow up showing that I use my garage for working on the car, too. I just finished up swapping the subframe. I picked up the new subframe from the painter on Friday afternoon. It was a big job, I figure I have about 50 hours in the job total, finishing it up last night. With all the jackstands, engine hoist, floor jacks, welding, and grinding, the epoxy held up awesome. The 30 ft of countertop made for great workspace, and best of all, I had plenty of light.



Dropping the subframe/motor/trans with the engine hoist.

Rolling the old subframe out on snowmobile dollies worked great.

The new subframe waiting to be assembled.

New subframe fully assembled.

I need a bigger shop. lol

The LS7/T56 set in the new subframe.

Rolling the new setup under the car.

All back together and running. Just need to set ride height and get it aligned.

 

[51rider]

I aspire to have a garage like yours someday, said it before (post #64) but it really is superb

 

[GregJW]

It is surgical in it's cleanliness. Wow

 

[Crzydmnd72]

I had to study both subframes for a few mins. Other than rack and pinion steering, whats the other differences?

And where is the oil and fluid spillage?

 

[XcYZ]

I had to study both subframes for a few mins. Other than rack and pinion steering, whats the other differences?

And where is the oil and fluid spillage?

I spilled pretty much everything... oil, PS fluid, brake fluid, coolant... lol It cleans up/wipes up so easy with the epoxy though.


The subframes share common characteristics like track width and both are front steer, but that's about it. The new subframe is hydroformed, uses C6 spindles, is incredibly stiff in torsion, has only .070" bumpsteer over 4" of travel, much better anti-dive, camber control, roll center height, etc, etc. The old subframe was basically a stock subframe derivative, using traditional 1st Gen subframe control mounting points. The old subframe was a decent piece, but it was just full of compromise, such as nuetral ackerman.

 

[caper150]

Does your wife know you used one of the good bath towels to put under your hood

 

[quarterstang86]

Impressive.

I've wondered with the separation of colors how people get the paint lines so straight? How did the floor coating hold up to the engine hoist wheels (any marking of the clear coat)?

Killer storage and lightning love it.

 

[Tomwall]

Nice garage. What did you use to coat the stemwall/ the part of the foundation that you can see in the garage. It looks to be different than the floor. Looks good. I am doing an epoxy floor on my garage and I am debating what I should do about the stem wall. I understand they take up alot more material than the floor does.

 

[Motown 454]

The garage looks great and the sub frame swap is a sweet up grade.
Waynie z

 

[XcYZ]

Does your wife know you used one of the good bath towels to put under your hood

Shhhhhhhh.....

Impressive.

I've wondered with the separation of colors how people get the paint lines so straight? How did the floor coating hold up to the engine hoist wheels (any marking of the clear coat)?

Killer storage and lightning love it.

Thanks.

For the straight paint line, I measured up from the floor every 4' or so and made a mark. I ran the masking tape along those marks. The way to get perfectly sharp lines is to paint over the cutting edge of the masking tape with the base color. In my case, after I laid out the 2" wide masking tape, I ran back over the bottom edge of the tape with the light grey paint again. Once that was dry, I painted over it with the red. By painting over the cutting edge of the masking tape, any bleed will be the same color as the wall. The go over it with the next color, then pull the tape. The edge will be like you cut it with a razor, ZERO bleeding anywhere.

The floor held up great. There are only a few scuffs from where I had to slide the hoist sideways to get the subframe to pull the direction I needed. If I didn't point them out, I don't think anyone would ever notice.

Nice garage. What did you use to coat the stemwall/ the part of the foundation that you can see in the garage. It looks to be different than the floor. Looks good. I am doing an epoxy floor on my garage and I am debating what I should do about the stem wall. I understand they take up alot more material than the floor does.

I painted the stemwall with concrete paint. I found a light grey at Menard's that matched really well.

 

[G-force]

I thought I'd post a follow up showing that I use my garage for working on the car, too.

That looks staged... I want to see a welder arc on steel or some grinding wheel sparks, until then I call BS.

Seriously though that car looks far to clean for me ever to want to have any fun with. I think that's a compliment

Very pretty to look at

 

[bimmer1980]

great looking garage!!! As others have commented, I really like the overhead built-in cabinets. Just curious how far the can lighting protrudes into the storage space? Can you shoot a pic of that?

Awesome work on the Camaro!

 

[intimadatorsquizz]

OMG i love the CAR. oh it was in a garage...lol

the garage is sweet as well

 

[Interex]

I think this would be my favorite standard 2-car garage. Very nicely done!