Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Garage days

[Mikkeli]

Mikkeli, good work with the floor! New concrete is really nice, the toolbox will roll really nicely on it.

Oh, and I also like the quickjack! I hope it will prove to be very practical.

I have been a couple of months away due to extreme busyness as usual, it's the first time I read about 1/2 cup. Really sad.

Everything going to their old places or are you doing some rearrangements now that you are back to square one and have everything outside of the garage?

Thank you! I'm slowly starting to put things back at the garage (mostly to their old places, but also some re-arrangements).

Also I have to figure out some kind of storage solution for the Quickjack. I might have an idea already.

 

[Mikkeli]

Couple of quick updates:

Removed and cleaned all the windows (for the first time)

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Yard was in a bad shape (uneven and weeds everywhere). Also after getting new garage floor we haven't been able to park our cars in the Garage due a big step to ramp leading to the Garage.

I decided to order some medium stone gravel. Here is couple of "before" pictures:

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And WIP pictures:

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And finally some "after" pictures:

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Quite a transformation, I'm happy with the result

 

[Bob Heine]

Mikkeli, that is really a night and day difference. Well done on all of it, especially the new garage floor and aprons.

 

[hobie1dog]

Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

[rixtrix1]

Garage and drive looks very nice! Thanks for sharing!

 

[T-handle]

The yard looks great now That's a lot of shovel work, how's your hands?

Keep up the great work

 

[Mikkeli]

Mikkeli, that is really a night and day difference. Well done on all of it, especially the new garage floor and aprons.

Thanks Bob! Garage and yard is finally good condition.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Pleasure is mine. GJ forum is really great source for inspiration.

Garage and drive looks very nice! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! Messages like these keeps me updating this thread.

The yard looks great now That's a lot of shovel work, how's your hands?

Keep up the great work

Thanks! My hands are in surprisingly good condition, but 20 tons of gravel is huge amount of shovel work

 

[Mikkeli]

Our Golf has been waiting for some repairs. Now I had some time to fix turn signal lever which was acting up. First picture shows amount of dirt and debris that was gathered during the years (Golf is MY 2005).

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Here is old vs new signal lever, new one includes switches for cruise control.

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And here is new signal lever going to place.

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Problem is now solved and cruise control retrofitted.

Our Seat Leon needs also some time consuming repairs so I decided to get a new daily drive, here it is pictured at dealer.

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It's a Suzuki Vitara 4WD with 1.4 Boosterjet engine. In Japan and a number of other markets, it is called Suzuki Escudo. Now we have a one fully working car and proper garage/workshop to do some repairs for our old cars.

 

[nicholam77]

Nice. Dirt in the turn signal stalk is a known problem on Mk4's I think. Had it on my old Jetta, blinker would click too fast, or get stuck "on". I used to squirt some CRC electrical parts cleaner in the base of the stalk once every couple of weeks which would temporarily fix it.



Your solution is much better.

 

[Matias]

Gravel work is nice, as you can see progress all the time Really nice, and now you can use the garage.

Good work on the Golf, and that's a nice daily. Removes stress also from having to work on the cars just to be able to have a working car...

 

[Mikkeli]

Nice. Dirt in the turn signal stalk is a known problem on Mk4's I think. Had it on my old Jetta, blinker would click too fast, or get stuck "on". I used to squirt some CRC electrical parts cleaner in the base of the stalk once every couple of weeks which would temporarily fix it.



Your solution is much better.

I had one extra retrofit cruise kit (i don't know why ), i did this some repair for my Leon years ago.

Gravel work is nice, as you can see progress all the time Really nice, and now you can use the garage.

Good work on the Golf, and that's a nice daily. Removes stress also from having to work on the cars just to be able to have a working car...

Gravel work was indeed quite nice, weather was also nice: no rain and not too hot.

Vitara seems to be really nice daily drive with good selection of features, so far loving it

 

[Mikkeli]

Another small repair project: microswitch in Golf's driver door lock module has been broken for a long time. Now I finally decided to replace lock module.

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While going through all the features of built-in media/navigation system of the new Vitara I noticed that it had old software so I decided to upgrade it to current version.

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[Mikkeli]

Decided to install a cable reel to log cabin. Log splitter and several other tools need power in this area, should be handy.

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Finally some time to service foam lance. Also changed adapter and bigger foam lance nozzle.

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My summer holiday also started so now I have some QST in sight.

 

[Mikkeli]

My first air compressor, it was really cheap: 62 EUR. Mostly for blowing dust off, air drying and inflating tires. I don't have any "proper" air tools, at least yet.

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Testing QuickJack, everything works.

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1000 km on my new Vitara, still loving it.

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[Matias]

What did you do to service the foam lance, does it need servicing?

The quickjack looks good, as does the Vitara. Hmm, I wonder where you got the air compressor from...

 

[drivesitfar]

Mik: looks like you've been crazy busy and got a ton accomplished while I was taking a little break from GJ. WELL DONE SIR!!

is that your dog or a stuffed animal? very cute picture!!

I only had a pancake air compressor for years that I just used for my nailers and I've still got on my wish list a big compressor big enough to run a SKATBLAST sandblast cabinet so i can spiff up some old rusty gold.

on a scale of 1 being easy and 10 being very difficult and requiring special tools and knowledge how difficult was it to work on the power locks on your car? I've got a similar issue with my old Honda Pilot that has 211,000 miles on it and was thinking of tackling that job too after I get some of my Honey Do's done.

cheers and enjoy your QST!!

 

[Mikkeli]

What did you do to service the foam lance, does it need servicing?

The quickjack looks good, as does the Vitara. Hmm, I wonder where you got the air compressor from...

Usually no need to service the foam lance but because i had to change adapter and nozzle (to fit my new pressure washer) i decided to do service following these instructions.

btw. I removed that huge sticker from air compressor, looking much cleaner.

Mik: looks like you've been crazy busy and got a ton accomplished while I was taking a little break from GJ. WELL DONE SIR!!

is that your dog or a stuffed animal? very cute picture!!

I only had a pancake air compressor for years that I just used for my nailers and I've still got on my wish list a big compressor big enough to run a SKATBLAST sandblast cabinet so i can spiff up some old rusty gold.

on a scale of 1 being easy and 10 being very difficult and requiring special tools and knowledge how difficult was it to work on the power locks on your car? I've got a similar issue with my old Honda Pilot that has 211,000 miles on it and was thinking of tackling that job too after I get some of my Honey Do's done.

cheers and enjoy your QST!!

Thank you Sir!

That is our Spanish Water Dog guarding the pile of gravel, you're first to suggest that it is stuffed animal

Power lock module replacement is usually quite simple task if you have good instructions. There is normally some hidden screws or bolts and you have to know where to look for those otherwise you can easily break clips or even a door panel.
VAG group uses XZN (or triple square) bolt to hold power lock module in place, that was only special or not common tool i needed. It is also a good idea to buy some door panel clips before you even start this project, old plastics clips break really easily.

 

[drivesitfar]

MIK: I don't know if you like candy, but we just ordered some chocolate from Sweden (we thought) and it was shipped from Finland. it's milk chocolate with black licorice in it and OMG it's tasty.

thanks for the tips on the repair and if i decide to do it I might ask for more help and hope that's ok.

hope you have a great weekend!!

 

[Mikkeli]

MIK: I don't know if you like candy, but we just ordered some chocolate from Sweden (we thought) and it was shipped from Finland. it's milk chocolate with black licorice in it and OMG it's tasty.

thanks for the tips on the repair and if i decide to do it I might ask for more help and hope that's ok.

hope you have a great weekend!!

I do like candy and we have some excellent local products from Marabou (Sweden), Fazer (Finland) and so on. I haven't tasted milk chocolate with black licorice yet, now I have to test it.

TO ALL

Added phone holder to Vitara. Swedish company Brodit makes really sturdy car specific holders which require no drilling.

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Ordered also some LED bulbs and car hood dampers. Replaced 10 halogen bulbs with LEDs for now, there is couple more halogens that I want to replace later.

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Couple of before/after pictures.

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Finished hood damper installation.

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[drivesitfar]

MIK: let me (us) know if you like the chocolate bars.

while I love being able to see better those really bright lights are horrible when you are on a two lane road and having to look into them.

great work on the car and nice looking car phone holder and I probably should get one cause i'm sure if the men and woman in blue wanted to they could pull me and almost everybody in our area and give us tickets for holding phones in our hands.

have a great day and keep up the great work!!

 

[Mikkeli]

MIK: let me (us) know if you like the chocolate bars.

while I love being able to see better those really bright lights are horrible when you are on a two lane road and having to look into them.

great work on the car and nice looking car phone holder and I probably should get one cause i'm sure if the men and woman in blue wanted to they could pull me and almost everybody in our area and give us tickets for holding phones in our hands.

have a great day and keep up the great work!!

Vitara has LED driving lights as standard, so I just replaced parking lights (to match DRL lights and low beam lights) register plate light bulbs and several interior light bulbs. These should not bother other drivers.

In my Seat Leon there is no proper handsfree system, so I have to constantly look out for possible police patrols. Now I can focus to other (more important) things while driving.


TO ALL

I decided to protect paint of my new Vitara with Nanolex Si3D. Here is some pictures of this 3-day project (washing, coating and finishing). All windows and sunroof were coated with Nanolex Ultra Glass.

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[madison069]

Reminds me that I need to do this to my truck. Some nice beads on the paint! Also that's quite abit of cleaner you got there on the shelf! I'm lucky I got what I currently have as some of those cleaners can get pricey!

 

[Matias]

I love it when getting a new car you can start to accesoirize it! (nice made up verb ) I've ordered Brodit holders as well, exactly because I don't want to drill.

I have a friend who does those nanolex coatings if I remember the make correctly. Expensive but really, really good. Nice work!

 

[Jyzze]

This coating things is very popular this days. My area where i live have many small car shops how are made coatings. How many bottels you need to do that jod?

 

[cgv]

This coating things is very popular this days. My area where i live have many small car shops how are made coatings. How many bottels you need to do that jod?

One small bottle for one normal car+wheels.

Mikkeli: The yard looks great now and Suzuki also w/ coating

E: Nanolex maybe from Seinäjoki?

 

[drivesitfar]

MIK: with all the detail stuff you own and the talent you have shining up your cars i bet the new garage floor looks even better with your cars parked on it.

I hope you get your outside projects done before your winter arrives cause it seems like winter is starting early in our part of the world this year.

cheers

 

[Mikkeli]

Reminds me that I need to do this to my truck. Some nice beads on the paint! Also that's quite abit of cleaner you got there on the shelf! I'm lucky I got what I currently have as some of those cleaners can get pricey!

This was my first DIY coating project. Fortunately I had purchased all cleaning products over the years, so i had to buy only Nanolex coating products (and new power washer) this summer.

I love it when getting a new car you can start to accesoirize it! (nice made up verb ) I've ordered Brodit holders as well, exactly because I don't want to drill.

I have a friend who does those nanolex coatings if I remember the make correctly. Expensive but really, really good. Nice work!

Yes, it's really nice to buy some accessories for your new car. Some future projects include soundproofing and better audio equipment.

I had heard some greats reviews and experiences about Nanolex coatings, so I decided to give it a try. After this quite short time I'm really happy about the result, but let see how this works after longer time.

This coating things is very popular this days. My area where i live have many small car shops how are made coatings. How many bottels you need to do that jod?

Several bottles to completely clean the paint. But single coating bottle is enough for a car and wheels.

One small bottle for one normal car+wheels.

Mikkeli: The yard looks great now and Suzuki also w/ coating

E: Nanolex maybe from Seinäjoki?

Thank you for your kind words!

I bought a 50ml bottle for this project and it was enough for my Vitara and 2 set of wheels, I actually coated my winter wheels today.

I bought these products from Laitila.

MIK: with all the detail stuff you own and the talent you have shining up your cars i bet the new garage floor looks even better with your cars parked on it.

I hope you get your outside projects done before your winter arrives cause it seems like winter is starting early in our part of the world this year.

cheers

Thanks!

My outside projects are almost complete, just small firewood project left. Winter is coming, but I'm ready

 

[Mikkeli]

I bought some foam inserts for my tool chests, here is some progress. I really like this stuff, so easy to cut to proper shape.

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Here is some of pictures of recent engine bay cleaning.

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Quite a difference with a little effort. Just some snow foam and quick rinse with power washer.

 

[Mikkeli]

Storage for garden supplies needed some shelf space, so I decided to repurpose old cabinet.

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I'm going to build some kind of tire rack here, that should be one of my next projects.

Small progress at the attic also, I built storage space between roof trusses. One side complete, another to go.

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[drivesitfar]

MIK: attic storage and using old cabinets until nicer ones can be found or purchased are a good thing. just be a bit careful about loading up too much heavy stuff in your attic. i'm guessing it's for decorations and lighter stuff that is easier to go up and down stairs with, but thought i'd mention it cause i've seen some members store pretty heavy tools and car parts up there.

just curious when you wash your engine is there any downside? in the past (about 40-50 years ago now) when we'd steam clean an engine sometimes water would get into places that would make the engine sputter and not run well. i'm not much for washing my cars, but soon we might get a new car and I might help my bride keep it looking good.

great that you're ready for winter cause it's usually always comes too early for me, but i'm getting a bit better.

cheers

 

[cgv]

Thank you for your kind words!

I bought a 50ml bottle for this project and it was enough for my Vitara and 2 set of wheels, I actually coated my winter wheels today.

I bought these products from Laitila.

I just had to ask cause my friend sells Nanolex here at Seinäjoki and we rent the same garage (me Pyyräppä Design and friend Shineld)

 

[Mikkeli]

MIK: attic storage and using old cabinets until nicer ones can be found or purchased are a good thing. just be a bit careful about loading up too much heavy stuff in your attic. i'm guessing it's for decorations and lighter stuff that is easier to go up and down stairs with, but thought i'd mention it cause i've seen some members store pretty heavy tools and car parts up there.

just curious when you wash your engine is there any downside? in the past (about 40-50 years ago now) when we'd steam clean an engine sometimes water would get into places that would make the engine sputter and not run well. i'm not much for washing my cars, but soon we might get a new car and I might help my bride keep it looking good.

great that you're ready for winter cause it's usually always comes too early for me, but i'm getting a bit better.

cheers

Weight should not be a problem at the attic, at least anymore. We got rid off some stuff stored there and remaining weight is now spread more evenly.

I have had no issues washing engine bays. Just remember to protect alternator (with plastic bag for example) or at least avoid direct water spray towards alternator.

I just had to ask cause my friend sells Nanolex here at Seinäjoki and we rent the same garage (me Pyyräppä Design and friend Shineld)

Ok, maybe my next detailing stuff order goes to Shineld

 

[Mikkeli]

After recent incident with fallen birch we decided to cut down several trees (all birches) surrounding our house and other buildings. Our friendly neighbour assisted to cut trees down and after that I have made some firewood for future use. As you can see from the following pictures this was right thing to do, some of the trees were in really bad shape.

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[Mikkeli]

Winter tyres ready, just in time. Michelin X-Ice North 4, 250 studs per tire

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Piece of pegboard installed to wall, another picture shows that there is still room 2 cars.

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[Unruh]

I bought some foam inserts for my tool chests, here is some progress. I really like this stuff, so easy to cut to proper shape.

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That looks great! I used yoga mats in my toolbox, but sometimes wish I had used something thicker.

Also, your garage looks great! The peg board is gonna be very useful!

 

[drivesitfar]

MIK: while I love the look of your organized drawer with cut outs for your tools I don't think i could manage that so i'll just say well done and I hope it works for you.

I've been buying and driving on Michelin tires for over 30 years and only one blow out (probably cause of a bad nail or screw hole repair) and i'll buy more next time I need some. i did buy Goodyear tires for my trailer cause they had an excellent rating for RV's and trailers and so far so good there.

do you ever have to put chains on or are studded tires and good driving skills usually enough to get you here and there during the winter?

nice work on the trees and agreed that cutting them before they fall on your house or garage is a great idea.

cheers

 

[Mikkeli]

MIK: while I love the look of your organized drawer with cut outs for your tools I don't think i could manage that so i'll just say well done and I hope it works for you.

I've been buying and driving on Michelin tires for over 30 years and only one blow out (probably cause of a bad nail or screw hole repair) and i'll buy more next time I need some. i did buy Goodyear tires for my trailer cause they had an excellent rating for RV's and trailers and so far so good there.

do you ever have to put chains on or are studded tires and good driving skills usually enough to get you here and there during the winter?

nice work on the trees and agreed that cutting them before they fall on your house or garage is a great idea.

cheers

I have had several blown out tires during my 20+ years of driving. Roads here in Finland can be really tough for your tires.

No need to use chains in Finland, there is no high mountains with dangerous roads.

Maybe i should upload some pictures of out winter driving conditions.

 

[Jyzze]

Hi there! Any update Mikkeli?

 

[Mikkeli]

Hi there! Any update Mikkeli?

Time to go through my photos. I'll post some fresh pictures soon...

 

[Mikkeli]

I decided to upgrade audio on Vitara. Black Friday sales (2019) helped me with this decision...

Cables, adapters, connectors, fuse box, etc.

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Since there is no spare tire in the trunk...

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... i opted for this little subwoofer. There is still room for the tools.

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These digital amplifiers are really tiny, but with good specs.

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Installing all this is going to take a some time.

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