I don't get it

[bb1970]

I look at pics of all the cool garages and shops. So many are really cool. But some seem too clean. Like it is just a place to park. Do you work on your cars and motorcycles some place else? I must be doing something wrong even after I clean house I still have saved parts here and there. Extra wheels and tires etc. I know I keep more than most. But I've been to doctors offices that aren't as clean as some of the garages I've seen here. I'm not being critical just curious how some of you keep so clean.

 

[StumpXJ]

Some people just prefer a cleaner environment. Some people are more **** about certain things. I think its just different strokes for different folks. It doesnt make a garage more or less "usable" or "workable".

Having been a motorcycle mechanic for many years, and then a motorcycle shop manager, I like things neat, and everything should have a place (and be in that place if its not being used).

If you stay on top of tidiness everyday or after every use, it is actually much easier to maintain than one would think.

....all that, and it just look better. [imo]

~James

 

[Uncle Buck]

I look at pics of all the cool garages and shops. So many are really cool. But some seem too clean. Like it is just a place to park. Do you work on your cars and motorcycles some place else? I must be doing something wrong even after I clean house I still have saved parts here and there. Extra wheels and tires etc. I know I keep more than most. But I've been to doctors offices that aren't as clean as some of the garages I've seen here. I'm not being critical just curious how some of you keep so clean.

The honest answer to your question is this, some of these are show garages, and others are working garages. This post will set up a howl from the other camp, but there is no way you can be getting very involved in a lot of heavy work in garages that look like magazine covers. It is like the pic on the cover of the hot rod rag showing the man in the nice white shirt placing the intake on top of the engine. It is just not possible, particularly with fab stuff, welding, cutting, grinding, painting, bead blasting, etc.

I am sure you might do some routine maintenance like an oil change, or some brakes, or shocks, but I doubt the work in an environment like what is shown goes very far beyond that. If someone has some pics to offer of the engine coming over the core support under the picker arm or something like that taking place in the surgically clean environment I know I would be impressed all to hell and gone! I am not talking about places like OCG shop either, that is just clean and well organized, nor am I talking about the fellow that had the very small shop with the wood floor and the bobber motorcycle. I am talking about the epoxied floor places with TV sets and sound systems that are far better than what most people have in their homes that almost have a museum look to them or something.

BTW: I know what you are talking about here, and it is not the places that are tidy, it is those that are over the top.

 

[bmwpower]

I can't stand clutter, but I like/need to work in the garage. It's a battle between 2 opposing forces for me....with the the "working" garage winning out lately. Don't be surprised - sometimes those show garages get messy! They just clean it up. I'm not sure if mine classifies as a show garage, but if it does, it also gets messy as hell!

 

[NRChopshop]

I work in a metal shop. Im a fabricator so im always covered in metal but I HATE my bench being covered in chips and shavings. i HATE clutter where Im working. I hate walking though it too. yes i said hate. cant stand it. I get less done if my work area is dirty than i do if the area is clean. My coworkers give me hell because ill stop a job just clean for 5 minutes. I just like working in a clean shop.....in the end i turn out a cleaner, better product that takes less finish work.

Its the same way at home. Im going nuts with my shop being a mess while im working on it

 

[Uncle Buck]

I work in a metal shop. Im a fabricator so im always covered in metal but I HATE my bench being covered in chips and shavings. i HATE clutter where Im working. I hate walking though it too. yes i said hate. cant stand it. I get less done if my work area is dirty than i do if the area is clean. My coworkers give me hell because ill stop a job just clean for 5 minutes. I just like working in a clean shop.....in the end i turn out a cleaner, better product that takes less finish work.

Its the same way at home. Im going nuts with my shop being a mess while im working on it

True, could not agree more.

 

[XR80David]

My garage I would say is very much of a show garage and is spotless, However I use it a lot to work on everything but I just make sure it is as spotless after I'm done working as it was before I started working. I work on motorcycles, I have restored a couple bikes actually in there. The only thing I don't fully work on is the cars (although I have the ability to), I have them worked on at the dealer (in this case, Mercedes). I really have no reason to work on the cars except clean them, check basic fluid levels, and I swapped taillights on my son car for new LEDS but other than that, that is it for working on cars. But it still gets used and abused I have to say. You just have to take the time afterwards to clean up. A lot of the messes are avoiddable if you take your time and are cautious and put tools back where you got them etc. Hope this helps.

 

[StumpXJ]

A good example in BMWPower's garage thread. It gets down right messy, maybe not as much as some, but you cant say that no work gets done in there.

I do know what you mean about a full on show garage not being "used" in the sense of ******** mechanic work, but not everyone has that ability or necessity. (I mean, how much maintenance does an '09 Z06 street queen need other than the occasional oil change?)

 

[ddawg16]

This make you feel better?

But it won't look like this once the second floor is done.....ALL of the wifes junk, I mean 'stuff' will go up there....

 

[Frank Elson]

I don't have a show garage, just a messy workshop.
But since I came on here I have realised. in many ways, that a cleaner neater garage is more usable. So these days I do a piece of work, then I brush up, clean my tools and put them away.
It's still what you would call messy, and it's never going to be as clean as some, but I do find that my work proceeds better.

 

[bcjames]

I don't have a show garage, just a messy workshop.
But since I came on here I have realised. in many ways, that a cleaner neater garage is more usable. So these days I do a piece of work, then I brush up, clean my tools and put them away.
It's still what you would call messy, and it's never going to be as clean as some, but I do find that my work proceeds better.

That's about the same as mine. I'm not fixated on cleaning it, but I want to be able to find stuff and work without tripping over the last job's stuff.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I keep my garage pretty neat -- and also do a fair amount of work in it. If you can run a grinder anywhere in the shop and then clean it up with an air hose, then it might be pretty but it's also capable of being used as a working garage. If you can drop an open bottle of transmission fluid and not have to start the renovation from square one to clean it up, you've also passed the test, in my book. You can't have television screens or a wet bar in places where flying debris or petrochemicals regularly connect with the walls. If you've got that stuff, you've got a showplace garage -- which is fine, if that's what you want.

It's like guys who have cars they race versus guys who have cars they polish. If I don't see some sandblasting on the leading edges of the bodywork, then the car I'm looking at isn't in the same category as mine (which, again, is fine in my book -- everybody should have what they want). My car is kept pretty clean, but it's a work dog, not a show dog. All its trophies are for going fast.
________
homemade vaporizer

 

[Basskiller]

ALL of the wifes junk, I mean 'stuff' will go up there....

I heard that!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Well, I will concede that BMW has an epoxied floor, and yes, clearly a working garage. If it were not for that damned floor BMW would have met my definition anyway, because the modest TV and stereo are as I said, modest and not over the top. His was not the kind of shop I was speaking of, more those that look like they were designed as a theme park or something, fancy pictures with mood lights hanging over them etc..

 

[LUV2XCLR8]

I posted a link to a few of mine in my Newbie post. Mine was a total
mess with over $5K worth of new parts in boxes, until today. I have
emptied about 8 so far & plan more this week. When I get my body
back on my frame it will look more like a show garage, however I will
always turn wrenches in mine cause there is not that much invested
and no matter how nice I try to make it look, it's still a metal building.

 

[Vicegrip]

I work in a metal shop. Im a fabricator so im always covered in metal but I HATE my bench being covered in chips and shavings. i HATE clutter where Im working. I hate walking though it too. yes i said hate. cant stand it. I get less done if my work area is dirty than i do if the area is clean. My coworkers give me hell because ill stop a job just clean for 5 minutes. I just like working in a clean shop.....in the end i turn out a cleaner, better product that takes less finish work.

Its the same way at home. Im going nuts with my shop being a mess while im working on it

Same here, I work on or fab up things for fun and money. I will stop between processes and neaten up regardless of it being for fun or money. Not get out the windex and polish clean but put away tools that I am done with for now and sweep up the swarf. Gives me a better head place and safer conditions for the next step. I hate looking for the small part that rolled under some clutter on work bench, pushing junk around to make room for what I am doing or killing 10 min finding some tool that got left on a flat surface and not where it "goes"

 

[TejasBimmer]

Right now, my garage is messy (just like ddawg16's place) ... from storage boxes from the move last year, wood from the craft room that we built in the house, light fixtures that I took down & replaced, car and truck parts from working on them in the driveway and of course dust.
I do not like working in a mess, but with all my time and energy was towards decorating our new home. The garage was lowered in priority on getting it done.
Only this Memorial Weekend, that I spent some quality time on cleaning, organizing, etc. I hope that I will be able to do more this coming weekend (more organizing, cleaning and also building).

I do have cabinets and still trying to get the feel of where to place everything. i did have it laid out and this weekend, I moved some stuff around.
At least most of my tools are in their proper place - most of them that is.

 

[XR80David]

A good example in BMWPower's garage thread. It gets down right messy, maybe not as much as some, but you cant say that no work gets done in there.

I do know what you mean about a full on show garage not being "used" in the sense of ******** mechanic work, but not everyone has that ability or necessity. (I mean, how much maintenance does an '09 Z06 street queen need other than the occasional oil change?)

Can we see how it looks now after the mess is cleaned up? Did you do any floor damage or anything?

 

[mysta2]

I do

That's silly, why would the floor be damaged? Epoxy floors are extremely practical for a working shop, they're hard to damage, easy to clean because nothing soaks into them and they increase light reflection (Most people I'm sure can relate to how much sheetrocking a stud wall will brighten a space up... it's the same for the floor) I would challenge anyone to find a serious race shop that doesn't have an epoxy floor. I'd love to have a **** and span garage and some day when I can afford epoxy floors and nice cabinets I will... I'll even have "mood" lighting. I learned at my last job how much I want an epoxy floor. I use my garage as both a place to work, and a place to hang out (usually because I need to work on something but lack the proper motivation) and I have to make it kinda nice so that my fiancee will come out there and keep me company while I'm working.

I do though have the benefit of a full model shop at my disposal where all the painting, metal cutting and sandblasting happen.

 

[XR80David]

Re: I do

That's silly, why would the floor be damaged? Epoxy floors are extremely practical for a working shop, they're hard to damage, easy to clean because nothing soaks into them and they increase light reflection (Most people I'm sure can relate to how much sheetrocking a stud wall will brighten a space up... it's the same for the floor) I would challenge anyone to find a serious race shop that doesn't have an epoxy floor. I'd love to have a **** and span garage and some day when I can afford epoxy floors and nice cabinets I will... I'll even have "mood" lighting. I learned at my last job how much I want an epoxy floor. I use my garage as both a place to work, and a place to hang out (usually because I need to work on something but lack the proper motivation) and I have to make it kinda nice so that my fiancee will come out there and keep me company while I'm working.

I do though have the benefit of a full model shop at my disposal where all the painting, metal cutting and sandblasting happen.

Dude, I don't mean to burst your bubble but epoxy floors actually can get scratched very easily... I mean I am sure there is scratches on BMWs floor after that project. I have an epoxy floor and know how it goes... But you are correct, they help with the lighting and clean up but certainly are not indestructible I have to say.

 

[nate379]

For me the garage is the workshop and not a place to park cars.

I like to keep it tidy, but it's pretty much impossible to be pristine. Every few months I'll run the air hose through everything to blow off all the grinding dust, move the toolboxes, etc and do a good sweep... that's about as far as I go with it.

 

[Fueler]

Granted some places are for display purposes. To each his own. I always figured some of the pics of ultra clean working and semi-working shops were taken just after the the building process was done. Makes sense to me that one would show off those rather than the cluttered dusty version that would not show off the building.

 

[krooser]

I just got done cleaning my shop after a couple years of a disasterous mess.

Having three projects doesn't help with all the extra bits and pieces I've collected for those cars. Plus I have a parts car that has to be stored.

I have a storage building (14X40) that has been underutilized... but last week I moved a lot more parts into that building to relieve the clutter in my shop. Now my storage building looks like the "before" on the cable show "Clean House"...

Now if I could just fine my camera...

 

[ELS]

I was a GM tech at a local Detroit dealer for many years and lived in the dusty, oily, greasy shop performing everything from heavy repair to wind/water leaks. Didn't really mind the mess then but since having my own garage, I enjoy a cleaner environment. I like both worlds, clean yet rugged enough to handle most work. Right now we just park in there and I do light work like tire rotations, oil changes, etc. on my wife's ride. My set-up may look nice now, but I know that will change as my boys get older and get into whatever and I start a project car. I know it will get dirty, I just like the clean look now since we hang out there a lot with the kids. Hopefully my floor will hold up to the future abuse.

 

[C6mongoose]

I love a clean garage, a show garage. All the cars in my detached garage are show cars, used only for cruising and shows. The only thing I have to do is change the oil, detail the cars, or just light maintenance. If I did work on my cars I would leave one bay as a work bay and keep it closed off from the rest. I guess am a clean freak, too.

 

[DonL]

I just spent the weekend insulating, drywalling and painting my garage. It's starting to look good and I'm proud of the work Ive done. I'm looking forward to having a nice clean and bright place to work. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[bmwpower]

Umm...it still kinda looks like that, but add another project car and a lot more parts.

Yea, the floors get a little more "used" after each project. There are more marks, stains and scrapes after each project. Knock something on the floor, drop a tool, drag an engine block, weld some parts - the floor gets used for sure. Nothing major, but it's by no means spotless like the day it was coated.

Once I reach garage "equilibrium" and floor looks too beat, I'll just throw another coat on top.

 

[krooser]

I broke into the automotive service biz in 1964 by pumping gas, and later doing every kind of service work, at a local Enco station in my Milwaukee neighborhood.

The shop was very clean and organized... three bays... two service, one "wash rack". We had one single post inground and one single post drive-on lift... both made by Rotary.

My job, in addition to pumping "Ethyl" was cleaning the tools and scrubbing the shop floor every night. We had a pneumatic solvent parts cleaner and Iwould load every tool used that day into the cleaner to give it a 30 minute bubble bath... then would hand dry each tool before putting them all back into place.

I also had to wipe down both lifts with solvent plus clean the oil change drain barrel, the brake lathe, shoe arc'er, and anything else that got dirty from 7 to 5.

That gave me the basis for liking a clean shop all these years later... I still hate a dirty shop but often wait for the "next day" to clean up... especially if I've put in a long day.

 

[Junkman]

Your story about cleaning the service station floor reminded me of a Gulf station that the owner would pour gasoline on the floor, mop it around, and then hose the floor down and it would all go down the floor drain. I never knew where it drained to, but all I could think of today is that it must be a hazardous waste site waiting to be cleaned. That was about 50 years ago, when no one ever thought about the envoirment...

 

[goodfellow]

Your story about cleaning the service station floor reminded me of a Gulf station that the owner would pour gasoline on the floor, mop it around, and then hose the floor down and it would all go down the floor drain. I never knew where it drained to, but all I could think of today is that it must be a hazardous waste site waiting to be cleaned. That was about 50 years ago, when no one ever thought about the envoirment...

That sure is right Junk. In the early 1970's I worked in a place where they cleaned the floors and equipment with Varsol twice a month. The Varsol was then cleaned off with a hot water pressure washer and it all went down the drain. No one gave a second thought to the environmental impact.

We've come a long way in that respect.