Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

[MrPink]

Mike the only option for the sagging headliner is to redo it. I used clear push pins on mine but will be pulling the headliner at some point.

 

[fouckhest]

Lights would really set the space off. Make sure they bleed through the other side to light up the sign.


Yeah, that is really wide. Some of my favorite wheels ever made. Never built a car to this day that they would look good on. Someday.

You've pushed me over the edge, goign to start looking now!

Yeah, they are silly spec wheels, but super cool....it looked so good aired out!

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1005 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1028 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1010 by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[gearhead1960]

Fence looks good....what do they say, fences make great neighbors... . Any plans to trim/even up the vertical posts. The uneven lengths would bother my OCD seriously....

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

You've pushed me over the edge, goign to start looking now!

Yeah, they are silly spec wheels, but super cool....it looked so good aired out!

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1005 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1028 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Houck's Mk4 VW GTI Widebody TDI on BBS RS Wheels - -¬ Sam Dobbins 2015 - 1010 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Ahhh, I remember seeing these pics now. Such a great look.

 

[fouckhest]

Fence looks good....what do they say, fences make great neighbors... . Any plans to trim/even up the vertical posts. The uneven lengths would bother my OCD seriously....

Thanks, Yes, the fence will get a top board (2x6) to finish it off; focus was to get everything done horizontal board wise. Actually told the wife last night that I'd like to try and get the fence finished up this weekend

Ahhh, I remember seeing these pics now. Such a great look.

Thanks man, I miss that stage of the car, was super fun.

 

[fouckhest]

Fun weekend, Cars & Coffee Saturday morning with some buddies, then home to do a little test fit of wheels on one of said buddies cars.

Fit much better than I expected, which was a huge relief and just like that, one less thing out of the attic!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

The rest of Saturday was full of social obligations, but was a fun day overall. Sunday project was to get the fence all finished up, so lots of trips up/down the latter, trimming the posts, then measure/cut/fit all of the top trim boards. Happy to have that project done, finished up with enough time to clean the gutters out.

If anyone has recommendations on "gutter guards" I'd love to hear some opinions, I feel like this is going to be a losing battle, luckily its easy to get on the roof to blow them out though.

Final fence construction photos, ordered some solar lights for the final touch.

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[Xti04]

In for gutter guard info Mike! I need to get around to having gutters installed on the shop so Im all ears if you find something good!

 

[wrose]

Fun weekend, Cars & Coffee Saturday morning with some buddies, then home to do a little test fit of wheels on one of said buddies cars.

Fit much better than I expected, which was a huge relief and just like that, one less thing out of the attic!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

The rest of Saturday was full of social obligations, but was a fun day overall. Sunday project was to get the fence all finished up, so lots of trips up/down the latter, trimming the posts, then measure/cut/fit all of the top trim boards. Happy to have that project done, finished up with enough time to clean the gutters out.

If anyone has recommendations on "gutter guards" I'd love to hear some opinions, I feel like this is going to be a losing battle, luckily its easy to get on the roof to blow them out though.

Final fence construction photos, ordered some solar lights for the final touch.

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[wrose]

I installed gutter guard that I bought from Costco ( came in 3ft sections that clipped together) -I just clipped in gutters -been installed for over 4 years, On a bungalow it is an easy install but we have a hip roof with many corners so that took extra time . Price was great as well

 

[fouckhest]

Been a busy start of the week, Monday night was filled with yard work, tis the season!

Yard is doing pretty good thus far....we certainly have been getting enough rain, havent turned my sprinkler on since I put down pre-emergent a couple months ago.
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Last night, got around to putting the interior back in my silver car, almost ready to head to our annual VW show down in GA. Little cleanup and its getting tucked away for the next few weeks.

....DOH! forgot to wipe the fabric in one direction
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

All tucked in, its certainly a bit of a puzzle...need to avoid removing this stuff, for at least another year lol
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Until next time!

 

[zmotorsports]

Lawn looks fantastic Mike. I'm jealous.

I haven't turned my sprinklers on yet, haven't even charged the system. Been trying to wait until at least the first of May and wanted my neighbors to get all of the **** in their systems before I charged mine. My lawn is very dry, but we are least getting a little rain today. Can't wait for it to look at least half as nice as yours though. Still have a couple of spots that I killed last fall that I need to replace here in the next couple of weeks.

 

[fouckhest]

Lawn looks fantastic Mike. I'm jealous.

I haven't turned my sprinklers on yet, haven't even charged the system. Been trying to wait until at least the first of May and wanted my neighbors to get all of the **** in their systems before I charged mine. My lawn is very dry, but we are least getting a little rain today. Can't wait for it to look at least half as nice as yours though. Still have a couple of spots that I killed last fall that I need to replace here in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks, Mike! I am highly confident you'll have your grass in tip top shape before long. I always forget that you folks out west have a dedicated line for lawn water (super cool in ways), but great idea on letting others get their sprinklers all clogged LOL

I actually checked my photos from last year and it seems I am on track, despite thinking its been an above average rain year.


2024
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

2025
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[jonshonda]

Nice XTANT amp!

 

[fouckhest]

Nice XTANT amp!

....thanks, just wish it worked, sadness

 

[fouckhest]

Mike the only option for the sagging headliner is to redo it. I used clear push pins on mine but will be pulling the headliner at some point.

@MrPink sorry, I somehow missed you note. Totally agree, however my problem is seen in this photo where its kinda "saggy" by the quarter glass, is actually from the backing board not being rigid enough, but I found a creative solution. Bought some nice 3M "hook & loop" velcro, as I was testing it on some scraps, AND, the hard/firm side sticks to the headliner fabric!!!

SO, stuck that onto the roof skin, then pushed the headliner back up and going on a week and its still holding!

 

[jonshonda]

....thanks, just wish it worked, sadness

Umm there are people that can fix that! My local stereo shop always seems to have a few XTANT's in the repair que

 

[fouckhest]

Umm there are people that can fix that! My local stereo shop always seems to have a few XTANT's in the repair que

I found the names of a couple people over on a car audio forum, BUT, when I exchanged emails with one of them it seemed like a bit of a black hole. By that time I had had the box and trunk all finished for almost a year and just wanted to hear to make sound, so bought a cheap mono amp and its now hidden behind the box/rear seat

 

[jonshonda]

I found the names of a couple people over on a car audio forum, BUT, when I exchanged emails with one of them it seemed like a bit of a black hole. By that time I had had the box and trunk all finished for almost a year and just wanted to hear to make sound, so bought a cheap mono amp and its now hidden behind the box/rear seat

If you want to ship it up to the shop local to me I can give you the info. This guy has been repairing audio gear for as long as I can remember.

 

[Jehannum]

I've repaired a bunch of amps when I worked at an audio place (more geared towards home and PA audio), that's where I'd go first rather than a local car audio place.

 

[fouckhest]

If you want to ship it up to the shop local to me I can give you the info. This guy has been repairing audio gear for as long as I can remember.

@jonshonda Thanks, I may take you up on that after this show in a couple weeks. I'll reach out, much appreciated!

I've repaired a bunch of amps when I worked at an audio place (more geared towards home and PA audio), that's where I'd go first rather than a local car audio place.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

The fence project came out great. Really flows well with the rest of your property updates.

I am a little late to the party but did a bunch of research on gutter guards back a bit for the garage which will now also go on the house soon hopefully since it is getting all new gutters.

This is the style system I went with. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gutter-...ksCFzIuoAzBKBj28uXHhN1cxv0P0cRrd44qLQiM&gQT=1

At least here, with the pine needles, you can't use any of the systems that are like sheet metal with holes in it. The pine needles just go right through it. If you are not cleaning off the guards all that frequently, as stuff breaks down it will go through those larger holes. These are the only kind that seem to keep everything out.

 

[fouckhest]

At least here, with the pine needles, you can't use any of the systems that are like sheet metal with holes in it. The pine needles just go right through it. If you are not cleaning off the guards all that frequently, as stuff breaks down it will go through those larger holes. These are the only kind that seem to keep everything out.

Thank you and thank you! I will certainly be looking into that type of gutter guard, luckily I don't have any pine trees, but I do have a pecan tree and another tree that drop things a couple times a year along with a neighbors tree that also lets things fly into my yard

 

[fouckhest]

Had a decently productive weekend, besides stain the F-U fence is complete!

Finished up the last of the boards Saturday
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Yesterday I started on a little side project to utilize some dead space under the deck, this corner due to the slope of the yard seems like a great way to store some outdoor furniture, gardening supplies, etc.
by fouckhest, on Flickr

Lot of thinking, figuring, whatever, got a game plan together, then came lots of measuring and leveling to try and get everything true, but all in all, I am happy with this to start, also found a way to utilize some leftover trex scraps we had from the deck project.

by fouckhest, on Flickr
by fouckhest, on Flickr

Next steps will be to build a little "closet on the short end, thinking maybe 2 or 3 shelves, ordered some metal pegboard to install as a backing board for that in case the wife wants to hang gardening tools, hose nozzles, etc., so it doesn't become a catch all ( )

Final project of the weekend was to get the new solar lights installed....little guys for sure, interested to see how they do tonight after a full day of sun/charging
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
by fouckhest, on Flickr

....can't get my last photo to load, maybe I can get a night shot and that will work

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

I almost asked about that last section of fence on your last post but figured you had it covered. I am sure the lights will create nice little accents at night and a bonus for not having to run wires for them.

 

[fouckhest]

I almost asked about that last section of fence on your last post but figured you had it covered. I am sure the lights will create nice little accents at night and a bonus for not having to run wires for them.

Yup, my last couple trips I was trying to be more conservative on the deck board purchases.

I am hopefully optimistic that the lights will serve their intended purpose, but they were cheap enough that if they don't work out it won't be the end of the world.

 

[fouckhest]

Finally got the photo of the full fence to load on flickr, and then remember my "next next" project inspiration photo didn't link....DOH!!

IMG_9291 by fouckhest, on Flickr


Next project will be to update/upgrade our mailbox, its pretty pathetic today

 

[bunks-tj]

i just spent evenings of the last week going through this whole thread. IM always impressed with folks that can do metal work. Your attention to detail is impressive.

in HS my buddy hat a GTI with the VR6 (mkiii?). I was in love and started saving. When i finished college my fathers friend offered me his B5 A4 1.8 and i bought that instead of the gti i had been saving for, but i have never really been able to get a GTI out of my head. and after this week its back again. Since then i have had a lot of cars ...all over the map, but never a "hot hatch".

Anyway, keep up the interesting posts. well done

 

[fouckhest]

i just spent evenings of the last week going through this whole thread. IM always impressed with folks that can do metal work. Your attention to detail is impressive.

in HS my buddy hat a GTI with the VR6 (mkiii?). I was in love and started saving. When i finished college my fathers friend offered me his B5 A4 1.8 and i bought that instead of the gti i had been saving for, but i have never really been able to get a GTI out of my head. and after this week its back again. Since then i have had a lot of cars ...all over the map, but never a "hot hatch".

Anyway, keep up the interesting posts. well done

Thanks for stopping in and saying hi!

mk3 gti with a VR is a great little car, if you can find one without body rot, you'll have a BLAST! otherwise, the 2.8l VR that came later mk4 platform is another great car! mk4 is a little more refined, but at this point, its still a 20+yr old car.....but fun, oddly why I own 3 of them

 

[bunks-tj]

Thanks for stopping in and saying hi!

mk3 gti with a VR is a great little car, if you can find one without body rot, you'll have a BLAST! otherwise, the 2.8l VR that came later mk4 platform is another great car! mk4 is a little more refined, but at this point, its still a 20+yr old car.....but fun, oddly why I own 3 of them

i dont have the skill you do to keep on top of them. i do have a70 year old tractor... i guess thats something

 

[fouckhest]

Finally grabbed a photo of our fence lights last night, have to say, overall I am pleased! I do need to figure out why the beam isn't projecting the same on all of them.....but thats a problem for future me! LOL (...I think it has to do with the boards bowing out a little bit and blocking some of beam)

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

The lights look good. Maybe make a 1/2in plastic spacer panel to put under the lights to account for the panel bowing.

 

[Xti04]

Those lights look bright especially for solar lights. I have been thinking about some lighting for our fence and going back and forth between something like that and lighted post caps every few posts. Wife would go nuts if her yard was that well lit.

 

[fouckhest]

The lights look good. Maybe make a 1/2in plastic spacer panel to put under the lights to account for the panel bowing.

Thanks....I need to take a look during the daylight, thinking back it may be as simple as how far in the mounting screws are into the fence slat....I may have executed said installation after a few beers....so while they are level, other dimensions may be questionable LOL I need to take a look during the day, the last couple evenings I've been swamped

Those lights look bright especially for solar lights. I have been thinking about some lighting for our fence and going back and forth between something like that and lighted post caps every few posts. Wife would go nuts if her yard was that well lit.

For the price, I really can't complain, the certainly exceeded my expectations

Should be be so inclined

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQKRGSY3?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nicholam77]

Wow, somehow I was not subscribed here. I am now!

Spent some time reading through — amazing work on the house, shed, garage, and cars.

The beginning had me reminiscing about Vortex... I've never done any serious car building or anything like that myself, but my first car was a stock, base trim, 2.slow mk4 Jetta, 5-speed. So slow... but I learned to drive manual on it and stuck with it ever since. I remember lurking on Vortex obsessively when I was 15-16 yrs old at all the mk4 build threads, imagining what 'could be'. It was so exciting and inspiring at the time.

You have amazing taste in wheels

That being said, after our deck build last summer we had discussed some type of privacy fence between the neighbors house that essentially looks down on/into our back yard....well fast forward to our ski trip this year, my step-daughter was house/dog sitting for us and apparently the neighbor wife decided to take to the internet to complain about "her neighbors and their dogs." Upon returning home there was now a camera pointed out of their bedroom window directed at our house/back yard, which I deem as "not cool." Thus, accelerate the plan for a privacy fence.

Yuck. The new fence looks awesome. I'm on good terms with my neighbors, but with small city lots, privacy is an issue. On one side our neighbors built a 6' fence, but I'd like to make it taller.

Just curious, was the existing fence yours or theirs? For me I think it would make sense to sister in new posts like that... but I'd feel compelled to ask my neighbor since they put it in originally... which is always a little awkward.

In any case, your nosey neighbor should be thanking you for funding and installing such a nice privacy screen!

Looking forward to the mailbox — like the inspiration!

 

[fouckhest]

Wow, somehow I was not subscribed here. I am now!

.....................

You have amazing taste in wheels

Welcome and thanks for joining the ride! I had friends with mk3's then bought my now project car at the end of college and been hooked since! I dont think I got really in vortex until 2005 ish when i got my first job, but that was when deals were still to be had in the classifieds and the mk4 forum moved like you were watching the matrix go by!

....I may be a self proclaimed...

Yuck. The new fence looks awesome. I'm on good terms with my neighbors, but with small city lots, privacy is an issue. On one side our neighbors built a 6' fence, but I'd like to make it taller.

Just curious, was the existing fence yours or theirs?

In any case, your nosey neighbor should be thanking you for funding and installing such a nice privacy screen!

Looking forward to the mailbox — like the inspiration!

The fence is mine, luckily the PO's built it and that was made clear upon purchase, so this was an easy decision and "sistering" to the posts seemed like a safe option. When I took the old gate posts out and a couple sections of fence, they were all planted pretty deep, so I felt like it would be a good/safe way to build up!

You'd like to think they would be happy, but they are still too nosey, I am highly confident they are "irked" they cant see into our yard anymore...but we spent too much $$$ on the deck to have someone able to look over and see us sitting out there.

I am very much looking forward to the mailbox, but I also need to squeeze a gate project in there to get rid of the chainlink cobbled together eye sore...but its served its purpose!


....just promise to not influence too many new wood working tools!

 

[fouckhest]

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I knew my weekend was going to be wide open and even had a little extra excitement!

Friday ended what I can only call a tumultuous week, so after going too meet some friends for our usually Friday evening happy hour/wing night, which resulted in more poor food and service, I was fit to be tied. Decided it was a good night to light off the burn pile that has tree trimmings from normal spring time clean up, left over tree and the remnants from Hurricane Helene. It has rained on/off all week, supposed to rain more Saturday and Sunday, so was seemingly a great opportunity to light a fire and have no concerns about rouge embers, logical, right? Even had the garden hose out, just to be extra safety!

So got a little "catalyst" to help get the fire going and away we went!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Innocent enough, right? Well apparently nosey neighbors decided they weren't happy they didn't get invited, so they called some friends over on their behalf....

Surprise visit from our local fire department! Guys were more than nice, and after a light slap on the hand for having a pallet and some treated scraps in there, they were took my info and said carry on, they were happy with my preparedness, I thanked them for their service and told them I appreciate the stop and went back on their way....some people in this world never cease to amaze
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Saturday morning started my action packed day. A long time car friend that owns a repair shop in Atlanta held an event at the BBS Motorsports facility down in Braselton, GA. I missed it last year due to my step-daughters college graduation, so really wanted to attend this year....I didnt take many photos b/c thats not really my thing, but here are a few highlights

Fueling up the Cayman before we headed south
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Buddy of mine made the trip down in his very cool mk2 GTi
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


We got to tour the facility, which is basically were they assembly the motorsports wheels as well as distribute everything for the US market...simple but very cool to see....the wheel on the far right here is the new NASCAR wheel, exclusive to BBS
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Lots of 3pc wheel faces, I was like a kid in a candy store!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Raw wheels halves
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

This beautiful machine was on display inside due to the rain, super cool to see!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

While I don't usually take many photos, this car was easily my favorite car at the event. Built in Finland by a shop owner as a personal passion project, the current owner purchased the car last year, flew to Finland to pick up the car, drove to Spa and the Nürburgring for a couple track days, then back to the Netherlands to ship the car home. Full rotisserie build, seam welded everywhere, I'd venture to say no bolt left untouched, very cool build, the current owner said the builder estimated ~3500hrs into between the build and paint, and I would certainly believe that

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Once we had enough of the rain we packed up and headed back home for a short break. Then the same buddy and I headed up to Charlotte for the Sessenta v2.0 concerts, which was Pucifer, Perfect Circle and Primus. Missed seeing that show last year, so wanted to catch it this year as the lead singer of Pucifer and Perfect Circle (Maynard James Keenan, concert is the reboot of his 60th bday celebration) and Primus (Les Claypool) are both getting up there in age, so I'd say the number of shows will be dwindling in the coming years.

One super cool thing about this tour is they have a very strict "no phone" policy, except during the last show, which I've not seen, but though it was cool! So, I obeyed the request, but managed to snap this during the last song.
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


After a late night getting home, I snuck into bed and managed to get up early and took the wife out for a little Mothers Day breakfast. Then helped her around the house before taking her to the airport to head out for a trip to her corporate office for the week.

Now back to reality for two days before I prep for a car show in Helen, GA this week/weekend. Lots of action!

 

[SilverJimmy]

Did you explain to the FD the pallet was being recycled and the nails would also as soon as they cooled off enough to touch?!

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

You ended up with a one of a kind neighbor, unfortunately. The fun police continue. At least the FD was cool about it.

That is cool to see the US BBS facility. Crazy to see that it doesn't look all that large either.

 

[fouckhest]

Did you explain to the FD the pallet was being recycled and the nails would also as soon as they cooled off enough to touch?!

I was trying to be as polite as possible at that point, and the guy I talked said, "the only thing illegal I see here is the pallet," so with that disclosure, I knew he likely had to comment on something to be able to document the call. After the week I had, I just wanted to be able to sit, relax and enjoy a beer while decompressing....I'd had a combative enough week

You ended up with a one of a kind neighbor, unfortunately. The fun police continue. At least the FD was cool about it.

That is cool to see the US BBS facility. Crazy to see that it doesn't look all that large either.

Yeah, she is special for sure

The part we were in was pretty small, but behind the boxes behind that 911 RSR was a giant warehouse, but they had that blocked off by the wall of boxes filled with NASCAR wheels.

 

[SilverJimmy]

I get it, for almost 15 years we had neighbors that we called “The Friendlies” cuz they were anything but! Called the county code inforcement on me over 20 times. It only stopped when during the last call the county guy explained to them that in all those calls I’d never been cited for a single violation and that they could call again, but if I wasn’t cited, they were going to be charged with harassment! No more calls after that, gratefully the county sent the right guy that time!