Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

[fouckhest]

Mike,

For the new MK4 are you missing any tan interior parts? I have some extra stuff sitting around if you are.

PM sent!

 

[fouckhest]

Another week has seemingly vanished, spent most of last week up in NJ for work, so by the time I got home Thursday it was just enough time for yard work and dinner with the wife.

Saturday a couple buddies came over and we did a timing chain service on a VW 2.0t GTi, I supervised, helped a little and piddled on things in the garage. Got the new motor on my belt sander, so that tool is back in operation, which means I can resume work on my headers, once I get caught up on things with the new TDi Golf.

Speaking of the Golf, I traded a spare gearbox I had laying around for a set of Audi TT "fat fives," yesterday morning while the wife was running some errands I escaped to the shop for a few hours and gave one a quick polish to see how they would clean up.

Not perfect, but they should work for a daily
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

This weekend the plan is to get the suspension installed, try and get the exhaust fixed (someone cut the cat off the car) and continue with cleanup and trouble shooting.

Cars all racked and stacked LOL
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Oh, and last weeks lawn update
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[fouckhest]

Found some shop time last night to jump back on my polishing project, the first wheel was in decent shape, I only used my cut wheel kit from Zephyr polishing, started on a wheel last night and could immediately tell there was some oxidation that was going to be tricky, and the "windows" were more of a sand blasted finish.....so dug out the DA sander and started with a 100g/240g/320g/400g/800g sanding process, followed by the two stage polishing/buffing wheel process

100g
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

240g
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

320g
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

400g
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

800g
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

Cut #1 with the course wheel & brown rouge
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

Cut #2 with the green/fine wheel & green rouge
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

Last step is a polishing compound, I applied this liberally, then hit it with the final cotton wheel....this while the compound was hazing
Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

Guess I forgot to take a photo of the wheel done alone....and jumped right to putting the two that are now complete side by side...DOH...They are far from perfect, but for a $2k car, I think they will be good enough lol

Polished fat fives by fouckhest, on Flickr

Hoping to knock out one more wheel tonight, then over the weekend get the last one done and on to the suspension refresh in this gem


....Oh also, spent some time Tuesday night working on getting deck design ideas on paper and then translated them into excel for better scale....those that have been following since the beginning know I LOVE to sketch in excel, lol....this is what we are thinking right now....

Extend/Enhance the current deck attached to the house to a 16x8, then two longer steps down to a 12x12 "sitting area," due to the way out house sits versus the neighbors and position of the driveway, if we want any real privacy we need to move the sitting area down below....so right now this is what we are thinking....and WOW....Trex really adds up, last time I check my shopping cart had ~$5k worth of Trex and fasteners, that isnt counting the base/foundation for the deck...I did find another color to use for the trim/accent that could save us ~$500, TBD, need the boss to sign off on that


Deck Rev1 Sketch by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[zanyad]

They are far from perfect, but for a $2k car, I think they will be good enough lol

Looks great from here!

 

[MrPink]

They are far from perfect, but for a $2k car, I think they will be good enough lol

I said the same thing about my wheels too, I am going to eventually replace them with Kosei K1's but for now they function.

The deck design looks like a solid plan, you going with composite right?

 

[fouckhest]

Looks great from here!

I said the same thing about my wheels too, I am going to eventually replace them with Kosei K1's but for now they function.

The deck design looks like a solid plan, you going with composite right?

Thanks Guys!

Yes, we are likely going with Trex, looks like there is a chance the start next week

 

[smschriefer]

Personally, I would do the two steps out of the back door and keep the rest at the same level. At 8" wide for the top section you create an issue for a table where someone might back the chair onto the steps behind and that can ruin a party. We are reevaluating our deck currently because we have a very wide stairway and it really limits the ways we can arrange the furniture on the deck as there is no concentrated flow pattern. I'm taking out the steps except for a generous 4' stairway that frees up over 50sqft of deck space.

 

[Xti04]

I said the same thing about my wheels too, I am going to eventually replace them with Kosei K1's but for now they function.

The deck design looks like a solid plan, you going with composite right?

Kosei K1s! Thats a throwback to the tire rack catalogs at work for me. Always came in wild colors too like orange. The TT I just finished up had fat 5s on it. Not my favorite Audi wheel but they always look good polished. Deck will be awesome when you get after it.

 

[MrPink]

Kosei K1s! Thats a throwback to the tire rack catalogs at work for me. Always came in wild colors too like orange. The TT I just finished up had fat 5s on it. Not my favorite Audi wheel but they always look good polished. Deck will be awesome when you get after it.

They make them in BRZ/GT86 fitment which is 17x8.5 ET40 in 5x100 and a 56.1 center bore. I will be replacing my current spacers on my car(bolt on) with ones that are 57.1 center bore(hub side) and 56.1(wheel side) that way i don't have to modify the wheels either. I'm not doing a crazy color just plain old silver. My Mk4 is not conducive to wild colored wheels, would be Bronze, Silver or Black, and the bronze and black would be pushing it since the car is dark green.

 

[fouckhest]

Personally, I would do the two steps out of the back door and keep the rest at the same level. At 8" wide for the top section you create an issue for a table where someone might back the chair onto the steps behind and that can ruin a party. We are reevaluating our deck currently because we have a very wide stairway and it really limits the ways we can arrange the furniture on the deck as there is no concentrated flow pattern. I'm taking out the steps except for a generous 4' stairway that frees up over 50sqft of deck space.

Always appreciate the feedback/input, the issue with where the upper deck is the elevation relative to our neighbors, uphill, they can essentially be on their deck and look down....so if my wife wants to be out laying in the sun and the upper deck were the big area, should would not be comfortable laying out in a bathing suit.

Elevation has been a constant battle with this house/layout in many ways. Ultimately, this layout the best considering all factors involved, the upper deck will have to be were the grill lives, we may end up putting a sink up there as well, but all TBD. Sometimes we have to compromise and make the the best of what we have to work with, which is the story of this house lol

 

[PBRman]

Always appreciate the feedback/input, the issue with where the upper deck is the elevation relative to our neighbors, uphill, they can essentially be on their deck and look down....so if my wife wants to be out laying in the sun and the upper deck were the big area, should would not be comfortable laying out in a bathing suit.

Elevation has been a constant battle with this house/layout in many ways. Ultimately, this layout the best considering all factors involved, the upper deck will have to be were the grill lives, we may end up putting a sink up there as well, but all TBD. Sometimes we have to compromise and make the the best of what we have to work with, which is the story of this house lol

What if you kept the upper deck closer to the current size maybe extend toward the garage to have more room for the grill/sink. Then have steps down to the lower level that would wrap around the upper level again going toward the garage even further. More space on the lower level where you want the privacy and less up top than what you were sketching. A bigger space down low/ smaller up top rather than splitting it into 2 medium size decks. Not sure that is making sense as I type it out.

 

[fouckhest]

What if you kept the upper deck closer to the current size maybe extend toward the garage to have more room for the grill/sink. Then have steps down to the lower level that would wrap around the upper level again going toward the garage even further. More space on the lower level where you want the privacy and less up top than what you were sketching. A bigger space down low/ smaller up top rather than splitting it into 2 medium size decks. Not sure that is making sense as I type it out.

That is basically what we are doing, the upper deck now is ~6ft out from the house, it will extend ~2ft out and then over towards the garage to come under the kitchen window.

The obstacle with going closer to the garage with the lower deck is the slope of the yard towards the garage, it really starts to fall off, so then we are either building stairs to nowhere or putting a railing on that side. Move more deck towards the driveway then poses the issue of getting close to the drive way and pulling a trailer in/out, etc.

All that being said, there are a couple factors to the layout:
1. These back decks are really for the wife and I, we don't really entertain in the summer, we have two sets of friends within a 5mile radius that have pools, they have summer entertaining duties, we do fall/winter, cold'ish time in the garage.

2. We are ultimately preparing most things int he house to be ready for the MIL to takeover the house in a couple years when we build. ("paundry" addition, getting washer/dryer on main floor)

3. At some point you just have to draw the line and say, this makes the most sense for money.

 

[fouckhest]

Had a pretty low key weekend, but did find some shop time.

Got my wheels finished up on Saturday, not perfect, but definitely good enough for a daily
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Yesterday I jumped into "fixing" the exhaust, someone had cut the cat off the car, so that needed addressed, so while I wait on a couple v-band clamps I decided to pull the muffler and see what it looked like inside.

Cut the canister open and cut out all the muffling parts
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Started welding the case back together, then we decided to go sit at the pool for a couple hours to get out of the house, so will try and get it wrapped up tonight.

 

[fouckhest]

Finalized deck colors, Tiki Torch and Toasted Sand for the border, also found what we will use for railing, simple back posts with stainless steel wire.



List was sent to the builder for review and get things ordered, he is planning to start next Monday.

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Finalized deck colors, Tiki Torch and Toasted Sand for the border, also found what we will use for railing, simple back posts with stainless steel wire.



List was sent to the builder for review and get things ordered, he is planning to start next Monday.

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

I envy your ability to pick deck colors much faster than I have . Those should look great together and I love black with stainless wire look.

 

[fouckhest]

I envy your ability to pick deck colors much faster than I have . Those should look great together and I love black with stainless wire look.

LOL - well the wife has been a big help, she ordered the samples which made it really easy. Also, with the house being green we knew we'd want something to contrast/compliment that

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

LOL - well the wife has been a big help, she ordered the samples which made it really easy. Also, with the house being green we knew we'd want something to contrast/compliment that

Ordering the samples vs getting them from the local distributor was a big help. You get a 1ft long sample vs like a 3-4in piece from the distributor.

 

[fouckhest]

Worked on my muffler project last night until I ran out of shielding gas, but got one side of the case close to tacked up...some spots weld okay, others, woof!!

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Might wire wheel this side and see if it welds any better, honestly forgot about cleaning up the otherside first, but regardless the inside is a 375k diesel sooty mess
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[fouckhest]

Its crazy that a week can go by so quickly these days....Lots of action since my last check in

Got my muffler finished up last week before I left town for the weekend.

Then this weekend a good friend and fellow VW guy has a car that as big in the "scene" back when my project car was and coincidentally, both came off the road at the same time (~10yrs ago), but unfortunately (for me) his will be back on the road first....anyway, a group of 4-5 of us converged upon his shop Friday/Saturday to do a car "thrash" weekend, it was mostly little tasks to prepare for the firing up and troubleshooting, and that is exactly how it played out.

I was at the airport at 4am Friday morning, arrived at his shop a little before lunch, we worked until ~130am Friday night/Saturday morning, the car has started then was hit/miss on running, finally after some MAF diagnosis and fuel pump work we got the car to run and it made its first drive in 10ish yrs.
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Back at the shop around 9am Saturday morning.....Then the first drive!
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

The real reward of the weekend was that his son ~10yrs old, had never ridden in the car, so we were all there to help enable and witness his son go for a ride in his dads pride and joy! very cool moment to be part of! By the end of Saturday, all other little issues were resolved, but a bad MAF was likely our culprit, so hopefully the new one will arrive this week.

Then Sunday, up at 4am, to be at the airport in NY for a 6am flight, then home to tear down the old back deck so the builders could start 6am, Monday morning....not fun in 95°F temps

But a couple hours later it was all loaded on the trailer and ready to be hauled off.
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Yesterday's deck progress, was a good start IMO
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

This is where they left off today....I think it is going to work out nicely. Definitely going to do railing along the garage side, then wrap around to the the corner and likely do stairs around that corner, just to make sure it feels open
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


I did manage to sneak out to the shop last night for a couple hours, got my new suspension all assembled, so now it just needs installed. Then tackled pulling the down pipe to start the CAT delete repair courtesy of some meth head somewhere....i have to say, for 375k miles worth of soot, the amazon v-band welded pretty good to the down pipe

The welds aren't @zmotorsports or @4 FN 27, but I'll take it given the my recent torch time
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Coming along good with the deck. I bet that was not the most enjoyable doing anywork in this heat. Man the heat came much earlier this year than it did last year.

 

[fouckhest]

Coming along good with the deck. I bet that was not the most enjoyable doing anywork in this heat. Man the heat came much earlier this year than it did last year.

Yeah, it certainly has ramped up quickly....but I feel like this happens every few years, I can remember being down in Helen, GA for a car show in mid-may and it was in the low 90's that early


Got back out to the shop last night to work on the exhaust for the golf, got it all buttoned up....I bragged too much on the amazon v-bands, one of the nuts for the clamps locked up on the downpipe when i wen to remove it, and ultimately broke the bolt, luckily I had only planned on 2 for my system, the third was an extra for a buddies car.

Anyway, nothing fancy, just a quick fix up job to get the exhaust routed from front to back, but its back in and now very serviceable

Looking from downpipe to back of the car
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

V-band going into the muffler....had to break out the MIG for this job, I had to step up the OEM pipe, it was actually a little over 2" and under 2.25", so slipped a piece of 2.25" tubing over the OEM pipe, that then made the step up to the 2.25" v-band flange....not ideal, but I didn't feel like going up to my buddies to use his tubing expander, so this will suffice for a daily
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[MrPink]

What engine is in your buddies golf? The exhaust looks great, I need to have mine reworked, its a 3" turbo back but i need it to be welded instead of clamped. I also need to do motor mounts though too lol.

The deck progress looks great, what color composite did you go with, i don't think i remember seeing it in the thread.

 

[zmotorsports]

The deck is looking fantastic and nice work on the exhaust. I appreciate the flattery but I see nothing wrong with your welds. Toes are wet out nicely and no inclusions so that's a win. Consistency is hit and miss for me as well, especially on out of position welds.

 

[fouckhest]

What engine is in your buddies golf? The exhaust looks great, I need to have mine reworked, its a 3" turbo back but i need it to be welded instead of clamped. I also need to do motor mounts though too lol.

The deck progress looks great, what color composite did you go with, i don't think i remember seeing it in the thread.

His car is actually an R32 shell, golf bumpers and the engine is a 24v 2.8L out of his original 2002.5 GTi

If you were closer I'd certainly offer to help with the exhaust!

Thanks on the deck, composite colors are up in this post: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/my-mini-garagemahal.460683/page-24#post-10729632

The deck is looking fantastic and nice work on the exhaust. I appreciate the flattery but I see nothing wrong with your welds. Toes are wet out nicely and no inclusions so that's a win. Consistency is hit and miss for me as well, especially on out of position welds.

Thanks Mike, consistency really is key. I got wrapped up last night working, but the v-band on the pipe that attaches to the downpipe actually came out really nice....only makes sense I forgot to snap a photo!

 

[MrPink]

His car is actually an R32 shell, golf bumpers and the engine is a 24v 2.8L out of his original 2002.5 GTi

If you were closer I'd certainly offer to help with the exhaust!

Thanks on the deck, composite colors are up in this post: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/my-mini-garagemahal.460683/page-24#post-10729632

look like a nice combo of colors for sure, I appreciate the offer, i have a few friends up this way but none that weld very well, so i may just take it to a shop and have it done.

 

[little mikey]

this is my first post on GJ!
long time lurker and avid reader and inspiration getter.

been following your thread for a while homie. you were up at Swoops this past weekend? his shop is like 45min from my place!

anyways, everything in here looks stellar- cars, home improvements, the garage-mahal.
keep hammerin buddy.

sidenote: i want to start a garage thread but its so much dam effort

 

[fouckhest]

this is my first post on GJ!
long time lurker and avid reader and inspiration getter.

been following your thread for a while homie. you were up at Swoops this past weekend? his shop is like 45min from my place!

anyways, everything in here looks stellar- cars, home improvements, the garage-mahal.
keep hammerin buddy.

sidenote: i want to start a garage thread but its so much dam effort

WHOAH!....the little mikey! whats up man!

Yeah, I was up at Gregs, didn;t know you were that close to him, would have been rad to catch up, bummer!

Thanks for following along, get a thread started and drop me a link, I'd love to follow along, I know you dont half a$$ anything!

 

[4 FN 27]

The welds aren't @zmotorsports or @4 FN 27, but I'll take it given the my recent torch time

I, too am flattered. Thank you.

I have my moments welding where I just have to walk away and make another attempt to make them look good. I am a bench welder and struggle at out of position welding...thus you get to see the good stuff after all this is the internet and I get to filter what you see.

As @zmotorsports points out in different words, it has to function even if it aint purdy. I applaud anyone who makes their own parts.

 

[fouckhest]

Don't really know where time goes, last week flew by, got a little bit of garage work done, about the same tone this weekend. Saturday was cut short by prepping for a friends BBQ/GTG for our little towns fireworks thing for 4th....so day got broken up by running things around, etc.

Anyway....last week I got started on the Golfs suspension refresh, H&R cup kit (matched springs/struts), should make the old girl a little more fun than stock.
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


Are you even a car guy if you don't take the opportunity to paint calipers
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Cleaned up the upper strut caps, b/c, why not lol
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Snuck down to my buddies shop to mount tires on the refreshed wheels....luckily they let me use the tire machine, unfortunately, I am not as proficient as a thought....one tire slipped while mounting it and tore the bead and messed up the sidewall, it bubbled when I put air in it, luckily they are cheap tires...going to mount the forth tire tonight
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr


That brings me to current on the car, builder was back today to start on Trex, color combo works really well with the house I think!
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Parden the dirtiness, it rained on off last night so the yard is a mess
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[MrPink]

Did you go with the stock tire size 225/45/17? I have done that myself when mounting tires too, ish happens. I painted my front Calipers silver, but i want to redo them.

The deck looks awesome, the color flows very well with the colors on the house for sure.

 

[fouckhest]

Did you go with the stock tire size 225/45/17? I have done that myself when mounting tires too, ish happens. I painted my front Calipers silver, but i want to redo them.

The deck looks awesome, the color flows very well with the colors on the house for sure.

Yup, 225/45/17, I want this to just be a nice cruiser, plus with only lowering "cup kit" amount, side wall is needed to fill out the fenders. Will likely dig into my spacer collection to help dial in the stance.

Thanks, we are super happy with it, excited to start getting some railing up

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

Deck is coming along nicely. The color looks great together and with flow well with the house.

Can't wait to see the wheels finally on the car.

 

[MrPink]

Yup, 225/45/17, I want this to just be a nice cruiser, plus with only lowering "cup kit" amount, side wall is needed to fill out the fenders. Will likely dig into my spacer collection to help dial in the stance.

Thanks, we are super happy with it, excited to start getting some railing up

I went with 225/45/17's as well. 15mm front spacer and 20mm rear, but i also did a stud conversion, and coilovers(FK Streetline). Fhey are far from slammed and the car rides quite comfortable.

 

[fouckhest]

Deck is coming along nicely. The color looks great together and with flow well with the house.

Can't wait to see the wheels finally on the car.

Thanks, its coming together nicely!

Fingers crossed I'll get the wheels on the car this weekend, at least that is my plan!

I went with 225/45/17's as well. 15mm front spacer and 20mm rear, but i also did a stud conversion, and coilovers(FK Streetline). Fhey are far from slammed and the car rides quite comfortable.

Looks good!

 

[fouckhest]

Quick deck update, lower deck was almost done yesterday, they finished up the top this morning, stairs are being worked on today, but I ordered the wrong color fascia board, so that is going to delay finishing the stairs by a few days, not a huge deal, at least we will be able to sit out there this weekend
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

 

[fouckhest]

While the Golf was still on the lift last night and I was close to putting wheels on it and pulling it out of the garage, the inner @zmotorsports wouldn't allow me to not give the inner fenders a quick clean up. This car continues to surprise me on how clean it is for having 375k miles on it!

Didn't go crazy, quick spray down with Simple Green, scrub brush and then hose it off
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Rears have bigger inner fenders, so not as impressive....but still clean
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Even the spare tire well is dent free and cleaned up nicely
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Finally, she is back on the ground! I don't hate it at all, looking forward to getting it out for a drive
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr
Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Now I need to get to the interior....but thats for another day/week

 

[MrPink]

Mike,

The progress on the deck looks good. I wouldn't worry about spacers since it's going to be a DD right? The TT fat fives look good on it for sure.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

The wheels look perfect on it. Are you going to keep the pin stripe or remove it?

 

[fouckhest]

Mike,

The progress on the deck looks good. I wouldn't worry about spacers since it's going to be a DD right? The TT fat fives look good on it for sure.

Thanks! I've got spacers, so will likely play around at some point...just for fun, LOL

The wheels look perfect on it. Are you going to keep the pin stripe or remove it?

Thanks man! I kind of want to keep the pin stripe, and funny you ask, I was searching around before and found this site: https://wrapsnsignsstore.com/products/volkswagen-pinstripe-kit-1025

Just not sure if I "$50 Like" them....going to see how they fare some buffer time, I expect they are going to disintegrate, then it will be a matter of if there is a ghost stripe that won't go away

 

[MrPink]

Mine had that same pinstripe in gold, it was one of the 1st things removed.