My Three Car Garage Project

[ELS]

First of all, thanks to everyone on this site that have inspired me to turn my garage into fun place to hang out and work in. I just moved into this home last August and finally received my dream, a three stall garage. It's never big enough, but coming from much smaller this is a dream.

I casually work on my own toys since I am an ex-auto technician and always loved working in clean environments, so the mekover started.

All walls and ceiling were drywalled and taped, not finished. I decised to do all the work myself, so I started with the mudding. I also ran dedicated 20 amp service to four outlets around the garage for compressor, etc. Next I ran 12 recessed 6 inch cans with 75 par30L floods that give off plenty of light. I plan to run a few more but this will do for now.

Walls and ceiling were recently primed and the ceiling was just painted last weekend. I had an Alpine MP3 deck and a sub laying around so I hooked them up for tunes. I placed four Polk Audio's into the ceiling and wired up the sub. This thing rocks out better than it did in my ride.

Anyway, I am currently cleaning, sanding and prepping the windows for paint then will move onto the wall paint. I also just hung my air line recoil/drop from the ceiling last night and am piping air line from the compressor.

As soon as temps rise a liitle more here in Michigan, I plan to grind or have someone bead blast my floors to prep it for epoxy from Original Color Chips (Devoe products). Then it's organize time with cabinets, shelves, etc.

I will attach more shots as soon as I make more progress.

Again, thanks to the creator(s) of this site and to everyone that has contributed to it. Great ideas and fun to view!

 

[Old61]

Looking good inside, dimensions & pics of the outside please.

 

[ELS]

Old 61,

The dimensions are 32' wide X 22' deep X 9 1/2'tall. Pulte home. Here are a couple of pics of the house when we first moved in last August. A little overgrown since the previous owners had moved out a few months before we took ownership. Plus I don't think they did any upkeep ever to this place. Great deal though.

I am currently wiring my 20a switch/service to the attic air compressor and will begin to paint the wall soon after I finish painting the windows. I will provide better pics soon.

 

[IDASHO]

Nice place!

Thats pretty snug for a 3-car. My 2-car garage is 24x30

 

[ELS]

IDASHO,

Sweet build. I like the step by step photos and info. That attic trap door pulley system is sweet. Nice work. You got to love those tall ceilings.

 

[marty_p]

ELS:

Can't wait to see more progress. I, too, will soon have the same exact three-car, front right corner setup that you acquired -- that is, just as soon as our current house sells and we can move there. The better half loves the house, and I love the Man Land. They say a happy wife = a happy life! And it will certainly beat the 4' x 18' nook that I currently call paradise.

Have fun progressing, and keep us updated.

-Marty

 

[awakeinAZ]

Looking good, keep it up!

 

[XR80David]

As soon as temps rise a liitle more here in Michigan, I plan to grind or have someone bead blast my floors to prep it for epoxy from Original Color Chips (Devoe products). Then it's organize time with cabinets, shelves, etc.

![/QUOTE]


Make that vice-versa. Organize then coat.

 

[ELS]

Thanks all for the comments and advice. Ceiling done, walls done, all painted two coats. Built an air compressor pad out of 2x6's and picked up some foam for anti-vibration so it won't rattle my garage apart. Hoisted air compressor into attic and plumbed everything. The only thing missing is an auto-drain valve system and my regulator/drier/oiler, will install later with hard plumbing. I ran a 20a switch off my 20a service seperate to the compressor so I can start/stop from ground level. Really quiet up there even with no insulation. Started hanging a few shelves and the cabinets are next. I pulled all floor moldings off and will be painting them next, will install after floor are epoxy'd. Will post more pics soon.

 

[700jfm]

Looks real good I like the wench idea. Is that a coffin in the corner?

 

[TejasBimmer]

I like the idea of the compressor in the attic.
Any vibrations or noise heard inside the living spaces close to the garage?

 

[ELS]

700jfm,

Yeah, it's a coffin. My wife and I are die hard Halloween fans so we freak out the neighbors every year. It also serves as extra storage for more props while not in use. Too bulky to move in and out of the basement so I am stuck with it in the garage. At least it looks cool sitting there.

Tejasbimmer,

Actually, my Craftsman compressor is really quiet in the attic. I bet when I add insulation it will be even better. The vibrations are minimal and very tolerable. I didn't try it without the padding but I bet it's obnoxious. Much improved over the noise and vibration from when it sat in the garage, I had to shut the doors and leave for five minutes everytime it kicked on, crazy loud!

 

[700jfm]

700jfm,

Yeah, it's a coffin. My wife and I are die hard Halloween fans so we freak out the neighbors every year.

That's pretty cool. I was thinking that's what it was for, but now days you never know.

 

[rebl68]

hello neighbor, at least, sort of.....

garage is looking good, i like the compressor in the attic.

 

[ELS]

Rebl68,

Neighbors for sure. We moved from Macomb last August and looked at many homes in Rochester/Rochester Hills area. Actually put bids on some. But we found a killer deal on this one.

 

[rebl68]

they are out there and waiting! my wife and I bought ours about a year ago, and wished we waiting a little bit after seeing some of the prices now with other friends looking...

 

[DEV0]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to use some speakers I never installed into a car as ceiling speakers to save space.

How much did the power supply cost you? I'm somewhat picky about sound quality did you enclose the speakers at all or just screw them into the drywall/ceiling?

 

[ELS]

DEV0,

Just placed the 6 1/2" polks into the ceiling like you would recessed lighting. Sound is pretty good. I thought about making seperate enclosures in the attic between the 2x12's which would give it more low end since they are meant for a sealed enclosure. But since I am also running a 10" Infinity self powered sub, it fills in all the lows I need. It's definately loud and clear. The power supply was around $100 about three years ago. It's a Pyramid AC-DC Model #PS-21KX 20A supply. Works awesome. The only bummer is you have to reset your basic settings (bass, treble, stations, etc.) on the radio everytime you shut off the power supply since all power is lost(no memory voltage).

 

[marty_p]

ELS:

Awesome progression with your project. I love your now darker gray wall color for two reasons: the sharp contrast yielded against the white ceiling and the red and stainless items, and the way it will hide handprints and rubs. Could you share the paint code, please?

Also, your recessed cans and speakers look incredible -- which leads me to two more questions: What wattage bulb does each contain, and did you use any dimmer/dimmers with the lights?


Still waiting on our place to sell, while still planning my new space in the meantime...

-Marty

 

[ELS]

Marty_p,

Thanks for the compliments. The bulbs are Philips par30L 75w halogen floods. Nice bright white light, but they run hot. I am running two 20a switches (non-dimmers) to power them.

As for the paint, I will get you all the details later since I am at work. Two coats, just under three gallons. The color looks more gray in the pics but is actually a dark khaki/gray. Once I epoxy the floors and reinstall the white baseboards it should compliment each section nicely. I hope.

More to come.

Thanks,

-E

 

[chrislehr]

Tejasbimmer,

Actually, my Craftsman compressor is really quiet in the attic. I bet when I add insulation it will be even better. The vibrations are minimal and very tolerable. I didn't try it without the padding but I bet it's obnoxious. Much improved over the noise and vibration from when it sat in the garage, I had to shut the doors and leave for five minutes everytime it kicked on, crazy loud!

I just might have to look into plumbing my compressor up there... great idea.

 

[chrislehr]

Did you need to run a new circuit or 4 to the attic? I dont think I have any plug outlets up there.

 

[ELS]

Chrislehr,

Yes, I ran a new 20a service from the circuit box to the garage which powers four new outlets around the garage and a 20a switch that powers the outlet in the attic for the compressor. I leave the compressor switch to auto/on and Just hit the switch and the compressor kicks on and pumps to 140psi and shuts off. I regulate the air to the ceiling drop to 80psi. I leave the wall switch on if I am doing a project or just let it run for a short time to build up some pressure for quick use.

The only down fall will be high temps in summer and periodically purging of the drain valve. Something to think about.

 

[sreno]

This past weekend, I dealt with the same "2nd floor compressor" issue.

I put a simple desk fan on the same circuit as, and pointing at the compressor. When the switch is flipped in the main box, the fan comes on as well.

Pretty low-tech but it may help.

Shawn

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28505

 

[ELS]

Deja vu! but only silver. I like the fan idea ran off the same switch/circuit. Depending how much I use the compressor this summer and times, I may have to seriously take a look at a cooling solution. Nice thinking.

 

[ELS]

marty p,

The paint code is 1855/2-1855 Behr Premium Plus flat. Can't remember the actual name of the color but there you go.

 

[chicane]

Can I ask you where you got this speaker cover from?

http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29690&d=1239303527

 

[ELS]

Chicane,

My Polk's came with those grills/covers. I think it's a version of there Momo look/series form a couple years ago. Anyway they are Polk Audio db series db651.

Here is a link for more info.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB651/Polk-Audio-db651.html?tp=95

 

[ct71rr]

ELS, great looking garage. You've given me several great ideas for mine. I hope to be starting my renovation soon. Great job!

 

[rartuin270]

sweet coffin and garage, i built a coffin like that about a year ago for halloween

 

[T VETTE]

I like that attic idea! Wish I had one.

 

[GarageDetailer]

Garage looks great! That retractable air hose on the ceiling is handy. I have a retractable shop light on mine. Any concerns about the weight of the compressor in the attic spread over a small area?

 

[ELS]

Thanks all. Here are some new shots of the project. Decided to epoxy the floors. After renting a diamond grinder and spending about four hours on it.

 

[ELS]

Decided to go with Devoe products. All two part solvent based primer, base and clear. This is a shot of the two bay section after the primer. I decided to do the project in two sections. First two bay, then the one bay.

 

[ELS]

Next was the base and chips. Thick stuff. Went with a taupe base and medium to heavy light earth tone chip blend. All products came from Original Color Chips company. http://www.originalcolorchips.com/store/

These shots were obviously taken after clear coat and ample dry time. Came out better than I thought. Rock hard. I hope it lasts a while. A lot of work.

My wife and youngest even got into the act of helping/posing in my new paradise.

 

[larryv]

Came out nice. Great Job!

 

[LWW]

That looks great. I love the big windows. You must get lots of natural light in there and it will brighten things up with that light beige floor.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Deja vu! but only silver. I like the fan idea ran off the same switch/circuit. Depending how much I use the compressor this summer and times, I may have to seriously take a look at a cooling solution. Nice thinking.

Here's one option to make it slightly more efficient -- since the time the compressor is actually running might be a small percentage of the total time when you have the power switched on. Sears sells a load-sensing switch for $20 that automatically powers two outlets when a third starts to draw current. I have my compressor in a box in the basement, and the cooling fans for it now switch on whenever the compressor cycles on. (Guys also use the switch to run their sawdust-collecting shop vac whenever they switch their saws on.)

Also useful, since it will keep the garage cooler on hot days, is an attic fan that's triggered by a built-in temperature switch. For less than $80, I got one that replaces all of the air in my garage every four minutes or so. I run it with a $15 HF router speed control switch, so I can have different amounts of extraction (I use it above my welding table), but as it's configured stock it can switch on at anywhere from (if I remember it right) 70 degrees on up to 140 degrees or so.

Since I pulled the thermostat switch when I wired my fan in, I'm thinking of using that switch in the box with my compressor fans. But you could combine the two in an unenclosed attic installation. Just position the attic fan (or its thermo sensor) above the compressor.

A few things to think about. I can post links if anyone is interested.

That floor looks awesome.
________
universal health

 

[ELS]

Jack,

That's a great idea regarding the load sensing switch. I will do a sears/craftsmen search later. If you have any links, please pass them along.

Thanks again.

-Eric

 

[marty_p]

Eric:

Looking better ALL THE TIME! I officially love your lighting, speakers, walls, and now your floor.

Our previous future house (attached to my three-bay) won't materialize now because Ms. Head of the House there doesn't want to move now. But when we do close on something else, I'll be at HD the next weekend buying five gallons of Behr Premium + 1855/2-1855 flat thanks to you. Thanks for following up on all of my questions, and go love the heck out of your fine new space now!

-Marty