RAD Garage

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Thanks. I'm almost ashamed to say I am awaiting a few more substantial shipments! Splurged on a Flex 3401 and a few other goodies!

 

[Schleprock]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Thanks. I'm almost ashamed to say I am awaiting a few more substantial shipments! Splurged on a Flex 3401 and a few other goodies!

Wait you mean you didn't jump on the Rupes bandwagon?

Love what you've done in your garage it looks fantastic!!

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Thanks Schlep,
I must admit I did get a bit caught up in the allure of the Rupes at first, but something turned me off of it and I can't quite remember what it was. I must have watched a hundred YouTube videos before making up my mind!

 

[Pig In A Poke]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

The great thing about the Rupes is that now there are a lot of used flexes for sale at detailingbliss.com

 

[UN4GTBL]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Nice changes!

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Nice changes!

Thanks buddy.

If anyone is reading this and has a pretty solid understanding of air compressors, I'd love to pick your brain. I am considering upgrading to a more robust compressor for the garage. I have a 1/2" impact that I don't think my current Stanley FatMax can handle. I also am interested in this new fancy vacuum attachment that combines compressed air with your shopvac. Manufacturer suggests a compressor that can maintain at least 60 PSI for extended periods of time. I'm looking for something in the 30-60 gallon range, but am leaning towards an upright 30 since space is at a premium. Would love for it to be somewhat on the quiet side.

If anyone has a suggestion, would love to hear it. Been checking Kijiji a lot, but mostly massive units that are too much for what I'm looking for. Budget is flexible to a point. Would love to stay below $500 CDN.

 

[ARCTIC_RAGTOP]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Speaking of slick and organized workspaces! You keep it spotless, great space! Very well done.

 

[winnipegtibook]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I have been scouring our local Kijiji for almost a year, and it seems the Princess Auto Sanborn 30 gallon is really the "one" (when it goes on sale..comes down to $400ish).

So, you must show us pictures of this new fangled contraption you have?
Oh, and I have to complain to the 55 garage, for my recent purchase at Auto Obsession. It's all your fault.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Speaking of slick and organized workspaces! You keep it spotless, great space! Very well done.

Thanks. I appreciate your attention to my attention to detail!

I have been scouring our local Kijiji for almost a year, and it seems the Princess Auto Sanborn 30 gallon is really the "one" (when it goes on sale..comes down to $400ish).

Yes, I do have my eye on that one. The 20 gallon is pretty good, too. I will probably jump on one of them if they go back on sale.

So, you must show us pictures of this new fangled contraption you have?
Oh, and I have to complain to the 55 garage, for my recent purchase at Auto Obsession. It's all your fault.

Which one? The compressed air vacuum attachment? Looks pretty cool:

 

[winnipegtibook]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Whoah, that thing is crazy. I have dog hair that most shop vac's just don't get out. Now, if you don't mind me asking, where did you purchase such contraption?

I like the Aztec as well. It's 'almost' as slick as my 25 year old, $25 Sears "Kenmore-Cleanmore." It's paid for itself 10x over already.

PS - Princess Auto is having a "Garage Sale" tomorrow, and I think they just MIGHT have the Sanborn compressors on sale. I will call in the AM and post. This is my location here in the 'peg, but I believe it's cross-Canada.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I know, eh? It is available at eshine.ca and a few other online retailers. I haven't got the go-ahead from my wife, yet, but I think it will be an easy sell once she sees the YouTube clip. UPDATE: Just showed her. She showed me a $200 pair of sandals so we both got the go-ahead!

The Aztec will get its debut once the pre-treatment cleaner arrives. It's no Kenmore, but it should do alright! It will probably NEVER pay for itself.

I'll keep my eye on Princess Auto tomorrow. Although, I don't think I've done nearly enough research for a purchase this pivotal!

Have you updated your thread lately?

 

[winnipegtibook]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I will have to investigate further. Perhaps my 'savings' on the Kenmore can be used for this absurd crazy contraption.

Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow, the nice thing about PAL, you can always take it back. Sadly, there aren't as many options as down south. No real 'bargains', and it seems the selection is limited. Sigh.

I haven't been on the Forum much, and the Hockey Stick garage has been on a serious hiatus. However, I "think" there will be some actual interesting updates quite soon. I am finally getting the bike fixing workstation done, and finding a "place" for the Garage. Sadly, I won't be doing Volvo engine overhauls and still in the shadows of the serious members here. However, I do have some spring cleaning to do on the XC90. It's a mess.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I do have some spring cleaning to do on the XC90. It's a mess.

Haha! You're only one season behind! Snap to it!

 

[winnipegtibook]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Yes Master Rick. 8+ hours of slaving away on an (almost) 10 year old Volvo kiddie mover. Looks "almost" like new (except for the seats, Zaino didn't seem to do much to help restore them). PS - the world's best carpet extractor decided to stop working. I was in a panic. Not sure what I did to 'fix' it, other than blow junk out of a valve and reattach some brittle plastic adjustment knobs. I need to keep this thing going for a few years, in order to pay for itself 50X over.

 

[KevDawg]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Hey Rick,

Check out KMS Tools, they're fairly new to Calgary but have a great selection of compressors and accessories. I too am looking into a compressor and they seem to have very good knowledge about compressors.

Also if you sign up for their email newsletter, you'll get an email for 10% off your first purchase.

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Thanks very much, Kevin. i may pay them a visit this morning.

They have a couple I have been looking at.

 

[e-tek]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I have to say again I just LOVE this garage and would LOVE to get my attached looking even close to yours - but the floor is such a huge part and we just couldn't live without the catch-all mats. The amount of snow, mud and salt (potash even!) here would fill the space between the tiles in no time, then overflow above it. All winter we have standing water from the snow melt and at temps of minus 20C and below, it just cannot be hosed out. I squeegee it out every weekend but it gets caught up as it meets the frozen ice on the driveway. I don't know how you do it!

 

[Notch1988]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I have to say again I just LOVE this garage and would LOVE to get my attached looking even close to yours - but the floor is such a huge part and we just couldn't live without the catch-all mats. The amount of snow, mud and salt (potash even!) here would fill the space between the tiles in no time, then overflow above it. All winter we have standing water from the snow melt and at temps of minus 20C and below, it just cannot be hosed out. I squeegee it out every weekend but it gets caught up as it meets the frozen ice on the driveway. I don't know how you do it!

It's Calgary... he just waits for the next chinook to clean the floor LOL.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

To tell you the truth, I don't know how I do it at times. I guess not driving a lot helps, as do the timely Chinooks. Shop Vac and mop play a major role in my life!

I bought a new compressor today. Compact Makita with a pretty good punch. 6.0 CFM @ 90PSI should be more than enough for my needs.

 

[nicobkn]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I bought a new compressor today. Compact Makita with a pretty good punch. 6.0 CFM @ 90PSI should be more than enough for my needs.

Post pics!

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Post pics!

I tell you, choosing a compressor may go down as one of the most difficult processes I've ever put myself through! So many factors to consider. In the end, it came down to size, power, CFM's, and noise level and the Makita MAC5200 came out as the winner. It packs a pretty good punch for its small size. I had envisioned at least a 30-gallon, but given my usage habits, that would have been overkill. I just wasn't comfortable making that commitment.


IMG_8990 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr


IMG_8987 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr


IMG_8994 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr


IMG_8997 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

Besides that, I made a silly little change on my hose reel. The green and yellow colour scheme was throwing my mojo off, so I wrapped it with some 1" conduit. I don't know what's wrong with me.

BEFORE:

IMG_8792 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

AFTER:

IMG_9011 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

IMG_8994 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

I'm sorry but this just doesn't fit with the rest of the colour scheme.
I think that there may some paint coming this compressors way in the near future.

 

[battymatty]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Made some minor modifications to my space this weekend. A minor reorganization of some shelves along with the addition of a spray bottle rack. Also, created some labels for my most-used spray products. With all the major stuff out of the way, I have a lot of time to obsess about little details!


IMG_6957 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr


IMG_6964 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr


IMG_6991 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

Please tell me its not always this clean and tidy, i feel ashamed as my kitchen isnt even this tidy

 

[dubber]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I'm actually super surprised you didn't wrap it with black wire loom instead of grey, but either way it does look better your right. Nice little compressor. Have you run it yet? Is it quieter?

 

[dubber]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I'm sorry but this just doesn't fit with the rest of the colour scheme.
I think that there may some paint coming this compressors way in the near future.

Hahaha, oh no you have planted the seed....

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Hahaha, oh no you have planted the seed....

I'm a rotten little ****** really

 

[G20-Budo]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I'm actually super surprised you didn't wrap it with black wire loom instead of grey, but either way it does look better your right.

Wait a minute.. now that I look at it, I noticed the zip ties are White. That just won't do.. I think you need grey ones to match the conduit.

Hahaha, oh no you have planted the seed....

That he did.. I'm trying to water the seed now.

 

[super_mut]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Amazing garage. Do you have a preference when it comes to detailing your vehicles? I noticed you stock a lot of Griots products in your garage, however you have an assorted shelf full of products such as Zaino, Mothers, Ricks, Auto Glym, etc.

Any preferred waxes, sealants, polishes, etc?

 

[garagemahalpharoh]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I love what you have done with your garage Rick, a true inspiration. I was curious as to whether you have gotten around to getting your exposed aggregate driveway resealed yet? Reason I ask is I just recently did mine and thought I would share with you what I found out. AFter a ton of research and calling around, here in Red Deer, I chose to go with Northlands for the sealer. Their gloss sealer was $150 per pail and I am happy with my choice. I did try a roller to begin with and man it was a tedious job that I wasn't very happy with the results as it seemed I had trouble keeping the thickness consistant. I went to the hardware store and purchased a cheap chemical sprayer and I am convinced that is the easiest, and mosst consistant way to layer on the sealer. This is just my opinion but I thought I would share it with you as I can see the details make a difference in your life much the same as it does in my own.

 

[nicobkn]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Nice compressor Rick!

AFTER:

IMG_9011

haha i'd suggest using heat shrink tube instead

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

A round of applause for the Peanut Gallery!

Please tell me its not always this clean and tidy, i feel ashamed as my kitchen isnt even this tidy

I wish I had better news for you...

I'm sorry but this just doesn't fit with the rest of the colour scheme.
I think that there may some paint coming this compressors way in the near future.

Haha! The only way that would get a respray is if Makita did it factory custom, and something tells me that ain't gonna happen. The runner-up compressor was a DeWalt. It came down to aqua blue or yellow and aqua blue won.

I'm actually super surprised you didn't wrap it with black wire loom instead of grey, but either way it does look better your right. Nice little compressor. Have you run it yet? Is it quieter?

I thought I would spice things up with an intoxicating shade of grey!

Wait a minute.. now that I look at it, I noticed the zip ties are White. That just won't do.. I think you need grey ones to match the conduit.

Correction: clear zip ties

Nice compressor Rick!
haha i'd suggest using heat shrink tube instead

You guys are giving me a complex!

I have used the new compressor a little bit. The small tank fills lightning quick and it is pretty quiet. I'm thinking it will suit my needs perfectly.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Amazing garage. Do you have a preference when it comes to detailing your vehicles? I noticed you stock a lot of Griots products in your garage, however you have an assorted shelf full of products such as Zaino, Mothers, Ricks, Auto Glym, etc.

Any preferred waxes, sealants, polishes, etc?

Yeah, I like Griot's a lot. I'm, by no means, loyal to them, but I find they have a comprehensive line of products and they are easy to use. They are my "go to" product in many instances. I do like experimenting with other lines as well though. I just rec'd a pretty sizable shipment from AutoGeek containing Wolfgang, Meguiars, Mezerna, Black Fire, and some Chemical Guys compounds and polishes. There are so many awesome products on the market these days, it's hard to say what is the best. BTW, the "Rick's" spray bottles you see are actually Griot's products that I made custom labels for. I WISH I had my own line of detailing products.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I love what you have done with your garage Rick, a true inspiration. I was curious as to whether you have gotten around to getting your exposed aggregate driveway resealed yet? Reason I ask is I just recently did mine and thought I would share with you what I found out. AFter a ton of research and calling around, here in Red Deer, I chose to go with Northlands for the sealer. Their gloss sealer was $150 per pail and I am happy with my choice. I did try a roller to begin with and man it was a tedious job that I wasn't very happy with the results as it seemed I had trouble keeping the thickness consistant. I went to the hardware store and purchased a cheap chemical sprayer and I am convinced that is the easiest, and mosst consistant way to layer on the sealer. This is just my opinion but I thought I would share it with you as I can see the details make a difference in your life much the same as it does in my own.

It's funny you would make this post today, because I was actually up at the Calgary Northlands store today, but I couldn't pull the trigger. I was talking with a neighbor (and silently judging) who did his own driveway the other day. It's looks horrific. He said he struggled keeping the coat consistent as well. The sprayer definitely sounds like an option. Do you mind giving me a bit of information on the sprayer you picked up? (size, brand, store, price?). I am thinking of doing it sometime in early September. I'm happy to hear you were pleased with your results. Gives me hope!

 

[garagemahalpharoh]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I was worried I wouldn't be able to get it done properly but then after quite a bit of discussion between friends of mine that told me how easy it was I tried it. Here is a sprayer similar to the one I used. I just chose the cheapest one as it is a one time deal, when you are done spraying throw it away it will be useless for anything else. I paid $13.99 at the local hardware store(Blackfalds) where I live for mine. I was able to go over the spots that I used the roller and smooth them out by using the sprayer. It really is an easy job and definately a DIY job. Here is a quick pic of one pump action chemical sprayer to give you an idea of what I used. I hope this link works, I don't see a preview to check.

http://www.klenco-asia.com/klenco/pump-sprayer---epoca-tec-4-.html

Hope this helps, James

 

[G20-Budo]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I wish I had better news for you...

This answer cracked me up!

Correction: clear zip ties

They look White to me.

 

[Taurus]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

I really like that air compressor! That's something I will buy soon I think.

May I ask whats the reason to put the tires in a tire cover?

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Irelly like that air compressor! That's something I will buy soon I think.

May I ask whats the reason to put the tires in a tire cover?

It's a nice little compressor for a modest space. I just couldn't justify anything bigger considering what I need it for. There was one little compressor by California Air that was so quiet I couldn't believe it. Just wasn't strong enough for my impact wrench.

I love my tire covers. Putting wheels up and taking them down would be a very messy affair without them. Plus, the handles on the carriers make it easy to move them around. Lastly, I think they give my space a tidy look. Here's a little peak into my OCD, I actually remove all the tiny rocks that become embedded in the tread prior to putting the carriers on. Only takes about an hour.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

This answer cracked me up!



They look White to me.

It's never messy. There's a pile of dishes in the kitchen with my name on them, but the garage is immaculate.

The clear plastic ties and the grey flex tube give the space a heavy duty industrial look....don't you think?

 

[Titanium Frost]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Just to start, this is probably my favorite garage thread....I've gone through it a couple of times and still admire the attention to detail.

I'm planning a redo on my single garage and have been writing down notes and ideas while on holiday. I'm looking forward to getting started when i get back to Vancouver next week. I have a couple questions for you:

What made you choose that particular water hose reel? Did you consider the Rapid Reel? Or where you looking for a retracting one? Ditto for the extension cord reel? I have a crappy Suncast at the moment, which I will be replacing, but I have very limited room because of where I plumbed the hose bib. Did you ever consider a Gardena hose reel?

What sprayers are you using for your detailing products? I like the look of them being all the same and hanging up in a line. I have some Zep sprayers from HD for my detailing products and love the fact I can walk into HD when the sprayers stop pumping and they give me a new one no fuss...but of course they seem to like to change the design of the head, which is no good for my OCD aesthetic.
(EDIT: I see from a recent post that they are Griots sprayers...how do the seals in the heads stand up to the products?)

The floor is still a question mark...I want to do freeflow Racedeck, but I'm still on the fence on that because I use the space for woodworking and automotive...and have woodworking tools on small casters...what's your experience moving items around? Would the wheels get caught in the grooves of the flooring?

Great job on your space...and thanks in advance.

Cheers
Oliver B.
Vancouver, BC
1990 Ford Mustang (race car)
2006 WRX - my daily driver
2006 Mazda 3 - the wife's ride

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Double Garage in Calgary, CAN

Just to start, this is probably my favorite garage thread....I've gone through it a couple of times and still admire the attention to detail.

Thanks for the kind words. I can tell by your questions, you are as obsessed with the little things as I am. I have never had anyone inquiry specifically about my spray bottles!

HOSE

What made you choose that particular water hose reel? Did you consider the Rapid Reel? Or where you looking for a retracting one? Ditto for the extension cord reel? I have a crappy Suncast at the moment, which I will be replacing, but I have very limited room because of where I plumbed the hose bib. Did you ever consider a Gardena hose reel?

Great question. Coiling hoses has always been a pain in my neck so I decided I was getting a retractable one. I started by checking out the local big box stores and HD and I just didn't feel like the hose reels I was finding were what I was looking for, so I took my search online and the Retracta line of reels by Macnaught kept coming up. I had trouble finding a place to purchase one so I kind of gave up. Then, I saw a 50' 1/2" one on the Griot's Garage website. It turns out, it is made by Macnaught. I considered a Gardena but nothing really caught my eye. So, I pulled the trigger on this one, and I love it. It recoils like a mother and I have never had trouble with it kinking or bunching up. But, it's big. It takes up a lot of space. Considering you have a single, it may be worth looking at something like Dubber picked up:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182142&page=19 (POST #378)

Here's mine:

hose by 55cadillacking, on Flickr


As for the retractable extension cord, I originally purchased a Bayco but the POS blew the first time I plugged my shopvac into it. I later discovered it was rated at 10 amps. What a wimpy piece of junk. So, I went with this 12-guage, 3-socket, 15-amp, 40' foot model by Alemite. It has been awesome. I have a retractable LED work light coming soon to complete my retractable collection. I got it through an ebayer: hardware_sales_inc. They have been great to deal with. I get a lot of my tools through them.

Here's the link to the cord I have:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140988636270?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Good luck with your decision. I do LOVE the retractable hose so much more than a conventional one.

SPRAY BOTTLES

What sprayers are you using for your detailing products? I like the look of them being all the same and hanging up in a line. I have some Zep sprayers from HD for my detailing products and love the fact I can walk into HD when the sprayers stop pumping and they give me a new one no fuss...but of course they seem to like to change the design of the head, which is no good for my OCD aesthetic.
(EDIT: I see from a recent post that they are Griots sprayers...how do the seals in the heads stand up to the products?)

The ones you see hanging in a line are all Meguiars bottles I picked up at a local Auto Zone. I think I bought a dozen of them. I had plans to use these bottles for ALL my products, but then I kind of went a little crazy with products so that didn't work out. I wet sanded the Meguiars logo off each bottle and added a custom label I made with my printer on each of them. But, after a while, I just decided to stick with the bottles things came in.

Here's the specific bottle I chose. They have been awesome.
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/meguiars-spray-bottle.html

FLOOR

The floor is still a question mark...I want to do freeflow Racedeck, but I'm still on the fence on that because I use the space for woodworking and automotive...and have woodworking tools on small casters...what's your experience moving items around? Would the wheels get caught in the grooves of the flooring?

It's the million dollar question. RaceDeck's FreeFlow is quite a versatile option. Casters are no problem on FreeFlow so that's a non-issue. Depending on how much mess your woodworking generates, it could be a pain, but a strong shopvac will easily pick up all the debris from between the tiles. It's a pretty amazing floor and it just adds so much to a space. If you are on the obsessive side, this floor is for you! The fact that you are located in Vancouver, makes me think it would be the perfect flooring choice for your single! I'm sure you've seen the numerous threads with it featured (Dubber, Chad, NCAudi, 93Toy, and others). People who go this route end up LOVING it.

Here's a great review of the FreeFlow by 93Toy:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206333

I hope that helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Good luck!