RAD Garage

[G20-Budo]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Very nice Rick, thank you for sharing. This is one of the things that worries me about RD flooring. I do enough work on my cars, requiring jacking them up to make me think I couldn't have the RD flooring, but you have proved it shouldn't be an issue. Now if I can just get to the point where I could get the flooring.

 

[dubber]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Same wheels for winter and summer? Nice job. Always good showing people those pics as its often a question.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Very nice Rick, thank you for sharing. This is one of the things that worries me about RD flooring. I do enough work on my cars, requiring jacking them up to make me think I couldn't have the RD flooring, but you have proved it shouldn't be an issue. Now if I can just get to the point where I could get the flooring.

It's just a matter of lugging the rubber mat around. It isn't a giant PITA, but compared to actually unfastening a section of the floor, this is much easier. Still, if someone were doing a lot of lifting, I would steer them to a solid tile.

Same wheels for winter and summer? Nice job. Always good showing people those pics as its often a question.

Yeah, he opted for a replica set of 18-inch Hartmanns to go with his OEM summer 19's. I think he paid $285 per wheel. That wheel looks good on his car especially since he went with the black optic package. Very smart.

 

[hilld]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

What is the color of your SQ5. I just picked one up this past weekend and the only blue they offer here in the US is the Sepang Blue, which I ended up getting. Your's looks a lot darker, unless that is an optical illusion.

 

[dubber]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

What is the color of your SQ5. I just picked one up this past weekend and the only blue they offer here in the US is the Sepang Blue, which I ended up getting. Your's looks a lot darker, unless that is an optical illusion.

Pretty sure i read somewhere that they have stopped using the colour he chose, Estoril blue.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Yup, Sepang wasn't available on the MY2014s. The only blue was Estoril, so that's what mine is. Are they still offering the Estoril, I wonder?

BTW, congrats on your new SQ5. I hope you end up loving yours as much as I love mine.

 

[ajohno]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Rick,

I love your blog. Particularly with the way you have a place for everything.

I have copied a few ideas about cleaning my car.

You will have to show us the washing car process.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Thanks, Aaron. I will be sure to share as much as I possibly can about everything that goes on in the garage.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

I have been back and forth for weeks about what to do with my lighting. I currently have 4 2-lamp T8 flush mount fixtures in there. I was leaning towards just replacing the current fixtures with 4-lamp models, but now my Brother-in-law has entered the picture. His firm did all the electrical on our house and he is known for going overboard with these kind of things. Last I heard, he was looking into LED lighting. I mentioned maybe adding a few more fixtures and he was all over it, so I'm looking forward to hearing what he has cooking.

 

[Thierry]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Hi Rick,
I just look at your video on your blog where you clean your wheel... inside your garage, using foam and many water

So, what about your racedeck and how do to clean and dry the ground after that ?

Thanks
Thierry

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Hi Rick,
I just look at your video on your blog where you clean your wheel... inside your garage, using foam and many water

So, what about your racedeck and how do to clean and dry the ground after that ?

Thanks
Thierry

The edge pieces at the front of my garage prevent water from freely flowing out the garage onto the driveway even though the Free Flow tiles act as a floating floor. When I'm just using water, I just remove the edge trim pieces and let the water "free flow" right out the door, but when I'm using soap it gets a bit trickier. I actually use my shop vac to vacuum up the soap that becomes barricaded by the trim pieces and within the grills of the tiles. The ideal situation would be to have a drain in the centre of the floor, but that was an option I just didn't consider when we built our home. Wishing I had one. I hope that answers your question. Maybe I'll video it at some point.

 

[Thierry]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Thank you for your answer

In fact, I project to install racedek tiles in my garage too but my question about the "drying" was because here in Belgium, rain is regular, so I want to know if it was not a problem or to hard to dry a wet garage with the racedek tiles installed.

And with your answer, it seems that water draw down the tiles. That's fine

 

[69bigblok]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

I have been back and forth for weeks about what to do with my lighting. I currently have 4 2-lamp T8 flush mount fixtures in there. I was leaning towards just replacing the current fixtures with 4-lamp models, but now my Brother-in-law has entered the picture. His firm did all the electrical on our house and he is known for going overboard with these kind of things. Last I heard, he was looking into LED lighting. I mentioned maybe adding a few more fixtures and he was all over it, so I'm looking forward to hearing what he has cooking.

Oh man you are going to make me really jealous now! LED's would be awesome. Anytime someone is willing to go overboard on your garage then that sounds good to me. Can't wait to hear what he comes up with. I have a feeling you will win the lighting war with some nice lighting. I can tell you that going with better lighting has been one of the best things I've upgraded so far - should have done it sooner and I bet you will like it too with all the detailing you do.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

My BIL presented me with 5 interesting options, one of them being LED, but LED is too much of a risk at this point. I just don't know if I will like them or not, plus they were far and away the most costly option.

Looks like I will keep the 4 2-lamp 4-footers in place and we are going to install 4 more of the exact same fixture but run them perpendicular down the sides of the garage to spread the light out. Should happen on Friday. The other options were moving to T5 fixtures, 8' fixtures and a sealed T5 High Output unit.

This option will get me light when I am working on the sides of a car. At present, I'm fighting shadows unless I'm working on the hood or roof.

 

[diggler306]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Very much looking forward to seeing the result Rick!

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Well, after many months of rumination, I have finally added some extra lighting to the garage. I have gone from four 4' 2-lamp T8's to nine. I also changed out the bulbs to Sylvania 32 watt "Cool White" which are superb. My photography skills don't do the "after" shot justice. It has gone from a detailing garage to a dealing "theatre". With a car parked in the centre of the garage, it is bathed in light.

Not the most orthodox layout, I'll admit, but the best me and the contractor could come up with given the garage rail mounts. I'm happy.

BEFORE:

IMG_0635 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

AFTER:

IMG_0664 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

I've detailed the process a bit more on the lighting page of my site.

 

[dubber]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Looks great man. I use the cool white bulbs as well, its my favorite "colour". Did you think about putting one on that lower bulk head section? I've got the opposite situation in my garage, mine goes up a foot and a half there.

 

[Denwood]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Rick, the Philips TL950 is a 32 watt high CRI (over 95) "full spectrum" at 5000K color temperature. They are miles better than the typical lower CRI bulb. We have 9500 sq/ft done with these bulbs spec' by me due to their excellent color rendering/accuracy. You may want to try these as I suspect color is important in detailing. My staff loves them.

I've never found these stocked anywhere but order them by the case from one of the local wholesalers.

 

[69bigblok]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Wow Rick that looks great!

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Looks great man. I use the cool white bulbs as well, its my favorite "colour". Did you think about putting one on that lower bulk head section? I've got the opposite situation in my garage, mine goes up a foot and a half there.

Thanks Dubber!

The other side of the bulk is a bit of a quandary. Down the road, I may investigate adding some light there, but for now, it's too much of a hassle and expense since there's no easy access to power. I may be able to get over that beam and tap into the garage opener outlet, but all of this labour is at the expense of my Brother-in-law so I have to be judicious. I'd love to add four retrofit pots to that area at some point. Next summer?

In the meantime, it's actually a LOT brighter than the photo illustrates.

IMG_0682 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

Rick, the Philips TL950 is a 32 watt high CRI (over 95) "full spectrum" at 5000K color temperature. They are miles better than the typical lower CRI bulb. We have 9500 sq/ft done with these bulbs spec' by me due to their excellent color rendering/accuracy. You may want to try these as I suspect color is important in detailing. My staff loves them.

I've never found these stocked anywhere but order them by the case from one of the local wholesalers.

When the time comes to upgrade I will be sure to look into the Philips 950's. Can't justify it right now since I just shelled out for the Sylvania's, which are getting the job done for now. Thanks for posting.

Wow Rick that looks great!

Thanks, Chad. Your recent lighting upgrade was the fire under my **** I needed. I'd say it's 150% better now. What are we going to do next?

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

While the electricians were wiring up my new lighting, the SQ was outside. Calgary is sitting under a massive Arctic ridge and our temps are in the -20 to -30 Celcius range. She was happy to get inside.

IMG_0645 by 55cadillacking, on Flickr

Thank goodness for the Space Ray infrared heater.

 

[G20-Budo]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Rick, GREAT job on the lighting upgrade. I have a 3 car and was thinking about a similar layout, but with putting the vertical rows of lights on the ceiling between the cars, not direction over them. And then placing the cross row of lights at the head of the garage and then down closer to where the garage doors are. In thinking about it now, I like how you have it. The cross bar lighting is at like 1/3 from the front wall and 1/3 from the garage doors? It looks like you now have GREAT light coverage! What model light fixture did you go with?

And I'm curious why you went with more 2 bulb fixtures instead of going with the 3 or 4 bulb fixtures? Did you feel you'd get a better spread of light by going with more 2 bulb fixtures?

 

[jsherid1]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Nice job on the lights, you make me feel guilty for the lack of progress on finishing out my spaces.

Btw, Stay warm-- I was just in Calgary last week during what the locals called a warm spell and this Texas boy was still freezing! Calgary is a neat city but damn it's cold!

 

[andersen24]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Just got done reading all 60 pages of your build - very cool to see the transformation from Day 1 to it's current status. Also loving reading your blog on your site. My hat off to you!

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Nice job on the lights, you make me feel guilty for the lack of progress on finishing out my spaces.

Btw, Stay warm-- I was just in Calgary last week during what the locals called a warm spell and this Texas boy was still freezing! Calgary is a neat city but damn it's cold!

Last week was pretty mild, but you Texans have a different idea of warm weather! You should have looked me up. Next time.

Rick, GREAT job on the lighting upgrade. I have a 3 car and was thinking about a similar layout, but with putting the vertical rows of lights on the ceiling between the cars, not direction over them. And then placing the cross row of lights at the head of the garage and then down closer to where the garage doors are. In thinking about it now, I like how you have it. The cross bar lighting is at like 1/3 from the front wall and 1/3 from the garage doors? It looks like you now have GREAT light coverage! What model light fixture did you go with?

And I'm curious why you went with more 2 bulb fixtures instead of going with the 3 or 4 bulb fixtures? Did you feel you'd get a better spread of light by going with more 2 bulb fixtures?

Thanks. The layout was done "on the fly" since those pesky brackets were not cooperating. I hear what you are saying about mounting them down the middle and around the perimeter. The top of the car will always get light, but it gets tricky lighting the sides so this layout is working awesome if I pull a car in the middle (which I always do).

I kept the four I had and added 5 more of the same brand because it was cost effective and just made the most sense. Like you say, the goal was to spread light around. I considered upgrading to a bigger fixture, but I think I played my cards correctly. It really is bright in there now. The garage looks twice as big. I wish I could replicate it in photos. You'll just have to take my word for it.

These are the units I have: http://www.viscor.com/catalog/MNE/QPDF.pdf

Just got done reading all 60 pages of your build - very cool to see the transformation from Day 1 to it's current status. Also loving reading your blog on your site. My hat off to you!

Awesome. If you made it through the whole thread, you have indeed seen the evolution. Thanks for checking out my blog. I never know if I'm the only one who visits it!

 

[G20-Budo]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

...I considered upgrading to a bigger fixture, but I think I played my cards correctly. It really is bright in there now. The garage looks twice as big. I wish I could replicate it in photos. You'll just have to take my word for it.

These are the units I have: http://www.viscor.com/catalog/MNE/QPDF.pdf

I don't want to take your word for it, I want to come see your garage some day! I really do think your idea of putting more two bulb fixtures around is the right way to go. Doing some planning, looks like I'd need 8 (GULP) more 2 bulb fixtures to get the basic light coverage I'd like, where I'd like it. Thanks again for your inputs and info.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Can you keep a secret? My BIL probably won't even charge me for the work. Shhhh!

If you really want to go overboard, you could do something like this:




Paul Dalton out of the UK. One of the top detailers in the world. Nice space.

 

[G20-Budo]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Your BIL sounds like a nice guy.
As for Paul Daltons space, yes nice.. LOTS of light, but no race deck flooring?

I don't need that much light, but I have visited some friends detail shops, and all the extra light sure is nice.

 

[jsherid1]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Thanks Rick, I will look you up next time. This trip was in and out faster than a randy jackrabbit.

 

[diggler306]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Schwing! Now that's better eh! Did you source those fixtures from a local shop? I bet it feels like a huge improvement.

Stay warm! I hear your jumping into the + side soon though... (send it our way)

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Schwing! Now that's better eh! Did you source those fixtures from a local shop? I bet it feels like a huge improvement.

Stay warm! I hear your jumping into the + side soon though... (send it our way)

It is so much better. Sadly, I am now able to clearly see how thoroughly dirty my car is!

The fixtures were ordered through EECOL Electric and installed by my brother-in-law's company.

 

[dubber]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

I've been drooling over pics of Paul's "Operating theater" for a couple years.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Rick, the new lights look great. I have 32 T5 6500K high bay bulbs in my garage and the amount of light in the garage is just awesome. It makes working inside the garage just so much better.

I was wondering if you could provide some feedback on some of your washing equipment. I was reading over your blog and forum and noticed you use both a Tornado Foam Gun and a Foam Cannon on your pressure washer. Have you ever tried to use the Tornado Foam Gun as a replacement for your Foam Cannon? I have seen some video where people have. Just wondering how much your compressor has to run.

The reason I am asking is I often wash my vehicles in the winter to get all the salt off and just looking for an easier quicker method then the two bucket method. Trying to decide if I should go with a foam gun (water hose type), Tornado Foam Gun (air compressor), or Foam Cannon (pressure washer). From what I hear the pressure washer is the way to go but my problem is I don't have one yet but I do have a ~30 gallon compressor. I was also thinking about purchasing an engine bay wash gun since they run on air and water and see if I could make a better type of Tornado type foam gun.

Any feed back on the tools would be great.

Bob

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Hey Bob,
I can definitely give you some info on the various guns I use, but first, let me first ask you a few questions so I can give you a complete answer. 1. Do you care how much water ends up on the floor of your garage? 2. How dirty are we talking?

Rick

 

[bob_the_builder]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Hi Rick,

I live in Southern Ontario so our weather would be similar to yours just maybe not as cold and our season is probably not as long as your out west. My main concern or purpose would be winter cleaning. In the summer when its nice out I wash the truck once a week with Adams products and probably clay and PC buff once every two month. I am just looking for a quick clean in the winter months to get the main road salt and dirt of the truck. You know how it is, after a few days of winter driving your vehicle comes out white. This is my daily driver but I often treat it as my fun summer driver.

Regarding the water on the floor, I do not have it in the budget for a nice Race Deck floor yet so I really do not care how dirty the floor gets. I am more concerned with trying to keep the over-spray controlled and off the walls. I do not mind washing small cars for friends inside but the truck is so big I find it harder to clean the roof and upper ares in a controlled manor. I was even thinking about washing outside and then bringing in for soap and then back outside of washing off the soap.

Here is a pic of my garage. (More if you check out the link in my sig).

 

[bob_the_builder]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Hey Rick,

Where did you end up purchasing your Tornado Foam Gun and your Foam Cannon. So far the places I have looked shipping to Canada get expensive.

Bob

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Bob, I was planning on doing a blog post outlining the pros and cons of each gun. I think, given your circumstances, the Tornador may be the best choice simply because it doesn't blow foam all over the place. A 30 gallon compressor would easily handle the demands of the Tornador. I got mine through autoobsessed.com and they have free shipping if you make a purchase over $150. If I had a bit more time (I'm at work), I'd do a more thorough review of it for you, but I think it would suit your needs quite nicely. It won't flood your floor with buckets and buckets of water.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

Thanks Rick. I will keep my eyes out for your blog update. I read the Tornado gun use a lot of foam, what do you I would use to wash the truck? More then what I would need with the foam cannon?

Bob

 

[Nautical]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

I've been following this thread for awhile and also checking out your blog, and this has to be one of my favorite garages on here. Looks great!

As for winter washes, you guys could look into rinseless washes depending on how dirty the car is. If it's really dirty, just stop by a car wash to spray it off and continue washing at home.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Rick's Audi Double

I've been following this thread for awhile and also checking out your blog, and this has to be one of my favorite garages on here. Looks great!

As for winter washes, you guys could look into rinseless washes depending on how dirty the car is. If it's really dirty, just stop by a car wash to spray it off and continue washing at home.

Thanks for following, Nautical. I do quite a few rinseless washes using three different brands, Optimum, Griot's Garage, and Adam's. They are okay when things are slightly dirty, but I get caked on dirt with the roads here. I used to take my car to the nearby "Glide" touchless wash, but it is getting so busy now. My nearest coin-op is quite a ways away, so it is usually as dirty as it was when I left by the time I get back home. It is particularly bad when we have mild temps after a big snowfall. I actually prefer minus-20 over plus-5.