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The Bimmer Basement

TX4runner

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Car looks great. Can I drop off our Black E36 M3 in advance of BMW Ofest next year in Greenvile.
 

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Caddis295

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MPower,

Who was the company that built your dads garage? Do you have any pic's of the outside?

Thanks,

Caddis295
 
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Mpower5266

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Car looks great. Can I drop off our Black E36 M3 in advance of BMW Ofest next year in Greenvile.

Sure.... also I didnt know it was going to be in Greenville next year. Ill be there for sure.

There's a good chance I'll be in the Dahlonega and Suches area. A green Lancia is pretty easy to spot.

>Scott

We ended up just doing Deals Gap area, I developed a brake issue and didnt want to risk much more. More pics later in this post.

MPower,

Who was the company that built your dads garage? Do you have any pic's of the outside?

Thanks,

Caddis295

I believe its a Sturdy Built and I will try to get an exterior pic.


So on to my weekend. The wife and I headed out Thursday morning and made a slight(3 hour) detour up to Greer Sc to check out the Icon exhibit at the BMWCCA Foundation Museum. I can post the rest of the pics if you are interested.

IMG_6162 by mpower5266, on Flickr

It was amazing and worth the trip. I figured while I was in the area I would stop by the Bmw plant and try to get a pic out front. I was rushing to get it done before getting in trouble but while taking the pics an employee pulled up. Rather than getting in trouble they took pics of their own, so maybe they will do something with them on social media.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

After that it was to Clemson for lunch (my wife is an alumna) and then to Helen Ga for dinner and drinks. The next morning was time to drive..... Headed to the Dragon first thing where Killboy got some great shots.

2148438 by mpower5266, on Flickr

Here is the gopro footage of my only clean run, I think Im going to just go in the winter from now on. Im having trouble getting it to load in Hd if anyone has suggestions that would be great.


Then we drove the Skyway, where I experienced brake pad deposits I believe causing my abs system to go nuts. We just cruised it up and down and stopped by Bell Mountain on the way back to Helen.

IMG_6170 by mpower5266, on Flickr

IMG_6168 by mpower5266, on Flickr

IMG_6177 by mpower5266, on Flickr

IMG_6185 by mpower5266, on Flickr

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IMG_6190 by mpower5266, on Flickr

Saturday we hung out in Helen and relaxed. Then drove home Sunday where the old gal was looking a little rough after almost 800 miles of hard driving.

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So of course I gave it a quick bath.

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Anyway it was a great birthday weekend but now is back to work. Thanks for looking, and I promise more garage stuff. I have just started detailing the miniwag for a show this weekend so I will up date that as I go.
 

Purist

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Glad to see you had a great birthday/weekend! Thanks for sharing those photos. The ///M3 looks great, dude!

I told my wife the other day that my BMW itch is starting to come back...
 
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Mpower5266

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Glad to see you had a great birthday/weekend! Thanks for sharing those photos. The ///M3 looks great, dude!

I told my wife the other day that my BMW itch is starting to come back...

Every now and then I toss around the idea of selling the M3 but I think I would miss it too much.
 

hdv32

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I'e been following along on this thread for several years now and never commented. Great job on the garage and love the cars. Regarding your mothers BMW wagon I have a 2015 twin to your mothers and couldn't be happier. It was originally mine, but my wife has almost taken it over. I've rolled 45,000 miles in 30 months and just finished a 2000 mile trip and averaged 32MPG running 75+ most or the way. This is my wife and I's retirement road car and it's exceeded all our expectations. I plan on running it at least 150K.

I also have a Miata and am planning a fall trip to Tail of the Dragon etc. in it.
 
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Mpower5266

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I'e been following along on this thread for several years now and never commented. Great job on the garage and love the cars. Regarding your mothers BMW wagon I have a 2015 twin to your mothers and couldn't be happier. It was originally mine, but my wife has almost taken it over. I've rolled 45,000 miles in 30 months and just finished a 2000 mile trip and averaged 32MPG running 75+ most or the way. This is my wife and I's retirement road car and it's exceeded all our expectations. I plan on running it at least 150K.

I also have a Miata and am planning a fall trip to Tail of the Dragon etc. in it.

I love that wagon, I am really thinking about selling my Jeep GC for a Bmw wagon. And you will have a blast on the Dragon in your miata, just watch out for idiots crossing the yellow lines.

Nice pics from your weekend trip. Looks like the car cleaned up well.

Thanks. I have been trying a lot of new detailing products and all the coatings, sealants, and waxes have really done their job. I really didnt need much more that a good rinse but I gave it a full wash anyway. Speaking of washes I have Radwood at Road Atlanta this weekend and whats more rad than a fake wood grain on the out side of car?? So I started getting the MiniWag ready for the show last night. Started with a good foam cannon wash of chemical guys max suds with a little big of simple green xtreme mixed in to strip the sealant. Then hit it with a coat of Jescar Powerlock sealant.

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I am in love with that stuff, it even makes fake vinyl wood grain shine.... :lol_hitti

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Since you have to wait a few hours minimum for the power lock to cure before adding wax, I decided to knock out the interior. Cleaned the leather with lexol cleaner then conditioned with Nuvite leather conditioner and sealed with gyeon leather. I also wiped down the dash, doors, and console with Nexzett cockpit and cleaned the windows.

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During my cleaning I found this little guy. I think its an air compressor but I cannot find an outlet for it or its why its there. The car did come from the PNW and with the amount of road rash on the front and lack of miles it could have been towed behind an rv... Anyone have any insights? Here is a video of it running.

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Mpower5266

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Almost done with the jeep. I got the first coat of collinite on last night, polished the bumpers and treated all the rubber and trim.

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I also wasnt happy with the fabric on the seats, they had some staining so I tried a cleaner from work. I actually worked pretty well.

Before.
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After. Its good stuff, I am pretty impressed. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/aeroproducts09-04034.php?clickkey=42844

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One more coat of wax, clean and seal the windows, and dress the tires and I should be ready for Radwood.
 

LCG

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you need to make that mount for the rear with a super long extension.. that way we can see the car and the road in gran turismo style...
 
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Mpower5266

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So I had an absolute blast at Radwood this weekend. Saw some awesome cars, made some new friends, and saw some old ones. The Jeep was a hit, everyone seemed to love it. I didnt win anything but there were some killer cars there so Im not suprised. Here is my photo album if you want to check it out.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37472159@N07/albums/72157700676401685

Anyway, the floors are finally done in my dads shop so we moved the wags in. I cant wait to get the big one going, it just needs the exhaust hooked back up and to fix the ignition switch.

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Then I cleaned up part of the old basement, just to mess it up again. I started making tv bars again.

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I sold my personal one to a friend so I am keeping this one. More to come soon.

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Mpower5266

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Damn, you are a lucky dude! Best Buy charges us $30 to "recycle" old TVs, but they have to be complete. Can't just bring in a bare CRT.

Yeah they are pretty good. I can even fill paint cans with kitty litter and leave them out there for pick up. Speaking of paint, I finally got around to painting that awful siding around the door to the basement. Needs another coat and I have to do the door and trim eventually but it looks way better.

42513648460_dddcc98b7e_b.jpgUntitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

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I also touched up some of the spots around the shop that took a little damage when I was setting everything up.
 

GDPossehl

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I haven't been lurking much of GJ lately and stopped by to check out the thread only to have missed your entire addition. I noticed a fresh garage in your latest pics and had to go back to check it all out. Very cool.
 
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Mpower5266

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I haven't been lurking much of GJ lately and stopped by to check out the thread only to have missed your entire addition. I noticed a fresh garage in your latest pics and had to go back to check it all out. Very cool.

Thanks man, it was a journey to say the least. Now I need to get the old shop area back in shape.
 
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Mpower5266

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Finished painting the wall and trim, now I need to do the doors, which I will get to eventually. I hate painting.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

My wife gave me some wooden tiers she used when she was doing jewelry shows so naturally I used them to organize my detailing cabinet.

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So much room for more products!!!!!

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And my dad needed a smaller tv for their basement so he took my vizio and I got a bigger and nicer LG and put it up on the mount.

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The picture is about the same but the audio is way better and works better with the bose system so I am happy with it.
 

ttype976

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Looking good! Gotta keep the detailing supplies organized...you just have to. Its the rules.

Hey, is that header standing straight up art? (like welded art) Just curious.
 
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Mpower5266

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Looking good! Gotta keep the detailing supplies organized...you just have to. Its the rules.

Hey, is that header standing straight up art? (like welded art) Just curious.

Its a major award!!! :lol_hitti I won "peoples choice" at a show in the fall and that was the award.

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I had a fairly long weekend, I worked Sat but was off Sun-Mon-Tues, so I spent some time in the garage. Sunday we had some friends over for drinks and tacos on the deck but it was threatening to rain so we hung out in the basement instead. I let my buddy park in the garage since his car doesnt have windows. :lol_hitti

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Had some drinks, played some jenga and when the rain passed watched some football on the deck, it was a good time and the ac in the garage was awesome.

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Monday I got to work on some projects I have been putting off. I started by mounting a piece of wood on the wall for my pressure washer hose reel.

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I then painted said wood...

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Then I make up my feeder hose from the washer to the reel, collected all the fittings I purchased.

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I started to put it all together and figured out my pressure washer hose is M22-15mm not the standard M22-14mm so I ordered some parts..... This is turning into a bigger project than I was hoping it would be, financially at least. Oh well moving on, since the paint brush already had white on it I decided to paint a little. Put a couple coats on the doors leading into the basement..

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And then painted the man door and trim.

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I have about a week before the hose reel parts show up so as of now I dont have much to do down there except to clean up a little.
 
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Mpower5266

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Small update this weekend since I had to work Saturday again. We strung some lights up around the edge of the deck.

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It was nice to sit out there and watch the Clemson game and have a little light. Here is the view from on the deck.

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Sunday in between football games and running errands, I did a little cleaning in the basement. Filled some old paint cans with cat litter in preparation for a run to the dump later this week and just some general cleaning. I also almost finished my tv bar. Got all the wood cut and stained and I should be able to put it all together this afternoon.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

I am keeping this one.
 

BoilermakerFan

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Sunday in between football games and running errands, I did a little cleaning in the basement. Filled some old paint cans with cat litter in preparation for a run to the dump later this week and just some general cleaning. I also almost finished my tv bar. Got all the wood cut and stained and I should be able to put it all together this afternoon.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

I am keeping this one.

Can't wait to see the finished product. After we move in 18 months or so, my plan is to get a little detached "shed" that will have my shop in the back half and my Gentlemen's Lounge in the front half. I'll definitely track down an old TV to make a little bar for that space before I build in the big bar. I think it would be cool to turn one into a humidor too.
 
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Mpower5266

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Can't wait to see the finished product. After we move in 18 months or so, my plan is to get a little detached "shed" that will have my shop in the back half and my Gentlemen's Lounge in the front half. I'll definitely track down an old TV to make a little bar for that space before I build in the big bar. I think it would be cool to turn one into a humidor too.

I finished it up last night.

IMG_6331 by mpower5266, on Flickr

This room is mostly set up as a gentleman's lounge, I mean its the only room in the house that I am allowed to have car stuff.. :lol_hitti
 
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Mpower5266

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I took last Wed-Fri off work mainly to get the house ready for our house warming party but I also just needed some time off. Wed I got up and helped my dad a little with the Wagoneer, we had to move it around a little with the tractor. I took this opportunity to take the tractor through their neighborhood at full speed.

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Then we took the lift for its first spin...

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The wag is getting close, it needs a couple seals to fix the transmission leak, finish the exhaust install, and put a new carb on. I am hoping to knock some of if not all of that out by Sunday.

After that I finished up the pressure washer reel set up. It ended up be way more expensive that I intended. Its nice but it probably wasnt worth it in the end.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Other than that, I spent most of the weekend drinking beer and watching football with friends. It was relaxing but now I need to get back to some projects around the house.
 
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Mpower5266

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My dad an I finished what we needed to get done under the wagoneer so I got a chance to get my M3 on the lift to track down an oil leak.

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I think I tracked it down and ordered some parts but before I start ripping it apart I want to clean it and make sure that's the only leak. So I ordered a steam cleaner, a McCulloch mc1375.

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Hopefully I'll be able to give it a good steam over the weekend. Here is a before shot.

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TX4runner

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You could do like my buddy does with him BMW garage, and buys brake cleaner by the case to clean and dry everything under the car to track down leaks. I always have to bring at least 3 cans over when I ask for his help. Setups at both shops looking good!!
 
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Mpower5266

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You could do like my buddy does with him BMW garage, and buys brake cleaner by the case to clean and dry everything under the car to track down leaks. I always have to bring at least 3 cans over when I ask for his help. Setups at both shops looking good!!

I did that a little last night and it works but at 3 bucks a can it gets pricey. Plus I want to do the 02, both wagoneers, the m3, my dads tractor, and the interior in my wifes car so the steamer will get a lot of use.
 

pbon

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Have you used one before and know they work well in this application? Let us know after you use it. If it’s great, I might get one.
 
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Mpower5266

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Have you used one before and know they work well in this application? Let us know after you use it. If it’s great, I might get one.

I have watched a bunch of youtube videos and it comes highly recommended on detailing forums/facebook groups.
 

fourmotioneer

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I have watched a bunch of youtube videos and it comes highly recommended on detailing forums/facebook groups.

Curious to see how it goes - notes would be appreciated! I actually used my steam cleaner last evening, and didn't get a good result. I need to hop on youtube and see how exactly folks are using them. For even light grime, I didn't make much progress.
 
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Mpower5266

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Curious to see how it goes - notes would be appreciated! I actually used my steam cleaner last evening, and didn't get a good result. I need to hop on youtube and see how exactly folks are using them. For even light grime, I didn't make much progress.

What steam cleaner do you have?
 

fourmotioneer

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What steam cleaner do you have?

I've got a McCulloch MC1275. Compared the specs to what you ordered, and the MC1375 just puts out 58psi vs 48 psi for the MC1275. Flow rate is slightly higher on the smaller unit.

Used it again yesterday - still doesn't come close to brake cleaner, but it does certainly loosen the grime to be wiped with a towel. Maybe my expectation that it will blast grime away is off base.
 

pbon

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I do the engine degreaser on hot engine in self serve car wash usually. The steam cleaning sounds great if it works but I daily drive my cars year round including winter and think it would be really tough to get them spotless. I am considering taking everything off the underside and fixing rust. It’s a big job but probably the best way to get results. Drop rear subframe, drop engine, remove brake and fuel lines, exhaust, driveshaft, etc.
 
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