Ford52PU
Well-known member
Glad they’re making progress on the old Gal. Best of luck!
Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The Mary Kay Garage
- Thread starter pickles
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Really looking forward to seeing the restoration.
billconner
Well-known member
Just feed it a little Friskies everyday.
xtremek
Well-known member
Some good news. Any idea what they'e done to it so far?
I don’t actually. The update and photo didn’t come from WW Motorcars but instead from a relative who lives in that town, drove buy and saw it idling in the parking lot. I do expect and update from the restoration shop soon. Will summarize it here when I get it.
The last few weekends I’ve been primarily working on the basement home theater that is my winter project this year. I’m at the stage right now where most of the work involves spackling, sanding and painting. All three are tasks I hate. So as a way to productively procrastinate I decided to work on getting a way to listen to some garage tunes.
I’ve had an Amazon echo dot in the garage for the last few months which has been fine if I wanted to listen to the news but it’s horrible for music. I Needed an upgrade. I have some old stereo equipment in the basement - stuff I bought when I was in my twenties and really into music. One of the things I had was an old Bang & Olufsen system that I bought at least twenty years ago. It’s certainly out of date (I don’t own any cassettes anymore) but it sounds good, is fairly small and it’s paid for. I put together a little shelf for it today and hung it on my wall above the workbench and window.
Obviously it’s up fairly high but I still have the remote so I can turn it off and on , adjust the volume and change the radio station. It has a CD player too and I still have about 500 CDs. Given that changing the disk would involve using a step ladder I suspect I never use it for CDs. Nonetheless I think it will be nice to have some music in the garage.
I’ve had an Amazon echo dot in the garage for the last few months which has been fine if I wanted to listen to the news but it’s horrible for music. I Needed an upgrade. I have some old stereo equipment in the basement - stuff I bought when I was in my twenties and really into music. One of the things I had was an old Bang & Olufsen system that I bought at least twenty years ago. It’s certainly out of date (I don’t own any cassettes anymore) but it sounds good, is fairly small and it’s paid for. I put together a little shelf for it today and hung it on my wall above the workbench and window.
Obviously it’s up fairly high but I still have the remote so I can turn it off and on , adjust the volume and change the radio station. It has a CD player too and I still have about 500 CDs. Given that changing the disk would involve using a step ladder I suspect I never use it for CDs. Nonetheless I think it will be nice to have some music in the garage.
If it has rca jack in you can get a cable for you phone/iPad and listen to pandora for free. What I do.The last few weekends I’ve been primarily working on the basement home theater that is my winter project this year. I’m at the stage right now where most of the work involves spackling, sanding and painting. All three are tasks I hate. So as a way to productively procrastinate I decided to work on getting a way to listen to some garage tunes.
I’ve had an Amazon echo dot in the garage for the last few months which has been fine if I wanted to listen to the news but it’s horrible for music. I Needed an upgrade. I have some old stereo equipment in the basement - stuff I bought when I was in my twenties and really into music. One of the things I had was an old Bang & Olufsen system that I bought at least twenty years ago. It’s certainly out of date (I don’t own any cassettes anymore) but it sounds good, is fairly small and it’s paid for. I put together a little shelf for it today and hung it on my wall above the workbench and window.
Obviously it’s up fairly high but I still have the remote so I can turn it off and on , adjust the volume and change the radio station. It has a CD player too and I still have about 500 CDs. Given that changing the disk would involve using a step ladder I suspect I never use it for CDs. Nonetheless I think it will be nice to have some music in the garage.
I know this is the Garage Journal so I want to give you all fair warning that this post, like probably most of the posts I do the next three or four months are likely to be decidedly non-garage Related. When there are interesting Mary Kay updates I will be happy to share but the rest of this is going to be home theater related.
I know Ive said this before but our house is a greystone. It’s a common style of house in Chicago and was built about 130 years ago. We’ve lived here for about 15 years. Like most greystones it was built as a two flat, one family on the main floor, another on the second floor and a basement, unfinished, that is only partly under ground beneath. That’s what our house looked like except that someone had finished the basement at som3 point probably 10 or 15 years before we bought it. About 10 years ago we did a whole house remodel, adding on to the back and also converting it into a proper single family home. We didn’t touch the basement however. There was no money and it was good enough. Also we really didn’t expect to use that space much. There was a guest bedroom down there that was used by the various au pairs we had when the kids were young. My woodshop is down there and there is some storage and a bathroom. Lastly there was an open room that had a tv and was probably best used as a kids playroom. That room was seldom used. My 15 years old son sometimes plays guitar there but otherwise it was becoming mostly disorganized storage.
The downstairs space didn’t match the rest of the house stylistically and after so many years of use it’s pretty beat up. It needs an update.
At the start of Covid we converted the guest bedroom to a home gym. I tore out the carpet and put down rubber flooring. I put in new baseboard to match upstairs and I repainted. There is a Peltoon and a treadmill. It’s nice.
But that left the other room. Time to both update it and convert it into a home theater. Here is where I am so far.
this will be the wall where the screen goes
In faint red I have marked out a 100 inch diagonal screen. The open space below is where I plan to put 4 18 inch subwoofers. The space was finished before but this wall is new. I put it up both to create a recess for the subs and also to add a little more Storage in a closet like space that is behind this wall. I tore out some of the carpet to be able to put down the wall. All of the basement carpet will be replaced
I know Ive said this before but our house is a greystone. It’s a common style of house in Chicago and was built about 130 years ago. We’ve lived here for about 15 years. Like most greystones it was built as a two flat, one family on the main floor, another on the second floor and a basement, unfinished, that is only partly under ground beneath. That’s what our house looked like except that someone had finished the basement at som3 point probably 10 or 15 years before we bought it. About 10 years ago we did a whole house remodel, adding on to the back and also converting it into a proper single family home. We didn’t touch the basement however. There was no money and it was good enough. Also we really didn’t expect to use that space much. There was a guest bedroom down there that was used by the various au pairs we had when the kids were young. My woodshop is down there and there is some storage and a bathroom. Lastly there was an open room that had a tv and was probably best used as a kids playroom. That room was seldom used. My 15 years old son sometimes plays guitar there but otherwise it was becoming mostly disorganized storage.
The downstairs space didn’t match the rest of the house stylistically and after so many years of use it’s pretty beat up. It needs an update.
At the start of Covid we converted the guest bedroom to a home gym. I tore out the carpet and put down rubber flooring. I put in new baseboard to match upstairs and I repainted. There is a Peltoon and a treadmill. It’s nice.
But that left the other room. Time to both update it and convert it into a home theater. Here is where I am so far.
this will be the wall where the screen goes
In faint red I have marked out a 100 inch diagonal screen. The open space below is where I plan to put 4 18 inch subwoofers. The space was finished before but this wall is new. I put it up both to create a recess for the subs and also to add a little more Storage in a closet like space that is behind this wall. I tore out some of the carpet to be able to put down the wall. All of the basement carpet will be replaced
On the other side of the room you can see the area where the seating will go. The room is small so there will be only one row of seating. I will have to decide if that is going to be a row of three theater chairs or some sort of couch.
These were previously finished walls. The two windows you see are part of the facade of our house. Thus far all I’ve done is tear out the baseboard and cut a couple holes for the surround speakers.
The mound of stuff you see here is most of the stuff I’ve been purchasing for the theater. Speaker cable, two pairs of Triad surround speakers, tools etc. I’ve also purchaed three Triad silver main speakers
Im trying not to completely break the bank here. All of the speakers have been purchase used. I’m still looking for four Atmos. Speakers that will go in the ceiling.
Again to keep the costs down some I’ve purchased some things with Amex points. I bought a Marantz 8105 with points this summer. Will be ordering a projector with Amex points shortly as well. I’d like to think I can get a screen with points as well
the room itself is small. It’s ten foot wide. Ceilings are 7.5 foot high and the length at its lonest is about 16 feet deep. Because the wall with the windows bumps out it’s only that deep at the center.
These were previously finished walls. The two windows you see are part of the facade of our house. Thus far all I’ve done is tear out the baseboard and cut a couple holes for the surround speakers.
The mound of stuff you see here is most of the stuff I’ve been purchasing for the theater. Speaker cable, two pairs of Triad surround speakers, tools etc. I’ve also purchaed three Triad silver main speakers
Im trying not to completely break the bank here. All of the speakers have been purchase used. I’m still looking for four Atmos. Speakers that will go in the ceiling.
Again to keep the costs down some I’ve purchased some things with Amex points. I bought a Marantz 8105 with points this summer. Will be ordering a projector with Amex points shortly as well. I’d like to think I can get a screen with points as well
the room itself is small. It’s ten foot wide. Ceilings are 7.5 foot high and the length at its lonest is about 16 feet deep. Because the wall with the windows bumps out it’s only that deep at the center.
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The subwoofers are kits from parts express. Thus far I have only purchase two of them. Two 18 in subs are, I’m sure, overkill for my small room but i nonetheless plan on buying two more. Putting them together was actually a lot of fun. 
I got to use most of my clamps. I painted the speakers with Duratex. It’s a textured paint which means i didn’t need to worry to much about sanding of filling in any slight gaps.
Here is the final cabinet. I,ve yet to install the driver.
I got to use most of my clamps. I painted the speakers with Duratex. It’s a textured paint which means i didn’t need to worry to much about sanding of filling in any slight gaps.
Here is the final cabinet. I,ve yet to install the driver.
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I really don’t know what I’m done as far as building a theater. But I have been reading AVS forum for awhile however and trying to learn. A common practice there is to build a stage and that the subs go on top of that. I was happy to copy that idea so I built a frame wood of pressure treated lumber and filled up the voids with sand. 
On top of that I put down two layers of plywood and then oak flooring on that.
While the basement is going to be recarpeted the main two floors of the house are oak And I liked the idea of having this bit of oak flooring in the theater to tie it to the rest of the house
On top of that I put down two layers of plywood and then oak flooring on that.
While the basement is going to be recarpeted the main two floors of the house are oak And I liked the idea of having this bit of oak flooring in the theater to tie it to the rest of the house
captain14
Well-known member
Sounds like a plan.
What are you doing for heat and AC in that area?
Do the windows face the front of the property?
What are you doing for heat and AC in that area?
Do the windows face the front of the property?
Captain. I am not goin to fully close the space so I am not expecting to have to do anything to change the hvac. The room already has two registers in the ceiling. I have added a abot 6 feet of wall along what is the north facing side of that room but there isstill about five feet of open space there so there will be plenty of space for the air to get out of the room. I also plan on putting the equipment outside the room so it should not heat up the room excessively.
And yes. Those two windows are the front of our house.
billconner
Well-known member
With parallel surfaces, are you adding absorption to them? The carpet (and furniture) should mostly take care of floor ceiling.
Bill, I intend to do a proper acoustic treatment for the room. I’m planning on leaving two inches on the walls for that. It will be some mix of adsorption and diffusion. I’m reading the rather epic thread about that on AVS forum and trying to educate myself. I won’t pay for a professional plan but hope to incorporate the consensus about a typical plan from that thread to my room. I also plan to hide some of those treatments behind diy fabric panels. Will have to see how it goes.
billconner
Well-known member
Great application for antique or just pretty quilts. We have a half dozen.
I'd sure tend toward fabric and rigid fibreglass board and NOT the foam products - like were used on the Station night club ceiling in Rhode Island.
I'd sure tend toward fabric and rigid fibreglass board and NOT the foam products - like were used on the Station night club ceiling in Rhode Island.
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have an AV7703 and it's been fantastic, it does generate some serious heat though. I use an AC Infinity T9 to keep it cool. Your 8015 (?) should be a great solution, but plan for decent ventilation. I'm guessing the onboard amps will add to the heat.
Fabric panels are a great solution. Furniture can also impact sound, especially in a smaller space.
What's going to power the subs?
Stoked to see this room come together!
Fabric panels are a great solution. Furniture can also impact sound, especially in a smaller space.
What's going to power the subs?
Stoked to see this room come together!
Mary Kay update:
We were worried that perhaps that Mary Kay was going to need a new carburetor but now it seems that can be fixed. Will solve the cold start problems I was having.
One of the exhaust manifolds is cracked. They will remove it to see if it can be welded. Otherwise we will need to find a new one.
They are working on inspecting and replacing things likes belts, hoses, fluids etc now. There was no specific problem here - I did just as them to replace wear items as needed and do to a general inspection of the engine, suspension and brakes.
They have not yet looked at the power steering leak.
They are ordering seat kits now. They will install those in-house. They will bring the car to another shop to replace the convertible top.
They inspect to make consistent progress on the car now - at least the mechanical items. They are running a little behind on bodywork so the rust repair on the front fenders may take a little more time.
I sent them some more money.
Tom
We were worried that perhaps that Mary Kay was going to need a new carburetor but now it seems that can be fixed. Will solve the cold start problems I was having.
One of the exhaust manifolds is cracked. They will remove it to see if it can be welded. Otherwise we will need to find a new one.
They are working on inspecting and replacing things likes belts, hoses, fluids etc now. There was no specific problem here - I did just as them to replace wear items as needed and do to a general inspection of the engine, suspension and brakes.
They have not yet looked at the power steering leak.
They are ordering seat kits now. They will install those in-house. They will bring the car to another shop to replace the convertible top.
They inspect to make consistent progress on the car now - at least the mechanical items. They are running a little behind on bodywork so the rust repair on the front fenders may take a little more time.
I sent them some more money.
Tom
HPRifleman
Member Emeritus
The key to all classic car restorations.
xtremek
Well-known member
Sounds like it's moving forward at a reasonable pace. Do you think you'll have it back by late spring?
I think so. I’ve basically decided that I’m not going to repaint the car, except for where they repair the rust. The shop that has the car has made it very clear that they don’t do cheap paint jobs. The only do show quality stuff and while I’d like to get Mary Kay repainted at some point it’s probably not worth that cost. It’s more of a driver quality need, at least in my mind. Maybe in a year or two I’ll try to find a local place in Chicago that can do a driver quality repaint. If I do that I probably could save some addition money by removing and reinstalling things like trim and bumpers myself.
Long and short is that it seems pretty reasonable to expect them to do a little more mechanical work, a little rust repair, recover the seats and have another shop do a new top and still get me the car back by summer. At least that’s my hope.
xtremek
Well-known member
Are they going to use helicoils, or nutserts?
I didn’t ask. Actually I didn’t even talk to them. My update was based off of the email update I get.
racer-john
Well-known member
Best of the season to All.
Lou's Garage
Well-known member
Same to you, and all my fellow garage journalites.
Happy New Year Everyone. It wasn’t on New Years exactly but about a year ago the kids and I put a list of garage related project together and its been taped to the fridge since. I feel like we have had a pretty good hit rate as far as getting thru most of them. 
I didn’t get the garage ceiling insulated or painted. I’m still hoping to get that done in the spring. Related to that I also want to buy and install a Mr Cool mini split. I also want to improve the lighting in the garage too. Finally I’d like to get some sort of set up to wash and detail in my own garage. I’ll put another revised list when I get the chance. Will go both here and on the fridge again. Garage New Years resolutions I suppose.
I didn’t get the garage ceiling insulated or painted. I’m still hoping to get that done in the spring. Related to that I also want to buy and install a Mr Cool mini split. I also want to improve the lighting in the garage too. Finally I’d like to get some sort of set up to wash and detail in my own garage. I’ll put another revised list when I get the chance. Will go both here and on the fridge again. Garage New Years resolutions I suppose.
xtremek
Well-known member
Since you're so good at hitting your marks, feel free to drop by our place. lol
manbike26
Well-known member
Happy new year, you have a great looking garage in my old home town. Seeing progress on a to do list is a great way to see how far you’ve come. Happy New Year, tell the folks at Pequod’s pizza I miss their pie.Happy New Year Everyone. It wasn’t on New Years exactly but about a year ago the kids and I put a list of garage related project together and its been taped to the fridge since. I feel like we have had a pretty good hit rate as far as getting thru most of them.
I didn’t get the garage ceiling insulated or painted. I’m still hoping to get that done in the spring. Related to that I also want to buy and install a Mr Cool mini split. I also want to improve the lighting in the garage too. Finally I’d like to get some sort of set up to wash and detail in my own garage. I’ll put another revised list when I get the chance. Will go both here and on the fridge again. Garage New Years resolutions I suppose.
captain14
Well-known member
Did they discover any additional surprises? Or any recommendations while they had it torn down or opened up?
I just talked to them this afternoon. Here is the full update. As noted before one of the two exhaust manifolds was cracked. The took it off the car and they were able to weld it back together. The heat did cause some distortion so they had to mill it to get it flat again. That’s all been done and the engine has been fully put back together and now runs well. The had earlier fixed the carburetor problems so two of the three main mechanical problems have been fixed.
They still have to fix the power steering fluid leak and that is next on the agenda. They will start working on that right away.
They also ordered seat covers. While the carpet was in fairly good shape they suggested I might as well replace it as long as the seats were coming out. I told them to go ahead with new carpet. We might do door cards as well.
It might be a little wait until they can start with the small amount of rust repair that the car needs (bottom of both front fenders) I think they are short staffed in that area of the shop. When they repaint the front fenders they will also repaint the convertible stop mechanism. Likely we will need to do some work to the convertible top well as they say those are always beat up, which makes sense.
when that’s all done we will have to taken over to the local shop that does their convertible tops.
All and all there have really been no surprises thus far. I think Mary Kay was always a pretty solid car and these guys know what they are doing so this is what I expected. So far so good.
They still have to fix the power steering fluid leak and that is next on the agenda. They will start working on that right away.
They also ordered seat covers. While the carpet was in fairly good shape they suggested I might as well replace it as long as the seats were coming out. I told them to go ahead with new carpet. We might do door cards as well.
It might be a little wait until they can start with the small amount of rust repair that the car needs (bottom of both front fenders) I think they are short staffed in that area of the shop. When they repaint the front fenders they will also repaint the convertible stop mechanism. Likely we will need to do some work to the convertible top well as they say those are always beat up, which makes sense.
when that’s all done we will have to taken over to the local shop that does their convertible tops.
All and all there have really been no surprises thus far. I think Mary Kay was always a pretty solid car and these guys know what they are doing so this is what I expected. So far so good.
xtremek
Well-known member
Sounds like Mary Kay is in good hands.
Hi everyone. I thought I would post a short update on my basement home theater project. Since my last update I’ve run all my speaker wires, started to install speakers and painted my front wall flat black. I also had the electrician in this week. He installed new can lights, added a couple of outlets including a dedicated twenty amp circuit where the equipment rack will go and a ceiling outlet for the projector and cleaned up a few other electrical things in the basement. I can now finish the low voltage work and start closing back up the walls. I’ve ordered a new chaise loveseat for the basement. It comes in 8 or 9 weeks. I’m hoping to have the project Largely done by then including new carpet. Will have to see
billconner
Well-known member
Nice progress, and you're not even retired!
ps: I'll be in Chicago visiting son. Grand opening?
ps: I'll be in Chicago visiting son. Grand opening?
Probably no opening yet but I’m sure I could put you to work!Nice progress, and you're not even retired!
ps: I'll be in Chicago visiting son. Grand opening?