Kalamazoo 2-car Jeep Garage

vtx531 · Jan 27, 2010

I just bought my first house and this is my garage thread. 444sq ft attached garage.

The first thing I did was install 2 garage door openers.

Then...
The garage only has 2 light sockets so I installed 42w GE CFLs. They are nice and bright. Equal to 150w each.

I don't plan on doing a whole lot. Going to keep it simple! (why am I on this forum? ha)

1. Finish other half of garage and paint walls white
2.Add 220v outlet for my welder

I was planning on doing Rustolem solvent-based epoxy but now I am thinking I will leave it bare concrete.

I was also planning on insulating the unfinished part and the garage doors but I think I will skip that. For the price, I can just run the heater more since I would only need to heat it a couple times in the winter.

I am debating between a G73 electric heater or just using an old kerosene torpedo heater for the few times I actually need heat.

My garage is not big (I love it though) so I would like to get a storage shed in the spring so I can keep the clutter out of the garage. I want to keep it clean out if possible.

The trailer I have folds up from Harbor Freight so that will be stored folded. I've just been keeping it out because we are still moving stuff into our house.

BPJOOP93 · Jan 27, 2010

Congrats on the first house. after you finish it off consider putting a used home furnace in. ussually free or very cheap. just make sure it is NOT a high efficency unit. have you ever been to JEEP FORUM.COM? great sight.

Jack Olsen · Jan 27, 2010

It looks good. It's hard to say how long the two statements 'Add 220v outlet for my welder' and 'I don't plan on doing a whole lot' are going to be able to get along together -- especially if you get in the habit of visiting this site.

If you're going to finish up the walls, I'd make at least some stab at insulation -- if you change your mind after the sheetrock is up, it's going to be a much more irritating job.

Mickey O · Jan 27, 2010

I would definitely insulate, especially if it's an attached garage as it appears to be, it's cheap (so is drywall) and the ROI will be quick. For a heater I'd get a ventless or vented out the side natural gas, kerosene ***** and is a pain because you have to keep running out to get it and electric heat is quite expensive.

vtx531 · Jan 27, 2010

BPJOOP93 said:
Congrats on the first house. after you finish it off consider putting a used home furnace in. ussually free or very cheap. just make sure it is NOT a high efficency unit. have you ever been to JEEP FORUM.COM? great sight.

Why not a high efficieny unit? Just curious. I don't think I will do this because I don't want to give up any space for it.

Jack Olsen said:
It looks good. It's hard to say how long the two statements 'Add 220v outlet for my welder' and 'I don't plan on doing a whole lot' are going to be able to get along together -- especially if you get in the habit of visiting this site.

If you're going to finish up the walls, I'd make at least some stab at insulation -- if you change your mind after the sheetrock is up, it's going to be a much more irritating job.

True about taking down the sheetrock would be aweful. I have a cheap stick welder that I use mostly just for fixing things on my Jeep, or occasionally making stuff for the Jeep. So many people make bumpers that it's hard to make any profit anyways so I just use it for personal stuff.

Mickey O said:
I would definitely insulate, especially if it's an attached garage as it appears to be, it's cheap (so is drywall) and the ROI will be quick. For a heater I'd get a ventless or vented out the side natural gas, kerosene ***** and is a pain because you have to keep running out to get it and electric heat is quite expensive.

How much do you think insulation would cost? Probably I should do it, at least in the walls. And if I want to do it in the attic or doors I can always do it down the road. Waiting for the weather to warm up for everything anyways.

BPJOOP93 · Jan 28, 2010

The only reason i say dont go with high efficency is that water sits in it and unless you run it all the time it will freeze and break one of the burners in it. ask me how i know. if you mount the furnace up off the floor on a wall theres no wasted floor space.

vtx531 · Feb 13, 2010

New additions: storage cabinets from Lowes. They are made by Sauder, same as the Coleman ones. Made in USA so that's good. Also, red accents on the handles to match my Craftsman stuff.

I purchased a wall-mount cabinet to go along with the rest but I may wait until summer after I paint the walls. I think all 3 cabinets and the slot wall were only about $150 total.

I had to move everything around multiple times before I found the position that I liked for everything. My next purchase will be a chest to add-on the top on my toolbox.

Luckily my Jeep is short because the garage is only 18' deep on that side and I am still able to stuff my trailer back there.

Handyman163 · Feb 22, 2010

Hey, another forum member in the Kalamazoo area (I'm actually in Portage).

I think putting insulation in is a must - a friend of mine has a garage setup just like yours without insulation on 2 sides and nothing extra on the metal garage door, and it gets below freezing in there a LOT. I have insulation panels on the inside of my garage doors, and insulated/finished walls and my garage hasn't dropped below 38. It's regularly in the mid-upper 40's.

Congrats on your first house and garage. Think vertical when you think of storage. Can you hang stuff and get it out of the way, or put things on shelves way up high that you rarely use? You can put a 2x4 anywhere, and hit all the studs you can, then mount hooks, etc to the 2x4 and not have to worry about finding a stud. That helps a ton. Use vertical space above your head for everything you can.

jwhcars · Feb 22, 2010

Congrats on the new place and welcome. Yes insulation will help now and when you sell down the road. Ha ha keep visiting GJ and you will see all kinds of ideas and then you will be hooked. I predict painted finished walls,floor covering ,more outlets/lights and more cabinets.

Enjoy your new space.

vtx531 · Feb 22, 2010

Thanks guys. I appreciate any posts on this thread! (good or bad I like to hear all comments) Winter ***** because I can't do any of the things I want to do for the garage.

Latest additions: I just bought a big chest to go on top of my roller cabinet and also a Bissell Garage Pro wet/dry vac. Pics next weekend!

glsmaverick · Feb 23, 2010

Good to see a fellow Michigander (I'm in Howell) making it happen. I hope to have my garage up here mid summer with a nice little improvement thread. Good luck!

Sawbladz · Feb 23, 2010

Definitely insulate that garage. If you plan to stay in the house it will pay for itself and will add resale value to the home. An attached garage like that could be heated with a candle if insulated well.

marty_p · Feb 23, 2010

Keep us posted! :thumbup:

OIIIIIIIO

vtx531 · Mar 1, 2010

Here is the chest:

Here is the vaccuum:

IMXCITD · Mar 1, 2010

nice garage. it has great potential! I would insulate, finish walls and finish floors. It will be that much nicer when it is finished and how you want it. :beer:

4StarCstms · Mar 1, 2010

I agree.. Insulate the walls, throw up some drywall..it'll be that much nicer when you get around to finishing it off how you want -

vtx531 · Mar 2, 2010

IMXCITD said:
nice garage. it has great potential! I would insulate, finish walls and finish floors. It will be that much nicer when it is finished and how you want it.

4StarCstms said:
I agree.. Insulate the walls, throw up some drywall..it'll be that much nicer when you get around to finishing it off how you want -

OK everyone has convinced me! Just waiting for the weather to warm up and for my dad to come back home to Michigan and help me out. He is a union electrician but had to move to New Mexico because there is no work in Michigan! :shocking:

I forgot to mention that I picked up some 8000lb Rhino Ramps. They are temporarily leaning against the wall in the corner in the above pic.

ngrover · Mar 2, 2010

vtx531 said:
Made in USA so that's good

I am seeing this sentiment repeated in other posts and I for one am glad to see it. I'm not even American (I'm Canadian) but out ties are strong enough that it makes a difference.

vtx531 · Mar 10, 2010

Yea, I like buying stuff local but unfortunately, like the majority of America - my #1 priority is cost. And yes, I lost my job already.

Anyways, I was measuring my garage today to find out exactly how many square feet it is for future epoxy. It's a lot smaller than the diagram I posted at the beginning of this thread! Those measurements were from the bank appraisal and I think they are the outside dimensions. So, my garage turns out to be 379 sq ft. This is a good thing I guess because it will be cheaper to epoxy!

EPOXY ADVICE NEEDED:

I am planning on doing the solvent based rustoleum with their clear coat. Originally, I planned to buy two base coat kits and one clear kit because I read on here that 2 base coats makes it look a lot better. I think their base kit is rated for 400sq ft. Would it turn out well if I did one base kit instead of two? Would it be worth it to rent a floor grinder or just use acid to etch?

The weather is getting warmer and I'm getting excited to start things going on this garage!!!

vtx531 · Mar 20, 2010

A couple of new additions, a fire extinguisher, clock, and HF service cart that matches my Craftsman stuff. I put the quiet glide sticker on it because I didn't want it on my toolbox. Actually the cart does glide pretty quiet because it has solid rubber wheels. I like it a lot considering I got it for $19.99. I saw those big toolboxes that lots of folks on GJ buy, and the color on those things is hideous! Almost a flat pink, ewww.

I also ziptied the wiring on my garage openers to clean up the look a bit. Also Armor-All on them!

sstruckguy · Mar 20, 2010

vtx531 said:
I also ziptied the wiring on my garage openers to clean up the look a bit. Also Armor-All on them!

...and I thought I was one of the few, that the mess left by the installer, needed cleaning up :thumbup:

vtx531 · Mar 20, 2010

sstruckguy said:
...and I thought I was one of the few, that the mess left by the installer, needed cleaning up

Yea, but I was the installer! I still need to get a ladder. I installed the openers by standing on my toolbox. Then I bought the top cabinet so I wasn't able to do that anymore and had to wait to borrow my neighbor's ladder to clean up the wiring.

28HopUp · Mar 21, 2010

vtx531 said:
I also ziptied the wiring on my garage openers to clean up the look a bit. Also Armor-All on them!

Well, that's one I have heard before. :bounce:

Thanks for posting the pics. It's nice to watch your progress.

leebingate · Mar 21, 2010

Jack Olsen said:
It looks good. It's hard to say how long the two statements 'Add 220v outlet for my welder' and 'I don't plan on doing a whole lot' are going to be able to get along together -- especially if you get in the habit of visiting this site.

If you're going to finish up the walls, I'd make at least some stab at insulation -- if you change your mind after the sheetrock is up, it's going to be a much more irritating job.

I would definitely insulate, especially if it's an attached garage as it appears to be, it's cheap (so is drywall) and the ROI will be quick. For a heater I'd get a ventless or vented out the side natural gas, kerosene ***** and is a pain because you have to keep running out to get it and electric heat is quite expensive.

trust · Mar 22, 2010

where in NM is your dad working? You may have been warmer up there than he was this winter!

The garage is taking shape nicely, I wish I had been able to do the floor an walls of mine when I moved in 25 years ago, wouldn't be able to see them now but it would be nice to know I had done them once upon a time .....

DzNuts · Mar 22, 2010

How do you like the Sauder cabinet? I looked at one in the store and the thin white (in that cabinet) paneling was already detached from the fiber board. They are real 'affordable' for their size so I would like to get them still. Just don't know if I can handle that happening 2 months down the road.

vtx531 · Mar 23, 2010

trust said:
where in NM is your dad working? You may have been warmer up there than he was this winter!

The garage is taking shape nicely, I wish I had been able to do the floor an walls of mine when I moved in 25 years ago, wouldn't be able to see them now but it would be nice to know I had done them once upon a time .....

He was working in Hobbs. He got laid off there last week so he's back in Michigan now. Ha, yea, my garage is already filling up - not good!

DzNuts said:
How do you like the Sauder cabinet? I looked at one in the store and the thin white (in that cabinet) paneling was already detached from the fiber board. They are real 'affordable' for their size so I would like to get them still. Just don't know if I can handle that happening 2 months down the road.

The Sauder cabinets are great so far. They clean up pretty easy. I spilled about a half quart of oil inside on one of the shelves and it all wiped up. I haven't had any of the paneling stuff peel off yet. I hope that doesn't happen! They do look nice and they are cheap.

On another subject: I got a lawnmower! 2005 model but only used to cut grass for a year and a half and then it just got used 5 mins a week to haul firewood and trash in a cart that also came with it. It is more than enough for my yard.

vtx531 · May 19, 2010

Put up some drywall the other day. I decided not to insulate because the doors are uninsulated and don't seal well. Also the attic is not insulated. Mud and tape to come in the next couple weeks, then texture.

Look how messy the garage got already. I'm in the process of building a deck so some of the clutter is tools for that and then I can get the bbq grill out of there. Then I will do a shed in the next couple weeks also to get my mower equipment out of there.

csp · May 19, 2010

vtx531 said:
Put up some drywall the other day. I decided not to insulate because the doors are uninsulated and don't seal well. Also the attic is not insulated.

All of those reasons not to insulate the walls could be easily changed.

As easy and cheap as it is to insulate, I have no idea why anyone wouldn't do it. Sure would make your garage more bearable when you have a repair to do inside in the dead of winter. :headscrat

Looks like you need more screws in the field of the drywall too.

SiGmA_X · May 21, 2010

As as side note, working in a garage with a propane heater and no insulation (granted an oversized 3 car) is really horrid in freezing temps. I would have insulated without a second thought to the matter.

vtx531 · Nov 11, 2010

UPDATE

The garage is pretty much done. I just need to do some trim at the bottom.

Drywall is all up.
Check out the garage door opener switches!
Walls and ceiling textured and painted.
Cabients set up.
Two extra lights added.
I have 220v available by the air compressor for welding or heater requirements (maybe an electric car charger in the distant future?)
Also the aircompressor has its own 110v circuit.
Electric hoist added for the hardtop and receptacle added in the attic.

Simple compared to most but it's not a bad place to spend some time and do a project on the car if I need to! :beer:

meissen · Nov 11, 2010

Looks great man! I really like how clean the garage is.

Cougar67 · Nov 14, 2010

Nice clean garage! Is that a commercially made hoist system for your Jeep top or something you rigged? Could you show some close ups of the system?

vtx531 · Nov 18, 2010

Cougar67 said:
Nice clean garage! Is that a commercially made hoist system for your Jeep top or something you rigged? Could you show some close ups of the system?

It is a 440lb electric hoist from Harbor Freight. It is bolted to some unistrut that is just resting on the trusses. I used some ratchet straps that I had around to connect it to the hard top. The hardest part was getting it to balance. Works nicely. The only other issue is the hoist is kind of fast (even with a pully to double it) so I have to lower to the ground and then lift it up with a friend to actually put it on the Jeep. Serves the purpose though. I still need to clean it up after spraying the wall texture and trim out the opening/seal it up.

Here are my two garage door opener switches and the light switch:

eldirector · Nov 18, 2010

Nice and simple! I dig it!

Run a second pulley on your hoist to slow it down some more. I wonder if you could use a router speed control on the hoist? That would give you very fine control.

stormr · Nov 21, 2010

turned out really nice, and i like the way the garage door openings are staggered out from eachother which gives a nice small wall to hang stuff on, or like in the earlier pics a good place to set shovels and stuff. Also nice to see another michigan person on heres whos quite close to my area, I'm in plainwell.

pupster · Nov 21, 2010

Looking really good! 'Hi' from another Jeeper.

at_h2o · Dec 5, 2010

Nice. What kind of openers are those if you don't mind me asking?

vtx531 · Jan 4, 2011

at_h2o said:
Nice. What kind of openers are those if you don't mind me asking?

"Xtreme Garage" from Menards. Usually they are about $100 on sale.

vtx531 · Jan 4, 2011

I got a Dr. Heater 5600 watt heater for Christmas! I tried it out today. It works pretty good. I did a quick 2 hour test.

Conditions:
Outside temperature was 24 degrees F, snowing, 13mph wind. The garage was 38 degrees when I started. I pointed the heater away from my thermometer and I just pulled the Jeep into the garage prior so the engine was warm in the garage. Also, there is a big attic hole in my garage not closed up so I'm sure lots of heat went up and out through it.

Results:
After 30 mins the temp was 44
After 60 mins the temp was 49
After 2 hrs the temp was 56

Conclusions:
For 2 hours, the electricity cost is about $1. It felt warmer than the 56 degrees it said on the wall. I was in a hoodie and took it off because I was hot.

The other nice thing is that I can aim it right where I am working so the hot air is blowing right toward me.

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