[rhudeboye]

[size="4"]My gawd, what a dump![/size]















[size="4"]I’ll be using a light colored paint on the walls and would like to add a bit of contrast where the wall bumps out. I could use some suggestions on a color that pops. [/size]



















[size="4"]Not sure what to do with the floor but I’m thinking of an Epoxy coating. Those stains are oil. I’ll be trying a chemical to lift it prior to applying the Epoxy. [/size]















[size="4"]What I’m working with for storage:[/size]



[size="4"]6 overhead cabinets Dimensions: 30 in W x 12 in D x 30 in H[/size]



[size="4"]2 short rolling 2 door cabs Dimensions: 28 in W x 25 in D x 34.5 in H[/size]



[size="4"]2 short rolling 3 drawer cabs Dimensions 28 in W x 25 in D x 34.5 in H[/size]



[size="4"]2 tall cabinets Dimensions 75X31 [/size]







[size="4"]After buying 3 of these new, Lowes had a clearance on them and I stocked up (using my D1 money again). I even purchased what they had on display which is why you see the letters on the pivot door cab. All gardening equipment will be leaving the garage and going to a shed out back. [/size]



















[size="4"]I’ll need Improved lighting as well. Currently when the hood creates a shadow when lifted so I cant get light in the engine bay. [/size]













Thanks for looking.

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[flash]

no worries - you have some stuff to work with



first off, get the walls painted and the floor at least painted with the epoxy from home depot - it works fairly well, and if you are careful about the speckles you sprinkle on, and don't use all the paint, you can repair it when you need to - just remember to pull off a pint first, before adding the catalyst - the prep is everything, so follow those instructions carefully - i highly recommend semi gloss white (or swiss coffee) for paint - it reflects the light really well, and lowers your lighting costs



then add florescent fixtures - you can get those with nice covers for about $60 each - a garage that size will need at least 4 48" 2 bulb fixtures - they install easily right where you have the bulbs now



then, arrange your cabinets so that they are conveniently located - try to group them - also try to put them where your bench top would be



you'll need a workbench, but you can build that very easily and cheaply - home depot sells some really nice formica countertops - you can put them on top of just about anything, including a frame of 2x4s



then, get yourself some 1x2s and some pegboard - paint the pegboard in a color that suits you - put this someplace convenient to get to, that doesn't block walkways - from that you add the hooks and hang the stuff you have tacked to the wall - the result is a tidier look, and easy to change around without leaving a bunch of holes



after that, it's all about the shelving - get plastic containers for anything you can - these are inexpensive and at lowe's - this will really tidy up all the loose stuff



from where you are, i think you can complete the garage for about $500

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[rhudeboye]

Thanks Bob.

Your response is so well thought out yet you replied as if it was on the tip of your tongue. LOL I guess you've done this before <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />.



i like the plastic storage box idea. We do this in the basement and in our closets already. Makes a big difference.

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[flash]

lol - i've had a lot of garages, and a LOT of years to continually fiddle with them and improve them



one thing i have learned is that there is NEVER enough space - consequently i am forced to find better and more efficient ways to store things and use the space i do have



also, lighting has proven to be a huge factor in how effective the shop space is to work in, and how easy it is to find things, so i have played with that over the years as well - no matter what i did though, the color and reflectivity of the ceiling and walls made the biggest impact



even my own garage is a constantly developing thing - just yesterday i rearranged some things, and added more under-cabinet lighting





good luck

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[pmason]

+1, yes getting it painted and adding some florescent fixtures will brighten everything up.

I have a combination of Gorilla shelving from Menards for all the heavy stuff and then a couple of Gladiator cabinets like yours.

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[Rap]

I am currently in the initial stages of looking at drawings for a 3 car garage. Any suggestions on what minimally should be included? First time designing and building one and can easily see this running away.

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[aslet]

Add a lift <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Rap]

Thanks what kind?

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[astroede]

Here are photos of what I did. I highly recommend a professionally applied epoxy floor like the car showrooms have if you can afford it (it isn't really that expensive; seems like I paid $1200 or so for my 3-car garage). You will not regret it as it is damn-near indestructible. Cleans up very easily with a bucket of soapy water and a shop broom. No "hot tire" lift or peel. It is the best money I spent in my garage. I'd start there, and do the rest yourself.

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[Rap]

Looks sharp and neat. Is this a detached garage and what are the dimensions?

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[astroede]

It is an attached 3-car garage, and it is 32' wide. All my Porsche tools (cleaners, waxes, jack stands, grease guns, oil, etc) are in the cabinets so it doesn't look like a lot of grease-monkeying goes on in there...but it really does. Last two jobs were starter and sway bar remove/replace, preceded by all new brakes/rotors and clutch hose replacement/bleed (both messy jobs). All the grease, fluids, cleaners, grime, etc just wipe right up.

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[Rap]

I need to obtain a variance for the detached and am not enthralled with adding an attached. Already have an attached but small and can not be enlarged. No one told me you had to build a garage for your 968 before I bought it! Lol

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='astroede' timestamp='1293801279' post='103133']

I highly recommend a professionally applied epoxy floor like the car showrooms have... You will not regret it as it is damn-near indestructible. Cleans up very easily with a bucket of soapy water and a shop broom. No "hot tire" lift or peel.

[/quote]



first off- Thanks for the pics

2nd - WOW that floor does look nice. Do you feel a DIYer couldn't get the same results? You guys are right about the floor and paint. Looking at your photos, you have as much stuff as me and yet yours looks 100X better. I like your light placement as well (behind the beam). Are there any in front of it?

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[flash]

the home depot stuff is definitely not the same as the professionally applied stuff, which has a lot more catalyst and hardens a lot better - they tend to do a better job at prep too, including grinding your concrete smooth, patching cracks, and removing oils



to take it to the next step even the professionally applied epoxy is not as good as the stuff i have, which then adds a layer of resin over the top of that, but the cost is doubled

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[rxter]

Agree with the professional epoxy comment. My garage had the stuff on it when we moved into the house (new house option) and it is great. Really keeps things clean. Spend on the floor and the lights. Shelving and cabinets can come later. I use the plastic shelving units from Lowe's-Home Depot and, although not the prettiest things, carry a good load, make for open and accessible storage, and are cheap ($50 each or so). I use cardboard "shelves" when I don't want things falling through the cracks. Organizes the clutter but does not hide it for sure - so if this is where your OCD comes out then spend money on the cabinets.



I don't have enough lighting and so end up with all sorts of rig jobs when I need to see out there.



   

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[coloradocab]

We did the epoxy floor, and it's great, but there's one thing I'd do differently. Add some grit into the mixture. Ours is glassy smooth, which is great when it's dry, but it's like ice when it gets wet! Agreed with Flash on prep - that's the whole key on these floors. We did 3 days of prep before event thinking of putting the epoxy down.

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[astroede]

No lights in front of the beam. The coverage is pretty good since the lights are 3' from the beam. I have some grit in the floor epoxy and of course the color chips, so the floor is not slippery when wet. The outfit that did my floor spent several days doing it, starting with a grind as mentioned above. They also filled the cracks and gaps with a urethane or similar. I cannot say enough about how pleased I am with the result. My neighbor did the Rustoleum DIY coating and was really unhappy with the result; he had large parts of it peeling off less than a year later, even though he spent a lot of time prepping the floor. My floor has been in place for three years and it looks the same as the day it was finished.

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[hot968]

I purchased a low rise lift BenPac L60 P but am not happy with it at all. It isn't at all easy to line up the jack spots with the lifting threads because of the skirts. See one work before u purchase I would not have purchased mine.

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[craigawoodman]

Just make sure it does not end up looking like this. This was my garage on Boxing day with about 6" of water and mud in it. It is surprising just how quickly you can get everything up off the ground.

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[Rap]

What's up with the water in your garage?

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