Tag Archives: garage

Maintenance

3 Kinds of Storage Options for Vintage BMWs

Collecting classic cars can be an expensive hobby. Owning a vintage BMW is an enjoyable investment that you have to take care of. You have to know how and where to properly store these vehicles to ensure they stay in as pristine a condition as possible. Taking care of them is more than half of the investment, in truth.

No matter what option you choose to go with, there are a few basic rules for storing a vintage BMW. First, you’ll have to choose a dry, dark place that’s indoors to protect your car from the elements.

If a place offers controlled temperature or stores your car on concrete instead of dirt or stone, then that one should be made a priority. Otherwise, the options come down to cost, security and how long you’re planning on storing the vehicle.

1. Your Own Garage

When it comes to a really expensive car, you probably didn’t consider storing it on your own property for very long. The truth is, a car in your own garage is going to be a lot cheaper to store than in someone else’s.

If this garage is on land you live on, then you’ll have the luxury of checking in on the vehicle whenever you like, keeping an eye on pests, changing the temperature when needed and constantly keeping an eye out for criminals.

The only real drawback is that the car will be taking up space on your own land, meaning other things will probably be displaced. Most home garages don’t even have climate control, so that might be a problem, too.

Keeping your vehicle on your own property is probably the best option all around but your residential garage doesn’t have to be the only option.

2. Private Buildings

If you don’t have the space to keep your BMW in your own garage, maybe you have the option of putting in another. A separate building on your land, particularly one built specifically for storing classic cars, is another fantastic option.

This one will likely be further away from your house than your own residential garage, but that doesn’t mean to security has to be lax.

In fact, if you have the money to pour into building your own storage building, you can get as many features put in as you want. Of course, the money put into the garage is all going towards protecting your investment, so you may not want to spend too much.

Jerry Seinfeld, for example, has an extensive car collection housed in his specially built $1.4 million garage that a lot of people probably couldn’t afford. (Don’t forget that Seinfeld earned several million dollars per episode of his show, Seinfeld. He has money to spare.)

3. Storage Facilities

Storage units made for vintage cars are probably the best place to store your vintage BMW. They’re designed to house your car, making it as simple as just driving in.

Some of them come with climate control that could be invaluable to your car, depending on its condition. Not to mention that this option is a lot cheaper than putting up your own private building and takes up less space than your personal garage.

The Best Option for You

There are several factors you have to consider when you choosing how to store your vehicle. You need to know how much space you need, how much your own or several vintage cars cost, how much they mean to you and what your budget looks like.

All of these options are going to protect your vehicles for the long-term, there’s no doubt about that, but you want the option that’s best for you in the end. If you have the money, a private building is probably the ideal option. Otherwise, a storage facility may be the way to go. The choice is yours.

DIY

6 DIY Garage Makeover Ideas

A home makeover includes every room of the house, and the garage is no exception. You may wonder how you can spruce up your garage when you mostly use it for car and tool storage.

Fortunately, you can achieve it with some clever DIY projects. Make your garage look better than ever by streamlining your storage techniques. Build functional yet attractive storage solutions with less money spent and higher returns.

Read on for six DIY projects you can use to upgrade your garage.

1. Foldable Workbench

Maybe you love DIY projects but don’t have space for a separate work station. Build a foldable workbench, and you can create anything without the hassle of clutter.

You’ll need a miter saw, drill, jigsaw and circular saw. Buy some 2x4s, a sheet of plywood, hook-and-eye latches and wood glue. Start your project by connecting the frame railing to the stiles using screws and wood glue and securing the non-moving wood pieces to the stile interiors.

This DIY requires attention to detail, but the finished product is worth it. Swap out the hook-and-eye latches for spring-loaded sash locks to make your workbench more sturdy when its folded up.

Reinforce the middle of the plywood top if you plan to use heavy equipment on your workbench. You can do this by building support rails into the design.

2. Overhead Shelving

Free up your floors and use ceiling space with overhead shelving. This storage idea provides an attractive and out-of-the-way solution for storing large objects like crates and bins. Obtain a circular saw, drill and screws.

Your wood lengths depend on the size of your garage — you’ll need beams long enough for vertical supports and adequate shelving space. Measure the distance between your garage door track and the ceiling to ensure your shelving won’t interfere with it.

What you plan to store on your shelves determines how deep they’ll be, so consider this before doing anything else.

3. Flooring

Update your flooring the inexpensive and easy way by procuring rubber tiles and laying them down yourself. Rubber rolls and tiles come in a range of patterns and colors — choose a style that complements your space.

You may only use your garage for storage, but that doesn’t mean your flooring has to be plain and dull. Many rubber tiles come with interlocking edges to eliminate the need for messy glues, and they’re DIY-friendly.

Invest in skid-free flooring to avoid slips and accidents. Ensure your floor is level before putting anything down — your design won’t appear seamless if it’s not.

4. Carport

Bought a new BMW but you’ve run out of garage space to accommodate it? Protect your new ride from the elements by building a carport. Choose a freestanding or attached style. An attached carport uses the side of your house for support, which makes it more convenient than a freestanding type.

Measure the length you want the posts to be and secure them using concrete or metal anchors. Cut your support beams at the appropriate lengths and attach them to the posts. Attach a ledger to the side of your house and install the rafters using metal hangers.

Once the beams are in place, install plywood, roofing felt, tar paper and shingles to create the roof. The last step involves attaching latticed sides — you can do without them, but they provide extra protection.

5. Tool Holder

Hang up your tools by using a DIY holder made from a wood pallet. Find some at a furniture or hardware store, and obtain two bow rake heads. You’ll also need anchor bolts, a drill, an adjustable wrench and wood stain. Clean your pallet and inspect it for any flaws or hazards — like nails — before using it.

This tip is especially important when picking up pallets from construction yards. Remove one of the slats and reattach it to the bottom of the pallet to create an enclosed space.

Stain or paint your wood the desired color and then secure the anchor bolts. Drill holes into the rake heads and attach them to the pallet to use as hanging hooks for small tools.

6. Bike Storage

Support your hobby of mountain biking — or riding around the neighborhood — by constructing a bike storage solution. You have many options for creating bicycle storage, including wood pallets and ceiling hooks, but you may prefer a more sturdy yet spacious design.

Hang your bikes on the wall by using metal hooks attached to wood plaques. The plaques give your space a refined look while providing function and support. Use a durable glue to attach the hooks, or secure them to the wood using screws.

Put a spin on your bike storing techniques by removing curved handlebars from an old bicycle and mounting them on the wall. Place the frame of your bike onto the handlebars and let them do the heavy lifting.

Upgrade Your Garage

Turn your garage into a brand new space with any of these six DIY projects. You’ll get a new look without turning your wallet inside out, and your neighbors will marvel at your design savvy.

DIY

How to Get Your Garage Ready for Warm Weather

It’s finally warming up in most parts of the country, and that means it’s time to start getting your garage ready for nice weather. What do you need to do to make sure that this room — whether you’re using it for storage, crafting or parking your car — is ready for spring?

Organize Your Seasonal Items

You won’t need snow shovels and driveway salt now that the temperatures are starting to climb. Take the time to stow your winter gear — including clothing and jackets, if you store them in the garage — and retrieve your spring and summer equipment.

Don’t just throw everything in the garage as you sort it out. You’ll hate yourself later when you have to go through it all again and clean it up. Instead, organize your spring and summer gear — from beach toys to lawn mowers to trimmers — so you can easily access it without cluttering up your space.

Keep Out the Bugs

As temperatures start to climb, so to do bug populations. If you’re in the garage a lot during the day or keep the door open, you’re inviting six-legged guests into your space. Start by storing food — for pets or humans — in sealed containers.

Make sure you’re sweeping or vacuuming any food spilled on the floor. Spray the inside and outside baseboards of your garage with insecticide to kill any bugs that are already inside and keep any new ones from crossing the threshold.

Just because your garage isn’t a living space doesn’t mean you need to invite bugs to share the area with you. Get ahead of the problem before the weather warms up and you have to call an exterminator.

Clean the Floors

If you park your car in the garage or walk through it after parking in the driveway, chances are high your floor is covered in salt, dirt and other debris you’ve tracked in.

Take the time to give your garage floor a thorough cleaning as the temperature starts to climb. Dirty floors can be a sign of unclean work conditions, and if you’re planning to sell your home, a dirty garage floor could detract from the property’s value.

Clean and Maintain Your Door

Spring cleaning isn’t just limited to the interior of your home. It’s also a great time to clean and maintain your garage door, so it’s ready for the season.

Inspect the hardware both inside and out for any signs of rust or undue wear and tear. Take the time to wash the door — again, both inside and out. If it’s been a while since you painted it, now is the perfect time to add a new coat.

Restock Your Spring Chemicals/Materials

Spring doesn’t just bring showers and bugs — it also brings weeds, and just like the food in your pantry, the chemicals you keep in your garage will eventually expire.

Go through all the chemicals you’ll need for your spring chores and yard work. Make sure they’re stored properly and replace anything that has expired or doesn’t work as effectively.

Enjoy The Warm Weather

Now that the temperature is finally starting to creep up, the last thing you need to do is get outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Once you’ve got your garage ready for spring, you won’t have to worry about it until the thermometer starts dropping and you need your winter coats again.