Truckblog - Truckblog.TV Garage Extreme Makeover

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

General Forums

MOTORZ TV

Truckblog.TV Garage Extreme Makeover

Discussions about MOTORZ www.motorz.tv

Reply • Active • New Topic • Print

Author

Message

Page: of 3

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 11:37a

Here's what I started with about 2 years ago:

which got upgraded to this:

That's our "studio" for episodes 1-7

Now for episode 8 and moving forward:

The work to get it to the last version took about 5 days... two days of moving a lot of junk into storage, then 3 days of paint and other things. Removed the central vac (which was never used), painted everything white, painted the doors (they were turning yellow), painted the lower part of the walls silver to match the RaceDeck, added a RaceDeck black-colored 4.5" wood chair railing around the entire garage, patched a dry-wall hole in the ceiling that's been there for a year or so, power-washed the RaceDeck since it was out on the driveway (cleaned up real well), and the list goes on.

Thanks to Jason for coming over every day (all day) and helping out, and my bro-in-law and daughter who assisted as well.

For the gory photo details:
http://www.truckblog.com/photoalbum/72157606490223832

My back is still aching... but it's done and looks incredible!

Check out the latest parts and accessories from Truck Hownd

Eightball w/ Beadlock

by Centerline Wheels

Running light bezels

by Defenderworx

Eclipse - Headlight Covers

by Lund International

GM Chip

by JET Performance Products

Jason
Writer/Photo/Video

Premium Member

Blogs: 1071 (View)
Vehicle: 08 Mustang GT
Joined: May 2005
Member # 72
From: San Diego CA
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 11:39a

Truckblog.TV For The World!

Can't wait till the switch plates arrive and it's finally completed. It's hard to place emphasis on how much BETTER the garage looks with all that stuff out of there. It's a total night and day difference.

Edited by - Jason on August 4 11:41a

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 11:46a

Yes, I ordered some cool lookin' diamond plate switch covers that will add a nice touch to the black chair rail... can't wait for those to come in.

Similar to this one:

devnull
Mod Wrangler

Premium Member

Blogs: 4 (View)
Vehicle: 2009 Hyundai 1-Ton
Joined: May 2005
Member # 20
From: PartsUnknown
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:00p

That looks 1000 times better. I would just suggest throwing something around the water heater to block it off and make the garage look less "residential".

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:02p

Quote:

Originally posted by devnull

That looks 1000 times better. I would just suggest throwing something around the water heater to block it off and make the garage look less "residential".

Any suggestions as to what could cover it? I spoke with a friend of mine last night and he suggested getting a tankless water heater--something I may do once this one croaks (which might be soon... our neighbors' water heaters are starting to die)

Jason
Writer/Photo/Video

Premium Member

Blogs: 1071 (View)
Vehicle: 08 Mustang GT
Joined: May 2005
Member # 72
From: San Diego CA
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:24p

Tankless water heater? Who makes those and how do they work?

Edited by - Jason on August 4 12:27p

Mike
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 101 (View)
Vehicle: 2007 GO GT
Joined: May 2005
Member # 4
From: Houston TX
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:25p

you could get two sheets of finished plywood, use a 90 degree metal strap on the inside and then place it like an L around the water heater. that way you can paint the finished side to match the wall and it won't show much of the water heater at all...

tankless water heaters are pretty expensive. I looked into one and a good one for my house was about $2K. that being said they are really efficient as they only heat water when you are using it.

it looks really good... you "might" have inspired me to actually get off my ass and do some work...

RHuckster
Horsepower Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 0 (Add)
Vehicle: 07 Mustang GT
Joined: Jun 2005
Member # 142
From: Lake Elsinore Ca
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:26p

Looks GREAT Chris & yes, tankless is the way to go.

Rick

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:28p

Tankless water heaters only heat water when it is needed. About 8% to 30% of the energy consumed by a standard water heater goes to keeping the water hot while it’s not being used. New tankless systems heat the water instantly when you turn on the faucet, rather than keeping a tank full of hot water 24/7 whether you’re using it or not. Tankless heaters run on either electricity or gas, just like regular heaters. They start out at about $300 for electric and $600 for gas.

Here are some at Amazon

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:32p

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike

tankless water heaters are pretty expensive. I looked into one and a good one for my house was about $2K. that being said they are really efficient as they only heat water when you are using it.

Yikes! From what I've heard the expensive ones are like $600-$700 so maybe they've come down in price since you last looked at them?

Texas Termin8er
Supercharged Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 4 (View)
Vehicle: 2003 F-350 PSD
Joined: Sep 2005
Member # 322
From: Spring TEXAS
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:34p

Amazing difference. Should make for some great future episodes.

And I was thinking the same as Mike's idea for hiding the water heater.

TA

DAFBFD58
Supercharged Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 1 (View)
Vehicle: 02 F-250 Farm Fab Edition
Joined: Jul 2005
Member # 200
From: Cecil County MD
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:40p

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike

you could get two sheets of finished plywood, use a 90 degree metal strap on the inside and then place it like an L around the water heater. that way you can paint the finished side to match the wall and it won't show much of the water heater at all...

If you don't want to paint you could always find some of that diamond plate looking fabric and cover the wood. Would give it a unique look.

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:43p

Good idea, Mike... might have to do exactly that. Simple solution... make it easy to remove if we need to get to the water heater real quick-like.

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:46p

BTW, does anyone know of someone that can make a kick-ass metal sign?

Was thinking of a "Truckblog" or "Truckblog TV" cut-out metal sign of some sort above one of the doors, above the cabinets in the back, or below the cabinets on the right.

Pro3qtr
Horsepower Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 0 (Add)
Vehicle: 78 F250 XLT, 06 Honda RTS
Joined: Sep 2005
Member # 282
From: Tacoma WA
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 12:50p

Looks GREAT !! Wish I had a garage :(

LOVE my tankless water heater ! I have the Nat gas version.
MAkes like 8 gpm at 98° - 140° F adjustable controler.

Hard to say what I paid actully, called $10K for new furnace and hot water tank installed. Best $115 a month bill every...........BTW my monthly saving with both was $350 !!!

Max heat/water bill was $175 running house 75-80 when home.

Suck it up, great investment !!

http://www.rinnai.us/Products/water_heaters.aspx

The ProWater

GE2
Ass. 'master

Premium Member

Blogs: 1 (View)
Vehicle: Shopping cart
Joined: May 2005
Member # 3
From: Lockdown
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 1:12p

Looks absolutely amazing!!! Great work you two (and the fam who helped).

Digitalee
Horsepower Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 0 (Add)
Vehicle: 2007 F150 FX4
Joined: Jul 2007
Member # 3190
From: Shoreline WA
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 1:36p

Paint that water heater red and slap on a "Craftsman" sticker -- it'll look like a big air tank.

Of course, I'm kidding. Mike's go the right idea -- effective and easy to clear away. If you paint it white, it'll be less conspicuous in the background when taping.

Looks fantastic -- well worth the effort.

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 1:39p

Digitalee, thanks... LOL at your idea (not a bad one, BTW!)

devnull
Mod Wrangler

Premium Member

Blogs: 4 (View)
Vehicle: 2009 Hyundai 1-Ton
Joined: May 2005
Member # 20
From: PartsUnknown
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 2:00p

I was just thinking something like what Mike suggested... Make a temporary sort of finished plywood "screen" to put in front of it.

I've been thinking of a tankless heater at my condo, and the ones I've priced seem to be around $1000 or so.

Right now I've been on the road alot, but when I get some downtime I might be able to CNC you a sign out of formica-covered MDF, which would look like metal.

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 2:53p

Here are two different ideas for a sign... open to both, really.

The first is something that's metal cut like these:

http://www.baasmetalcraft.com/gallery.htm
http://www.frednelsonfabrication.com/Plasma/PlasmaCutter.htm

and the other idea is something more traditional like an extruded sign like the Trucks! TV one:

Anything that's flat is easy to do for me... I can easily whip something out in vinyl, even using a metallic film--which I may do--but was just trying to think of something different :)

Tom in Tacoma
Moderator

Premium Member

Blogs: 0 (Add)
Vehicle: Truck? What truck?
Joined: May 2005
Member # 9
From: Over yonder WA
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 3:08p

Garage looks great Chris!

Here's an idea for the sign - get a flourescent light fixture and mount it on the wall (light facing forward). Then make a Truckblog banner out of vinyl where the light will shine through the letters. You could make the vinyl double-layered; one color for the letters and a darker color to mask the light.

...just an idea...

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 3:16p

Not a bad DIY idea, Tom... thx

Mark05KR
Nitrous Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 0 (Add)
Vehicle: 2005 King Ranch F-150
Joined: Oct 2005
Member # 374
From: New Ipswich New Hampshire
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 3:38p

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris

Quote:
Originally posted by devnull

That looks 1000 times better. I would just suggest throwing something around the water heater to block it off and make the garage look less "residential".

Any suggestions as to what could cover it? I spoke with a friend of mine last night and he suggested getting a tankless water heater--something I may do once this one croaks (which might be soon... our neighbors' water heaters are starting to die)

Tankless is the way to go. I installed a Takagi TK-2 LP unit several years ago and have been very happy with it. There are units available that can be installed outside the house/garage as well. My Daughter had a tankless system put in when they had their house built and it is mounted on an outside wall. They live in North Carolina so not much worry about extended periods of freezing weather. Their unit runs on natural gas. The initial investment is higher than a standard tank style water heater ($700 - $1,100) but it will eventually pay for itself in energy savings.

Chris
Webmaster

Premium Member

Blogs: 678 (View)
Vehicle: 2005 F-150
Joined: May 2005
Member # 2
From: Whale's V
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 4:11p

Mark, thanks... looks like the way to go for sure after hearing all these great testimonials.

The garage pimping continues... the diamond plate switch covers just arrived:

more photos added here:

http://www.truckblog.com/photos/default.asp?set=72157606490223832&page=2

The single rocker switch didn't fit with the chair rail right next to it, so that piece of wood will need a bit of modifying before it's all done. Also might paint the wall behind the switch black so you can't see the white/silver paint.

DrSpeed
Writer/Photographer

Premium Member

Blogs: 25 (View)
Vehicle: Ford F-550, Gixxer 750,
Joined: Jun 2005
Member # 103
From: Bellingham WA
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 4:35p

Man Chris, I should fly you all up here and knock out the same stuff in my garage!!!

Instead of getting storage, we'd have a big burn pile....

Screwd_Up
Horsepower Member

Premium Member

Blogs: 0 (Add)
Vehicle: 2001 Ford Supercrew
Joined: Dec 2006
Member # 1638
From: League City Texas
Visit Gallery

Posted - August 4 : 4:56p

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris

...Also might paint the wall behind the switch black so you can't see the white/silver paint.

Paint it black, you'd never know there wasn't a chair rail there.

Page: of 3

Message

Reply • Active • New Topic • Print