[CMC#5]

Now that things are starting to settle down here in our new home, we broke ground on the GarageMahal.

Any suggestions/tips from those that know much more than I ever will about electricity and other shop essentials? Keep it simple, essential and wonderland arent the same (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Specifically I'm looking for advice on # of circuits and size, as well as floor and wall paint/coating/covering options.

(IMG:http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/images/Other/GarageDay1.jpg)

[CMC#5]

Wow, a ton of excellent advice! I figured there might be a bit of energy around this (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif) I think I have enough info to go on regarding electrical requirements, awesome and thanks. Ditto on insulation concerns. I plan on fully insulating the bldg.

Follow ups:
1) flooring...epoxy coating sounds like a ginormous PITA to do, plus waiting for two months for curing/drying after the thing is done so I can then spend four days acid dipping/painting waiting for it to dry before I move in sounds unlikely. Am I being too negative? Do those rubber floor tiles/roll out sheets work with jack stands etc? That sounds easy...though probably fall under the category of "nice to have/too expensive".

2) The bathroom stays. I was planning on a garage style sink and a toilet in there. I might install some pea gravel outside in case Mitch comes over though. I'd want him to feel comfortable.

3) The whole building is behind a fence with the German Shepherd in the picture so I'm not really worried about intruders...but I think I'll let price drive the decision on windows. All other things being equal I think I'd rather have a lift than a bunch of windows, no?

4) Awesome comment on the CAT5 and phone...hadnt even considered that!! wow...that would've sucked!

5) The upstairs will be partially finished as a guest house (big influence on convincing the wife here!). I was considering setting up ac/heat with a split to do either the bottom or the top. This way I could cool it, but not spend as much on equipment. It would mean one or the other though. Thoughts?

6) Anyone have thoughts for the walls other than normal drywall?

7) I've heard normal copper plumbing with soldered fittings is ok for air use...is this true? Any better ideas?

[Powerslide91]

1) flooring...epoxy coating sounds like a ginormous PITA to do, plus waiting for two months for curing/drying after the thing is done so I can then spend four days acid dipping/painting waiting for it to dry before I move in sounds unlikely. Am I being too negative? Do those rubber floor tiles/roll out sheets work with jack stands etc? That sounds easy...though probably fall under the category of "nice to have/too expensive".

I think you are off in the weeds (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Again, I just used the kits from Lowes, but it was pretty easy. I applied it when my house was first built. Swept it out, then borrowed a buddies power washer. Power washed a couple of times to get all the loose grit off it it. In the kit was a citric acid that you mix with water and apply with a watering bucket. Let it soak, then washed it off. Again I used the power washer but I don't think that was needed. Then needed to give it a day or so to dry. There is a test in the epoxy kit, something like cover a 1x1 section with plastic wrap and check it the next day, if you find moisture under the plastic, it need longer to dry. Easy. The epoxy was a 2 part, you mix it and it has the consistency of normal paint. I applied it using a broom handle attached to a nap roller. The epoxy apply quick and easy. My suggestion is to put it on "thick" to allow it to flow into the little micro grooves in the cement. I forget the total cure time, it was something like 1 or 2 days till you walk on it, then 7 days before putting a car on it.

The first time you drop a full oil filter into the floor and watch it roll across the shop glugging oil the whole way you will be very happy you put down epoxy. I have spilled just about everything on my floor and it all wipes up with a rag.

Jeff

[CrashTestDummy]

I think you are off in the weeds (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Again, I just used the kits from Lowes, but it was pretty easy. I applied it when my house was first built. Swept it out, then borrowed a buddies power washer. Power washed a couple of times to get all the loose grit off it it. In the kit was a citric acid that you mix with water and apply with a watering bucket. Let it soak, then washed it off. Again I used the power washer but I don't think that was needed. Then needed to give it a day or so to dry. There is a test in the epoxy kit, something like cover a 1x1 section with plastic wrap and check it the next day, if you find moisture under the plastic, it need longer to dry. Easy. The epoxy was a 2 part, you mix it and it has the consistency of normal paint. I applied it using a broom handle attached to a nap roller. The epoxy apply quick and easy. My suggestion is to put it on "thick" to allow it to flow into the little micro grooves in the cement. I forget the total cure time, it was something like 1 or 2 days till you walk on it, then 7 days before putting a car on it.

The first time you drop a full oil filter into the floor and watch it roll across the shop glugging oil the whole way you will be very happy you put down epoxy. I have spilled just about everything on my floor and it all wipes up with a rag.

Jeff

What Jeff said. It was like a week's worth of work, most of that time was spent letting stuff dry. The longer you can wait before putting a tire on it, the better. It makes cleanup _possible_ and almost a joy to do. Sweeping the floor is a completely different operation with a coated floor vs. bare concrete. Absolutely, completely worth the time and expense. Once you do it, you will never have an un-coated garage floor again. I'm sure sealing is the same, but probably has quite similar preparation procedures.