Garage Car Wash

2002 Z06- I've been very happy with the epoxy-based high gloss wall paint ("same stuff they use in the minicipal bus garage" according to my builder :nixweiss ). It's been seven years now, and it's doing fine.
 
Accumulator said:
2002 Z06- Welcome to Autopia!



I've been very happy with the epoxy-based high gloss wall paint ("same stuff they use in the minicipal bus garage" according to my builder :nixweiss ). It's been seven years now, and it's doing fine.



I will look in to that...Thanks. :up
 
Don't use paint for at least the first four feet. Use waterproof paneling. Looks good, is an easy clean, brightens the area, and is nearly indestructable. It is VERY easy to install and is commonly used in car washes. I have used this material regularly, and dig it.



It can be obtained at any mega-hardware. Prices are reasonable considering the long term durability and looks.
 
Also, keep in mind that if there is plumbing in the garage, then the garage must be heated to be sure the plumbing does not freeze up and the pipes burst.
 
Accumulator said:
I went with FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) panels for the lower 4' or so of the walls (the rest of the walls are epoxy-painted block) and it's worked out fine. Get water resistant paint for the rest of the drywall and you should be fine.





With the FRP make sure you get the correct adhesive! They sell several and I mistakenly picked up the wrong one on my third trip to Home Depot. The result was the FRP has buckled badly on some of the 4x8 panels with the wrong glue. It didn't show up for about a week until the adhesive cured. My only option is to tear it off and replace the panels with the correct adhesive. The ones with the correct glue look great.
 
southpactire said:
With the FRP make sure you get the correct adhesive! They sell several and I mistakenly picked up the wrong one...



Heh heh, glad I left that job to my builder :D Whatever they used bonded just fine to the underlying epoxy-based paint (they painted the walls first then I decided I wanted the FRP).



To be honest, the walls in my previous shop (which was a commercial shop/used-car dealership for years) were only painted, and they worked out just fine too. I suspect it was a matter of using the right paint over top of materials that weren't water-sensitive. But I sure like the FRP panels better.
 
I always wash my car in the garage during winter. I use Protect All Quick & Easy Wash which works quite well. I have to finish 4 bottles of the stuff before I get to try ONR. I would leave maybe 2-3 cups of water on the floor after I'm done. That's it. It could air dry without hurting anything.
 
Burnout01,

I routinely wash cars in my two car garage. It has no drain but is sloped, so most of the water runs out. I have a semi-gloss paint on the walls. I was more concerned about getting the cabinets, toolboxes, etc. along the walls of the garage wet than with the walls themselves. I placed an eye hook on one wall and ran a plastic covered cable to another hook on the opposite wall. I also used turnbuckles so I could adjust the tension. With cables running between the car and everything along the walls, I hung a series of cheap shower curtains on the cable. Did this along the three walls of the garage. No need to cover the garage door. If I need the curtains I simply slide them into place. If not, I just slide them against the wall where the cable is hooked. No danger of getting anything wet that shouldn't be wet. I have since found, however, that I usually don't need the curtains to keep the spray contained. Good luck.

Richard
 
I lucked out that my 90 year old house had a garage with a large (really large) drain built in. The grandfather laws allow me to keep it. Our metro area does not allow them any longer.



I have installed a large HVAC system which makes year-round, weekly washing bearable.



standard.jpg
 
Burnout01 said:
I'm getting ready to start building a new house. It will have a 2 1/2 attached car garage. I'm curious if any of you have the ability to wash your car in your garage in the winter? I was thinking about having a drain installed and plumbing ran, but what do I need to do for the walls? Current plans have drywall being installed. I like the look of drywall but know it doesn't mix well with water. I've wondered if painting it with a latex exterior paint would work or if I'll just need to go with another material all together.

Thanks for any help or advice.



Check out Watch it Wash - AutoGreenWash a pushbutton in-home garage automatic car washing appliance that helps save the planet. They offer an in home garage push button car washing system that does not require structural modification of your garage, and it lowers an enclosure from your ceiling so everything else in your garage stays dry. It is an expensive luxury item intended for auto enthusiasts. So far it is only available in Phoenix, LA, and Las Vegas.
 
karnut said:
Check out Watch it Wash - AutoGreenWash a pushbutton in-home garage automatic car washing appliance that helps save the planet. They offer an in home garage push button car washing system that does not require structural modification of your garage, and it lowers an enclosure from your ceiling so everything else in your garage stays dry. It is an expensive luxury item intended for auto enthusiasts. So far it is only available in Phoenix, LA, and Las Vegas.



More spam! Great!
 
the other pc said:
At least it's on-topic SPAM instead of an offer to sell sneakers, cell phones and Viagra.



A home touchless wash tunnel.



I luv it!! And just in time for Xmas.



We had the same issue when building 10 yrs. ago...fire marshal said NO to the floor drain. His concern was gasoline or oil or whatever running down there and building up gases, etc. I do have a hose in the garage year-round. It has frozen up a couple times on really cold days.



It's not that bad to use the strategy noted above: Rinse outside, wash inside, rinse out, squeegee floor when all done.
 
Back
Top