Two winter questions...

H

Hey Moe!

New member
I succumbed to the upcoming weather forecast, and changed my '05 Focus ST's tires over to my winter Blizzaks (mounted on plain wheels, with some wheel covers). I managed to wash the summer alloys and tires, dried them, and got them into my apartment, as snow started to fall.



After polishing the wheels and adding a few coats of Collinite, and dressing the tires, I will store them in the basement until spring. I intend to stack them in a relatively warm area, above the floor, separated by layers of newspapers. I decided not to bag them, for fear of harmful condensation.



Next, I surveyed my garage, because I would like to use it for QEW use. It's a two-car, uninsulated, shared with the other apartment tenant's car. I have a small ceramic-disc heater, but I am not sure it would get the garage warm enough (40 degrees would make me happy).



I am considering purchasing a kerosene heater. I can get 10,000 BTUs for about 90 dollars, and 20,000 for another 30 dollars. I am familiar with their use.



I would appreciate hearing from anyone with thoughts on tire storage, and heating a garage periodically for Autopian use.



Thanks to all!
 
A small ceramic heater isn't going to do much in a 2 car garage. I don't think it would do much if it were insulated either. I have a ceramic heater for a 8x5 bathroom. For a 2 car garage, I'd think you'd need something on a 220 line to bring up the temparature.



Just make sure you crack a window or door with a kerosene heater.

Maybe this can help you out with your decision.

http://www.heatershop.com/btu_calculator.htm



Only thoughts on wheel storage, I'd probably use plain brown cardboard instead of newspaper. Not sure if it would, but I'd be concerned with ink transfer.
 
Only time I used a kerosene heater in a garage was back when I was young and immortal (i.e., foolish)- the fumes were a bit much but I lived to tell. Be careful if you go that route.



The tire storage is easier to answer. In my experience, storing wheels/tires isn't that tough to do adequately. Sounds like you're already overkilling it, so I wouldn't worry, they'll be fine. You're already taking better precautions that I do these days, and my wheels/tires stay OK.
 
I use a kerosene heater to heat my garage. They stink like crazy and the heat is moist. I would recommend getting one with a thermostat, it's a pretty cheap add on, but worth it. I usually go out and set it about 60degrees, then let it cycle a few times. After 20 minutes I go out and turn it back to 50 and crack the garage door for some fresh air. It isn't horrible, but it's not clean heat like you're probably used to.

They also sell a propane heater that uses those 20# grill tanks. I've been in garages that use them and the heat is nice and clean, although much more expensive.

5 gallons of kerosene is about $15 and lasts half the winter. A 20# propane tank is $17 and doesn't last my neighbor more than a month.
 
An electric space heater won't give off any fumes, and should work OK for heating your garage. I've been considering one for a while now.
 
Yeah, you're right about the kerosene fumes. The garage has enough "unintentional openings" that I'm sure that there is some ventilation, though.



I have a propane tank, and will investigate that option, too.



Oh, well. I get to retire in a few years. Maybe a move south is in order (sigh). I find winter tougher to take the older I get.
 
Hey said:
Oh, well. I get to retire in a few years. Maybe a move south is in order (sigh). I find winter tougher to take the older I get.
Click to expand...





I'm only 20, but I'm ready to move out of this cold weather myself. Walking from my car to school this morning was awful. It doesn't help that I park in the back corner of the furthest parking lot, but as an Autopian, there's no other option! :)



I'm moving out west soon after I get my Bachelor's degree in 2 more years.
 
With the number of orange tree's they're burning because of this citrus canker crap there's plenty of room for development down here in florida. 40+ degrees (and therefore detailing) year round, woot! I know I'm going to sound like a typical floridian but I was in long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and a hoodie this morning. It was fricking 52! BRRRR!!



Maybe try a space heater aimed at you. I use one in the bathroom on chilly mornings (like this morning) when I'm taking a shower. I know it's not going to heat the whole garage but it might be able to warm up your general area and that's all your really gonna need. Well, on second thought, i guess it would be nice to have the car's surface temperature higher than freezing. Buy two :D
 
I have a good friend who lives in Fort Myers. He is always telling me to come visit.



Maybe I should drive down there and do a mid-winter detail ; )



My other recourse is to thumb my nose at winter. It was 25 degrees this evening, a wind-chill of 5, and I had chicken on my charcoal grill on the back porch. You know, it tasted pretty good.



Reminded me of summer.
 
seriously, I have to give props to you northerners. I don't understand how you guys deal with it EVERY year. I'm down here bundled up and its in the 50's whilst you guys are dealing with single digit numbers. How do you even dress up for something like that. I can't even imagine what that would feel like. especially when you bring in wind chill factors of below zero. That's beyond my comprehension. And then on top of all of that, you have to deal with dirty cars. You northerners are either really hardy or just plain nuts.
 
Neothin - Imagine this scenario. You walk outside, take a deep breath of that fresh air through your nose, and it's mouth breathing from then on. Why? Because your nostrils are frozen.



I walk 4 blocks to school every day from my car. Even though it's winter, I still park in the same spot...back in the corner. It's cold than a witch's t*** out there, but I do it because I don't want any door dings. Even if that means freezing my *** off walking to school each morning in single-digit temps.
 
White95Max said:
Neothin - Imagine this scenario. You walk outside, take a deep breath of that fresh air through your nose, and it's mouth breathing from then on. Why? Because your nostrils are frozen.



I walk 4 blocks to school every day from my car. Even though it's winter, I still park in the same spot...back in the corner. It's cold than a witch's t*** out there, but I do it because I don't want any door dings. Even if that means freezing my *** off walking to school each morning in single-digit temps.
Click to expand...



I thought we had a cold climate here in Finland, but from what i've been reading here it seems like you have more snow and colder than we do here. Right now it's 38F, dry, no snow at all.
 
Neothin - Thanks for the credit for us "cold folks." I don't mind it much, except for December-February. Unless you can heat a garage, you're done as an Autopian, though I do have a nearby carwash (do it yourself) with hot water and heated floors. I can at least get rid of road salt with the wand.



Occasionally, I get a short thaw (40 degrees). Out comes the hose, and away I go. It's odd to be washing a car outside between banks of shoveled snow.



Paul - You have it worse than I. I applaud your insistence on keeping your car "safe." The good news is, you will pick up your degree, and punch your own ticket to wherever you please.



I enjoyed the responses from everyone. This is a helpful, and friendly forum. I often use this forum as an "emotional rescue." In between teaching classes of immature 14-year-olds, I often take a very quick peek to see who said what. It gets my spirits up, because for a few minutes I think about detailing my car, and I am ready for the next roomful of hormone-crazed teens.



So, thanks all! This place rocks!
 
Hey said:
Paul - You have it worse than I. I applaud your insistence on keeping your car "safe." The good news is, you will pick up your degree, and punch your own ticket to wherever you please.
Click to expand...





West coast please! :xyxthumbs
 
I read someplace that the proper way to store tires is to stand them up as opposed to laying them dowm as you propose. I have no ides why.

Something you can google if interested.
 
White95Max said:
West coast please! :xyxthumbs
Click to expand...





That is a great idea. my wife and I took our Honeymoon in Ca and the place was kick ***. US 1 is an awesome sight for us east coast folks. the Golden Gate bridge and Yosemite were pretty sweet as well. I do love to snowboard but after last winter with high temps never getting above the teens for a month straight and windchills below zero ,maybe I can swith to surfing instead lol ! guess my golf game would improve as well ;)
 
I'm not looking to move to CA. I want to move to Oregon. Somewhere between Portland and Corvallis. Too expensive right near the coast, and too dry east of the Cascades. I want to be in the middle, where there's enough rain to make for some awesome kayaking opportunities! :xyxthumbs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top