Building the perfect car maintenance garage at home is the dream for many. Finally, you can say goodbye to taking your vehicle to mechanics who charge too much and do it yourself in the privacy of your own space.
What’s more, it’s an incentive to learn all the skills you need to look after your pride and joy. When you have a fully functioning and operational garage at home, you’re no longer as dependent on the rest of society to keep your vehicle running.
But how do you build the perfect home car maintenance garage? Here’s what you need to know:
Design The Perfect Space
When it comes to professional at-home car maintenance, standard-size garages simply won’t suffice, according to https://www.bankrate.com/. You need something bigger and more spacious to work comfortably on your vehicles.
Start by determining the size and layout you want. You need something roughly the size of a conventional double garage to provide space for the vehicle and all the tools and storage you’ll need. Double-check you have room for everything you’ll need.
You also want decent lighting in the garage. It’s critical you can see what you’re doing.
One option is to design a garage extension with skylights and windows built into the structure to provide natural light. However, as https://azglassdoor.com/ points out, you also need glass that will protect you against the sun, particularly if you’re going to be working on vehicles all day.
Lastly, you need some decent ventilation to filter out airborne hazards. Unventilated workshop garages can accumulate harmful vehicle chemicals that damage your lungs and so on.
Collect The Equipment You Need
The next step is to collect the equipment you need to carry out work. At the very least, you’ll want a workbench, basic hand tools, and various jacks and lift stands. Simple equipment lets you carry out work on 80 percent of your vehicle.
If you want to do the remaining 20 percent, you may need to purchase specialist tools. These might include brake calibration devices, diagnostic scanners, and torque wrenches for tightening bolts with optimal force.
Add Storage
After that, you’ll need to add storage. Things like tool chests and wall-mounted cabinets can be an excellent way to keep items organized while giving you the space you need to work on your vehicles.
Most mechanics have a rolling cart or tool chest. These have metal drawers and are movable, giving the space more flexibility and letting you work on differently-sized vehicles.
If you have room, dedicate one of the walls to wall-mounted cabinets. These help store bulking items and keep them out of the way.
Consider Safety
Finally, you’ll want to consider safety in your new car maintenance garage. Putting down a grease trap or integrating one into the room can be exceptionally helpful if you are working on old, rusty, vehicles.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a supply of goggles, gloves, and hearing protection to protect you against harmful chemicals and loud noises. Don’t forget to pack a first aid kit either.