What is the Ideal Garage Size for Restoring a Full-Size Car?

Every car-enthusiast asks the question: what’s the point of a garage if it’s too small to properly restore a car?

Not all car junkies are lucky enough to have a property outfitted garage to restore a full-sized car.  Many garages were built as an afterthought to shelter the growing trend of automobiles.  These garage spaces aren’t equipped to handle our modern electricity demands for big projects, power tools, and full-bodied car restorations.

What if you’re lucky enough to start from scratch?

What Makes a Dream Garage?

Restoring a full-sized car is no easy task to undertake.  You’ll need the space, certainly, among other requirements to tackle this process.  While lots of restorers have brought cars back to their former impressiveness in the space of a one-car garage, it’s a tight fit.  It’s possible but calls for creativity in navigating this small space.  Most enthusiasts are stuck with these tiny garages and dreams of a bigger space for their workshops, but what would be the ideal size to restore a full-sized car anyway?

The bigger, the better when it comes to car restoration, especially for a full-sized vehicle.  Not all of us are blessed with a two-car or even three-car garage, but if you’re building a garage with a major car restoration in mind, then opt for plentiful space.

Here are some things you’ll want to consider for your garage when restoring a car:

• A space for a workbench or area to spread out
• A space to keep tools and equipment
• A space to keep larger restoration equipment like compressors, floor jacks, and engine cranes
• A space for painting
• A space for welding

Let’s face it, restoring a car is a real challenge, even to the most talented among us, but when the process is done in a roomy garage, there are far less headaches and frustrations to face.  Because of the many phases of the restoration process, having a two-car garage size space to work in can make the work areas less convoluted, allowing you to switch between tools and bulkier equipment with minimal hassle.

Imagine being granted the ability to move freely in your garage around the full-sized car you’re restoring, the heavy equipment, the tool cabinets, the gear, and the workbenches with room to spare.  Space in the world of car restoration is more than peace of mind, but the gift to be able to actually enjoy your favorite hobby without feeling embittered from the claustrophobia of a small, unworkable garage space.

From Floor to Ceiling

Of course, the ideal garage for car restoration becomes more than sheer size.  Whether you’re a novice car-restorer or a veteran, you’ll want a few aspects in your garage to make it the ideal environment in bringing a full-sized car back to its glory days.

Garages are often starved of electricity.  A perfect setting for restoration means plentiful space equipped with an abundance of outlets to power your tools and equipment.  If possible, you might even consider having a 220-volt circuit installed in order to power tools like an air compressor or an arc welder.  No matter what, you’ll want numerous 110-volt circuits throughout your garage, preferably installed by a professionally trained electrician.

Along the subject of walls arises the implementation of plumbing.  Any good garage meant for car restoration (especially for a large full-sized car) will call for a reliable wash bin.  While you’re considering your wall construction, also think about insulation.  A full-sized car restoration will take time and you could find yourself working as the weather shifts to colder seasons.  Insulating your workspace—and your hard work—will enable you to stick to your project and its time frame.

Your floors are just as critical in creating the perfect garage workspace as the size, walls, electricity, water access, and insulation.  Restoration can be messy, and the best design in response to a potential mess of scraps, runoff, grease, and stray nuts is a floor that’s easily cleaned with a functional drain.  Use floor finishes like oil-stained concrete, epoxy acrylic for concrete, or place rubber matting overtop to make the cleanup part of restoring your car a breeze.

The Stages of Restoration Need Breathing Room

Bringing a full-sized car back to life means going through many stages.  You’ll tear it apart, weld it back together, tinker with the parts, move things around, and finally clean it up with new pieces and paint.  Of course, easier said than done, so account for all of the tools and equipment that lingers on the floor or workbench for extended periods, the messes you’re bound to create, and your constant need for an outlet, a washdown, and a good, thorough floor sweep.

That being said, you can never have too much space for a dream restoration garage.  For a true car junkie through-and-through, any garage space is ideal, but one dreams of plentiful room for movement and allowance to change stages in the complex restoration process.

Make Sure Your Garage is Up to Par

Is your garage is lacking in space? Your vehicles and other items inside won’t be as protected as you’d like. Plus, if you plan on working on your cars with your garage car lift, you won’t be comfortable in the summer or winter if your garage can’t keep the outside temperatures away.

Luckily for you, Danley’s is the best garage builder in the Chicagoland area and has been since 1959. Our custom built garages can be made however you’d like so you get exactly what fits your needs.

If you find that your garage size isn’t fit for a garage car lift and want a new one built, get a free quote online to start your garage building project with us.