winter restoration work-heating a garage

[jdsgrog]

I'm not sure if this is where I need to put this post, but I wanted to do some winter work on my boat (sort of keep my sanity while waiting for boating season). I live in Chicago and rent a two car garage to store and work on my boat. It gets cold here, and the garage is not insulated. But I'd like to know how some of you winter restorers heat your garages to a comfortable working temperature (upper 40-lower 50 degree temps).

Since I rent my garage, I cannot install any high powered heater. Also, I don't plan to do any "lamination" or fiberglass work where I need an optimal curing temperature. Any suggestions would be helpful; particularly the type of heat source you use.

Some info on limitations: 1. Electricity is limited to 110v. 2. No insulation. 3. Limited ventilation, though the garage is a little drafty.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

Best option is a direct vent gas heater running on propane cylinders.

With no insulation the electric 110 won't put out enough heat to be worth it (you'd need 203) but the propane with eg. a 110,000 btu heater should "catch up" to the heat leaking out ok. Start it when you arrive, stop it when you leave, and even leave it at a low ebb overnight. Just make sure it has features to shut off if tipped or if oxygen gets too low.

Using fuel in tanks like that tells you how fast you're going through it. Two years ago I used a natural gas heater to heat my garage 24/7 in January in Minnesota. The garage roof only was insulated. I got the boat done, but I ended up owing $1000 in gas bills.

Whatever you do I don't recommend kerosene heat. It puts a skin of fuel and combustion products over everything in the area, which interferes with painting, coating, lamination, whatever.

Erik

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

My guess is that you will need something that uses kerosene. I used one of these to heat up the work shop at my business...did the job quickly, and safely.

 

[flyer4ever]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I live in Maine. Oh Yea, I understand cold. When I need to work out in the garage ,I start up a Kerosun Heater about an hour ahead of time and it will bring up the temp to a temp that I can work in. Maybe not in a T-shirt, But if it's about 32 out a sweat shirt will do. Always be care ful of fumes. These heaters arn,t bad ,but I wouldn't sleep out there. I think Wal-mart sells them or a alternate brand name. Ernie

 

[Azonic]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

This gets my vote for your situation...

I have insulated my shop and installed a wood stove...

I need to insulate the ceiling before I am good and warm...
But for anything above 30 and I am good...

 

[Captmills]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I use a fan forced kerosene heater as well

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

My guess is that you will need something that uses kerosene. I used one of these to heat up the work shop at my business...did the job quickly, and safely.

So if I went with something like this, would this work ok with closed doors?

Thanks everyone, keep the suggestions coming.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

Whatever you do I don't recommend kerosene heat. It puts a skin of fuel and combustion products over everything in the area, which interferes with painting, coating, lamination, whatever.

Absolutely heed this advice if you're doing any kind of finishing work.

 

[Azonic]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I did not know that...

Looks like propane forced air super torch!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

So if I went with something like this, would this work ok with closed doors?

Thanks everyone, keep the suggestions coming.

We used ours in a closed workshop, with no issues. They come in differesnt BTU outputs, and ours was pretty hefty and would be turned off after just a couple of hours. Kerosene heaters are pretty common for indoor heating.

We also were doing a great deal of Bondo work and painting...and never had any of the suggested problems.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I don't know whether specific paints or laminating agents are more or less vulnerable. I suspect alkyd paints would do fine.

I know it causes problems for laminating poly resin and in larger quantities it can stop epoxy from adhering.

Erik

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

Well, as I said, probably wouldn't do any lamination work, maybe some wood gluing at best. Found this propane heater on Lowes website. Any thoughts?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=154996-88644-RMC-FA50C&lpage=none

 

[PaulyV]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I just picked this up last week at Lowes..very quiet and heats up my 2 car garage space to 70 in 20 minutes. It was 20 degrees outside. I shut it down for 15 minutes and start it again.

 

[kenny26]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

i'm in Chicago burbs. I just got this one yesterday for exact same reason. It says you need 2 1/2 sqft opening for ventilation (i.e. an open window) I just leave the garage door up a few inches off the ground.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I just picked this up last week at Lowes..very quiet and heats up my 2 car garage space to 70 in 20 minutes. It was 20 degrees outside. I shut it down for 15 minutes and start it again.

Is that a kerosene or propane?

 

[PaulyV]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

It is Kerosene..I also leave the garage door open 6".

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

jdsgrog,
I use one like the one you found at Lowe's. It does a great job in my two car garage. I have to keep shutting it off to keep it from getting to hot in the garage. My garage is well insulated though.
It is also propane.
I just wish my wife would let me put my boat in the garage.
Bob

 

[swordfish25]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

I also use a karosene blower heater. works great, and I never had a fume problem. I have a theromostat hooked to the cord .No problem there, set it and forget it. Carbonmonoxide meter would be a good idea and take the guess work out. I sometimes use it down celler also. Great thing to have, use it anywhere you have power, or generator.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

Kenny26 I think that heater might be the ticket, he might need two to get the job done. My brother has one and it dose a pretty good job, and it being propane wont off gas like the kerosene heater. I had forgotten about that type of heater, I might just need to get myself a couple.

Jeff

 

[kenny26]

Re: winter restoration work-heating a garage

Kenny26 I think that heater might be the ticket, he might need two to get the job done. My brother has one and it dose a pretty good job, and it being propane wont off gas like the kerosene heater. I had forgotten about that type of heater, I might just need to get myself a couple.

Jeff

They make a slightly larger version that goes to 200K BTU, but i had mine set on low the other day with an outside temp in the 20s and in my 3 car garage with a triple window on one side I was too hot and had to shut it off for a while.