RAD GARAGE - Rick's Residential Detailing Theatre and Dream Garage
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BLOG (2014-2021)

FOLLOW ALONG WITH WHAT I GOT GOING ON

Carzilla Decal Giveaway

2/22/2021

 
To express my genuine thanks to my supporters who have discovered and used my "RADGARAGE" discount on their Carzilla orders, I have arranged for the next 100 orders to include a free RAD GARAGE decal. I had these made up by my friends over at customdecalsyyc.com. In addition to a a free decal, the next 100 orders are atomically entered to win a random draw for a 3'x2' RAD GARAGE banner like the one I recently raffled off on Instagram. I sincerely want to thank all my viewers for their continued support of me and my favourite detailing supply company. Be sure to visit the Carzilla.ca website or visit the retail location if you are in the Calgary or surrounding area. 

Winter Floor Cleaning

2/21/2021

 
I highly doubt there's a Canadian garage with a cleaner floor than mine. Maintaining a spotless floor during the inhospitable Canadian winter isn't always an easy feat, but the Swisstrax floor and channel drain/catch basin system are a huge help. The weather threw me a bit of a bone this weekend, so I took the opportunity to clean the floor and empty the basin before another polar vortex hits! Check it out: 

What's in your Glovebox?

2/21/2021

 
I recently discovered a company out of the US that puts together "mystery boxes" of detailing products but they don't actually keep the contents a mystery. Rather than throwing a bunch of random detailing products into a box, the team at Gloveboxdetail.com curates a box of high quality products that work together towards a common goal. I highly recommend you check out there website to see the various boxes and purchase options they offer. You can make a one-time purchase of any of their past or present boxes, or opt for a 3, 6, or 12-month subscription. Whatever option you decide to go with, I can't get over the value these kits offer.I have partnered up with them because I just love what they are doing. I recently received my "welcome box" and I was absolutely thrilled with its contentsl. Here's a video I put together of the unboxing of my first Glovebox.
You can enjoy a 20% discount on your first order if you want to give it a shot. Just use code "RAD20" at checkout! 
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Farewell Old Friend

2/21/2021

 
With the arrival of my new AR630TSS pressure washer, it was time to say farewell to my Kobalt/AR Blue Clean 390SS electric pressure washer. This unit has been with me for almost five years and served me well over that time. I passed it on to a local friend so it can continue helping the world stay a clean place!
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Banner Giveaway

2/21/2021

 
I recently had two 3'x2' vinyl RAD GARAGE banners made. I gave one away this past Friday through an Instagram contest. To enter, followers had to like the post and mention which of my YouTube videos they loved the most. The winner was @sq5chris from Ontario. He mentioned the "new car prep" series of videos I produced when I took ownership of my current SQ5 as his favorites. I was so flattered that 88 followers would take the time to enter to win a banner with my name on it. Also, the generous folks at LevKom Lighting threw in a $150 lighting credit for the second place finisher. That prize went to my friend Dave (@blau_rs2).

​There is a chance for viewers to win the second of the two banners. Details for that can be found here. Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support of my garage. 
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New Dehumidifier

2/21/2021

 
Washing inside the garage in the summer rarely presents me with humidity issues. Now that I have the floor drainage system, I am able to conduct proper washes in the winter, but I have noticed the garage becomes extremely humid. I reached out to my friend Pan the Organizer, and he suggested I look into purchasing a Frigidaire FFAD5033W 50-Pint Capacity Dehumidifier. I did just that and I am so happy with my decision. This unit will bring the garage from a humidity level of 85% down to a comfortable 40-45% in short order. I highly recommend. 

John Boos & Co. Shelf

2/21/2021

 
I am so happy to be introducing a new pressure washer system into the garage. I will be sharing the full story behind my AR630TSS acquisition in a forthcoming video, but I had to figure out how I was going to store it in the garage. I decided to position it in the dead centre of the garage on the house wall. Here, it will allow easy and convenient access to all corners of the garage. I sourced a 16"x24" John Boos & Company stainless steel shelf. This is a robust shelf that is specifically made for commercial kitchens so I felt it was the perfect choice to support the near-60lb AR unit. I removed the lower of my two Craftsman metal pegboard panels and affixed a 1" backer plate of wood to the wall using nails, screws and construction adhesive. This slab of wood isn't going anywhere. I used 3" wood screws to attach the shelf supports to the wall. I painted the panel with my darkest colour, "Film Noir". I am currently waiting on the MTM hose reel that will be positioned directly under the shelf. More updates coming soon! 

Always Organizing

2/21/2021

 
An extended Family Day weekend presented an opportunity for me to do some serious organizing in the garage. The garage was already highly organized, but with the spare time I set my sights on each and every drawer and cabinet in the space. Each of them is now completely and utterly dialled in. Here's some pics demonstrating just how organized I have this place at the moment. The trick will now be maintaining it to this level. There's a few significant changes to the product displays coming up so stay tuned. 

Italian Stallion

1/18/2021

 
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My friend Nick entrusted me with his amazing 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione for the weekend. I gave it a maintenance wash using some Adam's, Lithium and Koch Chemie products. In addition to producing a video showcasing the wash process, I had Nick share some insights and information on this truly remarkable piece of automotive history. Be sure to catch both videos on my YouTube channel. You won't often see a car like this getting spoiled in the garage of a mild-mannered weekend warrior up here in Canada. 
Click either of the thumbnails below to view my Lancia videos
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Catch Basin Access

1/17/2021

 
Here's a few photos that demonstrate how the catch basin grill can be accessed under the Swisstrax floor. I have filed off the connectors between two tiles of the Ribtrax and the solid Oak Vinyltrax. This allows for quick and easy access to the catch basin. I am quite fortunate how well all of this worked out. 

Winter Wash

1/17/2021

 
The addition of the channel drain and catch basin enables me to conduct proper washes whenever I feel the need. I felt the need last weekend: 

Lithium Ignite After Wash

1/17/2021

 
My friends at Lithium sent me a little holiday care package including their new final spray called "Ignite". I used it on a recent project and really enjoyed it. I think this company is doing a wonderful job of bringing interesting and effective products to market and I have enjoyed the VIP touch they have given me. The Moscow Mule and copper cup was a nice touch! 

YouTube Notification Issue

1/17/2021

 
A YouTube viewer recently contacted me to alert me to an issue with the notification bell on my channel. This user was unable to click the little bell to set video notifications, but we figured out that simply unsubscribing"and then re-subscribing fixed this issue. Complicating the issue was a message that would appear staying "this action is turned off for content made for kids". Apparently, this is a glitch that other YouTube creators have reported. At any rate, simply following the easy steps outlined above is all that is necessary to set your RAD notifications! 

Winter Photo

1/17/2021

 
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Hanging with Papa Smurf & Mike

1/17/2021

 
I had a fun chat with two detailers in Northern California a few weeks ago. It is so fun to connect with likeminded people from all over the world. Here's the video, but I warn you, it's over 2 hours long! 

Massive Dump

12/23/2020

 
Of snow! Calgary received a record amount of snow earlier this week. I spent quite a few hours digging out from it. Here's some pics along with a little video I put together. 

Exquisite Exterior Wash

12/21/2020

 
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I have spent ten years developing my garage into a car care paradise. With the recent installation of a drainage system, I can now perform proper washes no matter the weather. In this video, I dedicate four hours divided up over a quiet Sunday evening and Monday morning spoiling my 2018 Audi SQ5 winter warwagon. Join me for a relaxing 20+ minutes as I demonstrate the steps I follow to return my trusty daily driver to pristine condition.

New QuickJack Hooks

12/20/2020

 
The team at QuickJack recently released a cool new set of black storage hooks. I reached out to them to see what it would take to procure a set of my own, and they just put a set in the mail. These will replace the steel versions I currently have. I am sending the old ones to a friend in Ottawa. The team at QuickJack has been absolutely awesome to me over the years. Be sure to check out my QuickJack page here. 

Customizing Display Settings

12/19/2020

 
An Instagram follower reached out to me recently because his parents live close to where I work and he had seen my SQ5. Turns out he's an SQ5 driver as well, so we hooked up briefly the other day so he could play around with some display settings on my dash. The coolest update was to the gear selection display. Previously, my car just said "D" or "S", but now it tells me what gear the car is actually in. We also disabled the auto stop/start (annoying), made it so the parking brake automatically engages when the car is turned off, and I can now lock the car with my remote while it is running. He used the Carista OBD2 Bluetooth Adapter and App. 
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Lithium [Li] Double Tap Car Wash

12/19/2020

 
I am fortunate to have made a connection with the team at Lithium Auto Care. I just received a surprise package in the mail containing a 32 oz bottle of their new Car Wash called, "Double Tap". Lithium claims the soap lubricates, moisturizes and hydrates while it cleans. I am hoping to try it out very soon on my own vehicle. I can't get over the cool packaging they use. Check out my gift pack including the US-theme banner. 

Interior Clean

12/19/2020

 
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I have to admit I have been pretty lazy over the last month or so with keeping the interior of my car clean and tidy. Winter is rough where I live and the interiors of cars get filthy quickly. I took a few hours this past weekend to tidy up the interior using a few products I have been meaning to try out. I have had Gyeon Leather Cleaner in my cabinet for a long time, but I think this marks the second occasion I have actually used it. I love it. I also had my first opportunity to give Lithium's "Inner Space" a genuine try. It was equally impressive. Strong cleaning power but also leaves a factory fresh finish on interior surfaces. The SQ5 was in dire need of attention and I will tackle the exterior in short order so stay tuned!
🧽 P R O D U C T   L I S T
➤ Lithium Inner Space
➤ 1Z Einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner
➤ Gyeon Q2M Leather Cleaner
➤ Adam's Rubber Mat & Liner Cleaner

10 years of "RAD"ness

12/6/2020

 
It sometimes shocks me how far this place has come in the past ten years. Here are some photos from 2010 shortly after we moved in and some from this past weekend. It's hard to believe a decade has already passed since we moved in to our dream home. 

RUPES Polisher Placement

12/5/2020

 
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I've always liked having my polishers stored above my main work bench, but I've never been in love with the look of it. Recently, I took advantage of a great deal at Auto Obsessed, and I picked up three of the Rupes polisher hangers. I revamped a portion of the wall to the right of my main work bench and mounted the three holders to the wall. I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure this gave me the result I was after. The holders are made of light plastic and don't have the quality feel or appearance I was hoping for. I don't think they will be around forever. 

Draining the Swamp

12/5/2020

 
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The weather Gods threw me a bone this weekend with double-digit Celsius temps, so I pounced on the opportunity to perform a much needed cleaning of my garage floor. This was the first time cleaning the floor with the new drainage system. In this video, I demonstrate the process of rinsing the debris into the channel drain and then emptying the catch basin with my 1/6 horsepower sump pump. The entire process was highly satisfying and took me just over an hour. The garage is easily the cleanest garage in the city. 

Dialling in Doug DeMuro's New Car

12/1/2020

 
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My friend parted ways with his cherished 1994 Audi RS2 Avant this past summer. It was a bittersweet decision for Dave, but it was made a bit sweeter by the fact that it was purchased by YouTube sensation car reviewer, Doug DeMuro. 
Doug has uploaded his reveal video on his very popular YouTube channel. I'm obviously hoping he will see my wash video from this past summer. I posted a comment on the video about being sure to check out my video and I have already seen a slight uptick in traffic. Who knows? Maybe this will be the break I've been looking for!
Here's the original video from last summer. As you can see, I have already changed the title of the video! 
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    RAD GARAGE is my personal detailing theatre. I am a teacher who finds immense pleasure in completing deeply therapeutic, thorough and highly satisfying detailing projects in my residential garage. I have converted my suburban double car garage into a world class detailing environment and I enjoy caring for my own car and select cars belonging to others. The garage and the work I complete in it have allowed me to connect with other detailing enthusiasts from around the world. ​
    Contact me

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    I have teamed up with Teespring to offer viewers an opportunity to grab some RAD gear! Click here to see the current inventory of RAD merchandise available at my Teespring store! 
    Use "RAD10" to save yourself 10% until the end of March, 2021. 
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    Carzilla is a local detailing store that caters to the North American community of professional and enthusiast detailers. I have been a longtime customer and I am fortunate to call the owner a friend. Besides stocking a vast quantity of top quality detailing products, the owner has supported various garage and detailing projects of mine over the years.

    5% discount code
    "RADGARAGE"

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    I am able to offer all Canadian detailing pros and enthusiasts a 5% Carzilla discount code. Check out the awesome Carzilla online store here.

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    The team at Annovi Reverberi North America reached out to me and commended my work. They generously offered to supply me with one of their pressure washer systems. I can't express how satisfied I am with the performance of my AR630TSS pressure washer and highly recommend this machine to all enthusiast and professional detailers. If you are considering upgrading your existing pressure washer system, I highly encourage you to price things out over at the Obsessed Garage website. 

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    I have equipped my garage with a variety of LED lighting systems from this family-owned company out of Saskatchewan. They have a variety of garage lighting solutions to fit every need. Be sure to visit their website and use "RAD10" at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your order.

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    I am proud to rep Obsessed Garage. Click on the banner below to explore the complete OG inventory. By using my affiliate link, any purchases you make will help me equip and enhance my garage. 

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    25¢ per sq ft discount
    "RADGARAGE"

    Swisstrax manufactures the highest quality modular flooring system you can get for your garage. I am able to offer a 25¢ per square foot discount to Canadian friends wanting to install a Swisstrax floor in their garage. Simply reference "RAD GARAGE" in your email or phone call correspondence with the Swisstrax Canada sales staff. 

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    The  expert team at Glove Box curates boxes of high quality products that work together towards a common goal. I highly recommend you check out their website to see the various boxes and purchase options they offer. You can make a one-time purchase of any past or present boxes, or opt for a 3, 6, or 12-month subscription. Whatever option you decide to go with, use "RAD20" to receive 20% off your introductory order. 

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    Adam's is one of my all-time favorite brands of car detailing products. I have made friends with a number of team members and I appreciate the support I have received from them over the years. I have also been fortunate to meet many other Adam's fans from all over the world. Check out the Adam's website here. 

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    If you are in the Calgary or surrounding area and you are looking to have some concrete work completed, I highly recommend reaching out to the team at Concrete Innovations. They did a tremendous job on my garage drainage system. You can save $300 on your own double garage drainage solution by contacting them and telling them I referred you.

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    Tim and his team at Ethos have been hard at work bringing innovation to the detailing industry. I have been fortunate to have received a number of high quality Ethos products and I have found all of them to be highly satisfying. I am a huge fan of this company and their "Defy" ceramic protectant spray is one of my all time favourite products. 

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    Tunerworks is a reputable local performance minded automotive service centre located in Calgary. It is my go-to source for wheels and tires and all other things automotive. If you are interested in connecting with the team at Tunerworks to see how you can improve your car's appearance and/or performance, give the team a call at 403.398.9833 and tell them Rick sent you. 

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    A few years ago, a Quickjack representative reached out to me because I had mentioned on this blog that I was looking for some sort of lift system. We corresponded back and forth and I ended up receiving a sweetheart deal on a QuickJack BL-5000 SLX lift system. I immediately fell in love with it. I sent the team at Ranger Products a variety of photos of the lift in action in my garage and they have featured them in various online ads, including the US and Canada Costco websites.
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    TRITON DOOR SERVICES
    Triton is owned and operated by Mike Awada and he is a highly skilled and experienced garage door technician. I highly recommend reaching out to Mike if you have any garage door concerns or if you are interested in upgrading your home's garage door and/or door opener system. 
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    The team at Auto Shield Canada has been extremely supportive of me and my detailing pursuits. They have provided me with samples of their graphene coating and even gone to the lengths of helping me apply it on a friend's 2008 RS4. I look forward to watching this company make deeper inroads into the market with their high quality coatings. 

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    The team at Lithium Auto Care has been highly supportive of me and my detailing hobby by sending me a number of samples in exchange for my feedback. I have been very impressed with the products I have tried and I have been even more impressed by the quality of service they have provided me. 

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    Extra Tough is a highly effective and versatile all-purpose cleaner. The team at Extra Tough sent me two complimentary gallons of this cleaner and I have used it in a variety of jobs around the garage. Most famously, I used it to deeply clean the carpeted wheel arches of a pristine Misano Red RS5. It is available through their website. 

    CROWN RALLY 8
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    I was fortunate to have been invited to participate in the 8th edition of the Crown Rally. This is a high octane car rally that explores some of the most amazing drives in the Untied States. Click the image above to learn more about this amazing adventure. 

    OTHER RAD FRIENDS

    ​Custom Decals YYC
    Geoff Wilkings Photography
    Glenmore Audi
    ​Kaizen Foam
    Space-Ray Heaters
    ​Tire Rack
    Trek Bicycles
    ​TSW Wheels

    OTHER RAD GARAGES

    In addition to showcasing my own garage, I enjoy sharing other amazing garages. Here are some spaces that I have featured on my blog: 
    Tavin Garage
    Tyson's Acura Museum
    Larry's Charlotte Showroom
    dubber's double
    Chad's "Next" Makeover
    Gully's Dream Garage
    Orland Park Audi Oasis
    Cory's Industrial Arts Studio
    Brynjar's Icelandic Garage
    Pat's Controlled Chaos
    ​Greg & Nancy's Place
    ​Brandon Burrell's Toy House

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  • Home
  • Affiliates
  • Audi
    • 2018 SQ5 Technik (Current)
    • 2014 SQ5 Technik (Previous)
    • 2009 Q7 S-Line (Previous)
  • Blog
  • Build
  • Design
  • Detailing
  • Door
  • Drainage
  • Gallery
  • Heat
  • History
  • Lighting
  • Merchandise
  • Music
  • Organization
  • Pressure Washer
  • QuickJack
  • Swisstrax Floor
  • Videography
  • YouTube