Idiot (Me!) Lowers Automatic Garage Door on Car

swanicyouth

swanicyouth

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I have a very narrow single car garage. In this garage, I keep 1 car, all my detailing stuff, a 3 tier Craftsman tool box full of tools, a pressure washer, Werner Work Platform, totes filled with textbooks from pharmacy school, a mountain bike, some jacks and jack stands, along with more stuff I can't think of now.

The set up can be seen in the picture below

eve8e5yg.jpg


Any type of detailing or polishing in this garage requires me to get somewhat creative. Like, moving the car all around the garage an inch from disaster to gain comfortable access to another part. I'm always super careful when I do this, and a lot of times doing something simple requires longer because the car needs to be moved back and forward or left to right multiple times.

Somehow yesterday I rolled the car back and forgot about it. When I opened the door it made a sound that made me want to cry. I panicked and LOWERED the door quickly and again I heard that HORRIBLE sound. Almost to afraid to look, thinking maybe the whole bumper ripped off, I found this:

7e7a3usu.jpg


I knew there had to be damage, so this wasn't too bad. Luckily, I was able to fix it. PC 7424 (original), Optimum Compound, on CG Hex Logic Orange 4" self centering pads. I followed this up with Polish II on the same series CG green pad. After that I went to PO85RD on a black CG pad

june2una.jpg


Not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with my work and feel lucky that the damage was limited to that.
 
Thank Goodness!!...For your: Detailing-Skills. :props:

:)

Bob
 
oyeee. Maybe you need a set of wheel dollys for your car. Then you can just push it sideways forward or back when working on it.
 
Sorry to hear this. Next time hit the lock switch on your wall unit
 
Wow I can't imagine the feeling that went through your stomach when you heard that, nice save though!
 
dcjredline said:
oyeee. Maybe you need a set of wheel dollys for your car. Then you can just push it sideways forward or back when working on it.
Click to expand...

Agreed. A set of "go jacks" sound perfect for your situation.
They go under all 4 wheels & allow the car to easily be pushed in any direction, then locked in place when it's where you need it.
Look into them
 
neat e34 said:
Agreed. A set of "go jacks" sound perfect for your situation.
They go under all 4 wheels & allow the car to easily be pushed in any direction, then locked in place when it's where you need it.
Look into them
Click to expand...

I have a set. Just be aware that they require about two feet of clear space on both sides of the car to remove or install them.
I have to roll the car completely out of the garage to take them off so I can drive away.
And it's MURDER to do by yourself if the ground is even SLIGHTLY rough.
 
Sorry to hear about the incident. It is good to hear you could buff out most of the damage.
 
If I tell you you're not the first one that's ever done this will you be upset? :eek:

Believe it or not this happens more often that anyone would like to admit. One of the issues is the sensors are place so low, I think 6", that unless your wheel is blocking them directly they won't pick up a dam thing.. OH I understand why they're there but they really should be higher. Personally, I think they should incorporate a 4 sensor system; 2 low and 2 at 24 inches.

This was a great save and I'm surprised that the deep ones came out....:props:
 
You know John, after I posed this I was thinking of an alternate solution....

In manufacturing we use what's called a light curtain. These are commonly found in many lengths, 2, 3, 4 and 5 foot, and I would think they'd work here as well...

Something like this: PAC GuardShield Type 4 Safety Light Curtains
 
My two-stall garage is just as cramped.

Good job on the repair of the boo-boo. It could have been worse. The wife did something similar with her car a few days after we got it - closed the door with the back hatch open. It tore off the back wiper and put some nasty scratches in the lift gate that required a trip to the body shop.
 
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