Besides the car ramps, you will need matte black spray paint, 4 pieces of pine veneer ply and some clear wood varnish (I had left over from another project).
Smart Shelving From Car Accessories - Autocycle Upcycle
4 Materials
$50
2 Hours
Easy
I always love a good DIY challenge, so I was really thrilled when I was asked to join the an Autocycle Challenge. I had to buy something car-related from Gumtree, a secondhand online store, and upcycle the item into a covetable home décor piece. Let me show you how I turned an unwanted car ramp into über cool shelving in 6 quick steps!
STEP 1:
The supplier was kind enough to cut the plywood to size, and all I had to do was to sand them with 100 grit sandpaper. But when cutting wood always measure twice: the ramps are tapered so each shelf has a different length and width!
STEP 2:
A quick coat of clear varnish seals the wood and protects it from stains and other damage. Just look at that gorgeous grain!
STEP 3:
Spray the car ramp steel with black spray paint. I really love the matte colour and surprisingly I only needed a single coating! Check on the spray paint can’s instructions - f ind out why!
And something else to keep in mind when spraying outside: don’t stand down-wind from the object you’re spraying
STEP 4:
In order to secure the shelves to the frame, I drilled 2 small holes through the base of each frame. Now you can put the whole thing together!
See how I screw-fixed the shelves and assembled the rest here.
It was really very easy to do and I love the result: clean, simple, and with a trendy industrial element!
Have a look at the original post here to see what the winner did!
Happy Upcycling!
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![Tonia Lee]()
Tonia Leeon Aug 5, 2019It is really nice, it look like something you would see in a high end store, super cool
![Shirley]()
Shirleyon Sep 26, 2019Very creative and looks nice. My only problem with it is that Car Ramps ; out of necessity for their actual use , are Heavy! I know because I have had to move them at times. Of course that would only be a problem on those occasions when you
wanted or needed to move them. I like the idea.
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that is cool looking! i am wondering if you applied the veneer against the grain on purpose? very original
It's plywood, I do not think she applied veneer to
it. Each layer of plywood runs perpendicular to the previous layer to ensure its strength and integrity.
Love the look of this and yes to plywood being layer with the grain opposite to each other on each layer, except this plywood may be too thin for the shelves. If you look closely the three upper shelves are already warping in the middle with virtually no weight on them as a result of the plywood only barely touching the metal supports on the ends. The shelves need either an extra support in the middle or a support about 8 inches out from the metal on each side
I noticed the warp of the shelves too, and the wood looks to be 1 inch. Supports! Otherwise it's going to really fold up with a book or two on it. Perhaps the wood was already warped.
Love you idea! Love the print on the wall. Would you tell me where it’s from. Thank you.
WOW really cool. Couldn't you of put another shelf on top?
Shelves not looking strong enough to hold what you have on them. Maybe need a center brace? Love them tho....very clever!
Should have cut the plywood with the grain, not across. Better yet, use a 1x or 2x instead.
It looks like the plywood may have been slightly bowed to begin with. The items on the shelves are not that heavy. I agree that a center brace would be helpful.
Great idea stronger shelves would work but not necessary if u don’t plan to put heavier objects. What is the print on the wall looks good and interesting. Good job
Thanks! The print was done with onions 😊
Couldn't you have turned the ramps upside down?
I don't think so, they would not stand up that way, you needed the flat botom
LOL - duh!
Do the same thing with a folding ladder.
The ladder has been done many times, but this is an example of re-purposing
It looks like a neat project. But Im looking st some sharp looking ends at the top. Are going to file those off?
Thanks for the comment! They look sharp on the pictures, but actually they're not sharp at all and totally safe!
There’s sharp ends all around the house if it’s over 30-35” it isn’t a fall hazard. I can’t believe the things people stress over.
This is is a cool project but those are expensive ramps and can’t be found really easily anymore
How did yo do in the Autocycle Challenge?
Great question! Unfortunately, I didn't get the most votes. Please have a look at my blog to see what the winner got up to! https://homeology.co.za/gumtree-autocycle-challenge-car-accessory-to-shelving-in-6-steps/
Nice I love it
Are you in South Africa Or just post on sites in South Africa?
Hi Joe,
Yes, I am based in SA! 😊
So what happens when dad needs to work on the car?? Great idea but that is something that lays around for months/years and then is needed and is VALUABLE!
I agree! Only here, Dad doesn't work on the car so I think we're safe!
Remember, the ramps weren't altered so with just a bit of trouble the ramps are still usable if needed.
Oh for goodness sakes! Go get new car ramps at the store, or take the car to a mechanic! 😂😂😂
I like your idea, Could you have turned them around and just Layed the shelves between them without attaching the shelves.?
Hi! Yes, the shelves would be narrower and not attached.
Could you replace the spindle legs with simple straight ones? They could be painted in a nice accent color.
Hi Siegrid, are you refering to this auto ramps?
Looks good but without any support in the middle? shelfs are gonna start sagging with anything you put on them
Hi Mario! You can add struts to support the shelves or use shorter wood panels for shelves.
1 in angle iron would fix that
Gar is right but you could also add a strip of 1 by 2 at (or under) the front edge of each shelf.
I would put furring strips in front and back, it would give a nice finish and added support.
what if you turn the sheles around would the that give the wood shelving more support
Hi Barb, it could but then they won't be attached.
Clever idea nice
I see what your saying...with what she has put on the shelves, they are starting to sag...I would shorten the distance of the ramps and use pine or better boards, you could also attach angle iron to the back or a metal rods in the middle, turning it around I don't see it....doesn't seem like it would look right.....i think I would bring the ramps in closer, so the boards extend out 4 to 6 inches.....you'd have your middle support, and shelves on the end to add knick knacks, small flower pots, small lamp, books, or whatever.
It is a clever idea, would be great for a boys room or man cave...
You could also use other wood that will not bow. Plywood is strong for some projects but you can see with little weight it is bowing already.
You could put something else in the middle to help give a little more support or maybe space out the objects displayed on the shelf a little more. It looks like it is mostly the second one from the top that is bowing.
Looks like they can be shortened so that the center is supported.
I have used a 1/2" square length of wood underneath thin shelves to reinforce them. I ran the support "stick" 2/3 the length of the shelf and screwed it in from the top of the shelf. That way the self can look very delicate without sagging. The support doesn't show if set in the center of the shelf.
Could you tell what is hanging on the wall above project? Thanks
HI Theresa, thanks for asking! It's a canvass I made with onion prints. You can read more about it here! https://homeology.co.za/printing-with-vegetables/
This is a really cool idea! Very creative! Nice job
This is a really nice project - love it!
Won't the shelves bow down after awhile .
Completely depends on moisture, weight, and wood you use. Considering design. Maybe the curves would be desired. You could always add a middle back bone and screw into the wood to support the back. I would suggest to end the support, rather wood of metal, at top shelf
Turn them over every few weeks
The are already bowing in the picture. Time to turn them!
Grain could go lengthwise... but awesome use of creativity that I always admire in people!
Use thicker plywood or 2x6 or 2x8's
Cut wood shorter or use for light weight objects such as picture frames. Very creative. I lile!
Depends on how heavy the objects placed on it are and how far apart the stands are. I usually turn the shelves over every few months
That’s an optical illusion as the metal ends the boards are sitting on is at an angle giving the boards a bowed look.