Installing a DIY tennis ball parking gauge in your garage is a simple and effective way to ensure you (or a loved one in your house) park perfectly every time, avoiding accidental bumps into the garage wall and ensuring the car is pulled in far enough to provide clearance for the garage door. Here’s a straightforward guide to setting up this handy parking aid:
Gather Materials: You will need a tennis ball, a length of string (nylon works well), a screw eye or hook, and a tool to make a small hole in the tennis ball (like a drill or a sharp object).
Install the Hook: Find the ideal spot on your garage ceiling directly above where you want your car to stop. Screw the eye hook into this spot. If you have a drywall ceiling, you might need to use a drywall anchor to ensure the hook stays securely in place.
Prepare the Tennis Ball: Carefully create a hole through the tennis ball. This can be done by drilling a hole slightly larger than the thickness of your string, or by piercing the ball with a sharp object and widening the hole to the desired size.
Attach the String: Thread the string through the hole in the tennis ball. Tie a knot on the inside of the tennis ball to secure it, ensuring the string does not pull through. The length of the string should be enough to allow the tennis ball to hang down and lightly touch your car’s windshield when in the correct parking spot.
Hang the Tennis Ball: Tie the other end of the string to the eye hook or screw in your garage ceiling. Adjust the length so that the tennis ball hangs down to just touch your car’s windshield when the car is in the perfect parking position.
Test and Adjust: Gently drive your car into the garage and into the parking position, allowing the tennis ball to tap the windshield when you’re in the right spot. If necessary, adjust the length of the string so the tennis ball meets the windshield exactly where you want your car to stop.
Final Touches: Once you’re satisfied with the position of the tennis ball, you may want to secure the string’s knot with tape or glue for extra durability. Trim any excess string above the knot to keep things tidy.
This simple DIY solution helps you park your car safely in the same spot every time without the need for expensive gadgets or equipment. Plus, it’s an easy way to reuse an old tennis ball and make garage parking stress-free!
