Day 13 - MCSE +I almost done

Tomorrow is the last test 299. So far we have been through 7 tests 1 more tonight (298).

Day One CompTIA Security exam Study

Starting security study now. Agenda has no room for extra talk, no pet projects etc.

Matt is our instructor.

Finished

I received the Clear epoxy coating and this evening I mixed and poured it onto the painted countertop. I used a cleaned yogurt container as the mixing bowl. It had bubbles in it while mixing.

I poured it on in sections then smoothed it out with the foam brush. My wife and I spent time making sure the edges did not drip on the floor and cabinets (they really dripped in some areas).

I have a propane torch, so after pouring out the mixture, I lit the torch and moved it about above the counter. The heat drew out the bubbles and popped them. When the bubbles popped it self leveled and filled in the holes. It was amazing to watch.

Hints:
* make sure to mix exactly equal portions
* push the extra to the edge not over the edge
* maybe use a mixing bowl that is glass or metal, not destructible plastic

Day Three - Ready for Finish Work

White and Black added over and over until just right.


















I probably went from white to black 4 times. As small dots and lightly dab as possible.

Here is the close up of the nearly finished surface. Pretty cool huh?


















One more I just had to show you what I did with the corners. one corner I painted a line as if the granite were laying on top of the countertop.

Day Two Results

Evening Two

















Step Three - Dab on Color

• I used two sponges. I only needed one. Choose one that has really small holes (explained later).
  
• you can see how my "dabbing/mashing" made the counter look like camouflage. This is alright to get the base color.
  
• I used little bit of burnt sienna, a blue/grey, and white. I ran a paint brush through the mixture so that it formed streaks in the mix.
• If I were to do it again I would have brushed or rolled on the base color mixed with lights and darks.

Step Four - Add darker color

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• I mixed regular Black and a little white to get a charcoal color
• Still looks like camo but getting closer
• The "shine" you see is really just the white color showing through. Especially in the inside corners. They were very hard to reach with a big sponge.

Step Five - Add white or light color (dab lightly)

• I added white and tried to do it fast, but found out it was much easier to dab lightly and all over the place.
  
• Eventually I figured out how to cut my sponge into a small piece so that I could get into the corners.
• I also discovered that this small piece worked great for making small random dots on the counter. The smaller the more it looks like granite.

Step Six - Add black

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• Using the small sponge I lightly dabbed on the black color all over. The under layers with the dark/light/grey made the effect pretty cool.
• I like things dark, my wife likes things light, so lighter I must go.

Painting my laminate countertop

I decided to paint my counter top instead of replacing it. I found this really good (with pictures) link that explains how to do it and it also gives instructions on what type of lacquer to buy. There is one that goes on thick and is self leveling. I purchased it but have not tried it yet. Everyone seems to be raving about it so I will give it a try.

Here is the before picture:














The steps that were on the site were helpful but forgot a few things like removing the caulk (mine was very old caulk and time consuming).

• Step One - Sand the laminate surface and remove the caulk.
  
  I used 80 grit sandpaper and revolving sander. It took me about 1 hour. Make sure you sand the inside corners with regular sandpaper wrapped on a flat stick.
  
  Dig the caulk out with an exacto or utility knive (took me a good hour and a half). My caulk was from 1981. I also removed the sink but you don't have to, it just needs to be raised above the surface.
  
  

• Step Two - Clean, tape, and paint the surface.
  Make sure that all the dust is removed. I used a moist micro-fiber cloth.
  
  Tape the walls and appliances that get in the way. I added cardboard to the under side of the counter to prevent drips on the floor and cabinets.
  
  Paint the surface with some kind of primer. Many people talked about kiln or something, it doesn't matter. As long as it adhears to the sanded surface. You can tell if it worked by rubbing the painted surface with a cloth if the paint comes off it did not adhere.

Need to do

Business cards
Folder System
-Lenders
-Brokers
-Investors
Setup LLC
Get IRA and other accounts ready to put money and receive money from business
Money Management system: Quick Books Pro
List of Trustee Sales
Buyers List - After putting add in a paper for selling the home whoever calls is on the list.

Short Sales 1 Monday

Two things to get that are worth my money:
Learning that Banks will Discount Loans, especially second loans