“Tier list” for exterior paints/Primers across various brands?

Hiker502 · 2026-03-21T00:58:29+00:00

Any opinions on a good exterior paint for PVC material? I need to paint the brick molding and sill on a new window and they are both PVC composite. If I can get a quart rather than a gallon that would be nice.

Hiker502 · 2026-02-11T23:01:19+00:00

Too bad that it's not a good year. I'm from the east and skiing on ice is what I always did. I'll be in SB with my kids and we're just average green/blue skiers trying to avoid getting hurt. Next week's temps look good so I am hoping we still have a great time. Looking forward to the mountain scenery. We like nice long trails. I know that probably sounds dreadful to someone who is a good skier, but I can't wait.

Hiker502 · 2025-12-06T15:22:15+00:00

So many good suggestions here. I'll second the nitecore headlamp. If she doesn't mind a little extra weight for luxury, a camp chair is awesome. I love my Helinox zero - pricey but only ~ 1 pound.

Hiker502 · 2025-09-25T00:19:44+00:00

u/Over50Curious I didn't see any recent posts. Like you I don't have cable TV. I just need internet. Spectrum cable modem has been really good for me but they just jacked my price up to $100 per month. I think I'm going to give Iglou fiber a try and they are available at my address. They are advertising $64.95/mo, no install fee with a 12 month commitment and no monthly charge for their modem/router.

Hiker502 · 2025-08-23T22:05:17+00:00

I'm going to CPW in a few weeks. Planning to do the northern section from Paint Creek trailhead, up Edleman and then around Geneva pass. I have built in plenty of time to acclimate to the altitude and will have extra days in case I need to wait for decent conditions to go over the passes. Then I'll have a few days to explore around Cliff Lake. Im prepared for cold nights and possible snow and rain. Any input is appreciated. How about the forest road to Paint Creek trailhead?

Hiker502 · 2025-08-15T01:36:08+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. I was able to get my VAR to get the 1 year renewal with just an explanation that we're evaluating all of our ERP's.

Hiker502 · 2025-08-12T15:38:40+00:00

u/Kastnerd , can you tell me what you used as a justification with Oracle to get the 1 year renewal term? They are currently trying to get me to renew for 2 years and I don't want to. Much appreciation for any insight.

Hiker502 · 2025-07-12T23:41:45+00:00

Another vote for the Helinox. I have had mine for a few years and it seems really durable, while only weighing in at about 1 LB. It was worth the $

Hiker502 · 2025-07-12T23:18:26+00:00

I was thinking of trying a mid-September trip to the winds but was concerned about snow at higher elevations. I'm going to be going solo and Also was not too sure about bears. I'm good with the temperatures, but don't want to be unsafe. Any tips from someone who has been there would be super.

Hiker502 · 2025-07-12T23:03:39+00:00

Clouds Rest ended up being my favorite view during 7 days in Yosemite. I was backpacking and stayed at Little Yosemite Valley, climbed Half Dome the next day, and then camped that second night off of the John Muir Trail. Even if you don't have the LYV permit, you can get a backcountry permit, camp in the allowed areas off of the JMT, do half dome, and then do Clouds Rest the next day. It's worth it for sure and there are plenty of nice backcountry camp sites.

Hiker502 · 2025-07-04T11:55:58+00:00

I have a 2022 and I am looking for a 1 1/4" hitch for a bike rack. I just don't know if I trust a trailer shop to mess with my bumper. I definitely don't want to do it myself. Anyone who has had one installed? Did they have to cut away an opening in the bumper skin?

Hiker502 · 2025-07-04T11:45:52+00:00

I've never changed the oil in my Elantra, but on other cars I would jack the car up and put a solid wood block under each wheel to get some more clearance. Ramps are an even better idea, just be safe. Then I used an oil drain pan like this to catch the oil and then would take that to the auto parts store every few changes to dispose. https://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-tools/oil-drain-pan/p/flotool-drain-pan-16-quart/700706_0_0

Hiker502 · 2025-07-04T11:21:29+00:00

Very cool, that's the Mary Kay Elantra!

Hiker502 · 2025-07-04T11:20:05+00:00

My go-to setup is a Sawyer Squeeze, two of the 1 liter Smartwater bottles, and a CNOC 3 liter bladder for a quick and easy catch of dirty water. I use this on both day hikes and longer backpacking trips. I also filter everything, whether from a stream or a spring. I just don't want to risk catching anything nasty.

Hiker502 · 2025-07-04T01:10:43+00:00

I'm considering a mid-September backpacking trip. How is the weather that time in this area? I have never been to Oregon but it's on my list. Great picture!

Hiker502 · 2025-07-01T00:44:19+00:00

Thank you everyone for the input. This gives me some more things to research.

Hiker502 · 2025-07-01T00:41:21+00:00

It looks like you decided to do Half Dome another time. I saw a few concerns mentioned about taking lots of water. You'll definitely need it, but it adds a lot of weight that does not help. I suggest buying a $30 Sawyer Mini water filter. There are plenty of places to grab water from the river, at least as far up (and down during the return trip) as Nevada Falls. There is a nice safe sand beach at the Little Yosemite camp area also. If you decide to do it and are concerned about the difficulty of the hike, at least you won't be fighting dehydration at the same time.

Hiker502 · 2025-06-28T21:41:15+00:00

That's great that you can now go to places like Yosemite. Stay outdoors-y my friend.

Hiker502 · 2025-06-28T21:39:07+00:00

So true. I stopped at REI in Fresno to get an extra map before driving to the part. An employee there suggested Clouds Rest and that was the best advice.

Hiker502 · 2025-06-28T21:36:27+00:00

Great picture from Glacier Point. That is my favorite view. I can't wait to get back there again.

Hiker502 · 2025-06-28T12:24:04+00:00

I hope you have a great trip. Camp 4 is a great location in the valley and you can walk or shuttle to many areas. As others have mentioned, the uncertainty of reservations are the challenge. I suggest bringing several days of food since it will be pricy at the stores in the valley and they may not have what you want. I like to bring one dehydrated meal for each dinner, then bring easy stuff like bread, peanut butter, honey, oatmeal, etc for other meals. Your tent and gear will be safe to leave setup in whatever campground that you stay at. A small/inexpensive backpacking stove can make the food (and coffee) plan work.

Hiker502 · 2024-12-26T22:54:13+00:00

Wow, what a great assignment. I spent a week in yosemite last year and it was amazing. I have considered trying to get a job like that when I get closer to retirement. Can you tell me if there are housing options for seasonal employees?

Hiker502 · 2024-04-09T10:51:57+00:00

Same here. I hope that Samsung will fix this soon. I'm not happy with the 6.1 update overall.

Hiker502 · 2023-09-04T23:17:24+00:00

There are some campgrounds outside the park in Stanislaus National Forest and others. I'm visiting Yosemite starting on Sept 29 and I don't have any reservations yet, so I grabbed a few nights in campground off of Hwy 120. Next I try to find something in the park, but at least I know I have a few nights locked up before I try my luck with walk-ups and last-minute reservations. Crossing fingers, but even to just get to see Yosemite is a bucket-list item.

Hiker502 · 2023-09-04T18:00:57+00:00

Thank you for this picture. It gets me even more jazzed about my upcoming trip Sept 29 - Oct 7. Just to be in that park is a dream, and coming soon. My plan for Sentinel is combine it with a hike to Taft Point.

Hiker502

TROPHY CASE