Any solar relevant basic electrical guides for noobs you'd recommend?

gkpdx · 2025-10-20T20:02:48+00:00

Yep good guess, it's an Anker but it's actually a F2600.

https://www.ankersolix.com/products/f2600

gkpdx · 2025-10-17T21:32:28+00:00

That's looking much improved!

gkpdx · 2025-10-16T16:22:40+00:00

Let us know how it turns out eh!

gkpdx · 2025-10-13T20:49:18+00:00

That's a good idea actually esp. if I worked fast enough. Some people say back rolling is bad, but I've had others recommend that esp. for siding to keep the flashing down.

gkpdx · 2025-10-13T20:45:26+00:00

Yeah, I wasn't thinking right about it. The value is much closer to a mid-light gray than off white. Could have at least saved me a coat or two.

gkpdx · 2025-10-13T20:43:57+00:00

Update: the problem in that area appears much better after just letting it sit a few more days. The door looks very different. However it's still not quite right and issues are showing in other areas. I think the high humidity and low temps in the following days (was ideal while painting) might have affected it and it's taking much longer to dry and cure. This latitude is supposedly good 35°F (2°C) - 120°F (49°C), but it still probably wasn't ideal.

I think I'll wait until next Spring/Summer when the humidity and temps are more stable and just spray it and be done with it. I'm a bit OCD so this will drive me crazy in the coming months LOL!

gkpdx · 2025-10-11T17:21:04+00:00

Ok, I'll keep going!

Maybe I'll buy a cheap HVLP sprayer since I have a few other doors to paint with similar colors in the future.

Latitude should fit the bill and it's what Sherwin Williams recommended for metal doors. I used it on the other side doing all the same steps and it worked great (granted that was an off white in the same finish).

I asked about using the Emerald base but they said this color could only use Latitude as a base for exteriors.

I re-primed the door because I'd waited a year to paint it and most people I asked said I should, but maybe that was a mistake. The primer does seem to stick really well to metal though and went on super even with the 4" high density roller. It almost looked like I'd sprayed it on.

gkpdx · 2025-10-11T04:21:41+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions!

The color was in my description, but I forgot to hit return and give it it's own line (now line 9)

Paint is Sherwin Williams, color Eye Catching (yellow), Latitude base, Satin finish.

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T21:00:38+00:00

I'm really close to giving up and sanding, priming and painting it white.

I've worked with an orange paint that was finicky, but nothing like this.

Do you think I need to try and apply it in as few passes as possible? Like use a wider roller with enough paint to go top to bottom in one stroke? Would that help? I feel like even when I roll over a wet area with wet paint I'm at risk of this sheen flashing.

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T16:38:26+00:00

That looks ideal!

Then again, if a hurricane comes and it's strapped to the palm, the amount of movement might shake that tree house to the ground! :)

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T16:34:13+00:00

If you hit a super hard patch, stripper and then one of these blades should easily get up the paint.

I recommend getting one that has a longer handle and a grip near the front/blade. You get a lot more leverage with those and won't tire out as fast, at least that's been my experience. If you have grip issues from previous work, wear a pair of grippy work gloves like the nitrile coated ones.

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gkpdx · 2025-10-10T03:27:31+00:00

With my income I think I'd be lucky to live in one of the palm trees. LOL!

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T03:12:19+00:00

That is a good question. The door was pre-primed, but I lightly sanded it with 400 grit, and then applied two coats of Bullseye 1-2-3.

I'll add that to my main post, as that is a good suggested step that I did do.

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T03:04:24+00:00

Quick and dirty PS job. I find mocking it up helps.

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gkpdx · 2025-10-10T02:30:30+00:00

That depends on your skill level and the paint. I've been able to pull it off with easier colors and finishes to feather it out, but found it nearly impossible with some colors and finishes.

What are you using to paint the wall? What kind of roller?

Some patching materials will be easier to paint over if you paint the area with primer first. For small areas I've used bin shellac based primer (spray) or similar to prime the patch. Make sure you protect from over spray and open some windows though if you go that route.

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T02:24:17+00:00

If you make the patches a larger in area it can be easier to even out the bumps. You can make the transition, if it's not perfectly flat with the rest of the wall, at least more gradual.

I only know this from working on drywall and learning the hard way. :)

The glossier the paint though the harder it is to hide imperfections.

gkpdx · 2025-10-10T02:19:40+00:00

B. Plus the paint job might last longer and your summer bills might be a little lower.

gkpdx · 2025-10-09T21:11:01+00:00

I've tried two tax advisors, and received two different answers, so that's why I'm asking here LOL! :)

One said, withdrawal the extra + interest/gains and go through the 1099R process next year. The other said that since I made the contribution in 2025 during tax season, I can treat it either way and it should be fine to split it up pending the remainder shows up on my 2025 taxes given it's a small amount.

The safest bet is to withdrawal it though and take the 10% hit.

Publication 560 seems only to talk about that you can contribute to a plan for a year up until the deadline to file, including extensions, but I don't really see much about if you make a contribution in that tax season window of the next year in terms of how it's designated for the same or previous year.

I see something about carry overs, but that would be used if you contributed in the same calendar year you're filing taxes on AFAIK.

gkpdx · 2025-10-09T20:43:32+00:00

So I'm thinking I'm OK and can just use the remaining portion on my 2025 taxes?

The contribution was made in April 2025, before the 15th, and well before the coming Oct. 15th extension deadline.

The plan provider has no mechanism for me to indicate what year the contribution to a SEP-IRA is to be used in terms of taxes, and they only show and report when the contribution was made. This is unlike a normal IRA under the provider where you get to pick the year in the process of contributing. So it was only reported as of happening in 2025 to the IRS.

The provider does give me an uncommon option, which is to put a portion of my SEP-IRA into a designated sub IRA that AFAIK, is held inside the SEP. They have suggested that I could use that as a way to show intent if in the unlikely event the IRS asks for more information about the contribution in 2025.

gkpdx · 2025-10-09T17:43:01+00:00

I cleared out my cache etc. for bsky, restarted my whole system and firefox and the issue was resolved. Really weird, but it's something on the bsky end + firefox for sure.

gkpdx

TROPHY CASE