So they sugar coat things and make it look like what they're teaching is the easiest thing to do.

A good first wash is with household full strength Dawn in a spray bottle and let the dawn sit on the wall for a few minutes before rinsing will do wonders2. 2 Coats of KilZ3.

If for some reason that is not agreeable with your tenants, then you are stuck relying on shelf liner.A few other options are: 1) let the process take its course and know that you will have issues to deal with in a few years, although these are relatively durable products assuming proper use and damage control 2) try to water proof them with a fast drying brush on lacquer product or an aerosol product (several thin coats)....never done it but don't see why it couldn't work or 3) after step 1 is complete and it has been a few years, you can sand down the bubbled up cabinet bottoms where wet plates and cups were set and put new 1/4' hardi-board????

So, we did ALL the cosmetic work inside and out, HWF on first floor all sanded and refinfished and all new NICE carpet in the rest of the house, everything painted inside and out, all new light fixtures because former owners took every one but left the 2 drawer fancy dishwasher that no longer worked at all and the expensive brand drop in range that still worked I think, but was so unbelievably beat up and totally caked and coated with grease that we just scrapped it and replaced it with a new one!

It's part of the process, the final coat of the polishing.

most buyers here are retail buyers that will pay retail price or $0000 more  for the new wall or shiny coat of paint.  

From a logical standpoint, it seems like cast iron would be more durable, but I've read stories where the coating chips very easily.

Of course if you have only a $10k total rehab, that will typically take a bit longer than just a week, but when you get into the $100k and up rehabs, you want to be at or around $10k weekly.Time is your enemy on renovation flips as every week that goes by increases your holding costs (interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, etc.) so when you can get to $10k completed weekly, you are saving money in holding costs.Another couple photos:Another additional item completed but not originally budgeted for was the new front gate, new cement at garage area, new gray fence on driveway and new black top coat on asphalt from street all the way down the driveway.

I make a small hole in the caulk tube with a finish nail and wipe with a vasoline coated finger, keeps caulk from sticking to you, better yet, get a box of surgical gloves or hospital gloves and toss it when done.

Wow, I have painted counters before just a normal paint then a few coats of poly but it never looks like that.I will be trying this.