Wood 1026 Advanced Finishing: working our color theory with dyes

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."

-Abigail Adams

The color theory never leaves us, we just get the opportunity to apply it differently. We are in advanced finishing (Wood 1026) and we are, once again, matching colors, but this time we are using dyes instead of pigments. We are still using our color wheel and going about the process the same way to match the hue, value and chroma of the color, only the materials have changed. Exercises like this really solidify color theory and give us a greater understanding of the materials we are using.

Wood 1010 Wood and Finishing Technology: Organic Chemestry

In Wood and Finishing Technology, we go in-depth into some of the organic chemistry behind finishing products. This knowledge assists students in making decisions about what products to use on what types of finish; how when and why you can and cannot mix chemicals together; what different solvents will do to different finished; what is safe to use on certain finishes and a whole host of other useful information for the professional finisher.

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Audrey Vincent comes in to demo König touch-up products

Alum and König Mid-West Sales Rep, Audry Vincent came in to demonstrate König Touch-Up products. König is a is a family owned business that traces its beginnings to 1892. Located just outside of Frankfurt, Germany, they have been supplying touch-up and repair products for wood, laminates, and other surfaces since 1930. They brought their products to North America in 1996.

In addition to her schooling here at DCTC, Audry has been formally trained by König, so we get to learn first hand how König want us to use their products.

Wood 1026 Advanced Finishing: Ken Boettcher visits to discuss muti-step glazing techniques

Past graduate and Master Finisher for E Street Makers, Ken Boetcher came in today to discuss and demonstrate some high-end multi-step glazing techniques as well as crackle lacquer.

"I graduated from the DCTC Wood Finishing program in 1982.It's hard to believe that I have been in my chosen profession for 25 years...
My career started as a touch-up/prep person for an imported furniture store,on to a high-end refinishing shop,to a precision match sampling company and then on to my current employer of 16 years E Street Makers."

Ken has visited us at the National Institute of Wood Finishing many times over the years to share his knowledge with the students. Ken says of NIWF, "I use the program as a recruiting platform and as a sounding board for various questions that arise".

"Over the years I have found that hiring someone that has taken the finishing course not only provides an employee that has chosen wood finishing as a profession but also someone that comes in with a basic understanding of the industry.They are easier to train,easier to hand-off special projects to and easier to communicate with."

A big thanks to Ken for his visit, we look forward to the next one!