Wood 1021 Wood Refinishing: Before & After Pictures

Students are in their final section of the 9 month course, Refinishing. Here we take furniture, strip it down to the bare bones, and start over. We involve our knowledge of methods of fastening as we need to re-glue many items before they can be stripped. We may use some of our wood shop skills if we need to replace missing wooden components. We may need some spot repair skills to fix nicks, dents and scratches, or to in-paint on filler. We use our knowledge of solvents to devise a game plan for how we are going to strip the furniture. We make educated choices about coatings taking into consideration both the needs of the object, and the needs of the user. Then we make it happen by stripping, coloring and coating the furniture. Here are 2 examples of before & after results that our students are turning out every day!

A Maple Rocking Chair Before... And After!

A Mission Style Plant Stand Before... And After!

Wood 1010 Wood and Finishing Technology: Sample Boards

In our 1st class back from winter break, we hit the ground running! The students have studied our 2 main text books, and we do some intense lecturing about solvents, coloring agents and coatings, as well as different means and methods of applying these things. Then we put this knowledge into action by finishing 10 different boards with 10 different finishing schedules.

We spray and brush lacquer, spray, brush and pad shellac, we brush varnish, we shoot gloss & satin, we do open pored finished, and closed pore "piano" finishes. We color strike pores, we stain, dye, glaze, distress, tone and shade. and we dabble a bit with water base finishes as well.

This intensive 3 week section is full of learning, and getting to experience what tools we have as finishers and what their benefits and challenges are.

Wood 1026 Advanced Finishing: Don Williams in for summer seminar on Restoration, Chemistry and Technology of Transparent Furniture Coatings

Don Williams, Senior Museum Conservator , was in for a summer seminar on Restoration, Chemistry & technology of transparent furniture coatings. This intensive 5-day course introduced the history, technology, chemistry, properties, deterioration, and treatment of transparent coating materials and colorants, along with color theory, finishing techniques, and treatment and manipulation of existing coatings. The course was organized along three major themes.
*The History of Coatings - What Was It Originally?
*Technology of Materials and Processes - What Is It, and How Do we Know?
*What Will We do About It - Treatment Decisions and Processes

Some of the specifics that were covered were:

*Introduction to Coatings Chemistry and Technology: Formulation and Film Formation
*Historic and Contemporary Wood finishing Materials and Techniques
*Solvent Theory and Solubility Practice
*Evaluation of Appearance
*Characterization of Historic Coatings
*Survey of Coating Resins Used in Conservation
*Natural and Synthetic Dyes for Furniture Finishes
*Strategic Techniques for Coatings Restoration and Preservation

A subsequent coatings course (July 2010, proposed) will emphasize painted finishes, e.g. poly-chrome sculpture, decorated furniture finishes, and consolidating and inpainting painted surfaces. A third course in the series is tentatively scheduled for July 2011, and will emphasize advanced applications in the workshop setting.

Wood 1021 Wood Refinishing: Glazing Color

Glazing is another wood finishing technique, that, at it's base is simply applying a pigment on top of a finish. it can be used to create any number of effects in your wood be it a subtle color shift, to obscuring the grain, adding depth, or distressing furniture to make it look old. Glazing is an invaluable refinishers tool to match colors and a skill that our students learn that will serve them well in the field.

Wood 1026 Advanced Finishing : Lori Shade demonstrates distressing

Lori Shade, from Plato Woodworking, came in today to discuss and demonstrate distressing techniques that they use in the manufacturing and finishing of some of their kitchen cabinets.

Plato Woodwork is a family owned cabinet manufacturer located in Plato, MN. They have been in business since 1893 and have developed quite a reputation, including winning the "Most Imaginative Kitchen Cabinet" award from Women's Day Magazine in 2008. Thanks to Lori for showing off some of their great techniques.

Wood 1026 Advanced Finishing: 3M visits to show off their newest spray guns

3M visited us to demonstrate their latest spray guns. Just one of the benefits of attending the NIWF is that industry leaders come to us to alert us of their latest innovations. With 1 on 1 face time, we can ask questions, observe and try their products.

Wood 1026 Advanced Finishing: Practice Boards & Story Boards

When it comes to Advanced Finishing, it is so important to get lots of hands on experience. The students get about 20 boards that they must prep and finish using different materials and techniques. From crackle lacquer to varnish and shellac, from dying, staining and glazing; Advanced finishing give a hands on approach to the use of many products wood finishers will encounter.

Another important aspect of Advanced Finishing is to create Story Boards. A Story Board is a recipe, of sorts, for wood finishers. It is a step by step visual and written set of instructions for creating a color, finish or effect on wood. You can see in the picture that each step in the process is masked off, preserving it so that the end result can be obtained again and again. This is a valuable skill for wood finishers because, if done well, any finisher should be able to look at a story board and re-create what has been done in the past without having to do a lot of guess work.

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Jerry Behrens visits DCTC Wood Finishing Program to talk about touch-up work

Jerry Behrens was in talking with the students about some advance touch-up. He was happy to share his years of expertise with the class, do a demo, and was open for questions. Jerry, a former grad of NIWF (class of 1989), has also served on the NIWF board since 1992.

Jerry was the Touch-Up Technician for Gepharts Furniture, until he accepted a position as a Technical Sales Representative with Mohawk Finishing Products Inc. in 1992, he was awarded the National workshop instructor Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Rep, and Goal Buster in his first year with Mohawk! He was also a three time member of the President's Club (top 5 in company). Next Jerry accepted the Vice President position with national franchiser Kitchen Tune-up where he does technical training for new franchises and on-going support for existing franchises.
He has also wrote, produced, and hosted two Wood Restoration Videos.

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: DCTC visits Schniederman's Furniture

NIWF students went on a field trip to Schniederman's Furniture warehouse and meet some of the graduates of the NIWF program. Kathy Morse (in the green shirt), a past graduate and now employee of Schniedermans gave us a tour of the warehouse and demonstrated some repair techniques as well. There were opportunities for the students to try these new techniques with the Master Technicians.

A Master Leather Technician at Schniederman's shows the students real world leather repair techniques on furniture that is soon to hit the showroom floor.

Students get lots of opportunities to see professionals working, it is crucial that they see the hows and whys of the entire process. To go out and see masters making a living using the same skills that they are learning at the National Institute of Wood Finishing in invaluable!

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: DCTC Vists HOM Furniture

HOM Furniture employs several NIWF graduates. Today we are going on a working field trip to learn about the life of Spot Repair Technitions in the warehouse. The day was full of learning new techniques and the students having a chance to use their new skills of wood, leather and vinyl repair.

Wood 1032 Furniture Conservation: NIWF and the Minnesota Institute of Arts National Antique Show

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts was conducting their 25th Annual National Antique Show October 23rd through October 26th. This show has some of the finest furniture, art work, jewelry, paintings and glassware that you can find.

The DCTC students have portered in these valuable artifacts for every one of those 25 shows. It has been very rewarding being a part of this show and the opportunity to handle millions of dollars worth of art. The dealers involved with this show have always been willing to share their knowledge with the students.

Andrew Wellesley (red shirt) from Lake Forrest Illinois always has some really wonderful furniture. Andrew is always willing to stop and answer questions about the history of the pieces he sells. The chest on chest has a date written inside the cabinet with the makers name and the date of 1795

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Leather and Vinyl Repair

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II would not be complete without having leather and vinyl repair. A Furniture Service Technician needs to be ready for damage that occurs to wood, coatings on wood, upholstery, leather and vinyl.

Studying leather samples is an important part of identifying various leathers. All leather is not repaired the same way.

NIWF Advisory board member Ken Norgaard is sharing his leather repair skills with the students. Ken is employed by Mohawk Finishing Products.

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Graduates returning to teach the new students

Graduates continually return to DCTC to share their knowledge. Wilfried Hien and Josh Boyer are back sharing their new skills learned since leaving school. Both Wil and Josh are employed by HOM Furniture.

Hom Furniture has hired several graduates from the Wood Finishing Program. Here you see Rosendo Delgadillo, Delivery Prep Manager from HOM Furniture addressing the new students about employment possibilities.

And don't think it's just lecture and discussion, we get to see these pro's in action!

Wood 1012 Color Theory: A color matching class.

The first class of the year is Wood 1012 Color Theory. In this class we discuss the terminolgy of the artist, and then complete a series of laboratory sessions at their benches to put the theory to practice. The photo shows a number of panels that each studentis required to duplicate.

Short term Wood Finishing Classes

Here is the DCTC summer session classes for 2009. Please go to http://www.woodfinishing.org/ for detailed information on each class, registration and housing.

Color Matching: $465.00
June 29th – 30th 2009
Instructor: Mitch Kohanek

Introduction to Spot Repair: $465.00
July 1st – 2nd 2009
Instructor: Mitch Kohanek

Restoration, Chemistry and Technology of Transparent Furniture Coatings: $750.00
July 7th – 10th 2009
Instructors: Donald C. Williams, Mitch Kohanek

Hands on Finishing: $750.00
July 13th – 17th 2009
Instructor: Mitch Kohanek

Advanced Finishing: $750.00
July 20th – 24th 2009
Instructors: Greg Johnson, Mitch Kohanek

Spraying Equipment and Techniques: $465.00
July 27th – 28th 2009
Instructors: David Smith, Mitch Kohanek

Piano Grain Filled Finish: $465.00
July 29th – 30th 2009
Instructors: Kevin Hancock, Mitch Kohanek

Welcome to the National Institute of Wood Finishing

Hello,

This is the first blog coming from the National Institution of Wood Finishing at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) in Rosemount Minnesota.

It is a nine month program that began in 1970 by the State of Minnesota. To my knowledge it is the only certified nine month post secondary Wood Finishing Technology program in the USA.

It is dedicated to preparing individuals for the wood finishing industry including: the finishing of new wood products, the conservation, restoration, refinishing of "old' wood, and the repairing of damaged wood and damaged coatings - old or new.

Stay tuned for more information about this program and the educational "hands on" wood finishing courses that I offer for the hobbyist, the professional and those who want to be a professional finisher.


Mitch Kohanek
http://www.woodfinishing.org/
http://www.dctc.edu/