Class: The ‘Art’ of Wood Finishing – October & November

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May 262024
 

The ‘Art’ of Wood Finishing

Friday, October 4th    &    Friday, November 8th

One Day – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – One hour lunch break
Class size limited – Fee: $105.00
Instructor: Ron Ashby “The Finish Geek”

Discussion of advantages and disadvantages
of various finishes and the best finish for your projects.
• Oils   • Waxes  • Shellacs 
•  Varnishes   • Urethanes   • Lacquers  • Milk Paints
• Waterborne & Solvent finishes
Includes binder of class reference material.
Determine and select the finishes best suited for
your pieces and work  environment.

• • • • •
“Finishes invite one to touch, to caress
and to take pleasure in the wood surface.” … Sam Maloof

“The understanding eye sees the maker’s fingerprints.
They are evident in every detail … Leave Fingerprints.” … James Krenov

“I hope my furniture has a soul to it.” … Sam Maloof

“A good lasting finish should yield a piece that is; durable, enjoyable,
easy to live with, pleasant to touch, and interesting to look at!
… the piece may then become a valued heirloom.” …. Ron Ashby

• • • • •

Class location:
Room 209, PHEC,One Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Registration Open
Online, Register for Class

or in person at

Mt. Diablo Adult Education
Pleasant Hill Education Center
One Santa Barbara Road – Room 210, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
For registration Information Call : 925-937-1530

Class size limited to10

* * * * *

Any questions regarding the classes:
Phone Ron, 707-391-4042

Book – French Polishing, Derek Jones

 Shellac Flakes  Comments Off on Book – French Polishing, Derek Jones
May 252024
 

FRENCH POLISHING

Finishing and restoring using traditional techniques

“There has been much written on French polishing, never has an offering
been so well illustrated — it is complete and well done, you will find it a valuable reference.
We recommend this book, if you have any interest in learning about French polishing
or improving your craft, BUY THIS BOOK !“

Get the inside story from a hands-on pro. You can easily master all aspects of French polishing with this complete guide with all the must-know details, including:

  • frenchpolishingbookTechniques for applying layers of shellac to achieve a warm glow
  • Step-by-step instructions for restoring an old finish to its former beauty
  • Properly preparing the wood surface before beginning
  • Choosing the right products and materials to do the job
  • Solving the most common problems woodworkers encounter
  • Tips for getting flawless results every time
    • • • • •

French Polishing
Finishing and restoring using traditional techniques
• ISBN: 9781621136729  • Paperback  • 5 7/8 x 8 1/4  • 112 pages
• well illustrated, over 150 color photos, & many highlighted ‘Pro Tips’

Purchase on page: Shellac Variety & Price Listing

• • • • •

NATURAL BRISTLE BRUSHES

 New Additions  Comments Off on NATURAL BRISTLE BRUSHES
Jan 302024
 

• NEW Item
SINGLE FILL NATURAL BRISTLE BRUSHES

Single Fill Natural Bristle Brushes
•  These are well crafted Single Thick Shellac,
Varnish, & multi-purpose brushes.
•  100% premium un-dyed natural hog bristle.
•  Epoxy set for solvent resistance.
•  Plated ferrule.  •  Smooth unfinished Beech wood handle.
 NOT Recommended for use with waterborne finishing materials.
      Made in the USA
Six sizes from 1″ to 4″ —  See Selection, Click here:

Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply – New Location

 General Finishes, MERIT Industries, Mohawk Finish Products, New Additions, Shellac Flakes  Comments Off on Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply – New Location
Aug 072023
 

Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply & MERIT Industries
Mohawkfinishsupply.com
Authorized Mohawk Distributor

2465 Second Street, Napa CA 94559
New Hours Monday – Thursday  9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturdays – by Appointment.
 707-299-8016
Please stop by our NEW Showroom when you’re in the Napa area.
Location Map 2465 2nd St. Napa
Location Access:
from Hwy 29: take the First Street exit
at the Roundabout, RIGHT on California (One block) to 2465 Second
From Downtown Napa:
take 2nd St. west, one block past California to 2465

See: Shellac.net  Variety Listing
To: MOHAWK, H.BEHLEN & Select Finishing Materials
To: MERIT Industries products index

Behlen Formula QUALASOLE – Available NOW

 Mohawk Finish Products, New Additions, Product Data Sheets, Shellac Flakes  Comments Off on Behlen Formula QUALASOLE – Available NOW
Jun 132023
 

Original BEHLEN QUALASOLE™ French Polish
Behlen B611-00016   •   Mohawk M638-22706

        YES !  (back by popular demand).
By special order and production Qualasole™ French Polish will soon be available sporting the Mohawk and Behlen logos and product numbers.

The original BEHLEN Qualasole™French Polish
is an exclusive product, manufactured at Mohawk
expressly for Wood Finish Supply / Shellac.net

New April 2024 Production SHIPPING NOW
To The Order Page: Qualasole™ is available in quart bottles,
priced at $36.95 + shipping.

Read the original Qualasole application information
from the 1944 Behlen Book
“The Art of Wood Finishing”

Shellac Solvent: Grain Alcohol vs. Denatured Alcohol

 New Additions, Product Data Sheets, Shellac Flakes  No Responses »
Apr 232023
 

Shellac Solvent:
Grain Alcohol vs. Denatured Alcohol
Bob Miller explains why you should head
to the local liquor store before mixing
and applying your next shellac finish.

Shellac is a wonderful finish with a fantastic
range of applications and possibilities. It can
range from an easy utility finish all the way
up to the finest of fine polished finishes.
Here is a way to make your shellac finishes
better and easier to use. This gets a little
scientific, but stick with me, it’s worth it in
the end.
It is very important to think about the
solvent used to dissolve the shellac. Most
people simply use commercially available
“denatured” alcohol. Denatured alcohol is
a general alcohol-based solvent used for a
variety of applications across many
industries. Mixed with shellac, it will
produce a serviceable finish. However, it has
some problems when it comes to shellac.

First, there is no industry regulation
regarding what precisely constitutes
denatured alcohol. This means that some
brands are cut with water to increase their
volume, often by as much as 20%.

Second, is that there is no way of knowing
what kind of alcohol was used to produce
the product. Some brands contain methanol,
a cheaper, more volatile, and dangerous
form of industrial alcohol that can be used
to bulk up the volume of solvent. This
inconsistency makes it difficult to predict
the behavior of the shellac both as it
dissolves and as it dries as a finish.

  

In short, denatured alcohol is an
unpredictable, dangerous, unhealthy, poor
quality solvent for shellac that will make
your finish harder to use as well as shorten
your life. Don’t worry though; I have a solution.

Prior to Prohibition here in the United
States, woodworkers would have simply
mixed their shellac with a high proof, grain
derived alcohol that contained a minimum of
water. It was only after Prohibition that all
of these denaturants were added to make
industrial alcohol undrinkable.
If you’re looking for a pure, consistent
supply of high-strength alcohol that
doesn’t contain this spectrum of
chemicals, think about the bottom shelf at
your local liquor store.
Everclear and Diesel are two brands
of nearly pure alcohol that contain less
than 5% water. They are commercially
available in most states and are the perfect
solvent for shellac, with no denaturant and
a minimum of water.
Once you switch to pure alcohol for your
shellac you will wonder how you ever got
along with denatured alcohol. Pure grain
alcohol will dissolve your shellac more
smoothly and will build your finish more
quickly. So, take a trip to your local liquor
store and pick up some solvent, give it a try
with shellac, and see what you think when
you’ve used a traditional solvent for your
traditional shellac finish.
Bob Miller is a custom furniture maker
and woodworker based in the Charles neighborhood of Boston.

Note: Everclear 190 is not available in all states.
     See below.
‘Everclear 190’ is a 190 proof Ethanol.
Everclear 190 Grain Alcohol is currently banned in 14 states that have ruled 190 Proof Everclear Is Not Legal
(2023) include:
California – only 151 proof available
= 75.5% alcohol & 24.95% water
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Washington
Everclear, (less than 190 Proof) available in the states above IS NOT Recommend for use as a solvent for shellac.
190 Everclear is a brand name of rectified spirit (also known as grain alcohol and neutral spirit) produced by the American company
Luxco (formerly known as the David Sherman Corporation).
It is made from grain and is bottled at 60%, 75.5%, 94.5% and 95% alcohol by volume (120,151, 189, and 190 U.S. proof respectively).		 Everclear 190 proof (5% distilled Water)
A good Solvent for making Shellac
is legal in 36 states.
States where ‘Everclear 190’  Is Legal
(as of 2023)
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

 

Solve LACQUER Over-Spray and Orange-Peel

 General Finishes, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions, Product Data Sheets, Wood Finishing Tricks  Comments Off on Solve LACQUER Over-Spray and Orange-Peel
May 142022
 

Getting the most from your Lacquer Finishes
When & Why To Use
Flash-Off™ Control Solvent & Lacquer Blush Retarder

Lacquer Retarder helps avoid Blushing  caused by Cold Humid Wet Weather
Lacquer retarder is used to help eliminate “blushing”, the white foggy look caused by HIGH humidity or rainy and cool/cold weather. This blush sometimes is only observed in areas where the build of the coating is thicker such as bull-nosed edges.
Blush retarder keeps the finish wet longer allowing the trapped moisture to escape the coating. Another advantage is an even flow of the lacquer.
To Eliminate
Orange Peel & Over-Spray,
Use Flash-Off Control Solvent
 – The Hot Weather Additive.
Generally,
Blush Retarder Is Overused.
In cases of orange peel or overspray,
Flash-Off™ Control Solvent is the best choice to solve the problem.Flash-Off™ Control is used to improve the flow of lacquers and lacquer sealers without slowing the overall drying time.
The addition of a few ounces of Flash-Off™ Solvent per gallon of lacquer will solve orange peel and overspray roughness.
Flash-Off™ Control Solvent will improve flow and yield overall film smoothness. 		 Flash-Off Control Solvent Use:
Add 3 to 5 ounces, Flash-OFF per gallon, to Mohawk air dry nitrocellulose, pre-catalyzed and post-catalyzed lacquer coatings. More Flash-Off™ may be added, up to10% by volume if needed, but that will increase dry time.
DO NOT add Flash Off Control to water base lacquers or conversion varnishes.
(NOT for use with Shellac)

About Lacquer Thinners:
Avoid Overuse of Lacquer Thinner
Most lacquers come ready to spray. This includes Pre & Post Catalyzed, Air Dry, Instrument & Piano lacquers. If the spray gun is set properly, add Lacquer Thinner only as absolutely necessary to achieve a proper spray pattern. Adding more thinner does not help the flow-out or drying time.
Control lacquer flow-out with Flash-Off Control Solvent. If blushing is the problem, use a small percentage of blush retarder.

Lacquer solids generally are somewhere between 20% – 25% solids and formulated to be, Air Quality VOC’s (volatile organic compounds / smog pre-cursers), compliant as labeled. Adding thinner will result in a non-compliant coating. Excess thinner or reducer results in a thinner coat of finish,
thus requiring additional coats to achieve the required appearance and enough thickness to provide a protective coating.

 

New Item – MERIT 800 Burn-In Knife

 MERIT Industries, New Additions  Comments Off on New Item – MERIT 800 Burn-In Knife
Mar 282021
 

#800 Electric BURN-IN KNIFE – 18 watt 120 Volt
Electric Burn In KnifeThe MERIT 800 Knife is a smaller handled,
light weight, professional Burn-In Knife,
excellent for delicate work. This 120 Volt Knife features a 6 foot 2-wire neoprene
power cord and includes a wire support sand.
The mica-insulated nichrome heating element provides steady temperature and long element life
The 18 watts develops an ample temperature of 750°f. Our lighter weight knife is designed with a smaller handle, for ease of control.
The 800 knife is excellent for delicate or small repairs, especially in confined areas. – Our Favorite Electric Knife!

See more information and 800 Burn-In Kits Here

BEHLEN Finishing has a NEW LABEL

 Mohawk Finish Products, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions  Comments Off on BEHLEN Finishing has a NEW LABEL
Feb 112021
 

Shellac.net Wood Finish SupplyAn Authorized Mohawk Distributor

As of June 1st 2019 the H.Behlen Finishing Products
were transitioned to the Mohawk Finishing label.
Not every product was included in the transition,
in that there are good Mohawk equivalents for those items.
Products that have been made using the same formula for years
will be co-labeled with both Behlen & Mohawk Product numbers.
Many products are the exactly the SAME and others have an exact match in the Mohawk brand.

See our online catalog @ mohawakfinishsupply.com

Some H.Behlen Products are still available,
Co-branded items will show the Behlen product # in the description.
For information or questions,
Please Phone our support line: 707-391-4042

 

Penetrating NGR DYE – Behlen JET BLACK

 Mohawk Finish Products, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions, Product Data Sheets  Comments Off on Penetrating NGR DYE – Behlen JET BLACK
Jul 242019
 

Ultra Penetrating NGR DYE – JET BLACK
The beautiful deep JET BLACK Dye (Behlen Formula)
is back in production and SHIPPING.

Available here: in Pints, Quarts, Gallons

Ultra® Penetrating NGR (Non Grain Raising) DYE. Excellent fade & UV resistance.
Intermix to arrive at custom colors.
Reduce color intensity with NGR Reducer, Acetone, or Shellac Solvent Denatured Alcohol.

    See: NGR (Non Grain Raising) Dye application & use information

 

CARE of AEROSOLS

 MERIT Industries, Mohawk Finish Products, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions, Product Data Sheets, Wood Finishing Tricks  Comments Off on CARE of AEROSOLS
Jun 302019
 

H BEHLEN

Aerosol Musts
Please Read: Get Top Results from your Aerosols

Storage for use: 65° F – 85° F.  – Store Out of the direct sun.

Shake Well before each use.

To Understand How Important shaking and clearing the tube is

For New Cans:
Shake Well 2 Minutes: especially Colored lacquers, Stains, Glazes,
Clear Aerosols; Semi-Gloss, Satin, Matt, Flatt, Dead Flatt

DVD de retoque y reparación de madera

 Mohawk Finish Products, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions, Wood Finishing Tricks  Comments Off on DVD de retoque y reparación de madera
Mar 092019
 

DVD de retoque y reparación de madera
Wood Touch Up & Repair DVD – SPANISH

El sistema de entrenamiento iteractivo de
Mohawk está diseñado para entrenarlo a Ud.
a hacer retoques y arreglos sobre productos
de madera haciendo uso de las técnicas más
avanzadas que existen al respecto en esta industria.
Este video interactivo incluye instrucciones
sobre las siguientes áreas:
• El análisis del daño  • El relleno de los daños
• El reemplazo de colores  • El reemplazo de las vetas
• La aplicación por puntos de um acabado
• El ajuste del brillo  • La eliminación de rayas
• El cuidado del acabado  • …Y muchas más
“Este es un excelente DVD para el aprendizaje de reparaciones de acabado de madera”

Comprar el DVD

Solving Common Finishing Problems

 Mohawk Finish Products, Mohawk Finishing Materials, New Additions, Wood Finishing Tricks  Comments Off on Solving Common Finishing Problems
Mar 072019
 

Solving Common Wood Finishing Problems
(Recommended reading for all finishers)

Regardless of your finish of choice, water or solvent based, both modern and
traditional coatings require many of the same considerations for application success.
First:
• Select a recommended finish to meet the project requirements.
•  Read The Directions.
Most finishes work best at around 72°F and a humidity of 4o% or less.
•  Follow the manufactuers guidelines.
Finish drying and curing depend on temperature, humidity and air flow.

So far there is Not a finish material
that says it will dry faster if you are in a hurry!

Creating a Fine Finish, by brush or spray, requires attention to many factors
including environment, finish material, selection of spray or brush equipment, and more.

Read through this entire document so you can spot finish problems
before or as they arise.

This self help problem solving guide identifies the source and the fix for many issues that can prevent the achievement of a perfect finish.

7 Questions about Shellac for Wood Finishing

 Product Data Sheets, Shellac Flakes, Wood Finishing Tricks  Comments Off on 7 Questions about Shellac for Wood Finishing
Dec 212018
 

1 – Q: Shellac is an old-fashioned, outdated finish.

A: No, Shellac is all natural, organic, child safe. Shellac has more modern features
and ‘green’ benefits than any other wood finish in the world.

2 – Q: Shellac turns ugly and dark as it ages.

A: Shellac is naturally UV-resistant and does not yellow or darken with age.
The dark shellac seen in older homes is a less-refined version that was naturally dark,
or was tinted by finishers when dark wood colors were popular in the early 20th century.

3 – Q: Is shellac made from bugs or bug droppings?

A: No, Shellac is a resin secreted from the tree sap by the lac insect to form a cocoon,
much like a silk worm. It takes about 100,000 lac bugs to make 1 lb. of shellac resin.

4 – Q: Does a shellac finish turn white when water touches it?

A: A properly applied shellac finish is remarkably water-resistant and, in most cases, will stay clear after hours of exposure to water, making it a great finish for most interior surfaces, including woodwork, trim, doors, cabinets, paneling, furniture, and for floors, Button Shellac (yes, floors!)

5 – Q: Is Shellac brittle or easily scratched?

A: Shellac is a tough, durable finish that is less brittle than lacquer and is not easily scratched. The process of making Button shellac yields a tougher resin. Unlike polyurethanes, a damaged shellac finish can be easily touched up or renewed
by brushing on another thin coat.

6 – Q: Is Shellac compatible with other finishes?

A: Shellac will adhere tenaciously when applied over almost any other type of clean,
wax free, and oil free finish.
(To assure a clean surface, especially on older grimy surfaces, use a wood cleaner like
Mohawk Wax Wash, to avoid possible stains or damage from water based cleaners.)

 To seal wood before applying polyurethane or other finishes,
Bulls Eye® SealCoat™ is a shellac-based universal sanding sealer that is 100% wax-free.

For refurbishing a worn finish, a SealCoat makes an excellent transitional coating or bonding coat between an unknown coating and a new topcoat.
Note: (Regular shellac may not be compatible as a sealer under certain polyurethanes, as they contain small amounts of natural wax.)

7 – Q: Can I make a Shellac SealCoat?

A: Yes a ‘SealCoat’ is a DEWAXED Shellac Resin dissolved in
Mohawk Shellac Reducer / Behkol or a 190 Proof Denatured Alcohol.
With a wide color variety of Dewaxed Shellac Flakes, you can make your own
universal sanding sealer in a range of light to deep tones to match your project.

 

CLEAR WOOD GRAIN FILLER

 Product Data Sheets  Comments Off on CLEAR WOOD GRAIN FILLER
Mar 182017
 

NOW AVAILABLE

Aqua Coat logo

Aqua Coat CLEAR WOOD GRAIN
& Pore FILLER

AQUA COAT Clear Wood Grain Filler

Professionally-Proven, Environmentally-Friendly Water Based Filler
 •  Easy application and clean-up  •  Non-toxic
•  Non-flammable  •  Non-combustible
Click Here for More Information:

Aqua Coat Clear Grain Filler, the secret to smooth finish on open pore
and coarse grain woods!
Available Here:

 

Form Follows Function – as does a Wood Finish

 New Additions  Comments Off on Form Follows Function – as does a Wood Finish
Jul 152024
 

In the Art of Wood Finishing, it should certainly be true that
“Finish Follows Function”.
It is the finishers task to so assure that in fact,
Finish Follows Function.

Ron Ashby,  July 2024
————————————-

From Wikipedia:

The phrase “form follows function” is attributed to:
Louis Henry Sullivan (September 3, 1856 – April 14, 1924)[1] was an American architect, and has been called a “father of skyscrapers”[2] and “father of modernism.”[3] He was an influential architect of the Chicago School, a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and an inspiration to the Chicago group of architects who have come to be known as the Prairie School. Along with Wright and Henry Hobson Richardson, Sullivan is one of “the recognized trinity of American architecture.”
The phrase “form follows function” is attributed to him

For Sullivan this was distilled wisdom, an aesthetic credo,
the single “rule that shall permit of no exception.”

The full quote is:

“Whether it be the sweeping eagle in his flight, or the open apple-blossom, the toiling workhorse, the blithe swan, the branching oak, the winding stream at its base, the drifting clouds, over all the coursing sun, form ever follows function, and this is the law. Where function does not change,
form does not change. The granite rocks, the ever-brooding hills, remain for ages;
the lightning lives, comes into shape, and dies, in a twinkling.

It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic, of all things physical and metaphysical,
of all things human and all things superhuman, of all true manifestations of the head, of the heart,
of the soul, that the life is recognizable in its expression,
that form ever follows function. This is the law.

 

 

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