RE: Touch Ups

> Anyways, in refinishing, I have used fillers and burn in sticks, 
> but outside of that, I know nothing.  This is where I need help.  
>Dave Bassham


The first thing that I suggest that you do is get a hold of Mohawk
Finish Supply's catalog. Go through that catalog, and jot down your
questions on each and every item that you think could make your 
day easier and add to the quality of your life. 

Then ask those questions here, and then we can all answer and comment 
on each specific item and its possible uses. Then you can ask follow-up 
questions, and eventually you will get an idea what what products will work 
for you. That's how I started, but without the email group (that was back in 
'84 when it was just me, a warehouse, the catalog, their tools and supplies, 
and a retail furniture store that was close to 100 years old and so were all 
their customers).

Mohawk has a CD-ROM that will be a great investment for you. 
Get that too.
 
Daniel Shafner
CT

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Take Greg William's course from Mowhawk, a good grounding and 
buy the butane iron with both flat and curved tips.  Greatest thing 
since sliced bread!   Then practice, practice, practice at home first .

The Beav


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Tke Greg William's course from Mowhawk,a good grounding and buy the butane
iron with both flat and curved tips.Greatest thing since sliced bread! Then
practice ,practice,practice at home first .
The Beav

David-

I took the Mohawk touch-up course, and I know there are others 
available, and I would highly recommend going that route.

I know some find it distasteful to pay to hear a salesman pitch his 
own products, but to me it was worth it to have an instructor take 
two full days and explain each product and its uses and to give me 
time to experiment with them.  You won't be an accomplished 
toucher-upper after just a day or two, but you get a good idea where 
to start.  Experience does the rest.

Tommy Luckadoo


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> I need to know what products to use and when.  


Dave, 

Contact your Mohawk rep.  Get a catalog.  memorize it.  Call your rep.  
Pick his brain.  Go to a workshop.  (all over the country.) practice.  
Repeat. If you don't have a rep, or know who it is, call 1.800.545.0047,

If it is for touch up, we probably make it, and we've taught 10's of 
thousands of people the basics in the last 50 years.  

We can help you get started and keep going.

Greg Williams


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Ty Faragothe  writes:

Hey Dave,
                
I am moved to share with you how I hack and mutilate furniture in order 
to satisfy the in home repair customer.  Their is a lot of stuff to learn.  
Maybe take a class from Mohawk.  I think some one out there has a 
schedule of classes.  But in the mean time I have just a few words.  

First you must learn to love Bondo.  
Bondo is the life blood of in home repairs.  
But don't call it Bondo.  
Call it "Polyester fill material" that you order from a "Commercial supplier".  
It can be used for almost anything.  I find it works great on fracture repairs 
where they can't find all the pieces.  Or for filling in dents on the edges of
 tables and what not.  Some times you have to make the dent or hole 
bigger to hold the bondo.  Use small brad nails to act as rebar on larger
 repairs.  It also helps to mix a little powdered stain (Blendals) with the 
hardener to gain the correct shade or "Base" color.  
You can also get hardener in several different colors.
    
In the same category as Bondo we have the famed Epoxy stick.  
Great stuff.  Hardening time leaves a little to be desired with me 
(I am always in a hurry).  You can get them from Mohawk or just 
go down to the local Home Improvement Yuppie Magnet and ask 
for it (Usually in the paint dept..)   
    
Also you would be suprised what I have learned to do with touch up 
markers and wax fill sticks.  75% of my house calls can be solved 
with fill sticks and markers.    I get my markers and fill sticks from 
Mohawk.  I find I use about 6 different colors of markers in 2 different
models.  Mohawk has the Ultra mark and the Pro mark.  I use a little 
of both.  I used to have every color they sold, experience has lightened 
the touch up kit and helped the budget.  As far as fill sticks go that 
depends on the latest craze in furniture.  In the late 80's early 90's it 
was white washed so you used a lot of whit and tan patchals, in the 
mid 90's it was Dark Brown Mahog colors so you used a lot of deep 
reds and browns, now it seems to be leaning towards the light golden 
oaks and pines, light colors.  After some time I am sure you will have
 it down to under a dozen.
    
As far as the Blendals go from Mohawk, I use a little different approach 
to the repair.  I think they recommend using lacover, I am not sure, but 
I have always used Graining Liquid to mix my Blendal powders.  I also 
had at one point one of every color, now I have around 12, 5 of which 
I go through rapidly (Red, Yellow, Medium Walnut, Extra Dark Walnut, 
and White).
    
Never forget toners!  Toners can save your butt a lot of time or they can 
really screw things up.  Tone in moderation!  I use about 8 different toners 
(not including top coats and sealers).
    
I know I haven't really told you how to use any of this stuff but I would 
use up a ton of bandwidth trying to.  Every situation calls for something 
different.  If you need more help I would be more than willing to go into 
greater detail.  

Just a few more things about touch ups.  Go for the quickies.  The ones 
you can crank out in 1/2 an hour.  I find I can do four a night on Saturday 
and collect $50 a shot!  Now, I know I am not a pro, but this is turning a 
pretty quick buck for a guy with low rent, one car payment, no overhead, 
and a wife who makes a good living.  $200 bucks in 3 hours.  
You do the math. 
     
Sorry I rambled guys but I so rarely get a chance to talk about something 
I understand, (I am still working on the lingo)  what is HVAC any way?!  

Easterners and their fancy speak!
 
Ty (Babe-in-da-woods) Faragothe 
In UT                                                    

P.S. All the above mentioned can be had from Mohawk Finishing.    







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Mail for any Groop purpose goes to: groop@alan.net


Professional Refinisher Groop introductory webpage: 

http://alan.net/prg/index.html