RE: Mistakes

>>In November I had a touchup, color match on a 
>> conference table as a result  of movers. 




~RichC writes:

Ozzie,

The earth has tilted a little since November.  
Exterior ambient light has changed.
Go look at the complaint, of course.  
Be prepared to offer a repair resolution.  

Its probably not a good time to start experimenting, but I might try one of 
the Mohawk aerosol can toners.  The toners work quite well for blending on 
many colors.  Or use your airbrush with tinted lacquer if you're so equipped.

Lastly, and I know it's too late for this advice. . .I always try to lower 
the customers expectations before I start a repair and then exceed my 
promise on completion (depending on the difficulty of the repair, of course.)

If I know I can complete a good repair I reassure them with words like: "You 
should be able to sell this piece as brand new without anyone noticing the 
repair."  Most people will accept that level of promise.

If the repair is difficult and might be detectable:  "I can make this damage 
less obtrusive and it will be subject to your approval of course."  
The customer should tell you at that point if they can live with an 
improvement short of perfection.

I know you're a pro and this information tidbit is offered simply as perspective.  

Hope it helps.

~RichC.


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AlanM adds:

I always tell them that I try to use perfection as a guideline, and that a 
perfect repair is one where you can't tell there was ever any damage.

If I think I might have trouble with the repair, I tell them the repair should
be about 95% invisible.

How invisible is "about 95%" ? It prepares them for "less than perfect".


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>>Shellac and pigment powders should not change color. 
>>Perhaps it's a different  color under different lighting conditions?? 


Actually alcohol dye stains are not the best in lightfastness of color....
I have seen them change too in stuff I've done...or perhaps its also that 
it's in addition to the unstained backround wood continuing to bleach or 
alter it's color... water based dyes are better at color retention.... 
but obviously not practical most of the time in touch up....

GregS







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