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Editor's Corner
The 'Doctor' Is In
Have you made it over to FinishingRx.com yet? FinishingRx.com is your e-help desk for all your finishing woes. It is a place for you to interact with other members of the finishing community in real time. Read More
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Manufacturing Strategies
Minimally Disruptive Product Design
There are always opportunities to add new products or make major changes to existing products, but both introduce a level of risk and often come at a cost which can be higher than prudent in a soft market....Read More
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Marble & Granite
White Marble Gaining Popularity in Kitchens
An interesting trend is developing in the natural stone business and it signals a return in interest to some classic stones. More and more, homeowners and kitchen designers are calling for the use of white marble...Read More
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Finishing
Special Crackle Finishing Effects
Have you ever had a sample of crackle finish handed to you by a customer? The finisher’s first reaction is most often one of fear and apprehension at the thought of having to produce a crackle finish. These reactions may be well founded. Read More
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Design
Functional: The New Fancy
Or maybe casual is the new luxury? Any way you slice it, kitchens and baths are moving away from ornate styles and homeowners are embracing clean lines and simplicity. It’s not only true for kitchens and baths. This trend can be traced throughout the...Read More
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Technique/Process
My Black Granite Countertop is Fading?
Your phone rings and the lady on the other end is yelling at you complaining about her black granite countertop that you installed for her about a month ago. She tells you that there are gray faded spot appearing all over it....Read More
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Techniques
YIkes, I've Got Wrinkles!
Fall is here and the little goblins will be knocking on our doors looking for treats. I love the signs of the season changes and Indian summer. However there is a part of fall that isn’t so nice, and that is when I start getting calls from customers in a panic because they have had a different kind of goblin showing up.... Read More
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Green
Are Your Papers In Order?
Recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and other news media have brought to light some of the implications of the recently amended “Lacey Act”. Read More
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Material Selection
Paper Covers a ... Counter?
Paper clothes never made the grade, and paper plates are a one-and-done deal. So can anyone be serious about paper countertops? ...Read More
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Coatings
Choosing the Right Finish
Product design can have many meanings beyond the basic design of the product you manufacture. It can include the design of materials from your suppliers, the manufacturing process, cost, function, form, environmental, etc. Read More
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Productivity
Do You Test All Your New Hires?
These days it is so important to test all new hires for drugs. According to reports about half the new hires in the United States are now being tested. Checking with companies that do test, pre-employment drug testing shows a freighting 25 percent...Read More
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Troubleshooting
A Taste For Wood
The origin and evolution of styles in woodwork has been an ongoing interest of mine. The most popular furniture styles of all time originated in the 18th and early 19th centuries. In fact, this period of time is referred to as the “Golden Age” of furniture. Read More
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Green
What is Green for Countertops?
I love Kermit the Frog, how can you not? He has some very famous quotes and one of them applies to us and our industry. “It’s not easy being green!” I love it; and how true is that saying? ...Read More
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Step-by-Step: Rustic Roan Finish
Creativity is a key to success in today’s world. New looks and designs are what our customers are looking for. Kitchen cabinets are being viewed as pieces of furniture or works of art and the finishes and finish techniques reflect this change. more...
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10 Steps to Reducing Finishing Costs
Throughout the wood manufacturing industry, business owners are facing extreme challenges achieving the bottom-line profitability. Most industry experts believe this bleak outlook will not improve significantly for the next 12 to 18 months. more...
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Ask Phil: Spray Pattern Problems
My spray gun is not spraying correctly. On the top of the spray pattern, the fan pattern is very heavy. On the bottom of the fan pattern, the spray is very light. This problem causes stripes in my finish color. I don’t know how to fix the problem. Please help. more...
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Going Green — Eco Friendly Finishing
Time really flies when you are having fun. I’ve been working in the professional woodworking industry for over 30 years. My focus and enjoyment has revolved around the process of making wood look its best by using the finest finishes available in the industry. more...
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Wood Bleach — Tips and Techniques
Wood bleach is commonly used to lighten the color of wood or minimize dark areas such as mineral streaks to provide a more uniform appearance that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to produce. more...
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