Shop Skills #5: Using Toner to Add or Change Color

Todd, excellent video, very informative, thanks!

Loved the trailer, LOL!!!!!!

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

Very informative. I never really understood toner usage, and I now have a much better idea.

I noticed when you first started spraying you’d stop and start in the middle of a panel instead of the long full-length coats. I usually get terrible finish build-up if I accidentally do that with, say, a spray can finish. I assume you can do that because of the ultra-fine droplet size?

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

Hey Todd
Super video Good info and well presented. The only thing ,I’ve been told by my paint supplier is that skin can absorb thinners so they recommend wearing long sleeves and even a hood if you can stand it when you spray.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Greg – It is important to understand that I am not spraying coats of finish, I am adding layers of color. There is very little to virtually no build of film. That is why you can spray in spot locations to add color.

Once the desired level of color is achieved, you add even coats of finish.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd
Your tips on using toner are great ,thanks for taking the time to put this together. What did you use for finish ?
Thanks Jerry

I always love your videos Todd… I sense the next Wood Whisperer

-- San Diego, CA US Navy

Todd: not sure what you’re using for encoding your movies, but I’ve tried varying the encoding to shrink mine in the past. I’ll usually convert my raw camcorder videos to DiVx (or Xvid) which shrinks them considerably. I’m a Linux guy, and use mencoder (mplayer) for that, which gives you lots of options. They do have a windows port of it, but I’ve never tried it out.

One thing I’ve noticed about some software is that they can leave the audio stream in a raw format rather than converting to MP3 or something along those lines, which can increase the video size considerably. Another possibility is to use a 2-pass encoding method which can result in smaller videos. If I’m re-encoding for web sharing, I’ll shrink the video down to 400×300 and aim for 1000-2000kbps streaming speed, which results in pretty small videos when taking from a standard MPEG stream.

Beyond that, great video!

JerryS – I use ML Campbell’s MagnaMax satin. It is a pre-catalyzed lacquer and it is very durable.

Interpim – You will have to thank Marc because he is one of the guys that originally helped me with video. David Pruett and Tommy MacDonald were also very helpful. Each one had very specific information that helped get me going. There is still so much more to learn about video production and posting.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Jimi_C – I am using iMovie ‘09 on my MacBook. I can convert the video to any of the necessary formats for uploading the the net.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Every time I try to watch the video a message pops up that says this is a private video??? I am looking forward to seeing this one.

I’m having a problem getting anything to show up. It might send me to youtube and then it’s just a bunch of regular videos.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

My disappointment knows no depth as I have not received a friend request to view the video. :-(

It say it is a “private” video which I’m guessing has something to do with an ancient chinese secret.

Please Todd allow me to view your video. I am your biggest fan. I’ve started dressing like you and even tried to cut my hair like yours (that’s not working out so well). I wanna be you when I grow up.

Okay, I’ll check later to see if it’s viewable.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

So it is not just me and my cranky computer…

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

I am getting the same message, how do we open it

-- Bob, Rockford IL, http://www.woodandwax.net

Its saying its a private video, and I cant see it

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

Todd, I am getting the same message about this being a private video on both my computer and my wife’s new laptop. Any suggestions on how we can get the video to play?

And I was all pumped up and ready to watch it!! I even had the popcorn ready. :)

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Russel – you concern me.

Sorry about getting your hopes up and locking you out. I hope the video is worth the wait.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Thanks Todd for changing whatever was blocking the video. It was indeed worth waiting for. A great presentation with a lot of useful information. I now have to explore the world of toners and spray guns!

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

Todd came through great. Nice job on the video, and a great tutorial.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Nice job Todd.
I can see where your lighting is a big help.
I still have hot spots and cold spots when I spray. Grrrr.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Thanks, Todd. Very informative. I’ll be watching it some more.

-- Rich, Seattle, WA

Thanks, Todd this is much better. This was a well produced and informative video. Thanks for the tip on adding the binder to the dye. That is something of which I was not aware.

I know that this takes a lot of both time and effort since you have many hats to wear- producer, director, camera man and actor- but sharing your knowledge and talents like this is appreciated.

I am looking forward to the next segment of the American Craftsman Workshop. (And I will make sure I have the popcorn ready for the movie). :)

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Todd, your stuff is always worth the wait and this is no exception. Great stuff.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

Here’s my suggestion:

contact PBS or DIY about doing a full blown tv show. Since David Marks went off the air, I’ve been searching for something to watch (although I will still watch a re-run of his shows). Also, love watching “Modern Masters” on Fine Living Network.

good work,
m

-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com

I will have to look up “Modern Masters.” I have never heard of it.

I do not see a lot of programs because I do not have cable.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd, fine bit of work there….I found it most informative…..

Can the toner be used to highlight areas on turned items? I was thinking about ageing spindles…I am doing a repair job on an old table and chair set with spindles on the leg rails and stiles of the chairs – some of which are broken or missing…..Of course they are age contrasted….and I was thinking of a dye/tint method to highlight the areas to match the un repaired parts….and also whether wipe on would be preferable to an overall spray?

I would certainly vote again for having you host a PBS or other type show…It was disappointing when you were not selected earlier….

Hmmm…now Russell..lol….I guess as long as he isnt wearing a dress…and cap like grizz you probably don’t have too much to be concerned about.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

ReggieK – You just gave me a good chuckle:)

The situation that you are faced with is a perfect situation for using toner. Be sure to stay with the given type of finish or a toner formula that is compatible. Dial the spray gun into a spot spray pattern for smaller or tighter areas and build very light layers of color. Do not wet it until it runs.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd…thanks for the info…as I said…it was a most timely video for me. I had been thinking of trying various methods to “age” the spindles….spot staining….staining with a darker stain in the detail areas….making a mask to reduce the stain in different areas….etc…etc…This by far looks to be the easiest.

I can try some test pieces to see how well the components stick and look….luckily, I can make the spindles from either oak dowels…or inexpensive fur…as the spindles are standard sized…stiles are 5/8” and the leg rails look like 3/4” or close…..it just depends on how much time I have as to what material I’ll use. The only item on my wish list for this is a lathe replicator…for now they will have to settle with as close as I can get by eye.

I also got a visual of a cheering section on a woodworking show (like the melon heads or such at the football games)...Russell and Grizz could lead it for you….they could be the LJ Cheerleader Squad (like the Dallas cheerleaders…but hairier).......everyone needs some comic relief now and then (sorry to pick on you Russell and Grizz)...lol

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

ReggiK – Don’t forget that you can use a base of dye on the wood, followed by stain, a seal coat, THEN finish tuning into the color with the dye. That would be the most appropriate sequence.

Do a test on scrap pieces if you can.

Masking off areas to isolate the work area may be necessary.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

In all seriousness (whatever that may be), I will add my voice to those calling for a regular show for you Todd. Your style is confident and comfortable; a good combination with your skill and knowledge. What seems to be left on TV are monotone readers, simplistic demonstrators or dangerous amateurs. Good instruction is hard to come by.

And, if you need a lead in, I promise not to wear a dress … it would hide my hot-pants.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

Russel…LMAO !
Todd , once again you’ve created a great video . Very informative and helpful . I’m looking forward to seeing you on PBS very soon : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

I’m very appreciative of your demo. I don’t use spraying in my shop because I don’t have room for a spray booth.
So, imagine my surprise to see you spraying in the open amongst your tools with no booth and no apparent exhaust system.
I’m curious to know if that’s a good method, or do you do this just for the video?

d

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

Don – Moment of truth here, that is exactly where I spray my projects. My spray booth is serving as a storage room until we can finish the building. The dust collector sits by the double doors to the spray booth which is 16’ x 12’ inside.

Using solvent based materials (lacquer) requires me to shut off the furnace and cross ventilate the shop with the large windows and doors and I do this even in the winter. During the summer the furnace is shut off anyway and the windows are open. I usually have fans assisting in pushing air in on the high pressure side of the building to force it out the low pressure side but did not for the video.

Spraying each coat or part of a project is fairly short in duration. This keeps the fumes and overspray fog under control. Then I have to let the room clear and shut the doors and windows if it is cool weather out.

Lacquer based products dry incredibly fast so you do not need a hermetically sealed room to get an uncontaminated finish.

The material that goes airborne dries in the air and lands as dry fall on equipment so I do not have an issue with coating my equipment with anything but dust. The dust accumulation is not a big issue because I clean my shop constantly. Woodworking is a dusty trade anyway.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd, a friend of mine who used to refinish furniture for several retail stores used a water fall system behind his spray area that the fumes passed over on the way out of the room. It was a large sheet of glass with a recirculating water fall trickling down the surface and a fan pushing overspray into its path.
He claimed it worked as well a Binks booth for his operation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqLcNF3Bouk

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Very nice and informative video!

Great job!

Thank you very much!

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

Hi Todd,
I just looked in the utube help, & found this.

This may help you with your large video postings.

You may have solved it by now, but I figured, I’ll send it anyway.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1