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Contact Us
Columbia Industrial Supplies Inc.
612 Garbally Road
Victoria, BC V8T 2K2
(250) 475-2295
Our Business Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:30-4:30
Sat-Sun: Closed
Finishing Seminars Held in January
/in Cabinets/Millwork, General, PaintFebruary 2012
Finishing Seminars Held in January
In January, Columbia Industrial Supplies hosted finishing seminars in both Nanaimo and Victoria. The presenter was Norm Smith, the wood finishing specialist at FP/Innovations, Canada’s leading wood products research organization. Norm’s many years of experience in the cabinet shop industry as a finisher and supervisor, combined with his down-to-earth communication skills, enable him to “connect” with the participants and to generate interaction.
The agenda ranged from the “basics” of finishing to an overview of coatings, (including an examination of waterborne technology), and a review of current finishing equipment. . Norm also made a strong case for large or small operations to develop specific and detailed documentation for each of its finishing procedures. The benefits of the resulting “SOPs” (Standard Operating Procedures) can be many; ranging from improved and consistent quality control to more effective training of new finishers.
Norm Smith can be reached by E-mail at norman.smith@fpinnovations.ca or by cell phone at (604) 828-9555.
We will continue to arrange finishing workshops, and we welcome any suggestions regarding format, location and topics of interest to you.
Wood finishing seminars with wood coatings and application systems expert Norm Smith
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintCOLUMBIA INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
Presents
Wood finishing seminars with wood coatings and application systems expert Norm Smith
These seminars will be presented by Norm Smith, Industry Advisor – Finishing Specialist, FPInnovations-Forintek. Norm has extensive hands-on industrial experience in wood finishing products and application systems gained from over twenty-five years in the industry. Norm provides his technical knowledge to the furniture, millwork and kitchen cabinets sectors across the western provinces. His knowledge extends from specifying the proper coating to applying the product in such a manner that productivity and quality are maximized.
In these interactive seminars Norm will discuss:
Tuesday, January 24th 2:30 – 5:30 Inn on Long Lake – Nanaimo
Wednesday January 25th 2:30 – 5:30 Comfort Hotel – Victoria
A registration fee of $20 (includes H.S.T.) must be received with your reservation to hold a spot for you or your finisher.
Space is limited to 30 participants per seminar on a first reserved basis. Complimentary refreshments will be available.
Call Columbia Industrial Supplies at (250) 475- 2295 or (800) 606 – 2295 to register
“YOUR ISLAND OWNED SUPPLIER OF THE FINEST WOOD FINISHES SINCE 1995”
Gemini Wood Coatings
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintCOLUMBIA INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
“YOUR ISLAND OWNED SUPPLIER OF THE FINEST WOOD FINISHES SINCE 1995”
We are pleased to now offer Gemini Wood Coatings in addition to Becker Acroma finishing systems.
Established in 1964 Gemini Coatings is now one of the top coatings manufacturers in the US.
Ultra Lacquer II Clear Conversion Coating offers the strength of a conversion
varnish with the ease of application generally associated with precatalyzed
lacquers. Formulated with European Polymer Technology, Ultra Lacquer II offers
an extraordinarily high level of durability which meets or exceeds the
performance demands of today’s woodworking industry.
Ultra Lacquer II has a rich look and feel that resists yellowing. Ultra Lacquer II
meets all of the pertinent government regulations regarding emissions and
exceeds the performance parameters outlined by KCMA and ASTM.
Designed for interior use including: Wood Cabinetry, Architectural Millwork, Wood Furniture, Interior Wood Surfaces, Wood Tables and Chairs.
Advantages:
Excellent Chemical Resistance
User Friendly
Virtually HAPs Free
AIM Compliant
Ultra Low Formaldehyde
Ultra High Solids
Resists Yellowing
Moisture Resistant
No Critical Recoat Time
AWI System 5
Meets or exceeds KCMA and ASTM Performance Parameters When Applied in Accordance to Specifications
Non Photo Chemically Reactive
Both (standard) 90 Day and (enhanced) 7 Day Pot Life Options
Phthalate Free
Ultra Lacquer II Clear Post-Catalyzed Coatings is available in 10°, 20°, 30° and 45° sheens.
Price Includes Either 90 Day or 7 Day Pot Life Catalyst. The 7 day pot-life (catalyst C7302) version offers superior quality and toughness while the 90 day pot-life (catalyst M1111) version offers extended usage period. No thinning required. Self-Sealing. Volume discounts available
Call John at Columbia Industrial Supplies for pricing.
Free Freight Policy: To your shop on orders over $750.00 (before taxes) or 5 pails of Becker Acroma or Gemini Wood Coatings. Either Total Delivery Systems or Columbia Industrial Supplies will deliver to the following Vancouver Island population centres: C.R.D., Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, Port Alberni and Campbell River. Overnight delivery by Total Delivery Systems of less then $750.00 or 5 pails can be arranged for a small delivery fee.
831 Shamrock Street, Victoria V8X 2V1. Telephone (250) 475-2295;
Toll Free (800) 606-2295; Fax (250) 415-2112
Bona Products: Freeze-Thaw Stability
/in Flooring#1135
December 14, 2011
Bona Products: Freeze-Thaw Stability
To: All Bona Distributors
Due to adverse weather conditions that can occur during the winter months, Bona US has tested all
products for their freeze-thaw stability. Each product group is described individually below.
Solvent-Based Products
The solvent-based products may thicken but will never fully freeze. Allow product to warm to room
temperature and place into stock as normal.
: Bona’s solvent-based products are freeze-thaw stable in all conditions.Floor Care Products (Cleaners)
to warm to room temperature and place into stock as normal.
: Bona’s floor care products are freeze-thaw stable. Allow productsFiller and Adhesives
Allow products to warm to room temperature and place into stock as normal.
: Bona’s Pacific Filler and Adhesives are freeze-thaw stable in all conditions.Waterborne Products
waterborne products can have a stability issue if they do not freeze completely and are
bounced/vibrated/shaken either during shipping or use. The partially frozen product contains ice
crystals which are very “sharp” and can cause the polymer in the product to become unstable.
Lower VOC products are more susceptible to this situation due to the lower amount of solvent in
the product. Determining if a product was only partially frozen during shipment is difficult, so one
must inspect the product to determine if it is acceptable for use.
Once the product has been brought to room temperature, sample one bottle of each finish
(irrespective of sheen). Pour the product into a clean container. If there is a stability issue, clumps of
product (similar to “cottage cheese”) will be present. If the product pours easily with no large
coagulations, the product is fine and can be place into stock as normal.
Best regards,
Todd Weyhmiller – Strategic Business Manager – Professional
: While all Bona’s waterborne products are tested and are freeze-thaw stable,Bona US
2550 South Parker Road, Suite 600
Aurora, CO 800141622
303/3711411
800/8725515
FAX 303/3716958
www.bona.com
The Skinny on Thinners
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintThe Skinny on Thinners
Coating manufacturers specially formulate lacquer thinners to reduce the viscosity of thier products. Becker formulates its thinners from a variety of solvents rather than just one in order to control how the solvent evaporates and the working characteristics of the coating. These solvent blends dissolve the resin quickly while maintaining the properties of coating and workability.
Thinners are made with two categories of solvents, diluting solvents and dissolving solvents. Dissolving solvents are the solvents which chemically dissolve the resins quickly, where as diluting solvents are solvents that dont dissolve the resin but merely mix into the coating to reduce the viscosity. Dissolving solvents are generally more expensive that diluting solvents, therefore most lacquer thinner is a blend of the two categories of solvent to keep costs lower.
Some solvents are better environmentally than others as well. To reduce the amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.) or Hazardous Air Pollutants (H.A.Ps) some thinners are made with specific solvents that do not fall into either of these categories. These thinners not only keep the air we breathe in the shop cleaner, they emit less pollution into the environment.
Using the proper thinners for the coating you are using will avoid many potential problems. Most problems arise from evaporation rate of the thinners not being right for the conditions, or for the lacquer you’re using. If the evaporation rate of thinner is too slow, the coating won’t dry quickly enough and you can get excessive dust that can settle into the coating from the atmosphere. You can also have the surface film remain soft for an extended period, allowing for increased physical damage. If the evaporation rate of the thinner is too fast the coating can have flow or blushing related problems. It the coating forms a film before the surface has leveled, it can cause an orange peel effect on the finished piece. Also, air can become entrapped in the coating from the atomization process if the coating skins over before the air can escape. In extreme cases the coating can even dry while it is being sprayed between the spray gun and the work piece. This is known as dry spray.
Not all thinners work in all products. Some thinners have solvents blended into them that do not mix with coatings. These solvents can cause a chemical reaction in the coating, causing the coating to separate and form blobs in the coating. This is generally referred to as “kicking out”.
Becker Acroma thinners are specially formulated to work with our products to gain the maximum performance from each coating. Thinner 1309 and 140 have faster evaporation rates while thinner 219 and 419 are slower. When a slower evaporating thinner is needed a retarder can be added.
By using the proper solvent, the user can put less thinner in the coating to reduce the coating down to a desired viscosity. Some thinners will reduce the viscosity of the resin in the coating in lesser amounts than others.
Utilizing the proper thinner the user can reap the benefits of higher solids while maintaining the workability of the coating. Higher solids coatings allow the user to apply less coating to get an acceptable finish quality. As well, higher solids material is more environmentally friendly, reducing the amounts of solvents being released into the atmosphere.
Finally, a word of caution. While it is tempting to use recycled thinners in order to reduce costs, doing so can prove to be a false economy. The composition of these thinners is unknown, and can be the cause of complications that are more than difficult to trace. For the relatively small cost saving for a complete coating system – hardly worth the risk!
For more information please give us a call or drop us a line. We are always pleased to be of service!
Becker Acroma Interior Wood Finishes Film Thickness Guidelines
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintBecker Acroma Interior Wood Finishes Film Thickness Guidelines
Assumption: “One Coat” is generally considered to comprise two passes, one art right angles to the other.
Dry Film thickness of completed coating (including any seal coat or Surfacer coat and assuming scuff sanding between each coat):
Becker Clear Coats:
Recommended dry film thickness range of 2.5 to 6.0 mils
Becker Matador “System’ maximum 7.0 mils
Recommended dry film thickness range of 2.5 to maximum 7.0 mils
Wet Film Thickness “Equivalence”
One wet coat should not exceed 6 mils
To get to approximately 2.5 dry mils of clear coat, you need, say, two wet coats of 5 mils each. In other words, 2.5 dry mils = 10 wet mills.
Measuring & Mixing Catalyst
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintMeasuring & Mixing Catalyst
Don’t take chances here! Make sure you know the required percentage for the specific product (if in doubt, check the Technical Data Sheet in this web site), and measure carefully. Over catalyzing can cause “burning” of the finish, causing it to amber and, over time, to become brittle and prone to cracking. Under-catalyzing will result in a relatively soft coating that can lead to re-coating issues such as wrinkling. It will also cause the lacquer to “gas-off” for months instead of days.
When mixing catalyst and thinner into post-cat lacquer, add the catalyst first, then thinner as required. Pour slowly while stirring to avoid “catalyst shock”.
Comfort Zone for Wood Finishes
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintComfort Zone for Wood Finishes
Just as humans don’t like to be cold, so it is with wood coating materials. The Technical Data Sheets for most finish products recommend application temperatures in the order of 18 to 20C. Chemists tell us that “below 14C, nothing much happens with catalyzed material”. So to get full value from your coatings, it really pays to get as close to ideal conditions as you can. Easier said than done in many situations! And remember, temperature applies not only to the coating material, but also to the substrate and the ambient air temperature. Material that is stored in un-heated locations can take a long time to get up to temperature-this particularly applies to containers of finish that are stored on concrete slab floors. So when you find yourself complaining about the cold this winter, give a thought to your finishing materials; they are probably feeling the cold as much as you are!
Meet the COLUMBIA INDUSTRIAL Colour Match Team
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintMeet the COLUMBIA INDUSTRIAL Colour Match Team
MIKE TREVOR JOSH
We Match Stains: To Columbia Wiping Stains, Becker Acroma’s Arti® Spray & Wipe
Alcohol Stains, Aqua Chroma® Water Based Stains, Microtoners,
Glazes & Tinctures.
We Match Paint: To Becker Acroma’s pigmented enamels: Matador® and Strong® .
Matching colours is tricky!
Think of it for a moment; there is, in theory, an almost infinite number of colours, shades, tones etc. While basic colour theory can be helpful, it can only take you so far. Industrial pigments and dyes don’t come in “basic” colours, but instead we work with such exotically named pigments as “burnt umber” and “red oxide” all of which are variations of prime colours.
How do we do it?
This is where patience and experience are key. While the process may appear to be simple, just adding a little of this and a little of that, in reality, colour matching can be challenging. Unlike retail paint stores who use a volume-based approach (those familiar cylindrical pigment dispensing machines), we weigh all our pigments and dyes to an accuracy of 1/100th of a gram. This ensures that we can accurately replicate any of our colour matches. When developing an initial colour match, we record the weights in our computer files. The resulting “formula” then becomes part of our colour data base that includes literally thousands of colours.
What do I need to supply?
For stain matches, it is essential that we work with an actual sample of the wood that is to be stained as the chemical composition of wood can have a marked effect on the resulting colour of a given stain. Please give us a sample of the “target colour” and some pieces of the wood that you will be staining.
For paint matches, a sample of the actual paint or the paint manufacturer’s colour reference number and name. For example: Benjamin Moore HC- 27 “Monterey White” or Cloverdale 7300 “Jet Stream” or M.L. Campbell 1115 “Quartz Moon”. Occasionally, paint companies change their fan decks and/or their referencing numbers. It is important to keep fan decks current-or if in doubt, check with us first. Lighting can have a major impact on the viewer’s perception of colour. The more pigments and dyes in paint, the more impact varying light will have on the apparent colour so let us know what the application will be.
How long will my match take?
There are several factors that determine our “turn-around time” for a colour preparation. If it just involves mixing to an existing formula (either a stain or a paint), then orders received before 11:00 AM can be completed on the same day. On the other hand, if we need to match to a sample of stain or paint, every case is different. Some matches can be done quite quickly, while others can require many iterations before we are satisfied with the result. And then there is the work load factor, which we can’t predict from day to day. While we can usually get a match done within a couple of days – (sometimes sooner; sometimes a bit longer), the bottom line is that we pledge to do our very best – all the time.
How much will it cost?
No charge for Becker Acroma lacquer customers. If you are outside the Victoria area you’ll need to cover the courier costs unless one of us is in your area and can pick-up your sample. If you are not a lacquer customer a nominal colour match charge plus material costs may be applied for a one litre minimum size sample.
Open 7:30 – 4:30 Monday – Friday, 8:00 – Noon Saturdays
Colour Matching – Why Patience is Paramount!
/in Cabinets/Millwork, PaintColour Matching – Why Patience is Paramount [18.10.10]