Study Progress Pictuers - Ceiling is about done

[Todd Burch]

June 1st I started the finishing process for the ceiling in the cherry study. It took me about a day+ to sand it all prior to the 1st.

First, what it used to look like:

<img src="http://www.burchwoodusa.com/miscpix/Remodel/rp_windowwallceiling.jpg">

After I put the beams up, it looked like this:

<img src="http://www.burchwoodusa.com/miscpix/Remodel/rp_beams_done.jpg">

Monday, I started with cherry toner to make the carved poplar mouldings look like the cherry. After the toner and the stain, it looked like this:

<img src="http://www.burchwoodusa.com/miscpix/Remodel/rp_ceiling_stain00.jpg">

That's me wiping off the last of the stain. Phew! And, they looked pretty good at this point. But I wasn't done!

This morning, I sealed the stained wood with a vinyl sealer (30 minutes), then scuff sanded the ceiling to get the dust nibs off (90 minutes), then spent the rest of the afternoon glazing the beams. Here's a shot comparing an unglazed section (on the left) with a glazed section (on the right). The glaze makes a WORLD of difference. It really adds depth and a richness.

<img src="http://www.burchwoodusa.com/miscpix/Remodel/rp_ceiling_stain01.jpg">

Finally, here's a close-up of a glazed corner. Tomorrow, I will seal the glaze with vinyl sealer, then scuff sand, the apply 3 coats of satin lacquer. After that, they might just be the best looking ceiling beams on the block!

<img src="http://www.burchwoodusa.com/miscpix/Remodel/rp_ceiling_stain02.jpg">

I'm working my way from the ceiling downards. Next step - bookcases. Thanks for looking. Todd

[Tim Sproul]

Wow.


Wow.




and




Wow.

[Joe Tonich]

Wow.


Wow.




and




Wow.
DITTO!!!!!

[larry merlau]

wow is and understatement, what did you use to stain and tone the popular, looks like you sprayed it on. hvlp? really looks sharp.

[John Miliunas]

Todd, whatever the heck you're getting paid for this job just *ain't* enough! You wrote: "After that, they might just be the best looking ceiling beams on the block!" Ahhhh, try maybe the best looking in a tri-state area! :D Simply wonderful! :cool:

[Mark Mazzo]

Todd,

That is just fantastic workmanship. I agree with John, whatever your getting paid it's probably not enough. Keep up the progress posts.

--Mark

[Dan Mages]

Amazing work Todd. I have a basement that can use some work. I can pay with pizza and beer.

Dan

[David Wilson]

Beautiful job

[Aaron Montgomery]

Simply amazing - Not sure if I'm more impressed by the work or how little time it seems that your spending on some of these steps. I didn't catch whether this was your place or work you were doing for someone else.

Keep us posted!

[Bob Hovde]

Wow, again. Who's going to paint the frescos between the beams?

Bob

[Bob Hyde]

That's as nice a bit of work as I've seen in a long time!!! That kind of ceiling time would have me on a chiropractor's bench for a month!

Very much looking forward to the finished pics!
bob

[Jason Roehl]

Those DO look great, Todd. Keep it up! If those customers give you any trouble...let me know....I'll "persuade" them you did a fine job. :D ;)

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Todd, I am in total envy of your talents! Unbelieveably beautiful! You are definitely talented and underpaid! Keep those pics coming!

[Ray Dockrey]

Very, Very Awesome.

[Douglas Robinson]

In the 1st pic. there appears to be only a couple of inches between the top of the arched window and the ceiling. The beams seem to extend down more than a couple of inches. So...how did you accommodate for the arched window?

BTW: Great work!! I wish you lived in Virginia so i could apprentice for you for free.

[Bruce Page]

So this is what the not-so average Pro does for a living. I’m speechless……. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Bob Marino]

Todd,

To use the words like beautiful, outstanding, etc., would be an understatement, to say the least. More info would be appreciated. You said you used vinyl sealer? Hmmn, and the mitering on the beams is perfect! And the glazing? Bob

[Todd Burch]

Thanks all.

Larry, I used ML Campbell's Microton Toner (Cherry) and Woodsong II stain (Cinnamon) for the colorants. I did spray it on. I used my SATA LM2000 Reduced Pressure gun, and HVLP compliant gun. My favorite gun to date. It is a 2-quart, remote pot, so there are no issues with spraying upside down, etc.

Dan, if the Pizza & Beer you have are a Domino's Franchise and a Beer Distributorship - YOU'VE GOT A DEAL!

Aaron - some of the steps go fast, some go slow. I got to the jobsite @ 12:30pm yesterday. At 1pm, I started praying vinyl sealer. At 1:32, I was done. By then, the first sections I sprayed were dry enough to scuff. As I mentioned, 90 minutes to scuff sand. Then, it was 3pm. I spent from 3pm to 6:45 pm glazing the 9 panels. I guess that's about 25 minutes per panel, on average, but I worked on two at a time, so the time spent on each panel was longer. The glaze had to "cook" a little (get a little tacky) between coats. I did a full coat on everything the first time I applied glaze (sprayed), and then did a second coat on just the carved areas on the second coat. I worked by myself yesterday. With a helper it goes faster.

Bob, the client has used faux finishing company to do a lot of painting in the rest of the house. I think they'll use the same company to do the remaining sheetrock. I do know for sure they'll use them to color the white metal windows to match the stain.

Douglas, you are right - only 1½" between the top of the rough opening and the ceiling. However, if you look closely at the second picture, you can see a fur-down that I had them add so that I could accomodate the curved window AND have ceiling beams. Also see this thread (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=9481&highlight=curved+window+trim), and the other thread that shows up in the search, for more about the window.

As far as "how much I'm getting paid"? If I would have completed the job in my initial 10 week estimate (ending middle of March, 2004), it would have been a very good commision. However, you know what today is, and I'm still working it. The client has been wonderful. He knows I'm working very hard for him and knows he's getting good work.

Yes, my neck is paying for this, even standing on 34" tables. The ceiling is 10' up.

Thanks again!

[Dan McGuire]

Todd,

That is some amazing work. You should be proud..

Dan

[Todd Burch]

Bob, thanks.

The vinyl sealer is used to adhere and segregate dissimilar finish coats. The toner is acetone based. The stain is acrylic (I think), but thins with lacquer thinner. The glaze is oil based, thinning with mineral spirits. And the lacquer is, well, lacquer. The oil-based glaze gets sandwiched between coats of vinyl sealer so that lifting will not occur when the lacquer is applied. (That would be a bad thing!)

The miters on the beam bottoms (1/4" cherry ply) did turn out good. When I started out, I fretted over 44° here and 46° there, but realized that 45° was all I needed, since I had planned for a side-to-side allowance with the edge mouldings. Very little filler was needed. For this finish system I use, the beige, cheap, Elmer's Wood Filler (white pint tub w/orange lid) works just fine. The toner is what makes it forgiving. With just stain, you REALLY have to remove all the "crater splatter", or else you get a dime, nickel or quarter sized circle that is a different color from the rest. Yuk.

Todd

[Chris Padilla]

Great finishing, Todd. You really did your homework there. It looks like beautifully-aged Cherry that has been there a 100 years! :) If you did a good job, I think it might last a 100 years! (I think it will last.... :D )

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

As far as "how much I'm getting paid"? If I would have completed the job in my initial 10 week estimate (ending middle of March, 2004), it would have been a very good commision. However, you know what today is, and I'm still working it. The client has been wonderful. He knows I'm working very hard for him and knows he's getting good work...


You've done yerself proud on a scale that would scare off many (and maybe most!) seasoned pros. This one will pay for itself many times over in referrals.

KC

[aurelio alarcon]

WHAT EVERYONE ELSE SAID!!!! (My emphasis)

[Mark Singer]

Todd,
Great job! That looks like a lot of work!

[Byron Trantham]

Jeesh!!!! :D

[Fred LeBail]

Todd, beautiful work, You should be proud. And Ditto on the pay.
Fred

[Jason Tuinstra]

Todd, you're the man. What more can I say? Great job. Keep it up.

Jason

[Ted Daigle]

Todd,

All I can say is AWESOME! That work is a sweet sight!

[Waymon Campbell]

Congratulations on a beautiful job Todd. You are well on your way to creating what I call a "Wow Room". You know, you enter a room for the first time and you just stop in your tracks and go "wow!" It must be a special feeling to be able to create such a beautiful example of your craft. I can't wait to see the final pix.

[Wes Bischel]

Todd,
Your work is fantastic - the only thing I can say is get a professional photographer in there to take pictures for your portfolio - all artists have them!

Wes

[Charles McKinley]

Great work Todd! I hope that you at leat break even. Bidding and still making $$ I think is the hardest part of working for yourself.

[Martin Shupe]

Beautiful, Todd! If I win the lottery, will you do my ceilings? Incredible work!

[Chris Padilla]

Martin, pssst!! I hear he works for pizza and beer....shhhhh!!! Don't pass it around.....

;)

[thomas prevost]

As mostly a lurker, I just had to jump and say how much in awe I am. If I only had 1% of your talent.

[Brad Schmid]

What could I possibly say that the others haven't already said...

Your attention to detail is phenominal!

Not that there was ever any doubt or anything, but you don't have to worry about any competition from this Katy-ite (ever) :D

[Lars Thomas]

Dude, that's just awesome. Amazing. Lars

[Jerry Olexa]

I've seen other library ceilings done w poplar stained to look like cherry. They measure up to at most,10% of your results. This is truly fine work and you should charge accordingly! I love your attention to detail and fine finishing techniques!! Great JOB!! Jerry:)

[Rich Konopka]

Todd:

That is some fine work and craftsmanship. Please keep sharing your work !!

[Alan Turner]

Todd,
Much to be proud of on this job. Great work, and should be a continuing source of business. I bet you wish you could reprice it, but at least I hope you don't loose your shirt. Put my mane in the appretice drawing hat, please.
Alan

[Joseph Ezerskis]

Jezu Maria! I think we got us a ringer!

[Jim Becker]

Sheesh. I don't thing that even ten "wows" would be enough! Great job, Todd.

[Tom Sweeney]

Not that there was ever any doubt -but this room is turning out absolutely amazing. Everything the others said squared -amazing!
I hope this really turns into a lot of high end business for you - don't forget to ask for the referrals - you deserve them with this job.

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Todd...very nice work!! You are very talented!

[Tyler Howell]

We're so proud. Our Lad has done so good!;)

[Mike Stanton]

They are beautiful .Great job. Yours or someone else. Mike

[Todd Burch]

Mike, thanks. For a client.

[Mike Scoggins]

Todd,

I've been out of town and hadn't seen your post until today. Spectacular! Your work is incredible and inspirational. A while back I responded to one of your posts and said something to the effect that 'if I could score a 6 or 7 on the "Burch Scale" of 1-10 on my next project, I'd be thrilled.'

My wishful score number keeps falling the more of your work I see. :rolleyes: Now if I can just score a 4 or so, I think I'll be happy!

The study is going to be beautiful.

Mike