Historic Finishes: Varnish, Stains, Dyes, and Wax

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This class, taught by Mark Johnston of Historic Design Consulting, introduces you to wood finishes commonly found in older homes. Mark will discuss the differences between varnish, stain, dyes, and waxes. He'll describe how to identify these finishes in your home and will demonstrate best practices for application, cleaning, and repair. You'll have the opportunity to practice these techniques during class at a historic home in the East Harriet neighborhood.

Come with your questions and curiosities about historic wood finishes! We'll supply all the tools and materials.

Mark is the founder of Historic Design Consulting. He is a member of the Minnesota Society of Architectural Historians and the Association of Preservation Technology and meets the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for History and Architectural History. Mark has a particular interest in 19th century building trades and does much of his work using authentic materials and techniques. Historic Design Consulting offers a wide range of restoration services for property owners, including historic paint colors, millwork, research, maintenance plans, window restoration, and more.

Questions about registration prices, COVID-19 protocol, or refunds/cancellations? Read our Need-To-Know page!

This class is brought to you by the Education program at Rethos: Places Reimagined and Minneapolis Community Education. Rethos is proud to offer a variety of classes to homeowners, students, realtors, and anyone who loves old buildings. The Rethos Education program is funded in part by the Arts & Cultural Legacy Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.