Seth Bosdell
October 12-16
Participants gain a solid foundation in finishing, from initial surface preparation to the final polishing, with both hand-applied and spray products. Seth begins the course with an overview of how to select the best finish for the job. Then, by working on sample boards and small doors, students learn about repairing imperfections, staining and color-matching with dyes and pigments, grain filling, application of penetrating finishes, and spray finishing with both water-based and solvent-based lacquers. Building on these fundamentals, Seth guides students through essential restoration skills such as preserving the original character, stabilizing aging surfaces, and making sensitive repairs. Students also learn how to evaluate an existing finish—shellac, lacquer, varnish, or oil—and decide whether it should be rejuvenated, repaired, or completely refinished.
Seth’s instruction in spray finishing covers the selection and use of gravity-fed HVLP spray guns, proper cleanup procedures, and effective application techniques. Students who have spray equipment at home are welcome to bring it in for evaluation and practice.
Following the foundational instruction, students have the option to finish their own small piece of furniture or to experiment with refinishing with instructor-provided projects. Students who wish to bring their own refinishing project may coordinate with Seth in advance.
Seth Bosdell is founder and owner of Yankee Fine Finishing in Palermo, ME. Clients include architectural millwork companies, furniture makers, and cabinetmakers throughout the state. A professional finisher for over a decade, Seth’s original area of expertise was repair and restoration, where hand-applied finishes and color-matching with custom stains and toners predominate. Today, he specializes in finishing new millwork, cabinetry, and furniture, primarily with lacquers and high-end European water-based finishes sprayed in a custom-designed, down-draft booth. Seth also teaches finishing for our Nine-month Comprehensive course.
Open to all.
