One of the most challenging aspects of building beautiful cabinets is stain application. Typical issues are blotching, inconsistent application and accurately matching the color of all components across the entire job. In this post we look at a new approach to stains at Bishop Cabinets, and how this will improve quality while simplifying the offering.
Bishop is undertaking three major initiates to improve our stains.
- Standardize application across all species
- Proactively develop new stains
- Experiment with technologies & methods
Standardize application across all species
Today the same stain can require our operators to use different application techniques on different species to match the color block. New spray technologies (chemical and mechanical) are giving us more control over our stain application. This is allowing us to standardize the processes across all species, thus creating a more consistent product.
This standardization across species allows us to rethink stain samples. It has allowed us to create a new tool, the stain multi-specie panel.
Here is an example of our new stain Pecan on a multi-species finish panel:
Using the same process across all species on a panel has several advantages:
- Simplifies Bishop’s stain offering by offering standard stains across all species
- Reduces the variation in stain application
- The panel allows dealers more efficient finish selection with homeowners by allowing them to see how the same stain varies across wood species
We already offer seven stains across all our wood species: Brownie, Pecan, River Sand, Sandstone, Light, Toffee and Natural. We will continue this multi-specie trend as we develop new stains, including a new family of brown/tan stains launching in Q4. Dealers will be able to order the multi-specie panels in the coming months.
Proactively develop new stains
To achieve our goals of more consistent stain finishes, we have been discontinuing some stains. In the past 18 months, we have discontinued Dynasty, Chestnut, Medium, Pinot Noir, Cinnamon and Chestnut. Many of these were dated and lacked substantial sales, and/or did not lend themselves to our new six-specie approach. During the same time period, we developed and launched the stains mentioned above across all six wood species that we offer.
We have always listened to our customers to drive new products and finishes. While dealer input will always be central to developing new finishes, we are trying to be more proactive to be at the front of trends instead of following. For example, looking at what suppliers of Modern Materials are launching and bring forth those trending finishes sooner.
Experiment with technologies & methods
Finally, we are constantly experimenting with new chemicals, equipment and application methods to improve quality. For example, we are incorporating techniques and some formulations that are used in high-end automotive painting. This experimentation resulted in our popular wash offerings. We are more and more using water-based stains as explained in a recent blog. In certain finishes, water-based stains create a more consistent product than solvent-based stains.
About Bishop Cabinets
Bishop Cabinets has been manufacturing for over 60 years. Click here to learn more about our capabilities and latest offerings that align with the latest trends in cabinet finishes.
Our Vision Statement
“To create beautiful and functional cabinets through innovation, growth, and a commitment to keep family values at the core of everything we do.”