My Mission
Wood Finishing is a unique combination of art and science. As such, it is more beneficial to participate fully in achieving results as opposed of just observing them.
Wood Finishing Schedules are made up of specific Wood Finishing Procedures. Each of those procedures is an integral part of the finishing schedule. If any one of those procedures is at fault, at best you will have inconsistent results, at worst there could be total failure of the finish.
Understanding the materials and equipment being used and how to correctly use them will give you repeatable and consistent results, which in turn helps eliminate failure. But when failure does occur, problem solving is key.
There are two important criteria for effective problem solving. The first criterion requires a thorough understanding of your particular materials, equipment and procedures. Using this, you can diagnose why the failure occurred. The second criterion requires knowledge of accurate wood finishing verbiage so that you can communicate both the cause and the correction.
Solving problems and communicating solutions builds your teams knowledge and prevents problems from occurring again.
Why Offer Custom Training?
Learning the basics of any trade is critical, especially when time is money. This is especially true for wood finishing. Pro instruction shortens the learning curve, builds problem solving skills quickly and results in fewer problems. Without the right training, you don’t know what you don’t know.
Customized to Meet Your Needs
Your customized class is designed with your input to address your specific goals. With "hands on" learning we will zero in on your precise issues and how to fix them.
A curriculum designed to accomplish your specific goals
Hands on training to quickly diagnose problems and master new skills
Detailed documentation of techniques and tips for future reference
Targeted to Save You Time
Targeted sessions allow you and your team to gain more information in less time. Our hands on time always raise additional questions and every one gets answered.
How much time, energy and material waste is lost by trial and error?
Wood finishing is predictable if you respect it for what it is: a mixture of art and science
Time is money. Targeted education always pays for itself
Learn to participate in the results, not just observe them
Shortening the learning curve to new skills is like gaining extra billable hours each day
Your Place or Mine
Forty years of teaching wood finishing has taught me how to teach this trade. No group is too small or too large. I can teach anyone who wants to learn.
Come and learn at my professional, fully equipped finishing shop
I come to you; learn using your existing equipment
Classes, lectures and consults available
What Customers Are Saying
Jonathan
“IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE…
HE CAME PREPARED TO TEACH US ABOUT THE PRODUCTS WE WERE CURRENTLY USING SO WE COULD BETTER USE THOSE PRODUCTS. I WOULD RECOMMEND MITCH'S SERVICES TO ANYONE LOOKING TO RAISE THEIR LEVEL OF FINISHING.”
Minny & Phil H.
“IT WAS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM A TRUE FINISHING MASTER.
DO YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR FINISHING TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN YOUR CAREER PATH? MY ADVICE: SIGN UP FOR AN INTENSIVE WITH MITCH KOHANEK.”
Travis F.
..."ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO COME OUT OF A TWO DAY WORKSHOP AN EXPERT FINISHER, MITCH GAVE ME A FRAMEWORK OF UNDERSTANDING THAT HAS GREATLY ACCELERATED MY LEARNING — SAVING ME UNTOLD TIME AND HAS TAKEN MY FINISHING TO A NEW LEVEL."
Wayne R.
"RECENTLY, I SPENT TWO WEEKS WITH MITCH LEARNING ABOUT SPOT REPAIR ON WOOD FURNITURE AND FOUND IT TO BE SOME OF THE BEST MONEY I'VE EVER SPENT.
Ryan Z.
"BASICALLY EVERY QUESTION I HAD MITCH DIDN'T JUST ANSWER, HE EXPLAINED THE CONCEPT AND THE WHY..."