Color Correcting Carpet & Feather Blending

[Jim McClain]

What is involved in color correcting carpet? Is this like dyeing carpet all over, or just in sections?

Is the procedure the same for all types of carpet fibers, or is there some special considerations for particular fabrics like olefin, nylon or wool?

What kind of equipment is used?

Do any of our members provide a service like this?

Thanks,

Jim

[Jim McClain]

I meant to ask if this was similar to feather blending. What is that all about? I'm guessing it has to do with something like the carpet being lighter or darker across the width and when you make a seam, it looks like 2 different carpet colors.

[ortiz34]

Sorry never seen it done

bump for more info

[mcurrin]

Feather Blending is an on site process designed to correct color sidematch issues in both residential and commercial carpeting. For a variety of reasons carpet will sometimes change color from side to side or from end to end. If the carpet is a different color, hue, or intensity then it is a problem. These problems can often be corrected using feather blending. The color is adjusted to the dark side, that is you can only make the carpet darker so you work on the light side. The technician works from the seam out to about three to four feet gradually changing the color to take away the abrupt difference.

It can also be used to correct minor texture variations, and tufting bands.

We have been doing feather blending for about 12 years. It is a proven process, permanent and the mills guarantee the repair. It does not affect any warranty on the carpet. Feather blending keeps the carpet on the floor and creates far less disruption to the consumer. It should not be used in regard to dye lot variance. True some can be fixed, but we don't recommend planning to use different dye lots by counting on feather blending. The dyes and chemical are very safe and in our system is virtually odor free.

Only nylon and wool can be blended at this time. Polyesters and olefin cannot be blended.

The new fibers like may be blendable, but we haven't had any yet.

Mike

[Peter Kodner]

Great explanation Mike. I dabbled in feather blending after attending a mill class. My success rate is not acceptable to me yet so I do not regularly offer the service and only attempt when I am requested to do so. I hope this will change in the foreseeable future

I would add there are companies who do offer dyeing services where they can do spot corrections (bleach, acne medication, etc., provided the fiber has not been degraded.) or whole room dyeing. As Mike said, overall dyeing can only change it to a darker color. There is no practical means of making a carpet lighter.

[Jim McClain]

mcurrin said Feather Blending is an on site process designed to correct color sidematch issues...

Thanks, Mike. So, color matching and feather blending is essentially the same thing? Or is color matching more like what Peter described as fixing something that has changed the color in a small area of the carpet that caused it to become lighter? One deals with smaller areas or spots, when the other deals with larger, more linear sections of the carpet that have a gradual color change?

Is feather blending more a manufacturing problem resolution and color matching more a end user problem corrective measure?

Thanks,

Jim

[Peter Kodner]

Jim McClain said Thanks, Mike. So, color matching and feather blending is essentially the same thing? Or is color matching more like what Peter described as fixing something that has changed the color in a small area of the carpet that caused it to become lighter? One deals with smaller areas or spots, when the other deals with larger, more linear sections of the carpet that have a gradual color change? Is feather blending more a manufacturing problem resolution and color matching more a end user problem corrective measure? Thanks, Jim

I think that is a workable conclusion. On the manufacturing end, one mill provides dyes (and other chemicals needed) with formulas to make the color. This is fine for solid colors. With the proper training and color theory knowledge, there are several makers of acid based dyestuffs for doing this on your own.

I have only attempted one multi-colored patterned carpet correction and spent far more time cutting masking tape to cover what I didn't want to dye than actual dyeing. Although it was a relatively short seam of 10', it might have taken me 2 days to get it acceptable. I do not have the skill set as yet to do this type of correction

[Jim McClain]

Peter Kodner said ... I do not have the skill set as yet to do this type of correction

Are there organizations that offer training for this type of work?

[mcurrin]

Jim McClain said Thanks, Mike. So, color matching and feather blending is essentially the same thing? Or is color matching more like what Peter described as fixing something that has changed the color in a small area of the carpet that caused it to become lighter? One deals with smaller areas or spots, when the other deals with larger, more linear sections of the carpet that have a gradual color change? Is feather blending more a manufacturing problem resolution and color matching more a end user problem corrective measure? Thanks, Jim

The industry seems to use the terms interchangably, however feather blending seems to be the preferred discription for the work, while color corrections refers to feather blending services if that makes any sense, As in inspector/corrector.

End user jobs are in the realm of bleach spot repair and fading issues.

And yes thanks for asking FWS will be starting training in this field in Sept of this year.

Mike

[Sean Moore]

mcurrin said FWS will be starting training in this field in Sept of this year.

Is FWS you? Where is FWS? Could this possibly be a path "into" the field of inspecting or should it be left to people who are already inspectors and are looking to correct certain problems on their own?

[kylenelson]

Without TFP I would never know about things just like this.

[Jim McClain]

Sean Moore said Is FWS you? Where is FWS?

Yes, Flooring Warranty Services is Mike and his son, Tom. I've been working on a new website for them: Flooring Warranty Services

Jim

[Sean Moore]

sweet, thanks. Looks like he's offering these repair services and no inspection. I'm interested. He's a 13.5hr drive away, that's not out of line to learn a new trade.

[FlooringGirl]

I've had several jobs in my lifetime be corrected for side-match variations with feather blending. Apparently, they expect these problems and have full-time people who go around the country just to do corrections. Incidentally, not a one of those was ever unsuccessful.

Also, I'm aware of custom color matching, with a few dollars a yard as the upcharge. Those are generally done at the mill, using an example to match to. My understanding is that on-site color matching is extremely expensive.

Tia

[kwfloors]

What I know about it is you have to have a very good eye for color or your dead in the water. I know an inspector class teacher that does it and when asked about training others he said he hadn't figured out a good way to teach it yet. Its one of those things if you got it, you have it, if you don't, you don't. The dyers guild teaches a class here somewhere in the NW and it is spendy.