Furniture Finisher Food, Wood & Garment Trades Workers
SaveWhat Does a Furniture Finisher Do?
Furniture finishers treat the surface of wood furniture using hand and power tools to sand, clean and polish. They apply wood coatings onto wooden surfaces by using different techniques such as brushing or using a spray gun. They choose and apply the right coatings with protective and/or decorative purposes.
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Where Do I Start?
Sanding Techniques
The various sanding techniques (such as gang sanding), as well as the different sanding papers necessary for which surface.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Furniture Finisher
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialSanding Techniques knowledge
The various sanding techniques (such as gang sanding), as well as the different sanding papers necessary for which surface.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTypes Of Paint knowledge
Varieties of paint and chemicals used in their composition.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialApply A Protective Layer skill
Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Health And Safety Standards skill
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Wood Finishes skill
Use a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialClean Wood Surface skill
Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCreate Smooth Wood Surface skill
Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Chemical Cleaning Agents skill
Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Furniture For Application Of Paint skill
Set up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSand Wood skill
Use sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialStain Wood skill
Mix ingredients to create a stain and apply a layer to the furniture to give it a specific colour and finish.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Colour Coats skill
Spray colour coats onto vehicle parts, operate painting equipment and leave freshly sprayed vehicles to dry in a temperature-controlled and dust-proof environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCheck Paint Consistency skill
Before application of the paint, check paint viscosity by using viscosity meter.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialClean Painting Equipment skill
Disassemble, clean, and reassemble paint sprayers and other vehicle painting equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFix Minor Scratches skill
Fix minor dents and scratches on the surface with touch-up paint or scratch remover.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMix Paint skill
Thoroughly mix different types of paint manually or mechanically. Start from basic paints or from powder and mix in water or chemicals. Check the consistency of the resulting mixture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 29 displayed)
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OptionalWoodturning knowledge
Process of shaping wood on a lathe and its types, namely spindle turning and faceplate turning.
Recommended Books
3 booksWood Finishing 101, Revised Edition -
OptionalFurniture Trends knowledge
The latest trends and manfacturers in the furniture industry.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPlastic Resins knowledge
The process of heating hydrocarbons, forming and combining polymers to create plastic resins which are used to make different kinds of products.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalConservation Techniques knowledge
The procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFurniture Industry knowledge
Companies and activities involved in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of functional and decorative objects of household equipment.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalOrganic Building Materials knowledge
The types and processing of organic materials to build products or parts of products.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPaint Spraying Techniques knowledge
Field of information which distinguishes different kinds of paint spraying equipment and spraying techniques., and the order in which parts should be spray-painted.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFibreglass Laminating knowledge
Process of applying multiple layers of fiberglass, a strong lightweight plastic reinforced with glass fibre woven into mats, using various techniques such as applying pressure or adhesives, welding or heating …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalApply Restoration Techniques skill
Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalClean Furniture skill
Remove dirt, marks and other unwanted material from furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDecorate Furniture skill
Use techniques such as gilding, silver-plating, framing or engraving to add specific decorations in the material of the furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEngrave Patterns skill
Engrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEstimate Restoration Costs skill
Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEvaluate Restoration Procedures skill
Evaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Delivery Of Furniture Goods skill
Handle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer's needs and preferences.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIdentify Customer's Needs skill
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Engraving Equipment skill
Operate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPaint Decorative Designs skill
Apply designs in paint, using paint sprayers, paintbrushes or spray cans.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPaint With A Paint Gun skill
Use a paint gun to coat or paint surfaces of items which are stationary or moving on a conveyor belt. Load the equipment with the suitable type of paint and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPass On Trade Techniques skill
Pass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRepair Furniture Parts skill
Repair locks, pegs, braces, frames or other parts of furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSell Furniture skill
Sell pieces of furniture in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSell Household Goods skill
Sell household devices and goods such as microwaves, blenders and kitchen supplies in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalArtificially Age Furniture skill
Use various techniques such as sanding, denting, painting and others to make new furniture look distressed and aged.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCarve Materials skill
Carve an object out of a material such as wood, or give a specific shape to a material by carving it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRemove Paint skill
Remove paint by using chemical strippers, a heat gun, sanding or scraping the surface.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRepair Laminated Structures skill
Inspect fiberglass laminated structures such as boat hulls and decks for deterioration or defects, and perform repair work accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Heat Gun skill
Use a heat gun to warm up various surfaces such as wood, plastic, or metals to shape them, remove paint or other substances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Paint Safety Equipment skill
Wear safety equipment appropriately such as face masks, gloves and overalls, in order to stay protected from toxic chemicals emitted during paint spraying.
Course recommendations coming soon.