French polisher
Apply stains, paints and polishes by hand to complete or restore beautiful pieces of furniture.
About the job
What it's like
You would use traditional hand skills to prepare and treat wood. You’d work on new furniture or restore old pieces of furniture.
You might also work on fitted items such as staircases, wall panels and doors, and musical instruments like pianos.
You would:
Decide on the type and colour of wood stain
Calculate quantities
Mix and apply the stain
Finish with French polish (a special varnish)
Apply several coats of French polish until the finish you want is achieved
Apply other finishes, such as lacquer, paint, varnish, oil and wax, usually by spraying
You may also do simple carpentry and repairs, although a cabinet maker or restorer would deal with more complex work.
Customers will expect you to be careful with their furniture; it will help if you are patient and methodical in your work. You’d estimate the costs of the work and explain it to customers.
If you’re self-employed you’ll need to deal with the business paperwork.
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- time management
- making decisions
- taking responsibility
Your skills are important
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Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Practical Craft Skills
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Practical Woodwork
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role.
Some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 especially for Modern Apprenticeships.
You can enter a Furniture National Certificate courses (SCQF level 5) with two National 5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Qualifications that show creative and craft skills such as Skills for Work Construction Crafts (SCQF level 4/5) or a Higher National Certificate in Furniture (SCQF level 7).
Once in a job you may gain relevant qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Finishing Furniture: Hand Finishing or Spray Finishing (SVQ level 2) or Finishing Furniture (SVQ level 3).
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