Wood Finisher Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a wood finisher. Feel free to use our wood finisher job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a wood finisher.
Who is a Wood Finisher?
Wood finishers revitalize and restore worn or damaged furniture to a beautiful finish.
To restore wood, you can use sanders and chisels as well as steel wool, pumice, and sandpaper. The furniture piece can be finished with varnish, shellac, or lacquer.
Wood finishers assess furniture to determine the extent of the damage. Then, they decide on the best method for restoration and the equipment required.
Masked areas are used to repair damaged furniture. Old finishes, and damaged or deteriorated pieces are removed using hand tools, stripping instruments, dip baths, and solvents. Also, excess solvents are removed.
Wood finishers fix broken pieces with glue, screws, or putty. Cracks and depressions can be filled, and imperfections are removed. You can paint metal surfaces electrostatically, with a spray gun, or any other painting equipment. In most cases, you will need at least three coats.
The wood’s surface type and hardness will determine the finish. There are many options for finishes, including oil, wax, paint, and oil. These products can be applied to wood by furniture finishers using spray, brush, or manual methods. Between coats, items are lightly sanded. To achieve the desired colors or contours, we treat stained or warped surfaces.
Sometimes, surfaces are distressed using abrasives and woodworking tools to give them an antique look. Lacquer or other sealants can also be applied.
Employers are usually furniture manufacturers, wood suppliers, or construction companies. You can also work for yourself.
Wood finishers work indoors, in an area with sufficient lighting and ventilation. Noise levels can be very high and airborne chemicals and sawdust could be present.
The majority of the day is spent standing and you will need to bend and twist your body often. High-speed woodworking machinery can pose a risk of injury. Protective clothing and masks may be required for high-speed woodworking machinery. Some lacquers can emit toxic fumes that could pose a health risk.
Wood Finisher Job Description
Below are the wood finisher job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a wood finisher job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Meeting with the customer to discuss color and finishing requirements.
- Assembling the furniture or wood item.
- Inspecting the wood for signs of rot or physical damage.
- Repairing damaged parts, filling in cracks, and removing imperfections.
- Removing old finishes and solvent.
- Preparing for finishing by sanding and smoothing the item.
- Applying finishing lubricants, such as varnish, stains, or shellac, is important.
- Refurbishing or replacing upholstery.
- Inspecting the refurbished product, and completing job reports.
- Finishing ingredients such as oil, wax, paint, or stain can be applied to wood grain by brushing, spraying, or hand-rubbing them. After this, you can apply lacquer or any other sealers.
- Taking apart items and preparing them to be finished with hand tools.
- Taking a look at furniture and determining the extent of any damage or deterioration and deciding on the best way to repair or restore it.
- Repairing broken parts with plastic or wood putty, nails, and/or screws to fill and smooth out cracks and depressions.
- Following the blueprints to create specific designs.
- Combining colors and shades with the appropriate ingredients.
- Taking out accessories before finishing.
- Masking out areas that are not intended to be exposed to chemicals or finishing processes.
- Using paint thinner to remove excess solvent.
- Using hand tools, stripping tools, and steel wool to remove old finishes or damaged and deteriorated pieces.
- Choosing the appropriate finishing ingredients, such as paint or stain, lacquer or shellac depending on wood hardness and type of surface.
- Preparing surfaces for finishing by smoothing, shaping, and sanding them with sandpaper or pumice stones.
- Restoring colors and contours
- Treating stained or warped surfaces.
- Cleaning surfaces in preparation for the final application.
- Using brush bleaching agents to restore wood’s natural color.
- Discussing furniture color and/or finish options with customers.
- Creating, decorating, and designing complete furniture pieces, or parts of furniture such as drawers for cabinets.
- Using woodworking tools and abrasives to distress surfaces before staining. You can also rub surfaces to reveal highlights or shadings.
- Using a spray gun, paintbrush, or other equipment to electrostatically paint metal surfaces.
- Applying knowledge of wood fashions and styles to recommend woods, colors, and finishes for furniture styles.
- Restoring or replacing upholstery using tacks or adhesives, softeners or solvents, stains, or polish.
- Applying graining ink to metal parts of furniture to mimic wood-grain finish.
Qualifications
Education
Employers are looking for applicants with a high school diploma, or an equivalent, due to the increasing sophistication of machinery. Training in math and computer applications can help people looking for woodworking jobs.
Training
While education is important, woodworkers learn skills from skilled workers. Basic tasks are given to entry-level workers, such as inserting a piece of timber through a machine and stacking it at the end.
Licenses/Certifications
While not mandatory, certification can be a sign of competence and professionalism. A candidate may also be able to advance in their profession by becoming certified. Woodwork Career Alliance of North America offers five progressive credentials that add credibility to the work of wood finishers
Essential Skills
- Detail-oriented.
Wood finishers need to pay close attention to details to ensure they meet safety standards.
- Dexterity.
Wood finishers need to be able to make precise cuts using a variety of hand tools and power tools. They also need to have a steady hand and good coordination.
- Math skills.
Basic math skills and computer skills are essential, especially for those working in manufacturing where technology is constantly improving. To construct a three-dimensional object such as a cabinet or furniture piece, woodworkers must be familiar with basic geometry.
- Physical endurance
Wood finishers need to be able to stand for long periods and perform repetitive movements.
- Physical strength
Wood finishers need to be strong enough for lifting heavy and bulky pieces of wood.
- Active listening
This is the act of paying attention to the words of others, taking the time to understand them, asking questions when necessary, and not interrupting.
- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to determine the strengths and weaknesses in alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Monitoring
To monitor/assess the performance of you, others, or an organization to make improvements and take corrective actions.
- Time Management
The ability to manage one’s time and that of others.
- Service orientation
Actively seeking out ways to help others.
- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying and reviewing complex problems to identify and then evaluating the options to implement solutions.
- Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others’ reactions, and understanding why they react the way they do.
- Active Learning
Understanding and interpreting the implications of new information to solve current and future problems and make informed decisions.
- Reading comprehension
Reading and understanding written sentences and paragraphs within work-related documents.
- Management of Personnel Resources:
Motivating, developing, and directing employees as they work. Identifying the best people for the job.
- Troubleshooting
Identifying the causes of errors in operation and then deciding how to fix them.
How to Become a Wood Finisher
- Get involved in the craft
A high school elective woodshop class may be available, or you might have the chance to learn the craft yourself by making your pieces. Modern wood finishing is not just about the traditional image of the skilled artisan making small furniture by hand. Wood finishing today involves mass production. This requires careful adherence to blueprint instructions. Woodworking may also involve the installation of electrical components to aid in the working process. It is a smart idea to learn as much as possible about the various facets of this field before you start to find your niche.
- You might consider a vocational program or an apprenticeship.
This profession can be learned on the job. However, you will be able to network and gain knowledge through vocational training programs. As wood finishing becomes increasingly digitalized, employers may prefer candidates who have completed formal woodworking education programs. Many programs can be found at vocational and technical schools, community colleges, and four-year universities.
Apprenticeships provide a great training environment. Apprenticeships allow you to learn how to plan, manage, and complete projects. You’ll also be mentored and taught important safety and health regulations. To find one, search job boards, technical schools, and industry professionals in your area. You can become a journeyman if you complete an apprenticeship. This allows you to work more independently and to train others.
- Select a specialty
You may find yourself gravitating towards a specific niche of woodworking as you gain experience and training.
- Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters
These professionals design and build cabinets and benches to fit individual spaces. They read blueprints to ensure that cabinets conform to all specifications. Cabinetmakers can also install finished cabinets.
- Furniture finishers
They restore or repair antique furniture. They have to choose the best products and approach to preserve furniture. Finishers are responsible for finishing furniture production by sealing, staining, and applying a topcoat.
- Tenders, saw setters, and operators
Specialize in machinery that cuts wood and other materials.
Where to work
Wood finishers work as independent contractors or for construction companies. They can be employed by companies that make custom furniture or work with engineers and architects to help in the finishing of pieces of furniture needed in new homes or offices.
With a woodworking education, there are many career options. You might consider pursuing a career that combines your creativity, ability to use a machine, and knowledge of architecture and building design. These are some of the woodworking jobs:
- Furniture sander
Furniture sanders may be responsible for a range of tasks, including inspecting and evaluating furniture that has been assembled and inspected for any defects. They also prepare furniture for finishing. Furniture sanders pay attention to details to inspect and evaluate unfinished furniture and identify areas that could be improved. Furniture sanders can use sandpaper or machinery, as well as hand tools such as air-powered sand scrapers.
- Furniture finishers
Wood finishers refinish, shape, and finish furniture that is damaged or worn. They can help homeowners decide the best ways to restore their antiques, and even advise them on how they should be preserved. Some furniture finishers can also apply a topcoat to new or refurbished furniture items.
Wood Finisher Salary Scale
The average annual salary for a Wood Finisher in the United States is $33,752
