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How To Get A Job As A Furniture Re-Finisher

Furniture Re-finishers are able to repair damaged furniture, change the color and appearance of furniture, and restore old furniture so that it can be enjoyed for many years longer.  Furniture Re-finishers work primarily with wood.  If fabrics or leather are part of the furniture,and need restoration, this work will be done by another craftsman.

Furniture Re-finishers may be self-employed, or they may work for a refinishing company, or antique shop.  Refinishing furniture is a time consuming task, so Re-finishers may need to work long hours to meet deadlines, and satisfy customers.  Furniture Re-finishers who are self employed will set their own work hours.

Furniture Re-finishers, to be successful, must be hard working, detail-oriented, and have excellent manual dexterity.  They must be physically fit, have good communication skills, and be able to work as part of a team.  Those who are self-employed, must have good organization and business skills, do their own advertising, and establish their own relationships with clients, upholsterers, and suppliers.  Because they will at times need to work with toxic chemicals, Furniture Re-finishers must be safety-conscious, and always use appropriate apparatus to protect hands, eyes, and lungs.  Re-finishers must have a clean, well-ventilated area in which to work.

In the course of their work, Furniture Re-finishers use a variety of hand and power tools, saws, stripping agents, drop cloths, rags, glues, brushes, steel wool, sanding agents, clamps, wood screws, finishing nails, stains, varnishes, and paints.

Initially, the Re-finisher, if self-employed, will meet with the client and assess the job to be done.  The will discuss the clients wishes, and address any of their concerns,  fees, and the date for completion of the work.  In a refinishing shop, part of this process will be completed by the owner.  The Re-finisher will then decide how to proceed with the job, and get tools and materials set-up.  He/She will then strip the furniture of all old paint, or varnish, and stain.  He will then fill any flaws, and make any necessary repairs.  The furniture will then be sanded until smooth, before a coat of stain or paint is applied.  Varnishing, and sealing or polishing will follow.  When the work is complete, the Re-finisher may meet with the client once more to discuss the finished project and deal with the payment.

Education

Although significant knowledge and skill are required to become a Furniture Re-finisher, no specific level of education is required.  It is advisable to get a high school diploma, and make sure to include courses in English, mathematics, wood-working, computers, and any shop classes available.

If you are interested in becoming a Furniture Re-Finisher, get all the experience you can.  See if you can get a part-time, or summer job helping in a refinishing shop.  Read all you can on the subject.  Watch instructional videos. Many hardware and paint shops have instructional sessions that are free to the public.  Attend these.

You will  need to take some formal training courses in refinishing and also restoration.  You will need to learn how to deal with all types of wood as well as veneers, and inlays, how to correctly repair faults, and how to apply finishes.  These courses  are available in  trade schools and colleges.

If you have some part-time experience in a refinishing shop, you may be able to get a beginning position there and receive on-the-job training.  There are also apprenticeships available which enable you to earn while you learn.  After completing an apprenticeship, you would earn the title of Journeyman Furniture Repairman.

There are on-line courses in refinishing that may be useful, but you will still need hands-on experience to become a skilled professional, and restore aging or abused furniture to its original state, or even better.