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Job Duties 

Furniture and Wood Finishers may:

Prepare furniture or wooden articles for finishing by disassembling them

Mask off areas and remove accessories

Remove the old finish using abrasives or solvents

Remove excess solvent with cloth soaked in paint thinner

Apply plastic or wood putty to fill nicks, holes, and cracks

Brush a bleaching agent on wood surfaces to restore natural color

Sand the wood with sandpaper or power sander to smooth the surface

Select the proper finishing ingredients for the wood

Mix ingredients to match the color of the finish

Brush or spray stain, varnish, lacquer, or shellac on the wood

Use a roller, comb, sponge or brush to grain the wood

Hand rub or rub out the new top coat

Paint wood trim on furniture or wooden articles

Polish and wax finished surfaces

Spread graining ink over metal portions of furniture to simulate a wood-grain finish

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Furniture & Wood Finishers may specialize in these areas:

763.381-010 FURNITURE FINISHERS apply oil, wax, stain, varnish, lacquer, or shellac to the surface of new or worn furniture and wood products to produce a lustrous or dull finish.

742.684-010 RUBBERS rub the dry finish coat to produce a lustrous or dull finish after it has been applied by a Furniture and Wood Finisher.

742.687-010 WIPERS rub furniture surfaces with filler, stain, glaze, or washcoat and then remove the excess prior to the final finishing. They may also use steel wool to smooth rough spots.

763.381-010 ANTIQUERS stain and finish surfaces of new furniture pieces to simulate antiques, bringing out highlights and shadings by rubbing with abrasives or cloth. They may apply distress markings.

763.684-034 FINISH PATCHERS, often called Refinishers, repair defects such as holes, cracks, and scratches in the finish of furniture or furniture stock.

Some finishers are known by the product finished such as television cabinet finishers or piano-and-organ refinishers.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Furniture and Wood Finishers may work in their own shops or in large furniture finishing shops. Finishers employed in furniture shops usually work under the supervision of a shop supervisor. Working conditions vary among shops. In small shops, they may work in cramped, poorly ventilated areas. However, most shops usually have adequate lighting and work space. Much of the finishing is done in spray booths where exhaust fans remove dust and fumes from the air.

Most Finishers wear protective clothing. The work demands almost constant standing and light physical activity. They are exposed to the hazards of breathing fumes and dust; some people may be allergic to the fumes and dust. Special care is necessary in handling and storing flammable solvents.

The normal workweek is 40-hour week, with some overtime if deadlines must be met. Those who are self-employed work varied hours as business demands.

Furniture and Wood Finishers who are self-employed provide their own tools.

Some Finishers may belong to The United Furniture Workers of America. Those who belong to unions must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with your hands

• Working indoors

• Using special finishing processes and techniques in your work

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should be Able To:

• Make decisions based on personal judgment

• Blend surface finishes and colors to specifications

• See details in wood, furniture, or drawings

• Recognize differences in shapes of furniture and shades of finishes

• Identify different kinds of wood

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Repeat tasks according to a routine procedure or sequence

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are mixing a solvent that must be mixed with water in a ratio of 3.5 to 1.0. If you need a total of 20 gallons, how much water and how much solvent will you use?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The product is then finish sanded, stained, sealed and coated with lacquer or varnish.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to document what you do in a typical day so that the person who works in your place while you are on vacation can do the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be detail-oriented in adhering to safety procedures to minimize the risk of injury.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOISCRIPT:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

053 WOODWORKING & FURNITURE MAKING

Approved vocational education programs in Woodworking and Furniture Making prepares students to lay out and shape wood stock; assemble wooden articles; mark, bind, saw, carve, and sand wooden products; repair wooden articles; and use a variety of hand and power tools.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

FURNITURE MAKING

MILLWORK & CABINET BUILDING

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources Of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

You will also find a more extensive list of information sources in the "What Is An Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Items.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHOD S OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in woodworking and furniture making might offer a co-op portion which includes practical experience. Vocational centers may be a source of training or experience. Individuals may also find part-time or full-time employment as laborers in furniture factories or shops. This may provide opportunities to observe furniture and wood finishers on the job, to study working conditions, and to obtain some actual experience.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Furniture and Wood Finisher employer

internships

volunteer work with a Furniture and Wood Finisher employer

community service work with an agency

The usual method of becoming a Furniture and Wood Finisher is to apply directly to employers. Assistance in locating jobs may be available from local unions, school placement offices, or local offices of Michigan Works!. Reading newspaper want ads may also be useful. The Furniture Manufacturers Association of Grand Rapids might be a helpful source of job information. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank (http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage)

Classifieds Employment (http://www.classifieds2000.com)

Yahoo! Careers (http://careers.yahoo.com/)

Michigan Department of Career Development (http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd)

Michigan Works! (http://www.michiganworks.org/)

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Furniture and Wood Finishers vary depending on the size and type of employer, geographic location, and individual worker's experience and training. Hourly wage rates of unionized Furniture and Wood Finishers are usually higher than nonunion rates are.

Nationally, earnings of most Furniture and Wood Finishers ranged between $300 and $600 a week in    2001. Their median weekly earnings were $385.  The median weekly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $597 in 2001.

In the Grand Rapids area, estimated average hourly earnings of Furniture and Wood Finishers employed by furniture manufacturing companies were (late 2001):

The basic hourly union wage rate in the Detroit metropolitan area for Wood Finishers was $22.58 in early 2002.

Most Furniture and Wood Finishers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Furniture and Wood Finishers usually learn their jobs in a few months of on-the-job training. Some individuals in limited, specialized jobs may learn their work in a few days. Advancement depends on work experience, performance, and ability to supervise. Some Furniture and Wood Finishers may advance to become shop supervisors.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 37,300 Furniture and Wood Finishers employed in 2000. Employment of precision woodworkers, including Furniture and Wood Finishers, is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. About 17.8% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Furniture and Wood Finishers looked liked this:

Although a growing population and higher incomes should create a demand for more furniture and finished wood products, many large furniture manufacturers are increasing the hours that current employees work rather than hiring new employees. In addition to some openings arising from growth, some openings are expected each year as workers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

Approximately 1,150 Furniture and Wood Finishers were employed in Michigan. The majority worked for furniture manufacturers. Others worked in furniture repair shops, and retail furnishing stores.

Employment of Furniture Finishers is expected to decline through the year 2008. An average of 30 openings is expected annually, with all due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Residential building and remodeling and the resulting need for furniture is expected to supply some limited employment opportunities for Furniture and Wood Finishers in Michigan. Much of the finishing of furniture and custom cabinetry must be done by hand and therefore, does not lend itself to automation. However, overall employment opportunities are tied directly to the amount of building activity undertaken. Currently, the State of Michigan is experiencing a modest building phase.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008  
EMPLOYMENT AND          NUMBER           PERCENT       PROJECTED YEARLY
OUTLOOK REGIONS         CERTIFIED       GROWTH        JOB OPENINGS

  Ann Arbor Area                      30                          55.2                  3

  Battle Creek Area                   40                         -23.7                  1

  Benton Harbor Area               45                          -27.7                  1 

  Central Michigan                    15                            52.9                  1

  Detroit MSA                          270                           0.7                   7

  Flint Area                                45                             4.4                   1

  Grand Rapids Area                 460                          -7.8                   11

  Jackson Area                           50                           -2.0                   1

  Kalamazoo Area                     60                             0.0                    1

  Lansing MSA                          35                            50.0                   3

  Muskegon Area                       50                           -2.1                    1

  Northwest Lower Peninsula     10                           -16.7                   0

  Saginaw MSA                         25                            34.6                   2

  Thumb Area                            35                           -22.9                   1 

  Upper Peninsula                      15                             0.0                     0 

  West Central Michigan            10                             0.0                     0

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources marked with an asterisk (*) below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Furniture and Wood Finisher can be summarized by the following:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development