Work Environment
French Polishers typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- French Polisher- from: Youtube Search
- French Polisher - from: icould [UK] Video
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
The Work
French polishers prepare and treat wood to give it a smooth finish and bring out the beauty of the natural wood. They work on both new pieces of furniture and old or antique items. Sometimes they work on fixed timber, such as panelling and doors in old houses, business premises and churches.
French polishers prepare an item by stripping off layers of old paint, varnish or lacquer using chemical strippers, wire wool and sandpaper. They fill in any holes or dents in the wood using wood filler to make sure that the item has a smooth surface. They carry out simple repairs using basic carpentry skills; more complex repairs are sent to a cabinet maker or craft restorer.
Having prepared the wood, they must choose the stain they need to produce the required colour. Mixing stains is an art in itself and some french polishers keep records of the mixes. The stain is applied with a brush or rag.
The french polish is applied using a piece of cloth with wadding inside it, known as a rubber. The polisher covers a small area at a time until the desired effect is achieved. They sometimes apply other finishes too, such as lacquer, which is often applied by spraying, plus varnish, oil and wax.
French polishers normally wear gloves, overalls and a facemask when mixing and applying chemicals. Mass produced furniture is not normally French polished. However French polishers may work in factories advising on how to achieve surface finishes using automated processes.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Brush, spray, or hand-rub finishing ingredients, such as paint, oil, stain, or wax, onto and into wood grain and apply lacquer or other sealers.
- Fill and smooth cracks or depressions, remove marks and imperfections, and repair broken parts, using plastic or wood putty, glue, nails, or screws.
- Smooth, shape, and touch up surfaces to prepare them for finishing, using sandpaper, pumice stones, steel wool, chisels, sanders, or grinders.
- Remove accessories prior to finishing, and mask areas that should not be exposed to finishing processes or substances.
- Remove old finishes and damaged or deteriorated parts, using hand tools, stripping tools, sandpaper, steel wool, abrasives, solvents, or dip baths.
- Treat warped or stained surfaces to restore original contours and colors.
- Select appropriate finishing ingredients such as paint, stain, lacquer, shellac, or varnish, depending on factors such as wood hardness and surface type.
- Mix finish ingredients to obtain desired colors or shades.
- Remove excess solvent, using cloths soaked in paint thinner.
- Examine furniture to determine the extent of damage or deterioration, and to decide on the best method for repair or restoration.
Further Information
- French Polisher - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - French Polisher
You will need to be patient and careful, with a good eye for colour. The work processes are methodical and you need to pay attention to detail. Sometimes, especially when working on old furniture, you will use simple carpentry skills to make repairs. You need to have normal colour vision.
You may need to be able to work alone and as part of a team. Where you deal with clients, you should be able to advise on treatments and explain finishing processes. You should also be able to estimate costs and provide written estimates of the work involved. Good numeracy skills would be beneficial.
You will also need to be physically fit as some lifting and bending may be involved.
Interests - French Polisher
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Entry - French Polisher
French polishers normally train on-the-job and learn their craft from experienced craftspeople while attending courses
FET Traineeships: Manufacturing, engineering operaitons, precision engineering, CNC manufacturing, start your own business at NFQ level 5 Search FET Traineeships
Courses are offered in subjects such as furniture restoration and furniture crafts. These may be studied part-time or full-time.
FET Centre PLC courses: Furniture Making, Furniture Design, Woodworking at NFQ level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder
Apprenticeship Carpenter / Joiner NFQ Level 6 Search Apprenticeships
Professional Development
For those with relevant experience in woodworking, shortened courses may be offered. In some areas private fee-paying courses are available Design & Craft Council Training programs.
Programs and supports are also available for design specific Enterprise development
Start Your own business training, grants, and advice are also available from:
Design Craft council Enterprise development
Local Area partnership Enterprise
Last Updated: March, 2023
Pay & Salary - French Polisher
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €35k
Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ DEASP
Last Updated: February, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - French Polisher
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.
Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.
Useful Contacts - French Polisher
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Irish Antique Dealers Association
