Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Furniture Finisher

💰 $20 - $35+ per hour

Skilled TradesManufacturingCraftsmanshipProduction

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a detail-oriented and skilled Furniture Finisher to join our team of passionate artisans. In this crucial role, you will be the final touchpoint in the creation of our high-quality furniture, transforming raw wood into beautifully finished pieces. You are a craftsperson at heart, with a keen eye for color, texture, and quality. Your expertise will ensure that every item leaving our workshop not only meets but exceeds customer expectations for beauty and durability. This position requires a blend of artistic talent and technical precision, making you an essential contributor to our brand's reputation for excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Apprentice Finisher or Finishing Assistant
  • Woodworker or Carpenter's Helper
  • Automotive Painter or Industrial Coater

Advancement To:

  • Lead Finisher or Finishing Team Lead
  • Finishing Department Supervisor or Manager
  • Quality Control Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Furniture Repair and Restoration Specialist
  • Custom Cabinet Maker
  • Quality Control Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Prepare furniture surfaces for finishing by performing tasks such as stripping old finishes, filling cracks and blemishes, and executing multi-step sanding processes to ensure a smooth, uniform foundation.
  • Skillfully mix, match, and apply a wide variety of stains, toners, paints, and glazes to wood surfaces to achieve precise color specifications and desired aesthetic effects.
  • Operate and maintain advanced spray finishing equipment, including HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure), conventional, and airless spray systems, ensuring consistent and high-quality application.
  • Apply sealers, primers, and topcoats such as lacquer, polyurethane, varnish, and catalyzed conversion varnish to provide a durable and flawless protective layer.
  • Execute detailed and complex finishing techniques, including distressing, antiquing, rubbing, glazing, and color washing to create custom and specialized looks.
  • Perform meticulous quality control inspections at every stage of the finishing process to identify and correct imperfections like runs, sags, orange peel, or fisheyes.
  • Read and accurately interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and work orders to understand project specifications, finish types, and quality standards.
  • Conduct precision touch-up and repair work on finished pieces to correct any defects or damage that may occur during production or handling.
  • Collaborate with the design and woodworking teams to develop new finish samples and ensure a seamless transition from construction to finishing.
  • Buff and polish final topcoats to achieve the specified sheen level, ranging from matte to high-gloss, ensuring a perfect final appearance.
  • Manage the proper curing and drying of finished pieces, controlling environmental factors like temperature and humidity to ensure finish integrity.
  • Carefully handle, move, and prepare finished furniture for shipping, ensuring pieces are protected against damage.
  • Select the appropriate finishing materials and application methods based on the wood species, project requirements, and end-use of the furniture.
  • Maintain an expert-level understanding of different wood species and their unique properties, including how they absorb stain and react to various finishes.
  • Perform color-matching by eye and with color theory knowledge to match existing furniture pieces or custom client samples with a high degree of accuracy.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain a clean, safe, and highly organized work environment, including the regular cleaning of spray booths, finishing equipment, and personal protective gear.
  • Manage and maintain an accurate inventory of all finishing supplies, including stains, solvents, lacquers, and abrasives, and place orders as needed.
  • Adhere strictly to all company and OSHA safety protocols, particularly regarding the handling, storage, and disposal of flammable and hazardous materials.
  • Document finishing processes, formulas, and material usage for each project to ensure consistency and replicability for future orders.
  • Participate in team meetings to discuss production schedules, troubleshoot challenges, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the finishing department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Spray Finishing Expertise: Proficient in using and troubleshooting HVLP, airless, and conventional spray guns for flawless application.
  • Color Theory & Matching: Advanced ability to mix and match stains and paints by eye to meet exacting custom color requirements.
  • Surface Preparation: Deep knowledge of sanding techniques, wood fillers, and stripping agents to create the perfect canvas.
  • Knowledge of Finishes: Comprehensive understanding of the properties and application of various materials like lacquers, conversion varnishes, polyurethanes, oils, and shellacs.
  • Wood Repair: Skilled in seamlessly repairing dents, scratches, and other imperfections in both raw and finished wood.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Ability to clean, maintain, and perform minor repairs on spray equipment, pumps, and spray booths.
  • Blueprint Interpretation: Capable of reading and understanding work orders, technical drawings, and finish schedules.
  • Chemical Safety: Knowledge of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and proper handling, storage, and disposal of finishing chemicals.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for identifying and correcting the smallest imperfections to achieve a flawless result.
  • Patience and Precision: The ability to perform repetitive, delicate tasks with a steady hand and unwavering focus.
  • Problem-Solving: Adept at troubleshooting finishing issues like contamination, blushing, or improper adhesion.
  • Time Management: Strong ability to manage workflow and meet production deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Physical Stamina & Dexterity: Ability to stand for long periods, lift heavy furniture, and perform tasks requiring fine motor skills.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or diploma from a vocational or technical school in Woodworking, Cabinetmaking, or Furniture Finishing.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Woodworking Technology
  • Fine Arts
  • Automotive Refinishing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a professional wood finishing environment.

Preferred:

  • Experience working in a high-end custom furniture or architectural millwork shop is highly desirable. A portfolio of past work demonstrating a range of finishing techniques is a significant plus.
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