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51-7021.00 · Task explorer

Furniture Finishers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 22 tasks, including 13 marked Core and 9 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2017.

22 tasks shown

Core · Task 14251 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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.

Core · Task 14254 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Fill and smooth cracks or depressions, remove marks and imperfections, and repair broken parts, using plastic or wood putty, glue, nails, or screws.

Core · Task 14252 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Smooth, shape, and touch up surfaces to prepare them for finishing, using sandpaper, pumice stones, steel wool, chisels, sanders, or grinders.

Core · Task 14263 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Remove accessories prior to finishing, and mask areas that should not be exposed to finishing processes or substances.

Core · Task 14259 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Remove old finishes and damaged or deteriorated parts, using hand tools, stripping tools, sandpaper, steel wool, abrasives, solvents, or dip baths.

Core · Task 14264 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Treat warped or stained surfaces to restore original contours and colors.

Core · Task 14253 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Select appropriate finishing ingredients such as paint, stain, lacquer, shellac, or varnish, depending on factors such as wood hardness and surface type.

Core · Task 14250 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Mix finish ingredients to obtain desired colors or shades.

Core · Task 14267 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Remove excess solvent, using cloths soaked in paint thinner.

Core · Task 14256 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Examine furniture to determine the extent of damage or deterioration, and to decide on the best method for repair or restoration.

Core · Task 14255 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Distress surfaces with woodworking tools or abrasives before staining to create an antique appearance, or rub surfaces to bring out highlights and shadings.

Core · Task 14268 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Stencil, gild, emboss, mark, or paint designs or borders to reproduce the original appearance of restored pieces, or to decorate new pieces.

Core · Task 14261 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Disassemble items to prepare them for finishing, using hand tools.

Supplemental · Task 14265 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Confer with customers to determine furniture colors or finishes.

Supplemental · Task 14258 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Recommend woods, colors, finishes, and furniture styles, using knowledge of wood products, fashions, and styles.

Supplemental · Task 14262 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Wash surfaces to prepare them for finish application.

Supplemental · Task 14260 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Follow blueprints to produce specific designs.

Supplemental · Task 14257 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Paint metal surfaces electrostatically, or by using a spray gun or other painting equipment.

Supplemental · Task 14266 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Replace or refurbish upholstery of items, using tacks, adhesives, softeners, solvents, stains, or polish.

Supplemental · Task 14269 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Design, create, and decorate entire pieces or specific parts of furniture, such as draws for cabinets.

Supplemental · Task 14271 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

Supplemental · Task 14270 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Brush bleaching agents on wood surfaces to restore natural color.

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  2. For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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