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French polisher

French polishers use traditional skills to treat wood and restore furniture and items like staircases, doors and musical instruments.

Annual Salary

£17,000 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

42 to 44 a week

You could work: freelance / self-employed; managing your own hours

1.1%
Future employment

There will be 1.1% fewer French polisher jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you could:

  • decide on the type and colour of wood stain to use
  • mix and apply the stain
  • apply french polish and other finishes, like lacquer, paint, varnish, oil or wax
  • repair furniture

If you are self employed as a french polisher you may also need to:

market your business

deal with customers

order materials

do paperwork and manage your finances

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a workshop or in a factory.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • training with a professional body
University

Doing a higher national diploma or degree in furniture design, decorative arts or furniture restoration can be useful if you want to start your own business.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
For more information
College

You can learn polishing and finishing skills on some furniture making and restoration courses like:

  • Level 2 Furniture Finishing Methods
  • Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Furniture Restoration
  • Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Design and Making

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
For more information
Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships that may give you some of the skills needed for this role include:

  • Level 2 Furniture manufacturer
  • Level 2 Wood product manufacturing operative
  • Level 3 Bespoke furniture maker
  • Level 3 Carpentry and Joinery

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
Other routes

You could do a specialist training course in french polishing with a professional body like the The British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could apply to join The Guild of Master Craftsmen for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

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With experience, you could progress to supervisor or manager.

You could start your own business.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • concentration skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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