Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 9:46 AM AWST

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Apply traditional French polishing techniques

Apply traditional French polishing techniques

Unit of competency
National Code
MSFFF3017
State Code
OEL24
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
08/12/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/04/2023
Field of Education
030117 - Furniture Polishing
Original Release Date
19/04/2023
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use traditional French polishing techniques to apply shellac polish to solid timber or veneered manufactured board surfaces by hand.Furniture finishing workers with this competency follow established procedures, using discretion, judgement and problem-solving to identify and resolve potential issues. They recognise dependencies and use cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity.No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for task
  • 1.1 Determine task requirements from work documentation, including drawings, specifications and instructions
  • 1.2 Recognise and adhere to quality assurance requirements in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 1.3 Identify and follow work health and safety requirements
  • 1.4 Select tools and equipment consistent with job requirements and work instructions, check for safety and serviceability, and report any faults to supervisor
  • 1.5 Prepare skinning in, bodying up and spiriting out/stiffening up rubbers to meet work requirements
2. Prepare for application of polish
  • 2.1 Check surfaces for contamination and correct preparation in accordance with workplace procedures and standards
  • 2.2 Identify and report or repair products with surface or other faults in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 2.3 Identify and apply techniques for applying polish by hand using traditional methods in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 2.4 Prepare materials and equipment suitable for skinning in, bodying up and spiriting out/stiffening up operations to meet requirements
  • 2.5 Stain, fill in and seal surfaces with polish using a mop brush, blender or swooge to meet requirements
3. Skin in job surface
  • 3.1 Lightly sand surface and check for and rectify defects in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 3.2 Charge skinning-in rubber with polish, showing consideration for job colour and clarity in accordance with quality standards
  • 3.3 Skin in surface, covering small areas at a time, using correct amount of pressure and suitable rubber movements
  • 3.4 Apply required pumice powder in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 3.5 Inspect skinned-in surface and repair any defects using suitable materials
4. Body up a skinned in surface
  • 4.1 Use polish, lubricating oil and pumice powder to body up the skinned-in surface, using correct amount of pressure and suitable rubber movements
  • 4.2 Continuously monitor rubber and job surface to evaluate their condition
  • 4.3 Recharge body-up rubber and apply required lubricating oil and pumice to ensure surface faults and blemishes do not develop
  • 4.4 Ensure bodied-up surface is full and flat with an even sheen and shows no blemishes in accordance with quality requirements
5. Spirit off/stiffen up surface
  • 5.1 Use correctly charged rubber, correct amount of pressure and suitable rubber movements to stiffen up/spirit off surface in accordance with requirements
  • 5.2 Ensure stiffened up/spirited off surface is free of oil, full, flat with an even sheen and shows no blemishes or rubber marks
6. Clean up work area
  • 6.1 Check, clean and store tools and equipment and any unused materials in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 6.2 Store rubbers separately in airtight glass or plastic containers in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 6.3 Tag unserviceable equipment, identify faults and inform appropriate personnel in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 6.4 Clean work area, safely dispose of waste and identify items for recycling in accordance with workplace procedures and environmental standards
  • 6.5 Complete required workplace records
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
WI328 MSFFF3008 Apply traditional French polishing techniques Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BIJ9 MSF30122 Certificate III in Furniture Finishing Qualification
BIK3 MSF40522 Certificate IV in Piano Technology Qualification