French polishers use traditional skills to treat wood and restore furniture and items like staircases, doors and musical instruments.
£13,000 Starter
to£30,000 Experienced
42 to 44 a week
freelance / self-employed managing your own hours
You can get into this job through:
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.
You'll usually need:
You can learn polishing and finishing skills on some furniture making and restoration courses like:
You may need:
You can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a furniture restorer.
This will usually take 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
You'll usually need:
You could do a specialist training course in French polishing with a professional body like the The British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association.
You could join The Guild of Master Craftsmen for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
You can find out more about becoming a French polisher from The Guild of Master Craftsmen.
You'll need:
Your day-to-day duties could include:
You could work in a workshop or in a factory.
You may need to wear protective clothing.