Application
This unit of competency covers hand application of shellac polish to timber surfaces using traditional French polishing techniques.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Plan and prepare for work | 1.1 | Work requirements are correctly identified from drawings, specifications and instructions |
1.2 | Quality assurance requirements are recognised and adhered to in accordance with company operations | ||
1.3 | Work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including personal protection needs, are observed throughout the work | ||
1.4 | Tools and equipment selected are consistent with job requirements and work instructions, checked for safety and serviceability, and any faults reported to supervisor | ||
1.5 | Skinning in, bodying up and spiriting out/stiffening up rubbers are prepared consistent with the requirements of the work | ||
2 | Prepare for application of polish | 2.1 | Surfaces are checked for contamination and correct preparation according to workplace procedures and standards |
2.2 | Products with surface or other faults are identified and faults are reported or repaired | ||
2.3 | Techniques for hand application of polish using traditional methods are identified and used according to workplace procedures | ||
2.4 | Materials and equipment suitable for skinning in, bodying up and spiriting out/stiffening up operations are prepared | ||
2.5 | Surfaces are stained, filled in and then sealed with polish using a mop brush, blender or swooge | ||
3 | Skin in job surface | 3.1 | Surface is lightly sanded and checked for defects which are rectified in accordance with workplace procedures |
3.2 | Skinning in rubber is suitably charged with polish having regard for job colour and clarity | ||
3.3 | Surface is skinned in, covering small areas at a time, using correct amount of pressure and suitable rubber movements | ||
3.4 | Pumice powder is applied, as necessary, in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
3.5 | Skinned in surface is inspected and any defects are repaired using suitable materials | ||
4 | Body up a skinned in surface | 4.1 | Polish, lubricating oil and pumice powder is used to body up the skinned in surface, using correct amount of pressure and suitable rubber movements |
4.2 | Rubber and job surface are continuously monitored to evaluate their condition | ||
4.3 | Body up rubber is recharged and lubricating oil and pumice are applied, as necessary, to ensure surface faults and blemishes do not develop | ||
4.4 | Bodied up surface is full and flat with an even sheen and shows no blemishes | ||
5 | Spirit off/stiffen up surface | 5.1 | Surface is stiffened up/spirited off using correctly charged rubber, correct amount of pressure and suitable rubber movements |
5.2 | 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 | Workplace is cleared of debris and unused materials |
6.2 | Rubbers are stored separately in airtight glass or plastic containers in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
6.3 | Tools and equipment are cleaned, maintained and stored | ||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Identify materials used in the work process
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:
minimise the risk of injury to self or others
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
Accurately apply traditional French polishing techniques on a minimum of two (2) occasions which must include and cover flat and curved surfaces and an enclosed panel
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures
Minimise wastage of resources, including materials, time and money
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
Workplace and equipment safety requirements, including relevant regulations, codes and standards
Construction techniques of rubbers
Safe handling of materials associated with traditional French polishing, including:
lac
polishes
paraffin and linseed oils
methylated spirits
Shellac mixing procedures
Repair techniques to defects in timber surfaces and polish film
Appropriate rubber charging and movements for each stage of French polishing
Storage requirements for lac products and rubbers
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to French polishing materials, timber components/furnishings requiring polish and cleaning materials.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Unit context includes: | WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements work requires individuals to demonstrate some discretion, judgement and problem solving in the process of French polishing |
Polishes include: | shellac button lac de-waxed lac de-waxed/de-coloured lac white or bleached lac |
Surfaces include: | solid timber or veneered manufactured board |
Lubricating oils include: | paraffin linseed |
Surface faults include: | machine marks bruising pencil marks grease cross-sanding marks scratches glue marks dirt marks insect and termite holes holes knots blisters rubber marks burns or tears ropiness and foreign matter in the polish |
Tools and equipment include: | filler blades brushes abrasive papers skinning in bodying up and spiriting out rubbers mop brush blender swooge and scrapers |
Personal protective equipment includes: | that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices |
Information and procedures include: | workplace procedures relating to the use of tools and equipment work instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication manufacturer specifications and operational procedures |
Sectors
Furniture finishing