Furniture Finisher

Sight Unseen; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KGBL is seeking an experienced Furniture Finisher to lead high-quality finishes for fine furniture and millwork. You will handle spray and hand-applied finishes across diverse substrates, ensuring color accuracy and durable surfaces.

Responsibilities include surface prep, multi-system finishing, troubleshooting, and maintaining a safe, efficient finishing area in a design-forward studio environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in fine furniture, cabinetry, or millwork finishing (spray and hand application required).
• Working knowledge of finishing both wood and metal substrates.
• Hands-on experience with lacquers, urethanes, oil- and alcohol-based stains, and water-based finish systems.
• Strong color-matching and toning skills; good eye for sheen and surface consistency.
• Familiarity with spray equipment setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Understanding of proper ventilation, PPE, and safe handling of solvents and finishing chemicals.
• Ability to read finish specs, work orders, and color/sheen samples.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship.
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a small production team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare wood and metal surfaces for finishing, including sanding, filling, grain conditioning, and metal prep.
• Apply finishes using spray equipment and hand application methods.
• Mix, match, and tone finishes for consistent color and sheen across runs.
• Work across a full range of finish systems including lacquers, urethanes, stains, water-based finishes, and wax/oil.
• Troubleshoot common finishing issues and maintain finishing equipment.
• Read finish specifications and produce finish samples for approval.
• Maintain a clean, organized finishing area following safety regulations.

Skills

Fine furniture finishing

Spray finishing

Hand finishing

Color matching

Quality control

Tools

HVLP spray equipment

Conventional spray

Airless spray

Job description

The Role

KGBL is seeking an experienced Furniture Finisher with deep knowledge of both spray and hand-applied finishing techniques across a wide range of materials and finish systems. This role is central to the quality and craft of every piece that leaves our studio — from raw wood and metal substrates through to final protective and decorative finish.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare wood and metal surfaces for finishing, including sanding, filling, grain conditioning, and metal prep (degreasing, etching, priming as needed)
• Apply finishes using both spray equipment (HVLP, conventional, airless) and hand application methods (rag, brush, pad, wipe-on/wipe-off)
• Mix, match, and tone finishes to achieve consistent, specified color and sheen across production runs and custom/one-off pieces
• Work confidently across a full range of finish systems, including:
  • Lacquers (nitrocellulose, pre-catalyzed, conversion varnish)
  • Urethanes (oil- and water-based, conversion/two-part systems)
  • Oil-based stains and dyes
  • Alcohol-based stains and dyes
  • Water-based finishes and topcoats
  • Waxes, oils, and hand-rubbed/oil finishes
  • Metal finishes: powder coat touch-up, patinas, sealers, and clear protective coatings as applicable
• Troubleshoot and correct common finishing issues (blush, orange peel, fisheye, bleed-through, uneven sheen, adhesion problems)
• Maintain spray booth, guns, and finishing equipment; follow proper cleaning, maintenance, and safety protocols
• Read and interpret finish specifications, samples, and color standards; produce finish samples for client/design approval
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant finishing area in accordance with OSHA and local environmental regulations (VOC handling, proper storage and disposal of finishing materials)
• Collaborate with the production and design team to maintain consistency between prototypes, samples, and final production pieces
• Keep accurate records of finish formulas, batch mixes, and material usage

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in fine furniture, cabinetry, or millwork finishing (spray and hand application required)
• Working knowledge of finishing both wood and metal substrates
• Hands-on experience with lacquers, urethanes, oil- and alcohol-based stains, and water-based finish systems
• Strong color-matching and toning skills; good eye for sheen and surface consistency
• Familiarity with spray equipment setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Understanding of proper ventilation, PPE, and safe handling of solvents and finishing chemicals
• Ability to read finish specs, work orders, and color/sheen samples
• Strong attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a small production team

Nice to Have

• Experience finishing high-end or designer furniture, architectural millwork, or fine woodworking
• Familiarity with patina and metal-finishing techniques
• Experience maintaining finish formula documentation/batch records