The appearance of light metal products is a factor in their appeal to the customer. Metal also needs to be protected from oxidation, particularly steel, which will rust if not coated or galvanized. If you would like to learn about the process of coating metal objects and surfaces, then this is a job you could consider.

As a Surface Finisher, you will learn about electrolytic processes (those that use electric current), as well as galvanizing and anodising, and you will also work with organic coatings. You will also prepare and maintain plating solutions as well as cleaning and preparing surfaces with cleaning solutions or by using blasting cabinets.

You could learn to coat metal parts with a layer of decorative or protective metal such as copper, silver, nickel or chromium, and work for electroplating firms, car makers, anodisers, metal polishers or printed circuit board manufacturers. You may also specialise in one of the electroplating operations, such as anodising, barrel plating, metal preparation or powder coating.