Why are products finished, and which finishing process suits which material?
Finishing processes for metals (painting, powder coating, anodising, galvanising, plating), timber (varnish, oil, wax, stain, paint) and polymers (self-finishing, printing), the reasons for finishing (protection, function, aesthetics), and how the finish suits the material and environment.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on finishing processes: painting, powder coating, anodising, galvanising and plating for metals, varnish, oil, wax, stain and paint for timber, and the self-finishing nature of polymers, with the reasons for finishing and how a finish suits the material and environment.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain why products are finished, know the finishing processes for metals, timber and polymers, and explain how a finish suits the material and the environment. Finishing is the last manufacturing step that protects a product and gives it its final appearance and feel, and it is examined as recall of processes and as reasoning about the right finish for a job.
Why finish a product
Finishing metals
Finishing timber and polymers
Matching finish to material and environment
The finish must match both the material (you cannot anodise steel or galvanise timber, and polymers rarely need a finish at all) and the environment the product lives in. An outdoor steel product needs corrosion protection (galvanising, powder coating, paint); a kitchen surface needs a hygienic, wipeable, durable finish; a handle needs a grippy or warm feel; an aluminium part can be anodised for a hard coloured surface. A strong answer names a finish, ties it to the material and the reason (protection, function, aesthetics) and to where the product is used, because that is how application marks are awarded. Finishing also has a sustainability dimension: some finishes complicate recycling, so a self-finishing polymer or an easily separated finish can be the greener choice.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20204 marksExplain why a mild steel product used outdoors must be finished, and name two suitable finishing processes, giving a reason for each.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 short-answer question. Marks for the reason and for two justified finishes.
Mild steel is a ferrous metal, so it rusts (corrodes) when exposed to moisture and air, which weakens and spoils the product; an outdoor product must be finished to protect the steel from corrosion. Two suitable finishes: galvanising (a zinc coating that sacrificially protects the steel and resists rust, used on gates and railings) and powder coating (a tough, even polymer coating that seals the surface and gives colour, used on outdoor furniture). Painting is also acceptable.
Award marks for the corrosion reason and two finishes each with a reason. A common dropped mark is naming finishes without saying why (protection from rust).
Eduqas 20226 marksDiscuss the reasons a designer applies a finish to a product, and explain how the choice of finish depends on the material and where the product is used. Refer to examples.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 extended question marked by levels of response. Reward the reasons, the material link and examples.
Finishes are applied for protection (corrosion, moisture, wear, UV), function (grip, electrical insulation, hygiene, reduced friction) and aesthetics (colour, texture, gloss). The right finish depends on the material: metals take paint, powder coating, anodising (aluminium), galvanising and plating; timber takes varnish, oil, wax, stain and paint; many polymers are self-finishing and need none. It also depends on the environment: an outdoor steel product needs corrosion protection, a kitchen surface needs a hygienic wipeable finish, a handle needs a grippy or warm finish.
A top answer explains the reasons, matches finishes to materials and environments with examples, and concludes that a finish is chosen to suit the material and its use, not just for looks.
Related dot points
- The shaping and forming processes for polymers (injection moulding, blow moulding, vacuum forming, extrusion, rotational moulding), metals (casting, forging, die casting) and timber (laminating, steam bending), and how the process suits the material, the form and the scale of production.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on shaping and forming processes: injection moulding, blow moulding, vacuum forming, extrusion and rotational moulding for polymers, casting and forging for metals, and laminating and steam bending for timber, with the material and scale each suits.
- Wasting processes (sawing, drilling, milling, turning, laser and water-jet cutting) that remove material, and addition and joining processes (welding, brazing, soldering, adhesives, mechanical fixings, 3D printing) that join or build up material, with their uses and trade-offs.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on wasting and addition processes: sawing, drilling, milling, turning and laser and water-jet cutting that remove material, and welding, brazing, soldering, adhesives, mechanical fixings and 3D printing that join or build up material, with their uses and trade-offs.
- The enhancement and treatment of materials: heat treatment of metals (hardening, tempering, annealing), work hardening, seasoning and treatment of timber, lamination and reinforcement, alloying, and surface treatments and finishes that protect or enhance a material.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on enhancing and treating materials: hardening, tempering and annealing of metals, work hardening, seasoning and preservation of timber, lamination and reinforcement, alloying, and the surface treatments and finishes that protect and enhance a material.
- The classification of materials: papers and boards, natural and manufactured timbers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, elastomers and composites, with named examples and typical product uses.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on the classification of materials: papers and boards, natural and manufactured timbers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, thermoplastics and thermosets, elastomers and composites, with named examples and typical product uses.
- The 6 Rs of sustainability (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle), design for disassembly, the sustainability of materials and resources, renewable and finite resources, and how sustainable design choices reduce environmental impact across a product's life.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level Product Design on the 6 Rs of sustainability and sustainable design: rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair and recycle, design for disassembly, renewable and finite resources, and how design choices reduce a product's environmental impact.
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas A Level Design and Technology specification (Product Design) — Eduqas (2017)