Cert III Refinishing study plan
Cert III Refinishing · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Core units
Map every Core unit topic to a personal checklist and rate current confidence on a 1-5 scale
Define the safety and workplace-practice vocabulary you must recall without notes
Build a weekly study calendar that protects two 3-hour blocks around work shifts
List the tools, materials, and PPE covered in Core that you will practise hands-on
Your checkpoint
A one-page Core topic checklist with confidence ratings and a dated 8-week study calendar
Core units
Explain surface preparation steps in the correct sequence from bare substrate to ready-to-finish
Identify the purpose of each abrasive grade and when to step up or down
Describe contamination sources and the cleaning method that removes each one
Demonstrate masking and protection of adjacent surfaces on a practice panel
Your checkpoint
A written surface-prep procedure with a labelled practice panel photo log
Core units
Compare coating product types by purpose, cure behaviour, and compatible substrate
Calculate mix ratios and pot life for two-part products without a calculator error
Explain how temperature, humidity, and airflow change drying and curing
Record a defect you created deliberately and trace it to its root cause
Your checkpoint
A mix-ratio and pot-life worksheet scored at 90% or better plus a defect-cause log entry
Core units
Apply a full coating sequence on a practice panel from prep through final coat
Diagnose three common finish defects and state the corrective action for each
Explain safe storage, handling, and disposal of the products you used
Answer 40 Core practice questions under timed conditions and review every miss
Your checkpoint
A finished practice panel with a written self-assessment against a quality checklist
Core units & Elective units
Consolidate Core weak areas identified in the week 4 timed set
Read the Elective unit outlines and select the two you will pursue
Map which Elective skills overlap with Core so study time does double duty
Draft a one-page summary sheet of Core formulas, ratios, and safety rules
Your checkpoint
A Core summary sheet plus a written Elective selection rationale
Elective units
Practise the first chosen Elective's core technique to a repeatable standard
Identify the tools and materials specific to that Elective and their safe use
Document the steps of the technique as a procedure you could teach
Complete three repetitions and compare results side by side
Your checkpoint
Three finished samples from the first Elective with a written procedure
Elective units
Practise the second chosen Elective's core technique to a repeatable standard
Explain how the two Electives interact with Core surface-prep and coating rules
Troubleshoot two faults in each Elective and record the fix
Time yourself performing each Elective task to build realistic pace
Your checkpoint
Two Elective samples with fault-fix notes and recorded task times
Core units & Elective units
Run two full timed mock exams covering both domains and score each
Review every incorrect answer and close each gap with a targeted note
Rehearse the practical tasks most likely to be assessed under time pressure
Assemble all deliverables into one revision portfolio for final review
Your checkpoint
Two scored mock exams at 80% or better plus a complete revision portfolio
Milestones
Week 2: Core checklist fully mapped and surface-prep procedure written and demonstrated once
Week 4: Timed 40-question Core set completed with every miss reviewed and a practice panel finished
Week 6: First Elective technique performed three times to a consistent standard with written procedure
Week 8: Two full mock exams scored at 80% or better and revision portfolio complete