In the (a) part of the question, candidates were able to provide the meaning of finishing, however some confused the term finishing with finishes, an example is an answer that defined finishing as materials required in cleaning shoes. A good proportion of candidates gave accurate answers to the (c) part of the question. Overall performance in this question was high

Candidates were expected to provide the following answers to score maximum marks in this question.

(a)Finishing are the general processes carried out on leather to improve the physical appearance.  This may include colouring, glazing, fatliquoring, waxing, embossing, staking, plating etc.

(b)       (i)  Painting ;
(ii)        Fatliquoring;
(iii)       Waxing;
(iv)       Embossing;
(v)        Stamping;
(vi)       Dyeing;
(vii)      Spraying;
(viii)     Staining;
(x)        Polishing;
(xi)       Glazing.                                  

(c)        (i)  To improve the durability/quality of the leather;
(ii)        To increase the aesthetic appeal of the finished leather;
(iii)       To enhance the stability in the finished leather article;
(iv)       To enhance good colour fastness to avoid stain on the user;
(v)        Finishing is also done to cover defects on the leather surface;
(vi)       To improve water resistant ability of leather;
(vii)      To give the leather good versatility such as stretchiness, flexibility and drape;
(viii)     It increases the cutting value of the leather i.e. prevent wastage;
(ix)       To increase the value or price of the article produced.