You can use any tool – rag, brush, paint pad, roller or spray gun – to apply the stain. Dip a clean, dry paint brush or rag into your stain. Let dry according to directions on package. How to Apply Interior Wood Stain. It does not tend to turn blotchy, but like all woods it will stain more evenly after an application of Minwax ® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner or Minwax ® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner. After the wood conditioner has soaked in for about 15 minutes, it’s time to apply the stain. Sometimes I use a brush when applying wood stain, but I tend to flick stain everywhere. Once you’ve decided on a color, open the can and give it a good stir. Good luck, Marie! 2.) Before staining any softwoods I always add a third step to the beginning of the process by first brushing on Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to … Easier To Apply When the stain is too thick, no matter if you brush it, back-roll it, or spray it onto the wooden surface, the results rarely live up to your expectations.You get traces, uneven textures, and you need to clean the brushes and unclog the sprayer all the time. I pre-conditioned the wood and applied two coats of the pecan. Wipe down the stained surface using a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with 100% pure mineral spirits. I’m working with these doors propped up against my studio wall. Step 6: Typically, if Minwax stain is still tacky after 4-6 hours, there was too much stain left behind. Once the raised areas are stained, start applying the product to the rest of the door. HOW TO APPLY THE GEL STAIN . Mistake #3 Using an old can of finish. Varathane sells several different types of stain, all with various recommended drying times, but their fastest-drying product is the Varathane Fast Dry Wood Stain, which claims to color in one coat and enables users to finish a project three times faster. Whatever type you choose, you need to take some extra measures when applying the Minwax polyurethane in temperatures that are below 40 degrees. The Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner will not have much impact on the color of the wood, so I would not try that. Apply the stain on top of the pre-stain. It takes 2 hours for the stain to be touched; hence, an application of a second coat applies at that time. After that, apply your stain, evenly and consistently. It is ideal for staining furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, molding, and hardwood floors. Available in satin and gloss. Minwax Water-Based Stain. I'm trying to apply Minwax Polyshades espresso stain after having applied a coat of Minwax Polyshades pecan to solid pine wood. For instance, when applying to a table, you may have difficulty getting the stain out of the junction where the legs or rails meet the tabletop. 1. Minwax ® Wood Finish™ is an oil-based wood stain that provides long-lasting wood tone color. Thinning your stain … I'm using an old t-shirt to apply the stain as I find it works best to prevent blotching and air bubbles. Click through to watch this video on easy2diy.com Using a shop towel, applicator pad, chip brush, or lint-free rag, apply the gel stain working in manageable areas. Like Minwax, Varathane is another popular stain choice. Minwax ® Wood Finish™ is available in 25 wood tone colors and can be used to enhance any bare or stripped wood surface. Apply a tung oil topcoat over an oil-based wood stain. If you want to use a water-based stain, there is a water-based conditioner as well. After wiping off the excess, it should be almost dry. Our complete Minwax interior stain system gives you everything you need for a great-looking finish every time *Based on Epicor’s Industry Data Analytics and third party survey results for interior wood stains for the 12 month period ending 6/19. After 5-15 minutes, wipe off the excess, evenly and consistently. Allow final coat of stain to dry 8-24 hours (Dry time is affected by your ventilation, temperature, and relative humidity). Use a high quality synthetic brush for application. Minwax® PolyShades® GOOD FOR: Furniture, cabinets, trim. Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is designed to be applied to bare wood prior to applying a stain, in order to reduce the blotchiness that many woods experience when stained. Every stain is affected by the inherent color of the wood and how much stain the pores will absorb, Dave, so you may not get the identical color each time you use Colonial Maple. The oak cabinets were sanded down to the wood very smoothly using 220 grit aluminum oxide sandpaper. If the stain is allowed to remain and dry at this junction, it will be noticeable and more difficult to deal with later. For best results, wait 15-30 minutes before lightly sanding the surface with a fine-grade sandpaper. I recently purchased Minwax Water Based stain (honeydew color) and Minwax pre-stain conditioner for applying on my stripped kitchen cabinets. Before applying to bare wood, use a wood conditioner to ensure even colour. The basic rule for getting good results with any wood stain is to apply a wet coat and wipe off the excess before it dries. Despite what many contractors think, leaving the stain on for an extended period of time will not make the floor darker. We recently added on to our house and purchased unfinished Mahogany doors. 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