How to Guide

STEP 2: STAIN
• Apply a liberal amount of stain. On woods with
large, open pores — such as oak, mahogany and
ash — increase application pressure to work the
stain into the pores. Rubbing or brushing against the
direction of the grain will also help fill those deep
pores with stain.
• Let the stain absorb into the wood. Reference the
product label and give the stain time to absorb.
And be sure to keep an eye on the clock. Each stain
application must absorb for the same amount of time
to achieve an even tone.
• Remove any unabsorbed stain. With a dry cloth,
wipe in the direction of the wood grain. If wiping
up large amounts of stain, replace a saturated cloth
with a fresh one to prevent any swirl marks.
OIL-BASED WATER-BASED
Available in traditional
wood colors
Available in both
wood-tone and
decorator colors
Cleans up with mineral
spirits or paint thinner
Cleans up with
soap and water
Dries more slowly,
allowing time to even
out the stain color
Dries quickly
Perfect for
all projects
Not for use on
large projects
such as floors
Pick the right stain for you. The type of stain
you use is a maer of personal preference.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
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STEP 1: PREP
• Inspect and repair your project surface. Make note
of any holes, cracks, splits or loose joints that need
to be repaired. Use Minwax® Stainable Wood Filler to
fill small holes and cracks. For weak joints or boards,
tighten screws, replace wood or add braces.
• Remove all hardware from the item. This will
prevent metal discoloration.
• Use sandpaper to prep the wood. Doing so
will remove scratches and surface glazes while
preparing the wood pores for the stain.
• For simple prep or to remove old finishes, use
80-grit or 100-grit sandpaper.
• To remove shallow scratches, dents and rough
edges, use 100-grit or 120-grit sandpaper.
• To remove any leftover scratches and remaining
loose wood fibers, always finish with a final sanding
of 220-grit sandpaper.
• Apply a pre-stain treatment. Ensure that your
stain absorbs well and goes on evenly by applying
Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner first.
Follow the instructions on the product label.
PREP TIPS:
Sand in the direction of the grain. Sanding
against the grain will leave scratches.
Vacuuming is best. A bristle aachment on a
vacuum is the best way to capture dust and
prevent it from ending up on your wet stain.
Always test before using. Test pre-stain,
stain and finishing products (even tools) in
an inconspicuous spot. Then make necessary
adjustments to the color or technique.
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