Wood Stains

Q. What is the advantage to using a water-based stain?

Water based stains have little odor, dry quickly and clean up with soap and water. Projects can often be completed in one day.

Q. Will Minwax^® Water-Based Stain raise the grain of the wood?

As long as Minwax^® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is used prior to staining, Water-Based Wood Stain will not raise the wood Grain.

Q. How long should Minwax^® Water-Based Stain be left on wood?

Water-Based stain dries very quickly. It should be allowed to penetrate no more than three minutes before wiping away the excess.

Q. Should Minwax^® Water-Based Stain be used on floors?

No. Water-Based stains dry very quickly, making them difficult to apply evenly over large surfaces. For very large areas such as floors, we recommend an oil-based product such as Minwax^® Wood Finish™ Stain.

Q. What is a custom color?

Minwax^® Company makes tint bases that can be tinted to match 68 different decorator colors. A base is brought to the paint counter where it is tinted, similar to the way paint is mixed.

Q. What is White Wash Pickling Stain?

It is a water-based wood stain that adds a subtle shade of white color to wood while allowing the natural grain to show through.

Q. Does Minwax^® Water-Based Stain need to be topcoated?

For added beauty and Protection, we recommend topcoating all interior projects with a protective clear finish such as Minwax^® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax^® Polycrylic^®.

WARNING! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.

SURFACE PREPARATION: Sand the wood in the direction of the grain, first using medium-grade sandpaper (#120) working your way to fine-grade sandpaper (#220). Do Not Use Steel Wool. Remove all sanding dust.

Apply Minwax^® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and allow to penetrate 1-5 minutes. This will help ensure even stain color penetration and reduce grain raising on soft and hard woods. Remove excess with a clean cloth.

For best results, wait 15-30 minutes before lightly sanding the surface with a fine- grade sandpaper. This will help smooth any raised grain. Remove all sanding dust.

PRODUCT PREPARATION AND COLOR TESTING: Stir contents thoroughly before and during use.

Test stain on a hidden area of the wood to verify desired color.

When working with more than one can, we recommend mixing together the contents of the cans to ensure color consistency.

STAIN APPLICATION: Apply stain with a synthetic bristle brush, foam brush, staining pad or rag. Allow stain to penetrate no longer than 3 minutes.

While stain is still wet, remove excess with clean cloth lightly dampened with stain. Wipe in the direction of the grain using light to medium pressure to achieve even stain color. Note: Any uneven color penetration can be blended.

Rewet the surface with more stain and lightly rub the stain into the surface, blending light and dark areas.

To increase color intensity, apply a second coat after 2 hours- repeating directions for application of first coat. Heavier application, lower temperature, and or higher humidity will extend drying time. Do not apply below 55°F.

CLEAR FINISH PROTECTION: Allow stain to dry a minimum of 3 hours before applying a clear protective finish. For a durable, crystal clear, ultra-fast drying finish we recommend Minwax^® Polycrylic^® Protective Finish. Minwax^® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax^® Wipe-On Poly can also be used over Water-Based Stain.

TIPS FOR STAINING LARGER SURFACE AREAS: These tips are provided to enhance results when staining large surface areas. Work quickly using a clean cloth, or staining pad to apply stain. Rubbing the stain into the wood and wiping the excess at the same time will blend the stain to produce a uniform color.

Keep the leading edge "wet" and distribute stain evenly. This will help avoid lap marks and keep color uniform.

Apply two thin coats instead of one heavier application of stain.

Never stop in the middle of a surface area. Always stain to the edge of an area.

COVERAGE Coverage is approximately 100 sq. ft. per quart.

CLEANUP: Water-Based application tools and hands can be easily cleaned with soap and warm water.

Note: Minwax^® Water-Based Wood Stain is not recommended for use on floors.

The colors shown are for reference purposes only. They have been reproduced using digital production techniques. Always test stain on a hidden area of the wood to verify desired color.

Pre-Mixed & Ready-to-Use Colors

White Oak	Colonial Pine	Rose Wood
English Oak	Vermont Maple	American Walnut

Contemporary and Traditional Custom Mixed Tones

Driftwood	Mediterranean Olive	Cafe Latte
Parchment	Tender Green	Salmon
Harvest Grain	Winter Moss	Pale Pink
Honeydew	Antique Jade	Woodrose
Natural Peach	Green Tea	Buckskin
Natural Beige	Verdigris	Dusty Rose
Latte	Early Spring	Antique Rose
Desert Sand	Mint Cream	Sangria
Lemongrass	Baltic Green	Cherry Blossom
Mustard	Green Bayou	Wild Berry
Oriental Ginger	Northern Ivy	Royal Mahogany
Honey Comb	Winter Sky	Burgundy
Cinnamon	Blue Hawaii	Cinnamon Toast
Cocoa	Pearl Gray	Dutch Chocolate
Summer Rose	River Stone	Toffee
Terracotta	Island Water	Coffee
Mandarin Orange	Deep Ocean	Safari
Fruit Punch	Slate	Botanical
China Red	Charcoal Gray	Forest Green
Spice	Aegean	Onyx

White Wash Pickling Stain


White Wash

Accents Colors

Rustic Orange	Hunter Green	Vintage Burgundy
Harvest Gold	Midnight Blue	Classic Black
Olive Green	Antique Red