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About Us

The History of Minwax® and our Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

Home \ About Us
Our Story 
Our Story Environmental Responsibility

The Story Behind the Familiar Yellow Label

1904

was a year of astonishing progress. The discoveries made that year heralded the beginnings of whole new industries and the founding of many new companies. One company in particular was founded in Brooklyn, New York, by Arthur B. Harrison. It would later come to be known as the Minwax Company.

Our Story Products Group

History Begins for Minwax®

At the exact moment Wilbur and Orville Wright were struggling to keep their new invention in the air over Kitty Hawk, NC, Arthur B. Harrison was at work in New York City testing his new waterproofing and damp-resistant materials to see if they would keep the air's moisture out of homes and buildings. In 1904, Arthur B. Harrison persuaded his employer at Clifford I. Miller Company, a plaster manufacturer, that a plant producing his materials could be a profitable venture. Mr. Miller agreed, though little realizing that someday Mr. Harrison's enterprise would produce the Rolls Royce of wood finishing products. In 1910, Mr. Harrison purchased the Miller interests, and four years later he incorporated his business under the name Minwax®.

Discovery at Cleopatra's Needle

By 1916, the company had expanded and moved across the Hudson River to larger plant facilities in Clifton, NJ. Mr. Harrison was, by that time, the acknowledged expert in the field of waterproofing. In fact, membrane waterproofing, still in use today, was among his early innovations.

In addition to general architectural and engineering projects, the Minwax Company was often asked to engineer waterproofing projects of significant historical importance. Cleopatra's Needle, the Egyptian obelisk in Central Park, was thousands of years old when it arrived in New York. However, archaeologists soon realized the climatic change from the desert to North America was accelerating the deterioration of the monument. To help preserve it, the waterproofing techniques of the Minwax Company were called upon.

At that point in time, stone structures were waterproofed by burning paraffin wax into the stone itself. Cleopatra's Needle was too delicate for this. Burning paraffin would blacken the stone and destroy the hieroglyphic markings on it. To avoid this, Mr. Harrison developed a liquefied formula containing paraffin that would penetrate and seal the stone with a brush application.

A wood scaffold was erected around the monument for the project. While brushing on the preparation, the workers noticed that drips and spills on the scaffolding beautified the wood. In fact, the scaffold looked like it had been treated to a paste wax finish, yet it was not slippery to walk on.

The formula was refined and introduced to architects who began to specify it for wide use on floors and woodwork in public buildings and fine homes.

Entry into the DIY Field

In the late 1940s and early '50s, Minwax® moved into the consumer market. According to R. W. Harrison, Jr., a grandson of Arthur B. Harrison who also served as President of Minwax® from 1962-1978, this growth "...came with the realization we had a product the average person could use successfully. The product itself was redesigned and improved for homeowner use, and the wax in the finish was replaced by varnish gums, making the new Wood Finish™ the first modern "quick-drying" product.

Donald H. Henderson, a former President of Minwax®, recalled, "Marketing of the new Wood Finish was originally a low-key activity, but word-of-mouth endorsement by satisfied customers generated enormous demand." Gradually, new colors were added to the line and new companion products were introduced to make Minwax® a complete Wood Finishing Products Company.

Today, the power and beauty of wood is still important in both public buildings and private homes, and the Minwax Company provides consumers with a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need. We look ahead excitedly as we continue our work to make and keep wood beautiful. Our future promises to be as exciting as our past!

The History of Minwax®

1904
Our Story Product 1904

Arthur B. Harrison manufactures his first line of waterproofing materials with the Clifford I. Miller Company.

1910
Our Story Product 1910

Arthur B. Harrison purchases business interests from his partner, Clifford I. Miller.

1914
Our Story Product 1914

Arthur B. Harrison Incorporates his business under the name of Minwax®.

1916
Our Story Product 1916

Minwax® develops a liquid, brush on, paraffin formula to seal stone, which is later adapted for use on wood floors.

1940s - 1950s
Our Story Product 1940s - 1950s

Minwax® Wood Finish™ formula is redesigned for homeowner use, becoming the first modern "quick-drying" product.

Today
Our Story Product Today

Minwax® Wood Finish™ is the leading brand of interior wood stains in the United States.

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  • Minwax Stains Color Guide
  • Preparation
  • Stains
  • One-Step Stain & Finishes
  • Design Series
  • Clear Protective Finishes
  • Hardwood Floors
  • Maintenance & Repair
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Minwax®
Stains Color Guide

Minwax® helps you select the ideal stain color for your wood project.

View Minwax® Stains Color Guide

Minwax®
Preparation

The better the wood preparation, the better the final result. Minwax® preparation products are the first step to ensure your wood surfaces show their most beautiful colors and smoothest finishes.

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Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Minwax® Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Minwax® Stainable Wood Filler
Minwax® Antique Furniture Refinisher
Minwax® Performance Series Sanding Sealer
Minwax® Color Changing Wood Filler
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Minwax®
Stains

The products that have made Minwax® an American icon will add color and beauty to your wood—in oil or water-based stains. With Minwax® wood stains, there’s a color to suit every style.

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Minwax® Wood Finish™
Minwax® Wood Finish
Water-Based Solid Color Stain
Minwax® Wood Finish
Water-Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain
Minwax® Gel Stain
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Minwax®
One-Step Stain & Finishes

Looking for speed and convenience? Turn to Minwax® to add rich color and durable protection to your wood project in a single step.

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
Minwax® Polyshades®
Minwax® Express Color™ Wiping Stain & Finish
Minwax® Wood Finishing Cloths
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Minwax®
Design Series

Minwax Design Series washes, wood effects and waxes offer new options for bare wood and wood that's already stained. Combine the Minwax Design Series with other Minwax stains to produce on-trend looks, finishes and special effects.

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Minwax® Color Wash
Minwax® Wood Effects
Minwax® Grain Highlighting Finishing Wax
Minwax® Soft Touch Finishing Wax
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Minwax®
Clear Protective Finishes

From furniture to floors, trust Minwax® products that beautify and protect wood. For superior durability and long-lasting beauty, the choice is clear — protective clear finishes from Minwax!

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Interior Interior/Exterior Wipe-Ons Lacquer

Minwax®
Hardwood Floors

Whether you are installing a new hardwood floor, refinishing an old one, or just keeping your existing floor looking as good as new, Minwax® has a full range of products to make and keep your floors beautiful.

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Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors
Minwax® Ultra Fast-Drying Polyurethane For Floors
Minwax® Ultimate Floor Finish
Minwax® Professional Formula Sanding Sealer
Minwax® Complete 1-Step Floor Finish
Minwax® Hardwood Floor Reviver
Minwax® Hardwood Floor Cleaner
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Minwax®
Maintenance and Repair

Minwax® offers a variety of easy-to-use products to help clean and repair wood that is chipped, cracked, scratched, even decayed, to its original beauty.

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Minwax® Wood Cabinet Cleaner
Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Marker
Minwax® Color-Matched Wood Filler
Minwax® Blend-Fil® Pencil
Minwax® Wood Putty®
Minwax® High Performance Wood Filler
Minwax® High Performance Wood Hardener
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Minwax®
Specialty Finishes

Finishes that offer protection for wood with a soft luster.

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
Minwax® Grain Highlighting Finishing Wax
Minwax® Soft Touch Finishing Wax
Minwax® Paste
Finishing Wax
Minwax® Tung Oil Finish
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Minwax®
Wood Finishing Brushes

Natural and synthetic bristle brushes specifically designed for use with Minwax® wood finishing products. Available sizes: 1½", 2", 2½".

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Wood Finishing Process
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