Overview
Overview
Minwax® Wood Finish™ is a penetrating oil-based wood stain, which provides beautiful rich color that enhances the natural wood grain. Our innovative formula delivers the same premium oil-rich color as before, but in a single coat that dries in just two hours. Start your project today and finish today with new faster dry time.
- Deeply penetrating color enhances wood’s beauty in one coat.
- Dries in 2 hours; makes it possible to stain in a day.
- Resists lapping for even color.
- Can be used to add beauty to any bare or stripped wood surface.
- Perfect for interior staining unfinished wood furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, molding and floors.
- Available in 36 beautiful colors.
- Click here to view Minwax® Wood Finish™ 250 VOC Compliant.
Product Details
Product Details
Application Tool: | natural bristle brush, or clean cloth |
Location: | interior wood surfaces |
Recoat: | 2-4 hours depending on color |
Dry Time: | 2-4 hours depending on color |
Topcoat: | 4-6 hours depending on color |
Cleanup: | mineral spirits or paint thinner |
Coverage: | 150 sq. ft. per quart |
Coats: | 1 coat. To darken the color, apply a second coat after 2-4 hours (time dependant on color). |
Recommended Uses: | unfinished wood furniture, woodwork, doors, hardwood floors, cabinets, accessories and trim |
New: | 1 |
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE If this product, when applied according to label instructions to a properly prepared interior surface, fails to perform to your complete satisfaction, contact our customer service department at 1-800-523-9299, and Minwax shall, either replace an equivalent quantity of product free of charge or refund the original purchase price. This warranty shall not apply to any defect or damage resulting from improper surface preparation, structural defects, failure of a previous coating or improper application of the product. This is your sole remedy under this warranty. This warranty excludes (1) labor or costs associated with labor for the application or removal of any product, and (2) any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights,and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state.
Directions
Directions
Instrucciones en EspañolFOR INTERIOR USE ONLY
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 clean up. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.
APPLICATION FOR SURFACES OTHER THAN HARDWOOD FLOORS
Surface Preparation:
- Start with bare/ stripped wood. Surface must be dry, clean, and free of dirt, grease, glue, and existing coatings before staining.
- Sand the wood in the direction of the grain using fine-grade sandpaper (#220) until smooth.
- Remove all sanding dust.
- To ensure uniform acceptance of stain color and beautiful results, pretreat the wood with Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner following label directions.
Product Preparation And Color Testing:
- Stir stain thoroughly before and occasionally during use. Do not shake or thin stain.
- Always test stain on an inconspicuous area of the wood to verify desired color.
Stain Application:
- Apply stain in the direction of the grain with a brush or clean cloth.
- Allow the stain to penetrate 5-15 minutes to achieve desired color. The more time the stain is allowed to penetrate, the richer and darker the color will be.
- Remove stain that has not absorbed into the wood with a clean cloth. Wipe in the direction of the grain, while blending light and dark areas to obtain uniform color. DO NOT ALLOW STAIN THAT HAS NOT PENETRATED INTO THE WOOD TO DRY ON THE WOOD SURFACE.
- To darken the color, apply a second coat after 2-4 hours, repeating directions above. DO NOT SAND BETWEEN COATS OF STAIN.
Clear Finish Application:
Allow stain to dry for a minimum of 4-6 hours (dry time may be extended due to high humidity, low temperatures, or inadequate ventilation). Complete your project by applying a Minwax® clear protective finish, following label directions.
- Recommended finishes include Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Helmsman® Spar Urethane. Slight ambering may occur when these clear finishes are applied over light-colored stains. Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish is also recommended, especially over light-colored stains.
- Always spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure satisfactory results.
APPLICATION FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Surface Preparation:
- Whether you have a bare wood floor or a floor that already has a finish on it, you will need to sand the floor to prepare it for staining and finishing. Rent or purchase a floor sander and follow the sander manufacturer’s directions to sand the surface down to bare wood, ending with 100 grit sandpaper or equivalent.
- Remove all sanding dust. Stir stain thoroughly before and occasionally during use. Do not thin. Test stain on an inconspicuous area of the wood to verify desired color.
Stain Application:
- Apply the stain to the floor using a clean cloth, following the direction of the grain. Work in small sections, approximately three-foot wide, running the entire length of the floor.
- Allow the stain to penetrate for up to 5 minutes, then wipe off any stain that has not absorbed into the wood, using a clean cloth. The more time the stain is allowed to penetrate, the richer and darker the color will be. DO NOT ALLOW STAIN THAT HAS NOT PENETRATED INTO THE WOOD TO DRY ON THE WOOD SURFACE.
- To darken the color, apply a second coat after 2-4 hours, repeating directions above. DO NOT SAND BETWEEN COATS OF STAIN.
Clear Finish Application:
Allow stain to dry for a minimum of 4-6 hours (dry time may be extended due to high humidity, low temperatures, or inadequate ventilation). Complete your project by applying a Minwax® clear protective finish such as Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors,Minwax® Ultimate Floor Finish , or Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane , following label directions.
COVERAGE: Approximately 150 square feet per quart.
CLEANUP: Use mineral spirits or paint thinner following manufacturer&rquos;s safety instructions.
DANGER: Rags, steel wool, other waste soaked with this product, and sanding residue may spontaneously catch fire if improperly discarded. Immediately place rags, steel wool, other waste soaked with this product, and sanding residue in a sealed, water-filled, metal container. Dispose of in accordance with local fire regulations.
CAUTIONS: CONTAINS ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS.
Contents are COMBUSTIBLE. Keep away from heat and open flame.
VAPOR HARMFUL. Use only with adequate ventilation. To avoid overexposure, open windows and doors or use other means to ensure fresh air entry during application and drying. If you experience eye watering, headaches, or dizziness, increase fresh air, or wear respiratory protection (NIOSH approved) or leave the area. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Wash hands after using. Keep container closed when not in use. Do not transfer contents to other containers for storage.
FIRST AID: In case of eye contact, flush thoroughly with large amounts of water for 15 minutes and get medical attention. For skin contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water. In case of respiratory difficulty, provide fresh air and call physician. If swallowed, call Poison Control Center, hospital emergency room, or physician immediately.
DELAYED EFFECTS FROM LONG TERM OVEREXPOSURE. Contains solvents which can cause permanent brain and nervous system damage. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents can be harmful or fatal.
WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
CONFORMS TO ASTM D-4236. Contact a physician for more health information.
Colors
Colors
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.
Stain adds beauty and color to the wood surface. Be sure to protect your project by applying a clear protective finish, following label directions.
Recommended finishes include Minwax® Fast Drying Polyurethane or Helmsman® Spar Urethane. Slight ambering may occur when these finishes are applied over light or really dark colored stains.
*Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish is also recommended, especially over the following Minwax® Wood Finish™ colors: Pickled Oak, Weathered Oak, Classic Gray, Ebony, True Black and Simply White.




































Intermix Colors
Intermix Colors
You can make these 25 unique colors by mixing two Minwax® Wood Finish™ stains together. Color combination ratios are listed below.
Feeling inspired? Experiment with the Minwax® Wood Finish™ colors to make your own custom blend. Be sure to write down all of the measurements so you can use that for future projects.

SEDONA RED
1:1

SIMPLY WHITE
4:1

GUNSTOCK
1:1

SEDONA RED
1:1

SIMPLY WHITE
4:1

SEDONA RED
1:1

WEATHERED OAK
1:1

JACOBEAN
1:1

CLASSIC GRAY
1:1

ESPRESSO
1:1

HONEY
1:1

EARLY AMERICAN
1:1

SIMPLY WHITE
4:1

SIMPLY WHITE
2:1

TRUE BLACK
2:1

TRUE BLACK
1:1

TRUE BLACK
2:1

WEATHERED OAK
1:1

RED MAHOGANY
1:1

CLASSIC GRAY
1:1

GUNSTOCK
1:1

EBONY
1:1

CLASSIC GRAY
1:1

EBONY
1:1

CLASSIC GRAY
1:1
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.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I leave Minwax® Wood Finish™ on the wood?
Allow the stain to penetrate 5 to 15 minutes. The longer the stain is left on the wood, the deeper it will penetrate. For a light tint, just wipe the excess stain off after a few minutes; for deeper, richer color, wait as long as 15 minutes.
Is it necessary to sand after the Minwax® Wood Finish™ has dried?
No. In fact, we advise against it. Sanding will result in the removal of some of the dyes and pigments in the stained wood. Since Minwax® Wood Finish™ does not raise the grain, no sanding is necessary before adding the clear protective finish.
Does Minwax® Wood Finish™ need to be topcoated?
For added beauty and protection, we recommend topcoating all projects with a clear protective finish such as Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish.
Can Minwax® Wood Finish™ colors be mixed to create additional colors?
Yes, if a desired stain color can only be achieved by mixing two colors, simply experiment with different proportions until the desired color is achieved. Then mix enough stain to complete the entire project to avoid color-matching later.
Why don’t some woods match the colors on the Minwax® product brochures and samples?
Wood can vary in color and pore structure even within the same species. Because every piece of wood is unique, final stain color may vary. While our samples are tested for accuracy, it is always best to first test Minwax® Wood Finish™ on a small, inconspicuous area on the project.
Minwax launched an update to the Wood Finish formula with quicker dry time. Can I use the original Wood Finish formula with the new, fast drying Wood Finish formula?
Yes, both formulas are compatible with each other. Best practice includes mixing the colors together to ensure color uniformity. We suggest adhering to the dry time of the original formula.
Safety Sheets
Safety Sheets
- CHERRY 235
- CLASSIC GRAY 271
- COLONIAL MAPLE 223
- DARK WALNUT 2716
- DRIFTWOOD 2126
- EARLY AMERICAN 230
- EBONY 2718
- ENGLISH CHESTNUT 233
- ESPRESSO 273
- FRUITWOOD 241
- GOLDEN OAK 210B
- GOLDEN PECAN 245
- GUNSTOCK 231
- HONEY 272
- IPSWICH PINE 221
- JACOBEAN 2750
- MOCHA 280
- NATURAL 209
- PICKLED OAK 260
- PROVINCIAL 211
- PURITAN PINE 218
- RED CHESTNUT 232
- RED MAHOGANY 225
- RED OAK 215
- SEDONA RED 222
- SPECIAL WALNUT 224
- WEATHERED OAK 270
- TRUE BLACK 274
- SIMPLY WHITE 275
- CHERRY 235 AEROSOL
- DARK WALNUT 2716 AEROSOL
- EARLY AMERICAN 230 AEROSOL
- GOLDEN OAK 210B AEROSOL
- GOLDEN PECAN 245 AEROSOL
- PROVINCIAL 211 AEROSOL
- RED MAHOGANY 225 AEROSOL
- RED OAK 215 AEROSOL
- SPECIAL WALNUT 224 AEROSOL
- SILVERED GREY 282
- SLATE 284
- NAVY 286
- AGED BARREL 283
- VINTAGE BLUE 288
- BARN RED 287