Application Directions

• Preparation 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.
• PREPARATION
  • Start with bare/stripped wood that’s clean and dry.
  • Sand with #220-grit sandpaper in direction of the wood grain and remove sanding dust.
  • Apply Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner — especially on soft woods — for best, even color.
• APPLICATION OVERVIEW
  CLEAR FINISH APPLICATION:After 24 hours (dry time may be extended due to heavy application, low temperatures or high humidity), complete your project by applying a clear protective finish. Recommended finishes include Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Water Based Oil Modified Polyurethane or Helmsman® Spar Urethane for exterior use.FIBERGLASS DOOR PROJECTS: STAIN APPLICATION:Using a high quality natural bristle brush, spread a thin, even coat over the entire surface, starting with the raised panel sections. Always make final brush strokes in the direction of the embossed grain. Areas of heavier coats should be evened out before moving to a new section.Allow stain to dry approximately 6 to 8 hours.To darken the color, apply additional coats by following the instructions above. Let the stain dry 6 to 8 hours between coats.CLEAR FINISH APPLICATION:Be sure to apply a clear protective finish such as Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane for interior use or Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane for exterior applications.Before applying a clear finish, test the stain for dryness by wiping a small hidden area with a rag moistened with mineral spirits. If the last coat of stain can be removed with mineral spirits, do not apply a clear protective finish. Wait until the stain is completely dry.Allow the finish to dry at least 6 hours before installing or closing the door to avoid sticking.For exterior applications, apply a coat of clear protective finish every 12-24 months to keep the door looking beautiful.METAL DOOR PROJECTS: STAIN APPLICATION:Plan to work on the door in separate vertical and horizontal sections. Mask off the horizontal sections as you work on the vertical sections. The vertical sections need to be masked off when working on the horizontal sections. Each section must be completely dry before either removing or applying masking tape.Select a Minwax® Gel Stain color that corresponds to the darkest color of the wood grain you are trying to create.Test stain on hidden area to verify desired color.Apply a thin, even coat of Gel Stain to a section using a natural bristle brush or a soft, lint-free cloth. Apply in the direction of the grain you intend to create.GRAINING:While the Gel Stain is wet, use a graining tool to create a wood grain pattern.Apply downward pressure while moving the graining tool across the section at a constant speed. Use a long, steady, non-stop stroke -- rocking the tool one rotation as you move from beginning to end. Keep the graining tool clean by wiping it often with a rag or paper towel between strokes.Repeat the above steps section by section.Not satisfied? Either wipe the surface clean or re-brush the area and start over again. Wet or tacky Gel Stain can be removed easily with a rag moistened with mineral spirits.To complete the graining process, wait until the first coat of Minwax® Gel Stain is completely dry (24-48 hours), then apply a second coat of Gel Stain with a natural bristle brush in the direction of the grain pattern created. Work section by section as you did before. There is no need to mask off any sections.While the Gel Stain is wet, you’ll want to use a clean, dry synthetic brush to remove the excess stain and create a uniform look. Use long brush strokes in the direction of the grain and remove the Gel Stain from the brush as it begins to accumulate with paper towels or a rag. The amount of Gel Stain left on will determine the depth of color.
• APPLICATION STEPS
  • Test before staining on a hidden spot to make sure you like the color.
  • Stir stain well before and occasionally during staining. Don’t shake or thin stain.
  • Apply stain with a brush or clean cloth. Wait 3 minutes and remove the excess stain with a clean cloth, wiping in the direction of the grain. Allow to dry for 24 hours before topcoating.
  • To darken the color, recoat after 8-10 hours. DO NOT sand between coats.
• PROTECT
  Finish every project with a clear protective topcoat like Minwax Fast-Dry Polyurethane or Minwax® Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane for interior use and Minwax® Helmsman Spar Urethane for exterior use.
• CAUTIONS
  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.

• Minwax® Product Warranty
  SATISFACTION GUARANTEE LIMITED WARRANTY. This warranty is made to you, the product purchaser who owns the property where the product is applied. This warranty is not transferable except that if a contractor purchased and applied the product to the property for you, then the warranty is transferable to you. If this product, when applied and maintained according to product application and maintenance instructions to a properly prepared surface, fails to perform to your complete satisfaction, Minwax shall, upon presentation of proof of purchase, either replace an equivalent quantity of product free of charge or refund the original purchase price. For a replacement or refund please contact customer service at 1-800-523-9299. This warranty shall not apply to any defect, damage, or product failure resulting from improper surface preparation, structural defects, environmental damage, failure of a previous product, deterioration or defect in the underlying substrate, or improper application or maintenance of the product. Your exclusive remedy, and Minwax's sole liability, under this warranty is the replacement of product or refund and does not include labor or costs associated with the application or removal of any product. IN NO EVENT SHALL MINWAX BE LIABLE FOR ANY TYPE OF INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES WHETHER OR NOT PURCHASER IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL HAVE THE SAME DURATION AS THE ABOVE EXPRESS WARRANTY. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or limitations on incidental or consequential damages, so portions of the limitations above might not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state.