Minwax® PolyShades®

Minwax PolyShades combines stain and polyurethane in one simple step. Each coat provides rich color and lasting protection while enhancing the wood grain. This product will reduce finishing time compared with staining with one product and protecting with another. PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.


  • Enhances wood grain by combining beautiful rich stain color and long-lasting polyurethane protection in one easy step
  • Can be used over polyurethane finishes, so you can change the color of your finished wood, without removing the existing finish
  • Reduces finishing time
Sheens
Gloss, Satin

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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
    • For Stripped, Unstained or Raw Wood:
    • Before starting, surface must be dry, clean and free of dirt, grease and glue.
    • Sand the wood in the direction of the grain using fine-grade sandpaper (#220) until smooth.
    • Remove all sanding dust.
    • To help ensure uniform acceptance of stain color and beautiful results, pretreat new or raw wood with oil-based Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, following label directions.
    • For Previously Stained Wood That Is Not Being Stripped:
    • Before starting, surface must be dry, clean and free of dirt, grease and glue.
  • APPLICATION
    • Using a natural bristle brush, dip approximately an inch into the can, gently tapping it against the inside to remove any excess. Apply a very THIN, even coat following the direction of the grain. Make sure to maintain a "wet" edge.
    • To minimize the brush marks and bubbles after staining, tip off the surface by holding the brush at a 45 degree angle and lightly run the bristles over the entire length of the wood.
    • Let the first coat dry for 6 hours or more. Dry time may be extended due to high humidity, low temperatures, and inadequate ventilation or if the coat is applied too thick.
    • Rub the surface lightly with fine steel wool (grade 000 or finer). Remove all dust. Brush on a second thin coat following directions above. To deepen the color, apply a third coat.
  • PROTECT
    For additional protection, without adding color, add a coat of Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax® Wipe-On Poly.
  • 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.

Data Sheets:

Product Number Base Container Size SDS PDS
027426613805 Bombay Mahogany 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613102 Honey Pine 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613409 Antique Walnut 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613706 Classic Oak 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613201 Pecan 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614758 American Chestnut 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614406 Antique Walnut 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614109 Honey Pine 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614307 Olde Maple 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613300 Olde Maple 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614208 Pecan 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614857 Mission Oak 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614703 Classic Oak 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614956 Classic Black 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613959 Classic Black 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614802 Bombay Mahogany 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613751 American Chestnut 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613850 Mission Oak 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613973 Espresso 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426213302 Olde Maple 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213975 Espresso 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426614970 Espresso 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426214972 Espresso 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213104 Honey Pine 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213203 Pecan 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213401 Antique Walnut 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213708 Classic Oak 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213753 American Chestnut 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213807 Bombay Mahogany 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213852 Mission Oak 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213951 Classic Black 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213968 Honey 1/2 Pint - -
027426214101 Honey Pine 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214200 Pecan 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214309 Olde Maple 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214309 Olde Maple 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214408 Antique Walnut 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214705 Classic Oak 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214750 American Chestnut 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214804 Bombay Mahogany 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214859 Mission Oak 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214958 Classic Black 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214965 Honey 1/2 Pint - -
027426613966 Honey 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614963 Honey 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426213944 Vintage Blue 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213982 Slate 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426213999 Aged Barrel 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214941 Vintage Blue 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214989 Slate 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426214996 Aged Barrel 1/2 Pint SDS PDS
027426613942 Vintage Blue 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613980 Slate 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426613997 Aged Barrel 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614949 Vintage Blue 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614987 Slate 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426614994 Aged Barrel 1 Quart SDS PDS

  • 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.