Minwax® Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain

Available only at Sherwin-Williams. Minwax Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain is a rich, thick, oil based formula that provides a beautiful, long-lasting finish. It applies easily and penetrates deep into the pores of the wood. While conventional stains recommend 18 to 24 hours drying time, Minwax Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain can be recoated in just 2 hours for solvent-based finishes and 6 hours for water-based finishes. Thicker than conventional stains, this high-performance stain is easier to control with less spatter and dripping. You'll mask less, use fewer drop cloths, and save time on every job.


  • Tintable in a wide array of colors for design flexibility and color matching
  • Oil-rich penetrating protection
  • Minimal grain-raising of the wood, much better than water-based stains
  • Penetrates and seals bare wood and reists lap marks
  • Recoat in 2 hours with most clear solvent-based varnish and polyurethane finishes and 6 hours with water-based finishes

PROJECT INSPIRATION

Get Inspired

See what’s possible, and then make it happen. Tag @minwaxusa on Instagram to have your project featured.

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
    • Use on bare wood or over itself; wood should be cleaned of all dirt, grease, wax, polish, marks and old finishes in poor condition.
    • Sand wood to a smooth surface using 100-120-grit sandpaper.
    • Remove sanding dust with a vacuum or tack cloth.
    • New wood should be stored inside for a minimum of 24 hours prior to staining. Stains and Varnishes applied to wood that has not been dried thoroughly can exhibit blotching, discoloration or cracking.
    • Stain colors can vary based on the type of wood, the method of application and the amount of stain applied. Test a sample piece or an inconspicuous area before staining the entire area.
    • Be sure the temperature is above 50°F (10°C) and the humidity is below 85%, otherwise a hazing of the film may result.
    • Protect surrounding items with drop cloths, masking tape, etc.
  • APPLICATION STEPS
    • Stir stain thoroughly and occasionally during use.
    • Apply without thinning, using brush, pad, cloth or spray.
    • Let sit 5 to 15 minutes and wipe off excess; be sure color is uniform.
    • The length of time before wiping determines the depth of the color developed. For a lighter shade, wipe quickly; for a darker shade, allow the stain to sit longer. You will have up to 15 minutes to work the stain to an even color. Laps or drips can usually be evened out by rewetting the surface with stain and rewiping.
    • Some soft woods (such as pine, poplar and spruce) may have a “blotchy" appearance when stained (an uneven color, darker in some areas, lighter in others); sanded wood generally will appear less “blotchy”.
    • To ensure uniform acceptance of stain color and beautiful results, pretreat the wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner following label directions.
    • Graining This product can be used for graining — developing a wood-grain appearance on metal, fiberglass, hardboard or other non-wood surfaces. Apply the stain and allow it to dry 10 to 15 minutes (depending on temperature and humidity).
  • PROTECT
    This product should be topcoated for best appearance and durability. If finishing with Minwax Performance Series Fast-Dry Varnish or Minwax Performance Series Polyurethane Varnish, allow 2 hours drying before topcoating. If finishing with Minwax Performance Series Waterborne Polyurethane, allow 6 hours drying before topcoating.
  • CAUTIONS
    CAUTIONS: 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. 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.

Data Sheets:

Product Number Base Container Size SDS PDS
027426715004 Clear Base 1 Gallon SDS PDS
027426745001 Clear Base 1 Quart SDS PDS
027426715202 Charcoal 1 Gallon SDS -
027426745209 Charcoal 1 Quart SDS -

  • 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.