How to Darken Pine With Minwax Stains

Wear protective gloves when applying any wood stain.

Minwax offers a variety of products for staining soft woods like pine. Because of inconsistencies in the porosity of pine, normal stain applications may develop blotchy finishes. To help prevent this phenomenon, Minwax developed a pre-staining product that decreases the amount of stain larger pores can absorb. Additionally, you can stain the pine with Minwax Gel Stain. The thickness of this stain limits the amount of pigmentation deposited into the wood with each coat, allowing greater control over the pine's appearance.

Things You'll Need

• Two fans
• #150- or #180-grit sandpaper
• Shop-vac with bristle attachment
• Stiff-bristled brush
• Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
• Foam brush
• Two clean, dry cloths

Instructions

1. Choose a well-ventilated, dust-free work location. Minwax Gel Stain is oil-based and will release fumes into your work area. For best results, place a fan at either end of your work area, one to blow fresh air in and the other to push fumes out.

2. Sand your pine with #150- or #180-grit sandpaper. Sanding the surface of the pine will open the pores, allowing the stain to penetrate more deeply and evenly.

3. Remove the sanding dust with the bristle attachment on your shop-vac. Use the stiff- bristled brush to sweep out any small areas where the bristle attachment does not reach.

4. Apply Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner with a foam or bristle brush. Work in the direction of the grain and apply liberal amounts.

5. Allow the pre-stain to penetrate for 15 minutes.

6. Wipe off the pre-stain with a clean, dry cloth.

7. Wait 15 minutes, and then repeat Steps 4 through 6 to apply a second coat of pre-stain. Once the second coat has dried for at least 15 minutes, apply the stain within the next two hours to maintain the effectiveness of the pre-stain. After two hours, the pre-stain will dry and prevent the wood from accepting the stain.

8. Open the Minwax Gel Stain and stir until creamy, redistributing the pigmentation throughout the can. Shaking the can can cause bubbles that will transfer to your stain project.

9. Apply the gel stain with a cloth, foam brush or bristle brush. Work in the direction of the grain.

10. Wipe off excess stain with a clean, dry cloth after three minutes. Because of the short staining time, only stain small areas at a time. Avoid the need to overlap staining, if possible.

11. Wait eight to 10 hours before applying another coat of gel stain if you are not satisfied with the darkness of the first coat.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent warping and swelling by finishing all surfaces, even the ones you do not normally see, like the inside of drawers and cabinets and the underside of tables.

• Finish and seal the newly stained wood with an oil-based finish like Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane, Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane and Minwax Helmsman® Spar Urethane.

• Clean up any pre-stain or gel stain spills with mineral spirits or paint thinner.

• Protect your hands with latex or rubber gloves.

References

• Minwax: Minwax How-To: Frequently Asked Questions
• Minwax: Minwax Wood 101: Wood Finishing
• Minwax: Minwax Wood 101: The Basics of Proper Wood Preparation
• Minwax: Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
• Minwax: Minwax Gel Stain