Things You'll Need
Mineral spirits
Paint thinner
Paintbrush
Clean cotton cloths
Minwax is a name brand wood stain used for furniture, floors, and other woodworking projects. When applying a stain to wood, you must mix it well and allow it enough time to cure. One surefire way to tell if the stain is properly dried is to step on the floor. If a footprint appears, the stain may be too thick or need more time to dry. However, you'll want to remove the footprint before you allow everything to dry completely.
Step 1
Look at the footprints, and decide if you applied too much stain or if you have a touch-up area that needs more curing time. If the stain is sticky and thick, you need to thin the entire floor stain. If it is just one or two footprints near the entrance that need more drying time, you only need a touch-up cleaning.
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Step 2
Paint mineral spirits or paint thinner on the footprints. Allow it to soak for only a few seconds. If you are thinning the entire floor, apply thinner to the entire floor in sections. You want to thin the stain, not remove it, so you need to work in small sections.
Step 3
Wipe the mineral spirits and the stain away with clean rags. Evaluate the consistency of the stain color when you are done.
Step 4
Apply touch-up stain applications where needed to create the consistent, desired color. Wipe the stain on with a clean rag, and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before wiping it off. Add stain as needed to get the desired darkness.
Tip
Apply stain in layers to prevent making one section too dark. It is easier to add color than remove it.
It may take several days for a floor to completely cure. Give it enough time to dry to prevent footprints or other problems.
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