Fine Wood Finishing

Minwax® Wood Finish™:

Always read the product label before use.
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.

Directions:

1. SURFACE PREPARATION
Minwax® Wood Finish™ should be used only on bare wood or over itself to highlight the beauty of the wood grain.
Sand the wood in the direction of the grain, first using medium grade sandpaper (#120) and working your way to fine-
grade (#220). Remove all sanding dust before staining.
Pre-treat soft or porous woods such as pine, maple, alder, birch, and luan with Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner. This
will help the wood evenly absorb stain color. Apply stain within two hours of pre-treatment.
Primer or sealer is not recommended and will impede color development.
2. PRODUCT PREPARATION & COLOR TESTING
Stir stain thoroughly before and occasionally during use.
Test stain on a hidden area of the wood to ensure that the color is what you want.
To lighten any color, add Minwax® Wood Finish™ 209A Natural to the mixture.
3. STAIN APPLICATION
Apply Wood Finish™ in the direction of the grain with a brush or clean cloth.
Let the stain penetrate 5 -15 minutes to ensure you achieve the desired color.
Remove excess stain with a clean cloth. Wipe in the direction of the grain, while blending light and dark areas to obtain
uniform color.
To Darken color, apply a second coat after 4-6 hours, repeating application directions of first coat.
Dry times may be extended due to high humidity, low temperatures or inadequate ventilation.
4. CLEAR FINISH PROTECTION
After a minimum of 8 hours, apply a clear, protective finish such as Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane, Minwax®
Helmsman® Spar Urethane or after 24 hours, apply clear Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish.
Water cleanup clear finishes such as Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish should not be used over Minwax® Wood
Finish™ Red Mahogany stain. Minwax® Wood Finish™ Pickled Oak should be top-coated only with a water cleanup clear
finish such as Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish. Do not top-coat Minwax® Wood Finish™ Pickled Oak with an oil-
based clear finish as ambering will occur.
COVERAGE: First coat approximately 125-150 sq. per quart. Second coat approximately 200 sq. per quart. Coverage may
vary depending on applicator and wood species used.
CLEANUP: Use mineral spirits or paint thinner.

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.

Application tool:        brush, cloth or foam applicator
Location:        interior wood surfaces
Dry time:        8 hours
Recoat:        4-6 hours
Cleanup:        mineral spirits
Coverage:        125-150 sq. ft. per quart
Coats:        normally 2, but additional coats may be applied for richer color

Recommended uses:        furniture, woodwork, doors, floors, cabinets, accessories.

Minwax® Wood Finish™ is an oil-based wood stain that provides long-lasting wood tone color. It penetrates deep into the
pores to seal and protect the wood and is ideal for staining furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, molding and hardwood floors.
Minwax® Wood Finish™ makes it easy to achieve beautiful results on all of your projects.

Minwax® Wood Finish™

A rich, penetrating, oil-based stain, Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain is available in 20 wood tone colors and can be used to
enhance any bare or stripped wood surface.

Q. How long should Minwax® Wood Finish™ be left on the wood?
Anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. The longer the stain is left on the wood, the deeper it will penetrate. For a
light tint, wipe the excess stain off after a few minutes; for deeper, richer color, wait as long as 15 minutes.

Q. Why is it important to wipe off the excess stain?
The colorants in Minwax® Wood Finish™ are designed to be deposited in the wood pores, not on the surface of the wood.
Any pigments allowed to remain on top of the wood will impair topcoat adhesion - causing the finish to peel.

Q. Is it necessary to sand after the Minwax® Wood Finish™ has dried?
No. In fact, we advise against it. Sanding will result in the removal of some of the dyes and pigments in the stained wood.
Since Minwax® Wood Finish™ does not raise the grain, no sanding is necessary before top-coating.

Q. Does Minwax® Wood Finish™ need to be top-coated?
For added beauty and protection, we recommend topcoating all projects with a protective clear finish such as Minwax®
Fast-Drying Polyurethane or Minwax® Polycrylic® Protective Finish.

Q. Can the Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain colors be used on exterior doors and patio furniture?
Yes, provided they are protected with either Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane finish or Minwax® Clear Shield™
Protective Finish. Both are formulated to protect wood from sunlight, rain and temperature changes. Even with these
finishes, sunlight will eventually fade some of the wood color.

Q. Can Minwax® Wood Finish™ colors be mixed to create additional colors?
There may be times when a desired stain color can only be achieved by mixing two colors. Experiment with different
proportions until the desired color is achieved. Then mix enough stain to complete the entire project to avoid color-
matching later.

Q. Why don't some woods match the colors on the Minwax® brochures and samples?
Wood can vary in color and pore structure even within the same species. Because every piece of wood is unique, final
stain color may vary. While our samples are tested for accuracy, it is always best to first test Minwax® Wood Finish™ on a
small, inconspicuous spot on the project.

Helmsman® Spar Urethane:
elmsman® Spar Urethane is specially formulated to protect wood against nature's toughest conditions. Its improved
formula can be recoated in 25% less time and contains over 100% more UV blockers to reduce the sun's graying and
fading effects. Helmsman® forms a protective barrier against rain and moisture and its special oils allow the finish to
expand and contract with the wood as seasons and temperatures change.
Ideal for: Doors, windows, trim, bathroom cabinets, bar tops, kitchen countertops and outdoor furniture
Note: Helmsman is not recommended for use on floors. To protect floors, use Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane
for Floors or Minwax® Water Based Polyurethane for Floors.
Always read the product label before use

DIRECTIONS:
1. Surface must be dry and free of paint, wax, grease, polish, old finishes in poor condition or any foreign matter.
2. Sand to obtain a smooth, uniform surface. Remove all dust with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits.
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.
3. If desired, apply stain, such as Minwax® Wood Finish™, to unfinished interior wood surfaces. Follow directions for
application instructions and dry times.
4. Stir well before and occasionally during use.
5. Apply a thin coat of HELMSMAN® Spar Urethane using a high quality natural bristle brush. On unfinished wood, apply
sufficient material to seal open joints, edges and end-grain.
6. Let dry at least four hours, then sand entire surface lightly with very fine sandpaper (220 grit) to ensure an even finish
and proper adhesion of additional coats.
7. Apply second coat. If a third coat is desired, repeat Step 6 before applying. Note: For exterior surfaces or for previously
unfinished wood, three coats are recommended.
8. After final coat, allow 24 hours before normal use.
Clean Up: For easy clean-up use mineral spirits or paint thinner.
Coverage: Approximately 125 sq. ft. per quart
Note: Dry times are based on good ventilation, temperature of 77°F and 50% relative humidity. Lower temperature, higher
humidity, lack of air movement or application of thick coats will extend drying times. Always test surface for tackiness
between coats. When used for exterior applications, maintain by lightly sanding and adding an additional coat(s) as
conditions require.

HELMSMAN® Spar Urethane is not recommended for large exterior surfaces where maintenance would be difficult, such as
decks and siding. Slight ambering may be experienced when HELMSMAN® Spar Urethane is applied over light-colored
stains or wood surfaces. Always spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure satisfactory results.
Sheens:        Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss
Application tool:        synthetic or natural bristle brush
Recoat:        after 4 hours
Dry time:        24 hours
Cleanup:        mineral spirits
Coverage:        125 sq. ft. per quart
Coats:        3
Recommended uses:        doors, windows, trim, bathroom cabinets, bar tops, kitchen countertops and outdoor furniture

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 that 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.
Maximum VOC: 450 g/L (3.8 lbs/gal). Do not thin. Nonphotochemically reactive.

Q. How does Helmsman® Spar Urethane differ from other polyurethanes?
Helmsman® contains special ultraviolet absorbers to help protect wood from the graying and fading effects of the sun. Helmsman® also
contains special oils that allow it to expand and contract with seasonal temperatures changes.
Q. Can Helmsman® be used on interior floors?
No. Helmsman® is formulated to expand and contract with temperature changes. Because it is flexible, it is not suitable for use on floors.
Floors require a harder finish such as Minwax® Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors or Minwax® Water-Based Polyurethane for Floors.

Q. Should Helmsman® Spar Urethane be applied to exterior furniture?
Yes, but no clear exterior finish will permanently protect wood against direct sun, snow, ice and rain. Be sure to check the finish annually to
determine if it needs to be recoated. If the finish warrants, apply an additional coat of Helmsman® according to the label directions.
Q. Is Helmsman® suitable for decks and fences?
No. Decks and fences have special requirements for protection against the elements. Use an exterior waterproofing product such as
Thompson's® WaterSeal® Clear Wood Protector.