Minwax Water Based Stain - Gray

APPLY PRESTAIN WOOD CONDITIONER
In this step, we will apply Minwax Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to help stain penetrate wood evenly, prevent blotchiness, and reduce the effect of wood grain raising.

Stir the Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner.

Apply Minwax Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to your project with a foam brush allowing it to penetrate for about 5 minutes. Wipe off any excess wood conditioner with a cloth.

Wait 15-30 minutes and lightly sand wood with fine sandpaper.

Then wipe off any sanding dust.

APPLYING WATER BASED STAIN
Now you are ready to apply water based stain to the project! In this tutorial, we use Charcoal Gray, but remember that Minwax Water Based Wood Stain comes in 50 different shades, mixed right at your paint counter.

Carefully stir the stain before and occasionally throughout use.
One thing I like to do before getting started, is I like to test the color of stain on a scrap piece of wood, just to make sure it’s the color I want before applying to my piece.

Apply stain with the Minwax Water Based Brush brush, following the direction of the wood grain. These brushes are great, they are not only for water based clear finishes, but also for applying water based stains, a 2 in 1.

Let stain penetrate wood for no longer than 3 minutes and wipe excess stain off with rag. Be sure to wipe off in the direction of the grain.

If you want a deeper color of stain you can wait at least 2 hours and apply a second coat of stain. Remember, no need to sand between additional coats of Minwax Water Based Wood Stain .

After at least 3 hours of drying, your project will be ready for a protective finish.

Use soap and water to clean up your Minwax Water Based Brushso you can use it again when applying Minwax Polycrylic in clear satin.
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PROTECTIVE FINISH
The water based stain adds color to your wood, but is not enough to protect it. So we will use Minwax Polycrylic in clear satin to protect the project.

Carefully mix polycrylic, don't shake! It will look milky in the can but will dry clear.

Use theMinwax Water Based Brush, 2 inch brush to apply a thin coat of polycrylic. Brush in one direction following the wood grain. Be careful not to overbrush.

Let Polycrylic dry at least 2 hours and then lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper to help the second coat of polycrylic adhere and ensure a nice even finish.

Remove all dust with a brush and damp rag.

Apply second coat and third coats of Minwax Polycrylic in clear satin in the same way you did the first, sanding lightly between coats. After your project dries for 24 hours it's ready to use!

Enjoy your finished project!