Customer Reviews

Minwax 22410 1/2 Pint Wood Finish Interior Wood Stain, Fruitwood

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Length:: 0:50 Mins

I bought this stain to redo my kitchen floors without the expense of ripping it out and starting from scratch. My floors were faded, scuffed and had a few finishing stains where an abrasive chemical dripped in spots at one time. In a couple of hours, I sanded the entire parquet floor and applied the stain. In one evening of work and for less than 40 dollars, I feel like I have a new floor.

The stain isn't much thicker than water and goes on with little effort. It surprised me how long it took to dry, as 24 hours later it was still somewhat "sticky". I'd recommend staining the area before bed, keeping fans going to circulate air and staying off of it for the entire next day.

Because it is so thin, the stain covers a large area. I only used about half of the quart jar I bought on my kitchen floor, but I have used the stain in small jobs all over the kitchen. I used it to stain the trim around my cabinets and to cover up scratches and scuffs on some of the paneling. The stain has a neutral, chameleon-like presentation, so even though the color isn't exactly the same as my cabinets, the places I've used it to touch up can't be seen without close inspection.

PHOTO SLIDESHOW: Sorry that the pictures are a bit dark. In each picture, you should see three distinct surfaces: the dull, untouched floor, a white strip where I had sanded and a dark, shiny area where I had sanded and stained. If anyone has any hints on how I can make the pictures brighter, I'd be glad to listen.

I now use this product to refinish my deck after a number of disastrous tries using expensive latex/water-borne stains. Here is an inexpensive method that works by solving the COLOR and PROTECTION issues separately and at low cost and effort.

First of all there is no need to power-wash, PH-condition, clean, or strip your deck. If there is a lot of loose, peeling stain or paint, scrub-brush it with TSP or mild detergent in warm water, then rinse well and let dry completely. It may continue to peel, but touch ups are easy.

Now, find the Minwax oil stain that is closest on the color chart to your existing color. It need not be exact. The Minwax stain will penetrate the old stain/paint and even out the colors.

COLOR: Mix Minwax oil based stain with Thompson's CLEAR multi-surface or wood sealer from 1 Minwax to 6 to 12 Thompson's. Experiment with the ratio to get it a bit darker than your old blotchy stain or paint, if that is what you are working with. Then apply with a rag (wearing protective gloves). Use as much product as will soak in, but wipe up any excess as you go. This gives your deck the color you want, and protects the wood for one year. I ball up the rag (a square foot piece of an old undershirt works well) and submerge it partially to soak enough into the rag for a generous application. It will soak in deeply, then pool. Soak up the excess back into the rag and keep pushing along, working one long board at a time. I like using a rag on relatively smooth boards because it allows more control and uniform results. A brush works well too, especially on rough boards. This product is too thin, however, to use a roller. A sprayer works, but a follow-up brushing is still necessary.

PROTECTION: After one year, use Thompsons's clear alone without adding more stain. Do this every 12 months to re-protect it from the elements. Do this until it needs more color again. This product goes on so easily, like water. I use a wide brush, again using as much as possible without pooling on the surface.

The two products seem to go well together (both are alkyd/oil based) and you get a lot of color that doesn't peel in one of those little yellow $6 Minwax cans. And Thompson's only lasts a year but it doesn't peel either and goes on easily like water. The red and white $10 can "multi-use clear" that says it is good for wood or brick, or wood alone. Not the plastic container (which is not clear). I did my large deck for under $30 for both products and have plenty left over for board replacement and touch-ups. The color lasts 5 years and fades evenly. Adding protection on an annual basis is a quick job with great results.

I was tired of trying to find a product that would last 5 years, paying big bucks with a huge prep effort, and having it last not even 3 years.

I chose Minwax's Jacobean stain for a handrail in my basement I was refinishing. I brushed it on with a natural bristle brush and was pleased with the results after two coats, note: this stain is a rather dark brown, it looks even darker when wet but it lightens up as it dries and soaks in. I allowed for more than the recommended time between coats, I was in no hurry. After staining I finished off the piece with 3 coats of Minwax Polycrilic Semigloss (using of course a synthetic bristle brush for that product). This stain did everything I could reasonably expect of it for the low cost.