Hello,
I often use Minwax stains and have been happy with them. I have begun mixing different stains to achieve desired color. I found 2 parts Senoma Red, one part Red Mahogany is beautiful. Anyone have different combinations that works for them? Any mixture chart available?? Thanks…
Mike
Replies
I never use Minwax stains and don't therefore have any recipes. But a lot of people post problems that they have had using Minwax stains, particularly with slow drying and with finishes that don't dry well over Minwax. Besides so much depends on the particular woods on which a stain is to be used that it isn't very helpful to generalize.
If one reads the directions on the product they will perform perfectly.
If one reads the directions on the product they will perform perfectly.
No necessarily, michael. I build custom cabinets in addition to working full time at a local cabinet shop. When a customer requests a minwax stain we send out to the local cambell finishes store or sherwin williams to mix a stain that matches the minwax color. With the minwax, it seems when you sand the first coat of sealer the paper corns up tremendously due to the laquer not drying well over the stain. This is after following the label directions and also leaving more drying time between staining and top coat.
Pesonally I don't even think that the colors minwax offers are attractive. That, coupled with the long drying times and smell, makes me stay away from them.
From someone who stains and finishes on a daily basis, trust me there are much better products out there with better clarity and drying/adhesion properties.
Lee
I don't like the smell myself and it really stinks up my workplace. I am starting to use the Varathane stains but they also smell but seem to penetrate more deeply. Have you tried the miniwax waterbased stains?
No, can't say I have. Partly due to the fact that I'm a little turned off by their oil based stain, and partly because I try not to use a water based stain due to the grain raising. Even when I pre-wet the wood it still seems to raise the grain quite a bit.
Lee
This is true. I've had way better results with Zar that is a blend of dye and pigment both. They set up better.
You can go to their website and get a mix chart. I picked mine up where the products are sold and they are very easy to mix and understand. I like their water based stains also and am partial to Vermont maple on walnut with their poly wipe on as the finish coat.
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