Just stained my fifth project built during the last two and a half months, a larger bookcase. I’ve noticed that during the winter months, the time required for drying of the stain is much longer than that in the summer. It’s a typical minwax oil based stain, red-mahogany this time. Is this typical, should it take longer to dry in the winter? I’m not very up on the chemistry here, can someone explain why?
Thanks,
Adam
Replies
Adam,
Minwax has a pretty high content of drying oil (linseed) and is subject to the same drying/curing properties. The stain will dry/cure slower in cold temperatures, high humidity, and absent from light (UV).
If you keep the stained piece in a warm, well lit space it should dry faster in the winter than the summer since the humidity is lower. To speed dry time, add 1 ounce of Japan Drier to each quart of stain before use. With the added drier, the stain will dry overnight if kept above 65 degrees.
Paul
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