Replies

1. 
   CraigC | Sep 13, 2005 01:50pm | #1

   It's not a 'sanding sealer' as it doesn't close your pores. You don't sand after applying the Miniwax. The instructions say 'apply stain within two hours of application for best results'. I just went through three quarts of the stuff on an entertainment center made of a plywood from Ecuador. I'm glad I used it, as the stain I used came out much better looking than if I hadn't. Although out of curiousity I did a test afterwards and found that I got the same results from spraying a thin coat of NC lacquer before applying the stain.

   Paul Snyder covers this territory very well on his site:
   http://www.furniturefinishwizard.com/washcoatsolids.htm

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Sep 13, 2005 07:50pm | #2

   Basically it's a linseed oil highly thinned with mineral spirits.  The idea is that is is more deeply absorbed into the softer areas of the wood thereby lessing the absorsion of the stain in those areas.  Sometimes it works.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Kevin | Sep 13, 2005 11:08pm | #3

   It's just a thinned version of their "Natural" oil stain, right?

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Sep 14, 2005 07:24pm | #6

   >> It's just a thinned version of their "Natural" oil stain, right?

   Probably.  If not, real close.

   The thing to remember is that any pre-stain preparation will significantly lighten the intensity of the stain.Howie.........

1. 
   JMadson | Sep 15, 2005 02:03am | #7

   How does a conditioner affect a dye stain vs. a pigment stain?

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Sep 15, 2005 03:09am | #9

   Works basically the same.  As always, try it out on scrap prepared as you would you project.

   Just a note, most oil based pigment stains also contain dye.  Minwax is a combination for almost all its colors.  When you first open a can, the liquid at the top is the dye.  The goop at the bottom that you stir in is the pigment component.Howie.........

3. 
   generalkael | Sep 14, 2005 12:00am | #4

   It basically help smooth out the application of stain. It works very well on poplar.

   Scott
   Slacker Extraordinaire
   Specializing in nothing but knowledge in everything.
1. 
   Biscardi | Sep 14, 2005 04:18am | #5

   I've used it on mahoghany also. It limits stain absorbtion to prevent that overstained look.

   It also works well on cabriole legs where end grain is exposed.It keeps the end grain from turning black when it is stained. I thought it was a very light cut of shellac. I guess Iwas wrong.

   Frank

4. 
   bones | Sep 15, 2005 02:10am | #8

   I used it back when when I worked with a lot of Pine. The splotching would frustrate the heck out of me. Some one reccomended it, and I have to admit it did help with the splotching.  That's about my knowledge on the subject.