Minwax® Gel Stain is a non-drip stain that adds natural colors and accentuates the beauty of a wide range of wood and non-wood surfaces including wood, plywood, veneer, fiberglass, metal and molded fiberboard. Minwax® Gel Stain is ideal for vertical applications like doors and molding.

DIRECTIONS:

WOOD SURFACE DIRECTIONS:

SURFACE PREPARATION:
•Make sure the surface is clean and free of dirt, grease and old coatings.
•To help ensure even stain color penetration and beautiful results, pre-treat soft or porous woods such as pine, maple, alder and birch with Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner.
•Apply Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, allow to penetrate for 5-15 minutes, then wipe off excess. Apply Minwax® Gel Stain within 2 hours of pretreatment.

STAIN APPLICATION:
•Before use and occasionally throughout project, stir Minwax® Gel Stain until creamy.
•Test stain on hidden area to verify desired color.
•Apply a liberal amount of Minwax® Gel Stain evenly with a brush or rag. Wait 3 minutes and, using a clean rag, wipe with the wood grain to remove the excess. Allow to dry 8 to 10 hours.
•To darken the color, apply additional coats of Minwax® Gel Stain following the instructions above. Allow the stain to dry 8 to 10 hours between coats.

CLEAR FINISH APPLICATION:
•After 24 hours, apply a Minwax® protective clear finish. For interior wood use Minwax® Fast Drying Polyurethane or Minwax® Polycrylic Protective Finish. For exterior use we recommend Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane.

FIBERGLASS DOORS DIRECTIONS:
For ease of staining and finishing we recommended that you finish the door before installation. If you are finishing a pre-hung door, allow enough time in each of the application steps for the door to dry (at least 6 to 8 hours) to avoid sticking. The door should not be closed during the drying/curing process.

SURFACE PREPARATION:
•Make sure the door surface is free of all dirt and foreign matter. Use a rag moistened with mineral spirits to remove dirt and scuff marks left on the door during shipping and handling.
•Before applying, stir Minwax® Gel Stain to break up its gel consistency. Then, reseal the container and shake Gel Stain vigorously for at least 30 seconds. This will thin Gel Stain into a syrup-like consistency.

STAIN APPLICATION:
•Test stain on hidden area to verify desired color.
•Using a high quality natural bristle brush, spread a thin, even coat over the entire surface, starting with the raised panel sections. Always make final brush strokes in the direction of the embossed grain.
•Minwax® Gel Stain remains brushable for an extended period of time. Areas of heavier coats should be evened out before moving to a new section.
•Gel Stain, while wet, is easily removed with a rag moistened with mineral spirits.
•Allow stain to dry approximately 6 to 8 hours.
•To darken the color, apply additional coats of Gel Stain by following the instructions above. Allow approximately 6 to 8 hours between coats for the stain to dry.

METAL DOORS DIRECTIONS:

SURFACE PREPARATION:
•You will need: a graining tool, clean, dry, lint-free cloths, and clean, dry synthetic brushes. (Practice with the graining tool on a piece of scrap following the instructions in Step 3 until you feel comfortable using it)
•Most metal doors come already primed, but usually not in the color you should be starting with.
•Select an oil-based base coat tinted to match the light tone in the wood you're trying to create.
•Apply a thin layer of the base coat paint to the entire door and allow it to dry thoroughly.
•Then, mask all areas, such as glass, that you do not wish to stain and remove all hardware and doorknobs. Clean the surface with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to remove all dust, grease and dirt.

STAIN APPLICATION:
•Plan to work on the door in separate vertical and horizontal sections. Mask off the horizontal sections as you work on the vertical sections. The vertical sections need to be masked off when working on the horizontal sections. Each section must be completely dry before either removing or applying masking tape.
•Select a Minwax® Gel Stain color that corresponds to the darkest color of the wood grain you are trying to create.
•Test stain on hidden area to verify desired color.
•Apply a thin, even coat of Gel Stain to a section using a natural bristle brush or a soft, lint-free cloth. Apply in the direction of the grain you intend to create.

GRAINING:
•While the Gel Stain is wet, use a graining tool to create a wood grain pattern.
•Apply downward pressure while moving the graining tool across the section at a constant speed. Use a long, steady, non-stop stroke -- rocking the tool one rotation as you move from beginning to end. Keep the graining tool clean by wiping it often with a rag or paper towel between strokes.
•Repeat the above steps section by section.
•If you are not satisfied with any given attempt, either wipe the surface clean or re-brush the area and start over again. Wet or tacky Gel Stain can be removed easily with a rag moistened with mineral spirits.
•To complete the graining process, wait until the first coat of Minwax® Gel Stain is completely dry (24-48 hours), then apply a second coat of Gel Stain with a natural bristle brush in the direction of the grain pattern created. Work section by section as you did before. There is no need to mask off any sections.
•While the Gel Stain is wet, use a clean, dry synthetic brush to remove the excess stain and create a uniform look. Use long brush strokes in the direction of the grain and remove the Gel Stain from the brush as it begins to accumulate with paper towels or a rag. The amount of Gel Stain left on will determine the depth of color.
Helpful Hints: On metal doors, use masking tape to mask off areas where sections meet. Let the section dry to the touch before working on a section next to it. This will ensure a clean, straight edge where panels meet.

CLEAR FINISH APPLICATION: (Fiberglass and Metal Doors)
•Be sure to apply a protective clear finish such as Minwax® Fast Drying Polyurethane for interior use or Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane for exterior applications.
•Apply the oil-based protective clear finish using a natural bristle brush following the label directions. Remember to start with the raised panel sections and make final brush strokes in the direction of the embossed grain. Allow the finish to dry (at least 6 hours) before installing (or closing) the door to avoid sticking.
•Do not apply a protective clear finish if the last coat of Minwax® Gel Stain can be removed with a rag moistened with mineral spirits.
•Every 12-24 months, apply a coat of protective clear finish to keep the door looking beautiful.

COVERAGE: Approximately 200 sq. ft. per quart.

CLEANUP: Use mineral spirits or paint thinner.