| 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. |