Minwax Refinishing Project
I'm not a professional woodworker. I've done some small refinishing projects in the past that I was happy with. I find that if you follow the directions on the labels, you usually get the results you are looking for. And I have used many Minwax products and been very please with the result. I am a bit disappointed with the outcome of this project because the end result does not remotely match the image on the label. I did deviate from the explicit directions a little. Maybe someone out there can tell me what I should have done differently to get the result that I wanted.
Diablo ULTRAflex Sanding Sponges
The Diablo ULTRAflex™ sanding sponge is designed for superior hand-sanding performance, offering breakthrough innovations that enhance productivity and extend sanding life. Featuring a premium ceramic grain blend, this sponge removes up to three times more material compared to standard aluminum oxide sanding sheets. Its ULTRAflex™ foam technology allows for flexible, multi-profile contour sanding, making it ideal for hard-to-reach areas. The full-contact design ensures consistent scratch patterns and ultra-smooth finishes, while the ENDURA-BOND™ system provides extreme durability and longer life. Whether you're working on wood, metal, plastic, or fiberglass surfaces, this sanding sponge is perfect for light stock removal and final sanding preparation before painting.
Diablo ULTRAflex™ sanding sponges offer versatility across different grit levels, each suited for specific applications. The 100-grit sponge is ideal for moderate stock removal, smoothing rough surfaces, and preparing wood, metal, plastic, or fiberglass for finishing. Moving to 180-grit, this sponge is perfect for intercoat sanding, refining surfaces between paint or finish layers, and removing minor imperfections. The 220-grit sponge is best for ultra-fine finishing touches, providing a smooth, polished surface before final painting or staining. Thanks to Diablo’s ULTRAflex™ foam technology, each grit adapts to contoured surfaces, ensuring consistent sanding performance across a variety of materials.
These sanding sponges are great when you have a lot of hand sanding to do. They are thick enough to cushion your hand, reducing fatigue, but thin enough to make sure you are getting the full contour of the surface you are working on. And they last a long time. They don't tear, crease, and eventually fall apart like regular sand paper does, and when they get full of dust, you can bang them against a hard surface to clear the grit again. - Andy
Rhodes American Steel Wool
Rhodes American Steel Wool is a trusted choice for wood finishing, offering versatility across different grades. The super fine #0000 grade is ideal for smoothing wood surfaces, buffing furniture to a high luster, and removing finish without damaging the material. It’s commonly used between coats of lacquer, varnish, shellac, and polyurethane to achieve a flawless finish. Additionally, steel wool can be used with wax or oil to enhance the natural beauty of wood, creating a polished, professional look. Whether for refinishing antique furniture or preparing wood for staining, Rhodes American Steel Wool provides precision and control for high-quality results.
I like using #0000 steel wool when preparing wood for finishing because it really brings out the shine in the grain of the wood. After that step I am often tempted to leave the project as it is because you can really see the natural beauty in the wood. But it probably wouldn't last long without some kind of protective coating. - Andy
Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner for Oil Based Stains
Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is designed to prepare bare wood for staining, ensuring a more uniform and even finish. It penetrates the wood grain to help prevent blotching and streaking, which can occur when staining soft or porous woods like pine, alder, birch, and maple. This conditioner is particularly useful for oil-based stains, allowing the wood to absorb the stain more consistently. It dries quickly, typically within 15 minutes, so staining can proceed without long delays. By using Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts can achieve professional-quality results with enhanced color uniformity and a smoother final appearance.
This was the first time I had used the Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner for Oil Based Stains, and didn't see much of a difference. I have done a couple of small projects with stain and never noticed a real problem with blotchy outcomes. I guess I have never expected an even color when working with transparent or sem-transparent stain, since the natural wood grain will be uneven to begin with. I used it in this case in the hope that it would increase the absorption of the stain and result in an over-all darker outcome. It did make me expect a more even color, which I don't feel I got. - Andy
Minwax True Black Oil Based Stain
Minwax True Black Oil-Based Wood Stain is a deeply penetrating stain designed to enhance the natural beauty of wood with a rich, dark finish. Its oil-based formula allows for smooth application and even absorption, minimizing blotching and streaking on unfinished wood surfaces. Ideal for furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, and hardwood floors, this stain provides a bold, modern aesthetic while preserving the wood grain. It dries in approximately two hours, making it possible to complete staining projects efficiently. For best results, it is recommended to use Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner beforehand to ensure uniform color and optimal absorption.
I was really hoping for a much darker color in the wood grain. The label on the can gave the impression that the result would be almost completely black with just a little of the wood grain showing. It actually looked closer to what I was going for before the final step of wiping off the excess stain. I've used solid stains before, where you leave the stain on, like paint, and have a very thin surface film that shows the texture of wood grain. But the instructions clearly indicated the final step was to wipe off the excess. - Andy
Minwax Spray Polyurethane Warm Gloss
Minwax Spray Polyurethane Warm Gloss is a durable, oil-based protective finish designed to enhance and safeguard interior wood surfaces. Its fast-drying formula allows for quick recoats, making it ideal for furniture, cabinets, doors, and trim. The warm gloss sheen provides a rich, polished look while preserving the natural beauty of the wood grain. This aerosol application ensures smooth, even coverage, making it convenient for both small touch-ups and larger projects. Whether used on finished or unfinished wood, Minwax Spray Polyurethane Warm Gloss delivers long-lasting protection against scratches, spills, and everyday wear, ensuring a professional-quality finish with minimal effort.
This is a good product. What I like about it is that it dries fast, so you can put several coats on fairly quickly. The fact that it is a spray (as opposed to brush-on) means that if you work quickly, you can avoid drips more easily than with a brush. At least that is true for me. I tend to be sloppy with a brush. I also find the end result looks much better, and is more protected, if you use at least three coats. I haven't used this on this project yet. I'll wait for some feedback. - Andy
Super Tuff Tack Cloth
Super Tuff Tack Cloth is an essential tool for achieving a smooth, blemish-free finish in painting and staining projects. Designed to remove dust, fine particles, and debris, this tack cloth ensures surfaces are clean before applying coats of paint, varnish, or stain. Its anti-static properties help prevent dust from settling back onto the surface, making it ideal for woodworking, automotive, and general finishing applications. The cloth is reusable and easy to use—simply bunch it together and wipe the surface gently to pick up unwanted particles. Whether preparing furniture, cabinets, or trim, Super Tuff Tack Cloth enhances the quality of the final finish by eliminating imperfections.
This sticky cloth picks up the dust. - Andy
American Textile White Wiping Rags
These all white, soft and absorbent knit and t-shirt type material rags are cecellent for use with solvents and stains. They are everything you want in a rag. - Andy
Minwax Refinishing Project
I'm not a professional woodworker. I've done some small refinishing projects in the past that I was happy with. I find that if you follow the directions on the labels, you usually get the results you are looking for. And I have used many Minwax products and been very please with the result. I am a bit disappointed with the outcome of this project because the end result does not remotely match the image on the label. I did deviate from the explicit directions a little. Maybe someone out there can tell me what I should have done differently to get the result that I wanted.
Diablo ULTRAflex Sanding Sponges
The Diablo ULTRAflex™ sanding sponge is designed for superior hand-sanding performance, offering breakthrough innovations that enhance productivity and extend sanding life. Featuring a premium ceramic grain blend, this sponge removes up to three times more material compared to standard aluminum oxide sanding sheets. Its ULTRAflex™ foam technology allows for flexible, multi-profile contour sanding, making it ideal for hard-to-reach areas. The full-contact design ensures consistent scratch patterns and ultra-smooth finishes, while the ENDURA-BOND™ system provides extreme durability and longer life. Whether you're working on wood, metal, plastic, or fiberglass surfaces, this sanding sponge is perfect for light stock removal and final sanding preparation before painting.
Diablo ULTRAflex™ sanding sponges offer versatility across different grit levels, each suited for specific applications. The 100-grit sponge is ideal for moderate stock removal, smoothing rough surfaces, and preparing wood, metal, plastic, or fiberglass for finishing. Moving to 180-grit, this sponge is perfect for intercoat sanding, refining surfaces between paint or finish layers, and removing minor imperfections. The 220-grit sponge is best for ultra-fine finishing touches, providing a smooth, polished surface before final painting or staining. Thanks to Diablo’s ULTRAflex™ foam technology, each grit adapts to contoured surfaces, ensuring consistent sanding performance across a variety of materials.
These sanding sponges are great when you have a lot of hand sanding to do. They are thick enough to cushion your hand, reducing fatigue, but thin enough to make sure you are getting the full contour of the surface you are working on. And they last a long time. They don't tear, crease, and eventually fall apart like regular sand paper does, and when they get full of dust, you can bang them against a hard surface to clear the grit again. - Andy
Rhodes American Steel Wool
Rhodes American Steel Wool is a trusted choice for wood finishing, offering versatility across different grades. The super fine #0000 grade is ideal for smoothing wood surfaces, buffing furniture to a high luster, and removing finish without damaging the material. It’s commonly used between coats of lacquer, varnish, shellac, and polyurethane to achieve a flawless finish. Additionally, steel wool can be used with wax or oil to enhance the natural beauty of wood, creating a polished, professional look. Whether for refinishing antique furniture or preparing wood for staining, Rhodes American Steel Wool provides precision and control for high-quality results.
I like using #0000 steel wool when preparing wood for finishing because it really brings out the shine in the grain of the wood. After that step I am often tempted to leave the project as it is because you can really see the natural beauty in the wood. But it probably wouldn't last long without some kind of protective coating. - Andy
Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner for Oil Based Stains
Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is designed to prepare bare wood for staining, ensuring a more uniform and even finish. It penetrates the wood grain to help prevent blotching and streaking, which can occur when staining soft or porous woods like pine, alder, birch, and maple. This conditioner is particularly useful for oil-based stains, allowing the wood to absorb the stain more consistently. It dries quickly, typically within 15 minutes, so staining can proceed without long delays. By using Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts can achieve professional-quality results with enhanced color uniformity and a smoother final appearance.
This was the first time I had used the Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner for Oil Based Stains, and didn't see much of a difference. I have done a couple of small projects with stain and never noticed a real problem with blotchy outcomes. I guess I have never expected an even color when working with transparent or sem-transparent stain, since the natural wood grain will be uneven to begin with. I used it in this case in the hope that it would increase the absorption of the stain and result in an over-all darker outcome. It did make me expect a more even color, which I don't feel I got. - Andy
Minwax True Black Oil Based Stain
Minwax True Black Oil-Based Wood Stain is a deeply penetrating stain designed to enhance the natural beauty of wood with a rich, dark finish. Its oil-based formula allows for smooth application and even absorption, minimizing blotching and streaking on unfinished wood surfaces. Ideal for furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, and hardwood floors, this stain provides a bold, modern aesthetic while preserving the wood grain. It dries in approximately two hours, making it possible to complete staining projects efficiently. For best results, it is recommended to use Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner beforehand to ensure uniform color and optimal absorption.
I was really hoping for a much darker color in the wood grain. The label on the can gave the impression that the result would be almost completely black with just a little of the wood grain showing. It actually looked closer to what I was going for before the final step of wiping off the excess stain. I've used solid stains before, where you leave the stain on, like paint, and have a very thin surface film that shows the texture of wood grain. But the instructions clearly indicated the final step was to wipe off the excess. - Andy
Minwax Spray Polyurethane Warm Gloss
Minwax Spray Polyurethane Warm Gloss is a durable, oil-based protective finish designed to enhance and safeguard interior wood surfaces. Its fast-drying formula allows for quick recoats, making it ideal for furniture, cabinets, doors, and trim. The warm gloss sheen provides a rich, polished look while preserving the natural beauty of the wood grain. This aerosol application ensures smooth, even coverage, making it convenient for both small touch-ups and larger projects. Whether used on finished or unfinished wood, Minwax Spray Polyurethane Warm Gloss delivers long-lasting protection against scratches, spills, and everyday wear, ensuring a professional-quality finish with minimal effort.
This is a good product. What I like about it is that it dries fast, so you can put several coats on fairly quickly. The fact that it is a spray (as opposed to brush-on) means that if you work quickly, you can avoid drips more easily than with a brush. At least that is true for me. I tend to be sloppy with a brush. I also find the end result looks much better, and is more protected, if you use at least three coats. I haven't used this on this project yet. I'll wait for some feedback. - Andy
Super Tuff Tack Cloth
Super Tuff Tack Cloth is an essential tool for achieving a smooth, blemish-free finish in painting and staining projects. Designed to remove dust, fine particles, and debris, this tack cloth ensures surfaces are clean before applying coats of paint, varnish, or stain. Its anti-static properties help prevent dust from settling back onto the surface, making it ideal for woodworking, automotive, and general finishing applications. The cloth is reusable and easy to use—simply bunch it together and wipe the surface gently to pick up unwanted particles. Whether preparing furniture, cabinets, or trim, Super Tuff Tack Cloth enhances the quality of the final finish by eliminating imperfections.
This sticky cloth picks up the dust. - Andy
American Textile White Wiping Rags
These all white, soft and absorbent knit and t-shirt type material rags are cecellent for use with solvents and stains. They are everything you want in a rag. - Andy
Blog diy minwax refinishing project