Apply a second coat. If you want a darker, richer tone, apply a second coat according to label directions.
In addition, you can try a second coat of stain to see if it deepens the color. Sometimes, the wet stain is exactly the color that you're looking for, but when the stain dries, it goes dull. Often, applying the clear protective finish will make the stain color-rich again.
If you want to darken the MinWax stain you could either dye the wood first, as suggested, or add dye or artist's oil paint pigment to the stain. BTW, Transtint dye can be added to most oil based stains if you dilute it first in 4 parts acetone or MEK per part of dye.
To make a wood stain darker, apply additional coats of the same stain, allowing each layer to fully dry before adding the next. Alternatively, you can mix a darker stain with the existing one or apply a wood dye for a richer color.
Applying the second coat too soon can result in peeling or uneven coloration, while waiting too long may hinder absorption. Manufacturer Guidelines: Most stains recommend waiting at least 4 hours between coats or until the first coat is completely dry.
Minwax® PolyShades® is an easy way to change the color of your currently stained or polyurethane finished wood. There's no stripping or heavy sanding necessary to remove the old finish!
The longer the stain is left on, the deeper and richer the color will be. For consistent color, use careful timing.
Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. Be sure to wipe off all the excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood.
Minwax penetrating stain dries in just two hours, making it easy to go from start to finish in just one day.
Stains lighten as they dry. When the wood turns a uniform lighter color, that's a good indication drying is complete. If you aren't sure, test the surface with your finger. If any part of it feels tacky, the stain needs a little longer.
The crystal clear top coat dries and stays clear, and protects against scratches, scuffs and blemishes to protect the wood surface beneath. It's ideal for use over all Minwax Oil-Based and Water-Based Stains and colors and all wood species including light woods like maple, ash & birch.
Do You Have to Sand Before Staining Wood? Wood needs to be sanded well before it can be stained. The process opens up the wood's pores to better absorb the stain. It also smoothes away scratches in the surface which will only be enhanced by stain.
No matter the type of wood, we always recommend waiting 24-48 hours after rainfall or cleaning to make sure the structure is dry prior to staining.
If you don't wipe off excess wood stain, it can result in uneven color and poor adhesion.
If you applied the stain correctly, and it still remained tacky, it could be due to rainy weather or high humidity. Give it a few more days to see if it improves. Another possibility is that the stain was old or came from a bad batch.
Polyurethane is the final finish coat on your wood flooring. If the wood is stained, the polyurethane will protect the stained wood fibers from getting scratched and ruined. Stain by itself will not offer a ton of protection because it is absorbed into the wood and is not sitting on top of it as polyurethane does.
Yes, each layer will darken your project even more.
The primary function of staining is to provide color to a wood piece. If you sand in between coats of stain, you risk breaking the color and damaging the stain. Instead, you should sand the raw wood before applying a stain.
Lap marks are the result of inconsistent application of stain. If an area is permitted to dry, and then partially recoated, a lap mark will appear. Lap marks are permanent, and can not be removed.
Leave the original stain in place if you want to stain the piece a darker color. If you're going from a light stain to a dark stain, there's no need to strip away the existing stain first. However, keep in mind that the existing stain may alter the color of the finished product.
You generally don't need to sand new wood that has been stained before painting, but it depends on the results you're after. If you want a super-smooth painted finish, scuff-sand, which is lightly sanding (scuffing), the surface by hand (not with a machine), to smooth out bumps using 150- or 220-grit sandpaper.
Oil based stains are somewhat more water resistant than the water based finishes. Due to this, by sprinkling a little water onto the stained area you can tell if the stain is water or oil based. Simply wait for a minute and see if the water beads up. If it does, then you have an oil based stain.