What is the Best Way to Apply Minwax Polyshades?

Minwax® PolyShades® is a product for interior use, and it’s designed to enhance the wood grains without the need to remove the existing finish.

In simple terms, PolyShades is an all-in-one product that works by combining the effects of beautiful rich stain colors with long-lasting polyurethane protection.

Although the recommended way of application is with a premium quality natural bristle brush, you can use a cloth or a rag to apply Minwax PolyShades.

If you prefer spraying, PolyShades is also available in an aerosol can, making it easy for you to spray the areas that are hard to reach with a brush.

The only drawback with spraying is its cost when you need to spray larger areas.

Aerosol cans will not be as cost-effective as 1 Quart round cans that are less expensive to apply with a bristle brush.

Minwax® PolyShades® Product Details

Coverage:	120-150 sq. ft. per quart
Available Sheen:	Satin and Gloss
Application Tool:	High-quality natural bristle brush
Drying Time & Recoating:	It takes about 6 hours and should be recoated only after that much time has passed
Recommended Location & Usages:	Interior furniture, woodwork, doors, windows, moldings, cabinets, and other accessories
Color Options to Choose from:	American Chestnut, Antique Walnut, Classic Oak, Honey Pine, Olde Maple, Pecan, Royal Walnut, and Tudor

In This Article We Will Cover:

How to Use Minwax Polyshades?

Minwax Polyshades is an excellent option if you need to change the color of stripped, raw unstained wood.

Not only that, but you can also use it on finished unstripped surfaces (that are stained, painted, or varnished).

For application, you can follow the steps as follows…

Step 1 – Prepare the surface

To ensure proper adhesion, start by cleaning the surface with a piece of dry cloth.

Make sure that the wood is dry and free from any dirt and grime after the clean-up.

Then using a #220 fine-grade sandpaper, sand the surface gently in the direction of the grain to remove any grease or glue.

With a clean cloth, wipe away all the sanding dust.

Step 2 – Prepare the Polyshades

Stir your Minwax PolyShades in a can thoroughly using a wooden stick or a paint stirrer.

Make sure you do not use any thinner to thin the product.

Also, stir the product nicely before usage and occasionally during use.

After mixing this stain and polyurethane in one product, test it on a hidden or scrap wood piece to verify the color of your liking.

Step 3 – Start with the application

Once you are sure about the color, it’s time to apply the Polyshades with a natural bristle brush.

Dip the bristles of the brush (approximately an inch) into the can
Tap the bristles against the inside of the can to remove any excess

Apply a thin, even coat in the direction of the wood grains, maintaining a wet edge

Step 4 – Allow the surface to dry

Depending on how thick you have applied the coating and the environmental conditions, Polyshades may take 6 to 8 hours to dry completely.

So, make sure you allow a minimum of 6 hours to dry the surface before applying the second coat.

Step 5 – Rub gently and recoat

Once the surface is dried, rub gently with fine steel wool.

Remove all the dust and apply a second very thin coat with a brush as you did before.

If, after the second coat, you feel you need to deepen the color further, you can apply an additional third coat of Polyshades to the surface.

Step 6 – Clean the brush and area

After it’s done and you are pleased with the Polyshades coating, clean the brushes, mixing stick, and any spills with some mineral spirits.

Also, after the application, it’s important to dispose of all the rags, sandpapers, steel wool, or other soaked waste products cautiously.

If discarded improperly, they can catch fire and can prove hazardous.

TIP:

If the wood surface you are treating is bare wood, it’s recommended to apply an oil-based Minwax® Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, which will help you achieve uniform acceptance of the stain color with nicer results.

For the wood conditioner application, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer on the label.

Polyshades Aerosol vs. Regular Can

PolyShades® aerosol offers all the same benefits as a regular 1-quart round can – but in an easy-to-use spray format.

The key reason why many DIYers and homeowners prefer this application method is its easy usage, where it’s hard to reach with a conventional paintbrush.

A few other benefits of using aerosol Polyshades spray cans are:

It’s great for smaller projects
Covers 40-50 square feet per can
No worries about getting brush marks

It can be used very easily on vertical surfaces as well
No mess around and no need to clean the brushes after application

Before using the spray canister, protect the surfaces (from overspray) with painter’s tape.

Shake the can vigorously for 2 minutes and then spray in an even sweeping motion by holding the can 8″-10″ from the surface.

Be sure to apply at least two thin coats rather than one thicker one.

The first coat should be very light to seal the wood. After about 15 minutes, apply the second coat to add the color factor.

Let the Polyshades dry for about 6 hours. And if you feel getting a deeper color, spray a third coat.

Pros and Cons of Using Polyshades Finish

Minwax PolyShades is a two-in-one (staining + protective wood finishing) product that comes with various benefits along with a few drawbacks.

You should consider them for sure before you plan to treat your wood with them.

Advantages:

Good coverage & easy application
Dries fast without the need to wipe

Offers enhanced beauty to wood grains
It can be used over polyurethane or other wood finishes
It can be applied using a brush, rag, or a sprayer

Available in a variety of different colors and sheens to choose from

Disadvantages:

Needs surface preparation

It can only be used indoors and is not intended for floors
Contents are combustible, so keep them away from heat or open flame

Other than the above problems, Polyshades is a chemical-based finishing product that may emit fumes while applied.

As these fumes can be harmful (if inhaled), you should use proper safety precautions, like a face mask, gloves, etc., to stay protected.

Can You Spray Minwax Polyshades with A Spray Gun?

Yes, it’s possible.

If you want to spray it using an HVLP sprayer machine, I think it will not be a problem.

Miniwax Polyshades is just a kind of tinted poly and can be sprayed like poly without thinning.

Thinning the Polyshades (with water or any solvents) will dilute the color and can affect the overall finish, so it’s not recommended to thin the product.

The prep work for spraying a fresh coat of Polyshades is the same as I have mentioned above.

Once you have prepared the surface, apply Polyshades with a spray gun by holding it closer to the surface (generally 6 – 10 inches, depending on the type of sprayer).

Where to Buy Minwax Polyshades?

Minwax® products, such as Polyshades, is quite popular in the US and can be purchased very easily at most local paint stores and hardware stores.

You can also find their products at home centers that deal in hardware and DIY products.

Additionally, depending on your location, Polyshades may be available online at stores like Sherwin-Williams, Walmart, Amazon, Lowe’s, and Menards.

How Easy is it to Remove Polyshades from the Surface?

Removing fresh overspray (on surfaces like glass, plastic, wood, concrete, etc.) is easy with a piece of rag and mineral spirits.

But do not attempt to wipe off the excess when applying with a rag. You should immediately brush it out with a clean bristle brush.

Dried Polyshades can be scraped off cautiously from the surface with the help of a plastic putty knife.

Final Thoughts

Minwax® PolyShades® is basically a combination of wood and polyurethane in one single product.

Where stain is to add rich color to the wood, poly offers a tough protective coat and long-lasting protection.

Together they are a one-step product for enhancing the wood grains, which saves you good time and energy compared to when you need to stain with one product and protect the surface with another.

Before you use it, just make sure you learn where and how to apply the product for a best-finished look that doesn’t look blotchy.

Hi, I am Mark Garner a professional carpenter, woodworker, and DIY painter. I live in the small city of Peoria, Arizona as a semi-retired woodworker. I have started this blog with a simple motive to help you with my wood experience in this sector. If you like to know more about what I love doing and how it all got started, you can check more about me here.