Minwax 213974444 Polyshades - Stain & Polyurethane in 1 Step, 1/2 pint, Esspresso, Satin

I have used this product successfully every time. It is a great product and great timesaver. My trick is, I do not spray it on, or use a brush. I put rubber gloves on and use a rag from cut up t-shirts. I dip the rag, and spread it on by hand. This lets you put some good pressure on it, which helps spread it out evenly and get it into the grains better. It also reduces bubbles. People give this bad reviews, but I dont get why. They are obviously applying it wrong. T-shirt rags, take your time, and apply multiple coats until you get a nice shine. Raw wood requires 3-4 coats to get a nice shine. Apply a coat, then give it a good 12 hours to dry, then another coat. Don't rush a project, take your time. If you try to apply another coat too soon, you will not achieve a good result.

This is the only stain that replicates the look of aged gumwood trim from the 20s - 40s. I’ve tried many and all have failed. Know your wood, know your application method, and this will give you 0 issues. Apply generously with a rag and wipe smooth. My only complaint is that this shade is only available with poly mixed in. It’s not a huge deal but I’d prefer to stain and poly separately for a better finish. As you can see on these raw oak quarter round pieces from Home Depot - it comes out beautiful either way. Work precisely, prep your wood, understand what type of wood you are working with, and the results speak for themselves.

I've always been hesitant in using all in one products like this, but I needed to tie 6 new chairs into my dining table. Warmed them all up just enough. My table was already a warm walnut but my new chairs were a cool acorn color. Everything looks much better now. I used a nice foam brush. It made the process very easy. No brush strokes. I did however get a few spots of heavy concentration on an edge of my table top. It's not super noticeable but I can see it. Just be sure to go all the way off of the surface with your strokes to avoid welling buildup. Otherwise this was actually a very easy to use product for a quick fix.

The stain has a beautiful color, but it's the polyurethane that is most important. I leaves a armor-hard, waterproof and just about everything else proof coating. The satin in nicer because it's not too glossy, but make sure to know this: The first coat comes out a bit fuzzy. If you lightly sand that coat and then put on a second coat, the resutls are nothing short of spectacular.

Easy to apply and perfect color