The Bottom Line
Minwax Wood Finish Stain Markers are an easy way for miniaturists who have limited hobby and crafting space to work with wood stains. The stain formulations are not ideal, they are fairly thin so that they can be applied with a felt tip, but they do go one fairly easily, and do not need to be rubbed into the wood, or rubbed off the way gel stains or heavily pigmented stains do. The markers are an expensive way to buy stain. They are a good alternative provided you don't mind the cost, wouldn't use more stain anyway, and are comfortable working with a product which contains mineral spirits.
Pros
- Handy For Finishing Small Projects Like Dolls House Furniture
- Easy to Use Broad Tapered Felt Nib
- No Need to Wipe Off Stain - Felt Tip Wipes As It Applies
Cons
- Oil Based - Contain Mineral Spirits - Can't Clean Up With Water or Alchohol
- Expensive For The Small Amount of Stain In The Marker But Easy to Store and Use
- Stain Formulation Tends To Bleed On Raw Wood Surfaces, Not Good For Areas That Are Partially Stained
Description
- Easy to use large chisel edged felt tipped markers spread a thin layer of stain easily across small areas.
- Not suitable for use by children, oil based markers contain mineral spirits and must be used in a well ventilated area.
- Good product provided you are staining small areas, expensive for the amount of stain they contain.
- Not an outstanding wood stain, other markers may serve just as well - Consider wiping on dilute acrylic or water color paint.
- Marker tips are fairly broad, not good for fine detail (faux banding or design) or controlled application into tight corners.
Guide Review - Minwax Wood Stain Markers - Convenience at a Price
Miniwax Wood Finish Stain Markers are felt tip markers containing oil based wood stains. The markers come in a range of standard wood finish colors which match standard Minwax oil based wood stain colors. Currently the markers are available in the following colors :
- Ebony,
- Golden Oak,
- Red Oak ,
- Early American (Fruitwood),
- Dark Walnut,
- Provincial,
- Red Mahogany,
- Cherry,
- Pickled Oak.
While intended to be used as touch up markers for scratches and nicks in finished furniture, the markers are attractive to hobby woodworkers as they are easily applied to small parts and don't require storing pints of stain.
Unlike some other similar marker brands, Mixwax Wood Finish stain markers are oil based, and contain mineral spirits (paint thinner). These markers are not suitable for use by children. There are water and alcohol based stains available in marker form which do not have the same drying and fume issues as these oil based markers. The Minwax markers give off fumes (mineral spirits/paint thinner) and should only be used in a well ventilated space. Wood which has been stained with these markers will need to be left unfinished until the stain has dried completely, which make take several hours to days.
The stains are quite thin, and you may need several coats to create the depth of stain you want. The extra mineral spirits in the stain formulation added to make the stain easily wipe on with a felt tip marker, means the stains tend to bleed and there is a noticeable bleeding of mineral spirits into the wood at the edge of an applied stain. As the markers are oil based, care needs to be taken not to apply stain to areas which will need to be glued, and finishes need to be chosen which can be applied over oil stains. These stains can be used to create drawn details on some woods, test a sample first as the markers will create bleeding edges on many woods.
Note - Minwax are not considered 'professional' grade wood stains by most woodworkers, and there are many reported issues with the stains slow or incomplete drying. The Wood Finish Stain Markers are touch up pens which are designed to fill small scratches, not create full even coats of stain on an heirloom quality miniature. Make sure you shake the stain pens thoroughly to mix the contents before applying them, and blend the edges of your stain application while the coat is still wet at the edges, do not come back to bare areas and try to fill them in to match already stained (and dry) sections. Store the pens on their sides as suggested on the package, and allow the stain to dry for one or two days before applying any type of clear finish coating.
Price and Availability - $5 to $8 per 1/3 fluid oz. marker, available from most hardware stores or online. This is similar to the cost of a 1/2 pint tin of the same or higher quality stain.
