{"id":1916,"date":"2021-11-06T09:57:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-06T06:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/?p=1916"},"modified":"2022-09-07T12:00:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T09:00:31","slug":"5-easy-steps-to-apply-mineral-spirits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodiswood.com\/5-easy-steps-to-apply-mineral-spirits\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Easy Steps To Apply Mineral Spirits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever looked at an article or a video that tells you what you must have in a woodworking kit, you\u2019ve likely seen mineral spirits included in most of them. But how do you use mineral spirits<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mineral spirits can be used in many ways by woodworkers, including cleaning grime off of wood, showing wood grain, renewing dull wood finishes, and diluting oil-based wood stains. To apply mineral spirits to wood, you\u2019ll need to use a rag dampened with the sprits and wipe it over the wood, or \u2013 in the case of wood stains \u2013 dilute by mixing the two and use the stain as you normally would.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never used mineral spirits before and aren\u2019t sure where to start, read on for a quick guide<\/strong> on how to apply mineral spirits to wood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying Directly to Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous reasons<\/strong> you would apply mineral spirits<\/a> directly to wood, including cleaning it<\/strong> of built-up dust and grime or paint, helping show the existing finish<\/strong> (by getting rid of the dirt that has dulled it), and showing the grain<\/strong> of the wood while you work with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To apply mineral spirits directly to wood, you will need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Get Everything You Need<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need safety equipment<\/strong> for yourself and anyone else in the room with you, including goggles<\/strong> and a face mask<\/strong>, as well as a few old rags<\/strong> and the<\/strong> mineral<\/strong> spirits<\/strong> you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Dampen a Rag with the Mineral Spirits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pour out a small portion of mineral spirits on the rag<\/strong>. It should be enough to dampen<\/strong> it but<\/strong> not<\/strong> enough to completely douse<\/strong> it in spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Let the Rag Sit on a Dirty Spot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Place<\/strong> the damp rag over<\/strong> the spot<\/strong> you want to clean and squeeze<\/strong> out the excess<\/strong> spirits over<\/strong> the dirty area<\/strong>. Let<\/strong> the rag sit<\/strong> for a couple of seconds<\/strong> \u2013 this will help<\/strong> soften<\/strong> more stubborn spots<\/strong>, so you don\u2019t have to expend as much effort when cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Clean the Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wipe away<\/strong> the dirt and grime from the area. If you\u2019re working on wood<\/strong> that you\u2019re still carving<\/strong> or<\/strong> need<\/strong> to finish<\/strong>, stay with<\/strong> the grain<\/strong> of the wood and don\u2019t<\/strong> use circular<\/strong> or scrubbing motions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5: Repeat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Continue cleaning<\/strong> the wood as needed<\/strong>, pouring more mineral spirits on the cloth as necessary. Stop once<\/strong> the wood<\/strong> is clean and shining<\/strong> (and any existing stain is clearly visible) or if the rag becomes too dirty. If the rag is too dirty, use one of the other rags you have on hand and continue cleaning until you\u2019re satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mineral spirits are also a great way<\/strong> of completely cleaning wood after you\u2019re done sanding<\/a>. While sanding gets rid of imperfections in the structure of the wood, the mineral spirits will remove<\/strong> any lingering sawdust<\/strong> and sanding<\/strong> particles<\/strong> so that your final finish looks exactly like you\u2019d envisioned it. You can even use spirits every time you sand between coats of finish<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying Indirectly to Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019ll likely mostly apply mineral spirits directly to wood, there are situations in which they\u2019ll be applied indirectly to wood<\/strong> as well \u2013 such as when you\u2019re working with oil-based finishes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil-based finishes are not water-soluble<\/strong>, which means you need another solvent<\/strong> you can use before applying them to your piece. That\u2019s where your mineral<\/strong> spirits<\/strong> come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To dilute your wood finishes with mineral spirits, you will need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Pour the Finish into a Separate Container<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pour out the amount of finish you estimate you\u2019ll need into a separate container<\/strong>. Diluting the finish in the container it came in will result in you diluting all<\/em> of the finish, which we don\u2019t recommend. You should only dilute<\/strong> your finishes<\/strong> (oil-based or otherwise) when<\/strong> you plan to use<\/strong> them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Add Mineral Spirits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Slowly add mineral<\/strong> spirits to<\/strong> the finish<\/strong>. Don\u2019t mix in more than a spoon or two<\/strong> at a time \u2013 this will allow you to test out<\/strong> the stain<\/strong> as it dilutes<\/strong> and will make it easier to stop<\/strong> when you have the shade you\u2019re looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding the spirits in slowly reduces<\/strong> the risk of over-dilution<\/strong> and wasted product<\/strong> and gives you better control<\/strong> over the entire process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Test the Stain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At every step, test<\/strong> the stain on a scrap of wood<\/strong>. While a shade may look too dark in the container, the look on wood may be<\/strong> something different<\/strong>. Testing it on a piece of wood before further diluting it ensures<\/strong> you\u2019ll know<\/strong> when you\u2019ve found the perfect color<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019ll also help you see what<\/strong> the stain<\/strong> looks like<\/strong> on<\/strong> the wood<\/strong>, which is especially important if you\u2019re working with an unfamiliar brand of stain or a new type of wood. Different woods take stains<\/strong> in different ways<\/strong>, and each brand of stain<\/strong> shows up differently<\/strong> on wood. Testing it will allow you to be confident in your color choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Apply the Stain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sand<\/strong> down the wood<\/strong>, and start applying<\/strong> stain<\/strong> using<\/strong> a paintbrush<\/strong>, going in the direction<\/strong> of<\/strong> the wood grain<\/strong>. You may want to apply a wood conditioner first<\/strong>, depending on your personal preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a chance you\u2019ll need to apply several layers of stain<\/strong>. Ideally, you should sand<\/strong> the wood between layers<\/strong> to make the wood look even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also refer to this YouTube video for a quick tutorial on how to apply stain to your wood projects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kt7lrXy7D9A&ab_channel=MinwaxUSA<\/a>