Tinting Poly

[Ed Gibbons]

Can I use minwax oil based stain to tint an oil based polyurethane?

[Jim Becker]

Yes, most likely, but the Minwax stain is a pigment based product with a binder. It's designed to "catch the pores" of the wood. An oil finish compatible coloration agent/dye would probably provide a better color (more transparent) and more control with your oil based poly or varnish. While I don't use oil based products, for the most part, I have used dye coloration with water borne clears to tone very successfully.