Pre-stain wood conditioner goes on bare wood before stain so the color soaks in evenly instead of turning blotchy or streaky. Soft and porous woods take stain unevenly, and the makers name the same suspects again and again: pine, fir, alder, aspen, birch, maple, poplar and cherry. This page lines up every conditioner we carry from Minwax, Varathane, General Finishes and Old Masters with the wait time before staining, the coverage and the stain type each one is made for, taken from the maker sheets.
The one rule that matters most: match the conditioner to your stain. Oil-based conditioners from Minwax, Varathane and General Finishes go under oil-based stain. The General Finishes water-based Pre-Stain Conditioner goes under water-based stain. Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner lists a wait time for both oil-based and water-based stain.
Compare pre-stain wood conditioners
| Conditioner |
Use under (maker) |
Wait before staining (maker) |
Coverage (maker) |
Notes (maker) |
| Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner (half pint, quart, gallon) |
Oil-based stains such as Minwax Wood Finish, Gel Stain and PolyShades |
Let it penetrate 5 to 15 minutes and wipe off the excess; stain after about 15 minutes and within 2 hours (on alder, Minwax suggests waiting 2 hours) |
About 100 to 125 sq ft per quart |
Made for pine, fir, alder, aspen, birch and maple. Not for use under water-based stains. Can lighten the color on hardwoods |
| Varathane Premium Wood Conditioner (half pint, quart, gallon) |
Oil-based stain on interior wood |
Apply until the wood is saturated, wipe off the excess before it dries, then let it penetrate 30 minutes before staining |
440 to 880 sq ft per gallon (110 to 220 sq ft per quart) |
Oil-based modified alkyd. Apply at 55 to 90 F with humidity under 85%. Not recommended with water-based stains (Varathane VAR-04) |
| General Finishes Oil-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, quart |
Oil-based stain |
Let it penetrate at least 10 minutes and wipe the excess; apply oil-based stain after 30 minutes and no later than 2 hours |
180 to 200 sq ft per quart |
For new soft and porous wood such as aspen, cherry, birch, poplar and pine. Dries with an amber cast. Do not thin |
| General Finishes Water-Based Pre-Stain Conditioner (pint, quart) |
General Finishes water-based stain |
About 30 minutes in ideal conditions (about 70 F); check the can directions |
About 50 to 75 sq ft per pint |
For maple, pine and cherry. Clear, not a Natural stain color. Conditioning can lighten the final color, so test the whole stain and topcoat process first. Soap and water cleanup |
| Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner (quart, gallon) |
Oil-based or water-based stain |
Dry 8 hours before an oil-based stain, 24 hours before a water-based stain |
About 400 to 500 sq ft per gallon |
For pine, fir, maple and poplar. VOC 100 g/L |
Pre-stain conditioner FAQ
Do I need wood conditioner before staining?
On soft or porous wood, yes. The makers list pine, fir, alder, aspen, birch, maple, poplar and cherry as the woods that blotch. Minwax suggests a fingernail test: if your nail dents a hidden spot, condition before you stain. On dense hardwoods such as oak you may not need it, and Minwax notes that conditioner can limit or lighten stain color on hardwoods, so try it on a scrap first.
Oil-based or water-based conditioner?
Match it to the stain. Minwax and Varathane say not to use their oil-based conditioners under water-based stain, and General Finishes makes separate oil-based and water-based versions. Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner works under either one with a longer wait: 8 hours before oil-based stain and 24 hours before water-based stain.
How long do I wait between conditioner and stain?
It depends on the brand. Minwax: stain after about 15 minutes and within 2 hours. General Finishes oil-based: after 30 minutes and within 2 hours. Varathane: let it penetrate 30 minutes. General Finishes water-based: about 30 minutes. Old Masters: 8 hours for oil-based stain, 24 hours for water-based. Minwax and General Finishes oil-based both set a 2 hour limit, so plan to condition and stain in one session.
Should I use conditioner on pine or plywood?
Pine is the wood every maker names first. Minwax puts plywood faced with pine, fir or birch in the same group, so condition it and test your stain on the back side or a scrap. Gel stain is another route on hard-to-stain wood: Old Masters positions its Gel Stain for even color on pine, poplar, maple, plywood and veneers. See wood stains and gel stains and General Finishes gel stain.
How much conditioner do I need?
Use the maker coverage. A Minwax quart covers about 100 to 125 sq ft, a General Finishes oil-based quart about 180 to 200 sq ft, a Varathane quart 110 to 220 sq ft, a General Finishes water-based pint about 50 to 75 sq ft, and an Old Masters gallon about 400 to 500 sq ft. Plan on one coat; Minwax notes that very absorbent wood can take a second.
What goes on after the stain?
A clear topcoat. Follow the stain label for dry time, then choose from polyurethane for wood, spray polyurethane and clear spray finishes or a hand-rubbed oil from wood finishing oils and paste wax.
Shop related: every Minwax Wood Finish stain color, Minwax, Varathane, General Finishes, Old Masters, wood filler and wood putty, and the furniture refinishing cart.
