DuraSeal Quick Coat vs. Minwax Wood Finish: What to Know Before You Stain Your Floors
- Tyler Zemantic
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
When you’re refinishing hardwood floors, the stain you choose plays a major role in how the final look comes together. It’s not just about color...it’s about enhancing the natural grain, bringing warmth back into worn wood, and laying the foundation for a finish that will last.
That’s where DuraSeal Quick Coat 2-Hour Penetrating Finish comes in. Known for its fast dry time and rich color payoff, Quick Coat is a favorite among flooring pros and serious DIYers alike. While brands like Minwax also offer reliable results, DuraSeal is often the better pick for jobs that demand speed, control, and professional-level consistency.
Why Flooring Pros Reach for DuraSeal Quick Coat
When it comes to staining hardwood floors, DuraSeal Quick Coat is a go-to for good reason. It’s an oil-based penetrating wood stain that doesn’t just cover the wood—it brings it back to life. Instead of hiding the grain, it enhances it, letting the natural beauty of the floor shine through.
Professionals love it for its fast dry time...just two hours in most conditions. This keeps projects on schedule without sacrificing quality. It also goes on smooth, making it easy to work with across a variety of surfaces, including floors, trim, cabinets, and furniture.
And let’s talk about color. With 36 stock colors and the ability to blend custom tones, matching existing floors or designing a brand-new look is easy. Whether you're restoring an old red oak or going for a Scandinavian-style blonde finish, DuraSeal gives you the flexibility to make it your own.
To top it off, DuraSeal Quick Coat is GREENGUARD Certified, which means it meets indoor air quality standards—something both contractors and homeowners can feel good about.
Where Minwax Wood Finish Shines
On the other side of the stain aisle, Minwax Wood Finish has long been a favorite among DIYers. It’s easy to find, easy to use, and forgiving enough for those who don’t refinish floors every day. Whether you’re staining a coffee table or touching up trim, Minwax is often the go-to for smaller, straightforward wood projects.
One of its biggest advantages is accessibility. You can walk into most big-box hardware stores and grab a small can off the shelf—perfect for weekend projects that don’t require gallons of product or pro-level prep. It’s available in 36 color options and covers around 500 to 600 square feet per gallon, making it a solid option for basic jobs.
That said, Minwax is built more for homeowners than professionals. It doesn’t include the added performance features that flooring specialists rely on—like built-in sealing or compatibility with commercial-grade topcoats. For contractors and larger-scale refinishing jobs, products like DuraSeal Quick Coat are often the better fit.
DuraSeal Quick Coat vs. Minwax Wood Finish
Feature | DuraSeal Quick Coat | Minwax Wood Finish |
Type | Semi-transparent penetrating stain | Oil-based penetrating stain |
Primary Use | Trade-grade hardwood floor refinishing | Interior furniture, trim, cabinets, floors |
Dry Time | 2 hours (topcoat ready) | 2–3 hours |
Application | Rag, pad, lambswool, or buffing machine | Rag, brush, or cloth |
Coverage | 500 sq. ft./gal. first coat; 800 ft./gal. second coat | 500–600 ft./gal |
Colors | 36 stock and custom mixing options | 36 stock colors |
Additional Benefit | Acts as stain and wood sealer in one | Requires topcoat for protection |
Certification | GREENGUARD Certified | No GREENGUARD certification listed |
Best For | Flooring professionals seeking speed and consistent results | DIYers and homeowners refinishing small or large projects |
Which One’s Right for You?
If you're tackling a full hardwood floor refinishing project, DuraSeal Quick Coat is tough to beat. With its built-in sealing, fast dry time, and wide range of blend-able colors, it's a favorite when both time and finish quality are top priorities.
On the other hand, if you’re a homeowner working on a smaller project—like refinishing furniture, cabinets, or a single room—Minwax Wood Finish is a solid choice. It’s readily available, easy to use, and great for light-duty work that doesn’t require professional-grade performance.
At Olson Floor Supply, we’ve used DuraSeal Quick Coat on thousands of jobs, and it consistently delivers the kind of results that flooring professionals rely on.
Thinking about refinishing your hardwood floors? Get in touch with our team or stop by our showroom in Queens, NY. We’ll help you choose the right products and give your wood floors a finish that truly stands out.
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