With the objective of evaluation of stainers in the detection of mechanical damages in maize seed lots, the present work was developed in the Seed Laboratory of the Federal University of Lavras-MG., using two seeds lots of the hibrid C -121 and two lots of the hibrid Dina 177 haversted by hand and mechanical system. The seed lots were characterized by the following parameters: Germination test, tetrazolium test ( viability and vigour), cold test and accelerated ageing test. To evaluate the incidence of mechanical damage, the following stainers; amaranth at the concentrations of 0,1 and 0,2% with soaking time of two and five minutes; fast green at 0,1% concentration with soaking time of two minutes and Iodine at 1,0 and 4,0% concentration during five minutes soaking, were used. Following the staining treatment scores were given considering location and veverity of the mechanical damages on seeds. The results showed that all stainers used were able to indicate efficiently that the handly harvested lots presented the lowest incidences of mechanical damages. The stainers, Amarathus at 0,1% concentration and Iodine at 4,0% concentration provided the best conditions for interpretation of the results.