Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by TWP Help
We are here to help you with your TWP exterior deck or wood restoration project for 2025!
TWP is a cutting-edge wood preservative and protectant registered by the EPA, designed to provide exceptional protection for exterior wood surfaces. However, its performance and longevity can vary based on several factors, including the type and age of the wood, how well it is prepared, and the application technique used.
To ensure the best possible results with TWP 100, 1500, or 200 Series, proper preparation and application are key. Follow recommended guidelines to maximize the durability and beauty of your wood surface, no matter which TWP series you choose.
TWP Stain Tips and Help
When asking questions please give us some information about your wood restoration project:
- What structure is your wood? Examples would be: Deck, Wood Siding, Fence, etc
- What species is the wood? Examples: Treated Pine, Cedar, Redwood, Ipe, etc
- Is the wood new or older than 1 year?
- Has the wood been stained previously with a different brand? Please specify brand name and type of stain used: Examples: Solid stain, Semi-Transparent Stain, etc.
- Any additional info that would be useful
Once you supply us with the information, we will able to give you advice as to how to prep your wood and any needed instructions for the TWP application.
Please ask your questions in the comment area.
Thanks
Hi – I’ve only used your product since building my deck over a decade ago. Unfortunately, there were some issues that didn’t see us able to maintain it for the past 4-years.
The last stain we did we first used the restore a deck & strip a deck & were not happy w the results so we sanded the entire deck down but STILL had these black marks / spots in the wood. At the time we were told stain anyway & use wet & forget. So we did, but the marks never came out.
Last year I pressure washed w the restore & brighte, it seemed to remove some stain. This is what it looks like now, what is your best advice please?
Strip and brighten should remove all:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit
Hello TWP,
I oiled my deck and rain unexpectedly started the next morning. It has been raining every since. I squeegeed it but it just keeps raining. I am worried. What can I expect?
It should be fine since it was the next day after staining.
What TWP deck stain color will be closest to Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Teak (ES-30)?
[Arborcoast now rebranded as “Woodluxe,” but teak is available only in translucent).
We want to switch to TWP but need a pretty good color match with the previous use of Ben-Moore.
Thanks
Hi, sorry but we are not familar with BM deck stain colors. Do you have a picture?
Hello,
I am getting ready to stain a 400ft plus deck and 400 feet of fencing. Can you recommend a good sprayer? Preferably not one of those weed ones I have to pump.
Deck is pressure treated pine. 3 years old and never been stained.
Also, how do I figure out how much stain I need for 200 feet of 4 ft tall fence with the 3 inch space in between – need to stain both sides.
Thanks!
I am getting ready to stain a 3 yr old pressure treated pine deck for the first time. Used Gemini cleaner and brightener. While the deck was still wet, it looked great, but since it has dried, I am seeing white spots and streaksI am getting ready to stain a 3 yr old pressure treated pine deck for the first time. Used Gemini cleaner and brightener. While the deck was still wet, it looked great, but since it has dried, I am seeing white spots and streaks that looks like residue. I had rinsed very well after using the brightener. Is there anything I should do to this before giving it a light sanding (for furring) and applying TWP semi-transparent stain? that looks like residue. I had rinsed very well after using the brightener. Is there anything I should do to this before giving it a light sanding (for furring) and applying TWP semi-transparent stain?
You should be fine as it does not show when stained.
I stained deck with TWP 1502 last fall. This spring I got “dirty rain”. It has left dirt and mud. I dont want to stain again. What is the best way for me to wash the deck and restore the original stain color? Thanks in advance for your help
Please add some pics.
Here are a few
You could try some dish soap and water to see if that works. Anything else would probably be too aggressive and you would need to recoat.
4 years ago sanded older pressure treated deck in Northern Wisconsin to bare wood. Applied TWP 110 Pecan and looked great. 2 years ago used generic deck cleaner and applied another coat of the sameTWP stain. Deck has darkened (pecan color, not grey) but still lookes pretty good. Would like to thoroughly clean and brighten and again restain with TWP Pecan. Please advise.
Pics?
I stained my deck with TWP 100 Cedar tone Stain 4 years ago I recently pressured washed and cleaned the deck to restain and noticed were we had a rug under a table the color is different. My question is do I need to use a stripper or the deck restoration to attempt to get the best results. The area I’m refuting to is in the top right of the photo . Thank you
Yes, use this kit to even it out: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I’m unable to order the 100 series in Maryland can I use the 1500 series stain after I use the restore a desk stripper and brighter ?
Yes, you can.
Existing: cedar deck stained with twp1500 three years ago. Now needs an update coat. I ordered and received the same twp1500 colour. The can says to use a bleach and water mix to wash the deck. I plan on using a deck sprayer to apply. How much time should that solution be applied to sit on the wood…. before rinsing with the power washer?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep, not bleach and water.
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Decking made of PT pine. 5 years old. 3 years ago Deck was burned Shou Sugi Ban style and the treated with a single wet on wet treatment of Boiled Linseed Oil. I followed the ill advice of using the BLO unaware of its tendency to mold. In the fall of 2024, I bleached the molded areas with 30 second outdoor cleaner
I purchased TWP 1500 with cleaner and brightener. Following the instructions, I let the cleaner dwell for 15minutes and power washed under 1000psi with a 40deg tip. All that surface mold came right off as intended. However, i have some railings and deck areas that have some deep mold/mildew staining that has not been removed with additional applications of the cleaner.
What is your advice in my situation
Try applying 1 part bleach to 4 parts water to entire deck. Let dwell for 20 minutes and then rinse well. It should kill the mildew.
So what I have here is mildew that has not been killed off resulting in the staining? Effectively killing the mildew will release it?
I have tried several bleach products and applications without any improvement. It appears that the BLO had mildewed below the surface. Do i need more applications of the Restore-a-Deck cleaner or will this require sanding due to the depth of the mildewing?
You cannot sand that out. Try the bleach idea but use pool shock of 12%.
My new deck was stained 3 years ago with twp102. Very slippery when wet (Seattle area). Can anything be added to this product for better traction?
Ct
TWP stains are penetrating coatings. When prepped and applied correctly they will fully soak into the wood and never be slippery. In your scenario, it was probably over applied if it was slippery. You should remove down to the bare wood and apply properly.
Im putting up a cedar greenhouse that does have stain applied. TWP was recommended to me. Which of your products do you recommend and do you have a retailer in the Lansing Michigan area?
See here about the new wood:
https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Once weathered and prepped, you can use the TWP 1500 Series. We ship to your area from our website.
Hi, my contractor applied Shermin Williams solid stain to a section of fence and painted over it with TWP stain. There was also a pre existing color on the section of the fence shown in the photo. Is there a way to make this look like one color using the TWP? He wants to apply a third coat. The otber sections of the fence look ok and are the TWP stain only (no prior colors). He used the wrong color and HOA requires TWP color. The paint over the archway is pre existing but stark color contrast. Not acceptable- needs to be fixed. Do you have any suggestions?
You cannot apply TWP over a different brand of stain, especalliy a solid stain. Your contractor should have known better. He needs to remove everything down to the bare wood and start over.
Thanks, how should the stain be removed?
Power sand it all off. The contractor made it extremely difficult to fix this by applying the TWP coating, which is not compatible over a solid color stain.
Or replace the wood if it cannot be sanded or removed.
Can I add tint to an existing 5 gal I currently have? I have pecan color and red is still showing through on the cedar. Designer told my wife to add some green tint. Can I get this from you?
No, you cannot add tint or custom tint the TWP 100 or 1500 Series.
I have two gallons of TWP 1500 cedartone in unopened, factory sealed cans that have been stored in my shop for roughly 4 years. Would this product still be viable for use?
Shelf life is 3 years if unopened, so no guarantee it is still good.
Hi, years back I have used your TWP100 Semi Transparent Honeytone on my cedar fence. It’s in a sunny area (Walla Walla Washington). The original stain has faded over the years. Can I over-coat with a lighter colored TWP Semi-Solid (I’m thinking of “heartwood” or “lighthouse”) without the color of the (faded) Honeytone coming through and impacting the overall look? Or, is this too light a color, or, do I have to first “strip” the fence? The wood is not gray or weathered, so I’m not sure using Gemini Restore Wood Brightener, is appropriate.
If switching, you should prep with the Stripper and Brighener kit:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
If staying with the same color and series, use the Gemini Restore Kit.
FYI, stripping is no more complicated than cleaning, just a deeper “clean” by removing the current coating.
stained my cedar deck 2 years ago with 100 and want to refresh horizontal surfaces? will 1500 work ok without stripping the prior product? Or best to use 100 again?
Use the 100 Series again. Prep with Gemini Restore Kit.
I have a 5 year old rough surface Cedar Fence that was stained 4 years ago with a waterbased semi-transparent stain. I want to restain the fence using TWP 100 Series Rustic stain. Need to know the process to prep (prep products) to stain the wood fence.I used this same TWP stain on my deck and want the fence to match.
You will need to remove the current stain. Please post some pics in the comments of the stain on the fence for prep help.
Here are a few Pictures of the fence… stain has definately faded. I also live in San Antonio, TX
Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
What is the total square footage to be stripped? Length x height x 2 =?
Approximately 1,500 total square foot.
2 of the kits should be enough.
Thank you for the prompt replies. After you stated the stripper and brightner would be requred, I figured I would need two kits.so thanks for confirming that. I’ll place my order next week along with a 5 gallon container of the Rustic stain. I am really impressed with your products.
Thanks!
Can I add a non-slip product to TWP? Looking at the Rust-olium 279847 anti-skid additive
No, you cannot. TWP is a penetrating stain. You can only add anti-skid additives to coatings, such as paints that film.
Hello, we have Cape cod on our deck but it appears it can no longer be shipped to Michigan. We wanted to touch up, is there anything else we can use for a maintenance coating?
The closest would be the TWP Semi-Solid VOC in one of the gray colors:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-stain-1-gallon-low-voc
Can this be applied over the current 100 series after a clean, or does the 100 have to be stripped first?
It would be best to strip and brighten for prep.
FYI, you can pick up products at our location in Bloomfield Hills, MI if you like:
2388 Franklin Rd
Ok, maybe I’ll try a test section and see. I appreciate the help.
Sure thing!
Hi there. I recently had my front porch redone in January with rough sawn pine posts and beams. I want the best product to protect it from the elements in the north east and to achieve a light to medium brown color that still shows off its natural wood elements. What products do you recommend for the rough sawn pine and how/when is best to apply?
Look at the TWP 1500 Series in the Pecan color. Apply with a stain pad or brush.
The wood was cut and installed in the winter time, about 5 months ago. It is rough sawn. Is it ready for stain now and can I just apply the TWP 1500 or do i need to do anything to prep it for stain?
As long as it’s clean and hasn’t turned gray, it should be okay to stain now.
I received my samples and do like the pecan color. Looking for the best applicator for staining rough sawn pine? It was a little lighter than I thought after the one coat I put on with a rag. Not sure if a different applicator would make it darker. Its the 1500 series stain. With new rough sawn wood ( installed in January), should I apply multiple coats or do a wet on wet technique??
Wet on wet. Use stain pads or brushes for applying:
https://www.twpstain.com/brushes-stain-pads
Once I get the stain applied on my deck how long does it take the stain to dry. Is there a time frame where there should be no rain after staining. Thanks
4-12 hours.
Hi
We are about to use the Gemini wood cleaner to clean our deck. Does it matter if the wood is wet? Or does that only matter when applying the stain?
You can apply the Gemini prep to wet or damp wood. To apply the TWP stain, make sure you wait 48 hours after prep or any rain.
Quick question, Does the brightener need to be done right after the cleaner? If not how many days after cleaner could I wait to put brightener on? Thank you
Brighten when done with the cleaner on the same day and while the wood is wet is the best way.