- TWP® 100 Pro-Series resists water absorption, prevents warping, cracking, splitting, and freeze damage, while providing broad spectrum weather protection.
- TWP 1500 Total Wood Preservative is EPA-registered, protecting against UV fading, wood rot, water damage, and mildew on exterior surfaces.
- TWPStainHelp.com offers step-by-step wood maintenance guidance, stain tips, and how-to articles for achieving professional-like results.
Welcome to the official help site for TWPStain.com
TWP® 100 Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. Containing unique ingredients that protect the wood from damage, TWP 100 Series has been a leader and respected product for over 25 years.
TWP® 100 Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® 100 Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes warping, cracking, splitting, and prevents freeze damage in colder climates. Use TWP® 100 Pro-Series to Restore and Protect YOUR GREAT OUTDOORS!
TWP 1500 Total Wood Preservative is an EPA-registered wood preservative for decks, fences, gazebos, cedar siding, wood shakes, log homes, outdoor furniture, and other exterior wood surfaces. TWP wood preservative offers outstanding protection from UV fading, wood rot, water damage, and mildew for all types of wood species.
The TWPStainHelp.com site is designed for exterior wood and deck owners looking for solutions to their wood maintenance questions. We have gathered information based on years of experience. From TWP stain tips and wood maintenance advice to prepping new wood and how-to articles, we will guide you step by step to achieve professional-like results using any of the TWP wood preservative products.
Please read our articles and feel free to ask any questions that you may have about restoring your exterior wood or decking surfaces. The information you need regarding wood and deck restoration and TWP deck stains are all here. Please enjoy and remember that we are here to help.
TWP products have been independently tested and reviewed at DeckStainHelp. Read independent wood and deck stain reviews to see how each series performs across deck types, climates, and conditions.
SemiSolid vs TWP 100 for a badly neglected deck? It looks like weathered bare wood, maybe either cedar or untreated pine. Any original finish is gone. Has both black mildew and green algae. I’m intending to clean with Restore-A-Deck. My question is whether SemiSolid or 100 will provide longer term protection from the elements. I don’t expect to restore much natural wood grain look, I just want it to last as long as possible. We’re in Minnesota, with both hot humid summers, and nasty cold winters.
Go with the TWP Semi-Solid. It has more pigment than the 100 Series, so it provides better UV protection and holds its color longer — that is the trade-off you want since you are not trying to keep the natural grain look. The Semi-Solid still masks the grain only about 70-80%, not completely. Minnesota is not a VOC-restricted state, so both the 100 Series and the standard Semi-Solid are available to you. The Restore-A-Deck cleaner and brightener will take care of the black mildew and green algae — just be sure to follow the cleaner with the brightener before you stain.
What’s the difference between the 100 series and 1500 series?
The main difference is VOC compliance. The TWP 100 Series is 550 VOC and cannot be shipped or used in a number of states, while the TWP 1500 Series is 350 VOC and is allowed in all 50 states. Performance-wise they last the same, though the 100 Series soaks in slightly better on new wood. Check whether your state allows the 100 Series here: https://www.twpstain.com/voc-states
My 35 year old PT pine fence originally was stained with an oil, which lasted 15-20 years until I had a large scale local company stain it with water based. In about 5-7 years they did it again with water based stain. It’s been about 5 years and I’m wondering if I can convert it back to oil based (you’re 100 series) semi or solid over that water based product.
You have to remove the water-based stain completely, no matter what. When switching stain brands, it does not matter whether it is oil- or water-based. If you want help with how to do this, add some pics of the fence in the comments.
We bought 3 cans of TWP 102 REDWOOD stain and the third can dried a completely different color and sheen.
All the deck boards were cleaned and sanded equally. We stained each board equally and NOTHING was different except the can. The deck has been dry for 3 days
Now what? I did my research and I am so disappointed in the different quality of each can. I would have purchased a 5 gallon, but it was not available.
Do you guarantee the quality and color to be consistent across each can? How do I fix this?
We do not see that you bought from us directly, and we have 5-gallon pails available for sale on our website. Where did you purchase from?
Fleet Farm Oconomowoc Wisconsin.
I can provide receipt and information from cans
Hi Sarah, we are not the manufacturer of TWP; we’re an online dealer. Since you didn’t buy the stain directly from us, it’s best to contact Gemini Coatings (TWP Manufacturer) for assistance. Their phone number is on the TWP containers. They can help determine if this was a stain issue by checking the batch numbers or an application or prep issue. If we had to guess, it looks like the darker area to the left was sanded at a finer grit then the part to the right. When this happens, the stain cannot penetrate as deeply and will look richer. TWP isn’t designed to have a shine since it is a fully penetrating stain, and if it does, it’s likely due to a prep or application issue. Meaning it was sanded too fine and/or over-applied. Also, the directions on the containers do state to remove any excess stain from the surface that does not penetrate after 30-60 minutes.
https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
I’m looking into your product for an exterior covered patio on a tongue and groove pine ceiling. The boards are up and will have minimum exposure to the elements aside from being outside. I know most would come to preference and condition of the wood but what color would you suggest for untreated pine ? I was initially thinking of just a clear coat but I do think a little darker would make the space pop.
Skip the clear — it has no pigment, so it gives zero UV protection and the wood will still gray over time. For untreated pine where you want a little more depth, 1501 Cedartone or 1520 Pecan are the usual picks, and 1503 Dark Oak if you want a noticeably darker brown. Apply one coat on new smooth wood, by hand with a stain pad or brush — spraying a ceiling is extremely messy and uneven.
TWP semi solid stain has worked great on my older deck over past 5yrs but now time to re’stain.
My question is re Semi Solid stain colors;
Is Cedar Mulch TWP semi-solid stain slightly more brown & eith slight less orange hue than Twp Musket semi solid stain i used previously.?..
Thanks!
Sorry, but there is no way to answer that, as colors always vary based on wood type, age, application, and prep. Best to test some samples to see how it works on your wood.
How long does twp store in a garage that ranges in temperature from 50-70 degrees? In winter the temperature hovers at 50. In the summer it hovers at 65-70.
I’m thinking of getting the 5 gallon of 100 even though I only need three gallons. I can save $44 in shipping and have two gallons for refreshing the stain in 2-5 years.
If opened, the shelf life is less than 1 year.
Use 1500 series on a deck, which is got a cover over it like five of the boards are still shiny looking and the other ones ain’t what do I need to do?
The shiny boards are over-applied — the wood in those spots did not absorb all of the stain, so the excess is sitting on the surface. This is common on a covered deck, since boards under the cover stay less weathered and less porous than the ones that get sun and rain. Wipe the shiny areas down with mineral spirits and a rag to pull off the excess; they will also dull and cure on their own over the next couple of weeks. Saturate any oily rags in water when you are done to prevent spontaneous combustion.
https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
I live in New Hampshire. I installed a cedar fence we can’t get the 100 series here… is the 200 series better or should I use the 1500 series what would you recommend?
Use the TWP 1500 Series here.
Thank you for your help 😊
I did not receive any information with my twp 1500 sample to receive a discount on my purchase of a 5 gallon bucket
Here is how our sample program works:
Pick as many colors as you would like by choosing your color in the above dropdown color choice and then click “Add to Cart”. Color swatches at bottom of the page.
Samples are $10 each to cover our shipping costs.
Once you decide to purchase a stain from our site, you can use the money you spent towards the purchase of a 5 Gallon Pail of Stain!
Maximum $15 discount per customer/household. Instructions on how to get a credit will be included with your samples.
*Sample program cannot be combined with any promotional discount coupons!
How To Claim Sample Credit
Enter your sample order number into the “Order Notes” during checkout. The sample credit will be issued after the order for the 5-gallon pail is placed. Typically the next business day and will post to your Credit card or Pay Pal account within 3-8 business days.
Best removal method for TWP on powder coated metal?
Use a water-based graffiti remover like Goof Off applied on a rag to remove dried TWP from powder coated metal.
I am needing to restain my deck snd rails. Previously my original TWP stained deck and rails were restrained with a solid stain by a contractor. Since then I have restained the deck surface by only sanding/scraping. This actually held up, despite not being an ideal approach. The reason I did this is that my log home and the pillars are still TWP and I didn’t want to ruin the stain. Now I need to restain the rails but I don’t want to ruin the stain on my pillars. I can’t see how I can cover them well enough not to be ruined by something like deck cleaner and brighter. Can you recommend a cleaner that won’t ruin my stain?
Sorry, but no easy approach to this.
One more question….Can the stripper/booster/gel additive be mixed in a 5 gallon pail and be used over several weeks or does it need to be mixed in smaller quantities and used right away?
It can be used over several weeks.
Can the stain stripper still be applied with a sprayer if the thickener is added, or is it too thick to spray?
Yes.
If I add the thickener to the stripper is it too thick to apply with a sprayer?
It can still be sprayed with a quality pump sprayer.
I applied a maintenance coat of 100 series on my deck last year. I don’t want to put more stain on this year. What is the best way to clean the deck without putting on more stain? Will a light dawn solution work? Can i use a very diluted solution of bleach (1% sh).
Water with a bit of dish soap and use a car wash brush to lightly scrub.
What about RAD Guard wood cleaner? Is that a good option?
That is not a cleaner, but a mold remover and preventer.
How can you tell if stain is expired? What happens to the stain? I have 100 series. It looks fine.
https://twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
Where can I purchase the 1500 series 5 gallon in my local area (Washington. Dc area)?
We’re online only, you can order it directly from us and have it shipped.
Thanks for the ever so prompt response and insight.
How long does an unopened gallon can of two rustic oak last and still cure .
Unopened, TWP is good for about 2–3 years as long as it’s stored somewhere temperature-controlled. When you’re ready to use it, mix it thoroughly first — if it combines completely smooth with no skinning or clumping, it’s still good to apply.