Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by TWP Help
Weather the wood for new KDAT Decking
With newly installed treated lumber, it is necessary to wait an adequate period of time for the wood to season or dry out prior to staining it with TWP. New wood sometimes referred to as “green” wood, has a very high moisture content when it is new. Staining wood in this condition would trap moisture under the stain and potentially lead to mold, mildew, and wood decay issues. This can mean premature future costly repairs and replacement of the wood so it is best to wait. The seasoning time frame can be around 4-12 months give or take depending on the climate, weather and sun exposure.
To avoid having to wait months to stain your new wood you can use KDAT wood instead. KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) is wood that is dried in a kiln after it has been treated with the proper bug deterring chemicals. The wood is then put on the market and sold. It is slightly more expensive than regularly treated wood but it may be worth not having to wait as long to stain it. The wait time for staining new KDAT wood with TWP is 1-2 months. This cuts down significantly on the wait time and may be the right option for you.
Kiln Dried Wood Staining with TWP
After the month waiting period for KDAT wood, you should prep the wood with Gemini Restore Kit. This will clean the new wood and remove any mill glaze that occurred during the sawing of the wood at the mill. If mill glaze is left on the wood it can hinder proper penetration of the TWP stain and jeopardize its longevity and performance. Always clean and prep new wood just as you would older lumber.
Whether using KDAT or standard treated lumber, be sure the moisture content of the wood is below 15% before applying TWP stain.
Staining New Wood and Decking for the First Time
Even after the waiting period and the proper prepping, new smooth wood is still not as absorbent as it will be in a few years. We strongly suggest only applying 1 coat of the TWP Stains the first time. Do not over apply as the TWP may not penetrate into the wood correctly. Make sure to back wipe any excess stain that does not penetrate properly into the wood after 30 minutes. Use the For newer wood, TWP 100 Series if allowed in your state, otherwise use the TWP 1500 Series.
Maintaining TWP Stains
Apply a light maintenance coat to the flooring in 9-24 months. If just slightly dirty prep with soapy water to remove grime and reapply one light coat. If you wait 18-24 months make sure to prep again with the Gemini Restore A Deck. After the first year or two, your wood will be able to absorb more TWP stain which results in a longer stain life and protection!
TWP Stain Tip:
TWP is a penetrating wood preservative. It performs properly when it penetrates 100% into the wood. Over applying will not result in longer protection.
Does KDAT wood need to be exposed to the elements to dry out? If I get the wood (cedar) delivered, let it sit for 1-2 months outside and stacked, stain first and then lay the deck, would that still work?
It has to be exposed and built. Not stacked.
Thanks!
New KDAT was just laid and secured for our new deck.They are getting ready to apply finish, but there are green stripes all over the KDAT. It seems to bloom and get worse every day. What is going on? How can it be fixed?
No idea. You should contact the manufacturer of the wood for help.
What is the shelf life of TWP 100? I have a new KDAT deck and only need ~2 gallons of TWP for the first coat. If I bought a new 5 gallon container would I be able to use the remaining product in the next 9-12 months?
https://twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
New Kiln dried pressure treated pine was cleaned, dried, and stained (twp 1500) after waiting period. Issue is the deck has a lot of mildew (black splotches forming). Should I use some type of cleaner or did I do something wrong in my prep?
Post a picture.
Sort of hard to tell since it just rained. Application went on well (1 coat) but it has darkened over the past three months (probably mildew). I was sure to only put 1 coat and not too thick. I ensured product was constantly stirred to avoid settling and separating
It looks to be under the stain which means mildew spores where present prior to applying. Could be from pollen, etc. that landed on the deck after prep but prior to staining. This means you will probably have to a full redo in the Spring.
That is what I was fearing! We have a lot of pollen in the backyard. Would it be better to do in late fall (this is on an upper deck so I dont get many leaves)? I live in NC and our spring goes from cold to pollen season basically over night.
And by redo, do I need to strip it down completely or just use the cleaner and brightener and reapply stain?
You could do it in the Fall to avoid the pollen next reason. Best to strip to get it all out: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Thanks guys!
Purchased rough sawn cedar pickets and plan on sanding smoother with 80 or 100 grit. Can I stain immediately after sanding or does it need to weather? Which product do you recommend?
Sand with 60-80 grit and then final prep with the Gemini Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain with the TWP 1500.
Thank you. Could you explain … What would the cleaner and brightener do for brand new wood that has been sanded?
Sanding close the pores and the prep after opens the pores so the stain can soak in better.
I am getting ready to stain my deck with the Cedar 1500 series on an old deck that has been cleaned. I now need to sand. I am thinking about painting a “rug” on the deck where we would have our table. Can I paint after I have stained the deck wet on wet or do I have to paint my “rug” in the space before I stain.
You cannot paint over the TWP and the TWP cannot go over paint.
Staining a new all cedar hot tub. Wood is kiln dried and smooth inside and out. Given that it will be filled with water I plan on staining the outside once before the first filling as it will be at its driest. Using TWP 1501. Thoughts about wait period and direct contact with stainless steel straps that will be placed around the barrel tub?
You have to wait and prep, no way around it. No harm with the straps.
South Central VA – Exterior barn doors built with kiln dried yellow pine (UNTREATED). Wood was run thru planer to remove ink stamps. Everyone around here says stain asap because the wood is not treated. What say you? Picked up 100 series brochure at paint store but I’m reading here not available in VA
What is the definition of “new wood”?
Can I stain now?
What prep?
What product?
Inside of doors will not be exposed in order to weather if there is a wait period.
Best to weather and prep as the above article suggests. You will need the TWP 1500 for VA as the 100 is not allowed there.
So I wait the same period as KDAT 1-2 months? Even though my wood is not treated? What about the interior side?
Same if kiln-dried, otherwise 3-4 months. The inside is the same as well.
We are in the process of installing a deck using kiln dried cedar. It will be completed mid September. Should I stain in the middle of October, or wait until spring? We live in Seattle, WA and don’t want the wood to loose it’s beauty during the winter. If we wait to stain until spring, should we somehow cover the deck to protect it?
We just had a new front door built for our 75 year-old house in Baton Rouge, LA. It is made from old growth Spanish Cedar, and appears to be very open grained. We want to finish it with natural look to show off the grain — both inside and out — before hanging it. What do you recommend?
Use the TWP 100 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
How can I get twp100 if I live in Illinois
TWP 100 Series is not allowed in IL. Use the TWP 1500 Series.
Do I need to seal bottom and sides of kdat kiln dried deck boards prior to installation and then wait 1-2 months clean and brighten top and seal
No. You install now, wait the 1-2 months, prep and stain the exposed wood only. No need to do the undersides or sides.
Is it necessary to stain both sides of the fence boards? Will boards cup if only one side is stained?
You should stain both sides of a fence for longevity and appearance.
I have 2 applications
1. Fence – intending to use Kiln dried tight knot western cedar – from the article sounds like I have to wait for a month before staining. But I’m in San Francisco bay area, heading into rainy season. How long do I have to wait after a rain event to stain?
2. New Alaskan yellow cedar engineered beams holding up my deck. These have been up 3 months – are they ready to stain?
1. 48 hours after rain.
2. Yes
Prep all wood with the Gemini Restore Kit first.
What is the temperature range to apply TWP 100?
50-95 degrees.
Help! We want to stain the porch floor on our 117 yr old house. We are getting ready to have porch floor sanded to remove existing paint & we’re hoping to stain next week. We did have to replace about 20 boards & did so with Kiln dried fir on 9/18 (exactly a month ago next tues). I’ve been told by a couple of people we need to wait until spring for those new boards to weather. A couple of people said we should be ok to stain now. Reading the info. above indicates we can stain now. Torn on what right thing to do is. What is your suggestion?
For KDAT, wait a month and prep first. It does say this in the above article.
It may have been stated before, but I am in western New York State, and wonder if I need to use your prep kit on this new deck(KDAT). The deck is 5 days old. Can we stain now, or do I need to wait a full month, and then will regular washing be enough???
Yes on the kit and yes you should wait the month.
I thought I read that you recommended 1 coat for new KDAT pine, but in calculating amount needed you state 2 gal. for 2 coats of wet on wet? So which is best, 1 coat now, and 1 coat later(?) or 2 coats now?
1 coat for new wood.