Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by TWP Help
Tips for Applying a Maintenance Coat of TWP
Wood maintenance is different from a complete wood restoration. Restoring a wood surface means bringing it back to a like-new appearance from a neglected state or deciding to switch from one stain type to another. Wood maintenance, on the other hand, is an ongoing process to keep well-kept wood looking good. Wood maintenance is simply cleaning and recoating the wood with the same wood stain that was previously used.
Maintenance Coat of TWP
In preparing an exterior wood surface for maintenance, it is important to know what type of old stain is present. TWP Wood Preservative can be cleaned and recoated easily but switching from one stain to another requires a different process. Assuming you are maintaining a wood surface that has a fading TWP Wood Stain on it, you are ready to begin maintenance.
Cleaning the wood properly is essential to get lasting results. Use the Gemini Restore Kit for this. This does an excellent job of removing dirt, grime, and unwanted soils. They come in a powdered form that mixes with water.
TWP Stain Tip: If the deck stain is 1-year-old, use a lesser concentration of cleaner for the prep. Try 2-3 oz per gallon of water. If the current stain is 18+ months, you may need a deeper cleaning concentration of 6-8 oz. per gallon of water.
Apply the wood cleaner using a pump sprayer or brush. Scrub or pressure wash the surface clean then rinse well. After the wood is cleaned and rinsed, it is necessary to apply a wood brightener. This will reverse the darkening effect of the caustic cleaner and restore pH levels in the wood. This will brighten the wood and help to ensure proper stain penetration. Do not skip this important second step in the wood cleaning process.
Allow the wood to dry for at least 48 hours prior to staining. Protect things you do not want the stain on, like windows, shrubbery, concrete, or siding using plastic or tarps. Always wear protective gear like gloves, masks, and safety glasses.
Apply any of the TWP Wood and Deck Preservatives using a brush, stain pad, roller, or garden pump sprayer. It is best to start up top on high surfaces like wood siding or gazebos and to work your way down. On decks, stain the railings first before staining the deck floor.
Be sure the TWP stain is fully penetrating the wood and wipe away any excess stain that remains on the surface. Remember, there is still an older coat of stain in the wood so you will not apply as much stain on a maintenance coat as you would on bare wood surfaces. Stain each board or piece of wood from end to end. Stopping in the middle of a section can create unsightly lap marks. Once you are satisfied that the wood has absorbed all the TWP stain that it can you are finished.
So wanting to make sure….
I have a cedar fence that has a 9 year old coat of TWP 100 on it. Some areas where the sprinklers hit have lost stain and turned gray.
Do I understand correctly the I should use the Restore a Deck duo to strip/clean/brighten the surface before I start with the new coat of TWP 100 [not just skipping the stripping]??
Secondly, with this fence, should I anticipate a coverage of closer to 150 sq ft per gallon or 200??
You would use either the cleaner or the stipper, not both. Post some pics for help on which would be best for you. Brightener is last.
For 2 coats applied wet on wet to a fence, you would get about 100-125 sq feet per gallon for both coats.
TWP maintenance coat but some of the wood is still bearing water. Do I need to sand/strip before I apply the new coat?
Strip and brighten would be best. No need to sand.
Is there a specific stripper that you guys recommend using?
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Do I spot strip or strip the whole deck?
Strip all. You can’t spot strip. Brighten all when done.
Hello!
Garage door was prepped and stained back in the summer of 2020 with Cedar 101. I plan to reapply as there are now some “stains”. What is your recommendation? Sand, Gemini kit and stain or just Gemini kit and stain?
Thank you!
Gemini Kit and then stain.
I had our house pressure washed and they also pressure washed the decking, which was unexpected, what process do I need to use to prep for restaining the deck?
Reply back with some pics and what stain was used prior?
I applied TWP 115-Honeytone when the deck was new, 4 years ago, according to the “New Wood” preperation instructions. I intend on using the same color again.
Use this kit while pressure washing for the prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
If I already have the RAD Stripper and Brightner kit, can I use that instead?
Yes.
Cleaned(with your product) power washed and brightened my cedar deck. Put a coat of the cedar colored TWP 101 Pro series back about 3 months ago. May not have applied it well enough with the felt pad and looks a little thin in spots – do I still have to use cleaner (saw the 2-3 oz gal recc in another post) and brightener before putting a second coat?
Yes but might want to wait until next Spring. It will be fine until then.
If I applied a first coat of stain but very thin, can I apply a second coat 2 days later? It will still absorb stain when I did test sample
We cannot guarantee it will cure correctly if done this way. Second coats have to be wet on wet.
Hello! We are applying a maintenance coat this year for our deck. We would like to avoid power washing during prep because last year (first stain on new wood, Twp1500 black walnut) we ran into major issues. When power washing, it created random squiggly lines that seemed to “cut” through the wood, and applying the brightener only accentuated the unsightly, uneven lines.
We ended up sanding down the whole deck just to make sure it looked even, and applied the stain from there. I do not believe we need to strip everything down and start again this year because it penetrated well and has looked good all year.
1. Do you have any recommendations for proper materials/techniques to “scrub” the wood cleaner?
2. Do you have any tips to ensure pump spraying the brightener is applied evenly? For example, is it okay for a few drips here and there?
Thank you for your time, we love your stains and how helpful you are to everyone.
1. Pressure washing is the correct way but use it as a high pressure rinsing tool after any scrubbing. About 12 inches away from the wood is correct. The pressure washer does not cause the issues, improper technique does.
2. It is very easy to apply a brightener. Just ensure you are using a quality sprayer and mix well first.
Hi, I have a cedar deck which I completely stripped, sanded and applied TWP 100 Cedartone 1501 stain to one year ago (May 2022). I just cleaned it (a bit of Dawn dishsoap and soe Oxyclean) with a soft-bristle brush and rinsed it with a lot of water. It got the dirt off, and the deck looks brighter, but there are some areas where the sun beats on the deck that look like they it use some touch-up (about 12 boards wide by 20′ long). A lot of the deck is shaded by the house on one side, and on the other side by a very large beech tree (in Ohio) which look great yet. In-between are the boards that have lost a lot of color (no peeling, just fading). If I try to apply a light coat to them without doing the other areas am I going to get a striped effect when I am done? If I do the entire thing again, the new stain is not likely to absorb into a lot of the area that still looks good (and has some water repellancy). How do I keep from over-saturating these areas (with too much stain). Do I need to apply the stain to 3 or 4 boards the entire length, wait 10 minutes, then wipe the boards with a rag to remove stain that has not penetrated? Do I do the same thing with the boards that are not as well stained anymore in the middle? I don’t think I can afford to stain it all, then walk back over it after 30 minutes to wipe stain away or it will leave footprints. So, exactly how do I get it to look uniform with another application this year? I want to prevent dark areas and light areas from occurring. Thanks, Jerry
You cannot spot-apply and have it all blend. If you redo everything, you must prep properly using the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing first. When doing two coats it is applied wet on wet. Do all first and then walk back on and do apply the second coat.
https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
So, your saying I have to completely start over after only one year and strip all the old stain off, apply a wood brightener, dry it several days and then stain again? I thought I could do a “maintenance coat” without starting completely over again. Or does that leave you with some areas darker than others (where the stain was not completely removed)? Thanks, Jerry R
To get it even, yes. Prep and recoat.
Also, do I have to power wash it? I do not own a power washer. Can it just be hosed off after applying and lightly scrubbing the cleaner?
Yes, you will need a pressure washer to have an even coverage when done which is the goal.
Your answers contradict the instructions for a maintenance coat.
The Gemini Kit is the proper way to prep whence recoating.
What is required to change color, going from rustic to dark oak
This prep kit: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I used Rustic 1516 on rough sawn cedar posts two years ago. Would like to add a coat or two to them. Do I need to clean the post with anything before adding a new coat? Also I bought the Rustic 1516 5 gallon two years ago, can I still use this or should I buy a new one. Thanks
Prep when recoating with the Gemini Restore kit. If the TWP you have is opened, then it is no longer good anymore.
Hello, last summer we used the RAD kit to prep our cedar deck then we stained with the 1500 series in color Pecan. We love it and have been so impressed with how well the stain has withstood our Oregon coast weather. Better than anything we have ever used!
This summer we want to apply a maintenance coat of the same 1500 stain. The deck is in good shape but the color has faded a bit and there are some fine scratches from the dog and cat.
My question: viewing the attached pics, do we need to use the Gemini cleaning kit or can we simply wash with a gentle soap and water to prep or what do you recommend? Thank you!
(note in the pics attached that the deck is slightly damp)
Best to use the Gemini Kit but you can mix the cleaner at half strength. The main goal is to clean off any dirt and grime.
Will do. Thank you for the reply!
I’m sure my question was redundant other questions on here but we are wanting to do this right for our situation.
We are super pleased with your stain products and how well they perform.
I washed and cleaned deck to apply a maintenance coat of twp 100 after applying the coat of stain it not drying. It tacky to the touch 12 hours later?
What did you use to prep? Also, it will dry eventually, it may need more time.
Just Pressure washed and waited 48 hours for it to dry
You need to use the Gemini Restore Kit while pressure washing for proper prep.
Is the semi-solid oil based?
I have an arbor that is 1502 Redwood. I need a semi-solid color that is a near match. Suggestion?
Yes, the semi-solid is oil-based. Thre is not a matching color. Close may be Heartwood or Lighthouse:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
Seven years ago I stripped my deck, applied TWP 100 series stain. The next year I just washed the deck, the 3rd year I think I used RAD step 1 and 2 and restained. The 4th year I washed, the 5th I used RAD 1 and 2 and restained. The 6th year I washed. I believe this year is a STRIP and restain year. Does this sound like a familiar and appropriate application schedule? Do you have a link that describes this process rotation?
Yes, that would work this time. The process is the same as cleaning, just using a stripper instead: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I am applying a maintenance coat of 1500 stain to my deck. Today I used the cleaner & brightener. Weather conditions have changed, can I stain in 24 hours or must I wait longer to apply? I may have to wait 3-4 days because of forecasted weather. Can I stain after that long or must I clean & brighten again? Thanks
48 hours to dry after prep or rain. You do not have to redo the prep unless it has been longer than two weeks.
Thanks!
I am planning to put a maintenance coat of 1500 semi-transparent TWP stain to my horizontal surfaces of my deck. On a maintenance coat, can I do wet on wet or only one coat? Thanks
Typically just one coat is needed if you have a base coat.
Do vertical beams that aren’t in terrible shape require cleaner and brightener for every maintenance coat or can I clean by scrubbing and/or pressure washing and add an additional light coat of the same 100 series? It’s been three years since initial application, but all of the covered portion of the deck is still in great shape. Just a little lighter in color after I cleaned, brightened and added a coat to the uncovered half. Thanks in advance!
Yes, you should do the proper prep whenever recoating.
I am a contractor in the Kansas City area. That has used your product on a red cedar deck approximately 24 months ago. The deck is showing slight areas of either wear or peeling wondering how to go about resolving issue I see in most of the comments and questions that sanding is not required or to use no more than 80 grit sandpaper. What steps do you recommend. The customer also has a privacy fence that is 24 months old that they would like to have stained same color we used the 120 pecan what steps do you recommend.
Prep both with the Gemini Restore A Deck Kits: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I have a 5 yr old deck that was initially stained with TWP 100 series then stained again 3 yr later with the TWP again. I’m getting ready to have it re-stained again this spring with TWP 100.
One contractor has indicated it’s recommended the deck floor should be lightly sanded to get a better adhesion and streak free staining; that once the deck has been stained with TWP just cleaning/stripping then re-applying TWP the stain does not always apply evenly and therefore does not soak in as well and leaves streaks.Also, sanding will add more life to the re-staining.Can you validate this statement and if incorrect provide recommendations as how I should proceed. Also, under what circumstances would sanding be recommended?
As a side note, this contractor says he has used TWP products before and has high praise for TWP stains.
Thanks for you help,
He is incorrect. Sanding actually can reduce the stain’s penetration, not improve it. it can be done but it cannot be sanded finer than 60-80 grit.
Sanding will also not improve the longevity and not sanding does not create streaks or uneven application.
I’ve used Armstrong Clark on cedar siding and pt deck do I need to strip before using twp 100 or just clean and brighten .
Strip and brighten is the correct way.
I built a KDAT covered porch in January of 2020, waited the recommended time, prepared it with the Gemini kit, and stained with pecan 102 in March of 2020. Looks great! Now about to do a maintenance coat. I have the Gemini kit again but since the porch is covered it doesn’t get very dirty do I need to use the cleaner AND brightener? Or just the cleaner? And following that, just one maintenance coat, correct?
Use both prep and then one coat.
I stained my deck two years ago with Pecan 100 Series here in NC. Today, I noticed on your website that 1500 series is rated as the best product. After treating my deck with Gemini Restore Kit can I re-stain with the 1500 series? In NC is the 1500 series a better choice than the 100 series? Also, can I stain the rails previously stained with Pecan 100 Series with the semi-solid stain?
Stick with the 100 Series. They both last the same on a deck. If you want to use the semi-solid then you should strip and brighten for prep.
Hello!
I used your pecan 100 series to do my deck last year and if I want to restrain the deck what is the process for using the same color
Thank you
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit first: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Hi! I applied TWP stain this summer on our deck, and there is already significant fading. We followed all the application steps, what do I need to do to revive the color, and protect it from fading further?
You just applied in the last month or so so that is called final curing color. Leave as is this year. You can always add a light coat next year if needed.
Thank you!
We applied your stain last year. I used TWP 100 Series cedartone 101. It still looks pretty good just dirty. It still has a few shiny spots, I guess this was from over applying? Do I need something special to clean it? How do you know when you need to do a maintenance coat? Would like to keep up on it so all I have to do is clean and add a coat. Just not sure when you need to add another coat? Thank you
Whenever you recoat use this kit for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
You can do it now or next year is okay.
So if I don’t re stain this year. Do I just use soap and water to clean deck or do I get your cleaner?
Soap and water. Our prep products are only for recoating.
Hi! The pillars of our home were stained with TWP Cedartone 101 more than 6 years ago. We want to re-stain using the same product. Do we need to strip and brighten before staining? Or can we get by with just powerwashing before staining?
Clean and brighten. Use this kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Thank you! There is uneven wear on some of the pillars, do you think cleaning and brightening will be enough?
It should be but you can strip if you would like: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Thank you so much!
Hey there, I bought the Gemini restore kit and after the cleaner was applied it left streaks on my fence pictures belowZ was not spraying so it Fanned out but rather just so it dropped on my fence (my initial mistake.) but, not I’m left with these streaks. If I go over the fence with cleaner again will it remove these streaks? Will the streaks even show if I apply stain now? Thanks!
No pictures. File size needs to below 3mb for each picture.
Boom!
Redo the cleaning and then brighten the wood. It should even out. The brightener is important at the end.
I have a question on preventive maintenance. I stripped and applied TWP 100 stain October 2020. It went on good and the weather report was for no rain for 3 days yet the night after I completed there was a light rain. I loved the color and look, however, I have some slightly ghosted or grayish spots on areas that the stain did not harden enough. It is not unsightly but wanted to plan on washing and any treatment I should do to avoid a restore-it now activity.
What do you suggest as a cleaning or washing winter mud, etc. ? Is there a recommended detergent and can I scrub with a soft brush that will not damage the stain ? Can/should I reapply a layer of stain on the gray locations or is that a wait for a restore-it strip and restain project ?
I am in the NW where we have rather mild weather (summer and winter wise) so I am expecting this application should last a few years.
Thanks-
Just use warm water and dish soap to remove dirt with a soft car wash brush. To recoat and fix the spots, you will have to do a full prep and restain of all the wood.
Last summer I applied twp 100 cedar tone on our deck. Minnesota. This spring some of the horizontal surfaces need a maintenance coat. Vertical surfaces are fine. Is it possible to clean and brighten just the horizontal surfaces and recoat. Or will the run off from the prep necessitate also doing the vertical surfaces?
Yes, you can do this. You may have to touch a few spots on the verticals but should not be a big deal.
Thank you.
I have a wood fence that I stained six months ago. Seems to be in good shape besides some darkening on the top rail/horizontal surfaces.
I remember reading somewhere on this site that cleaning with some mild detergent and water is enough after 6mo to do a maintenance coat… but it doesn’t seem to help with some of the mildew on the top rail.
Should I use the cleaner/brightener now? Continue with just the detergent before the maintenance coat? Or should I wait until the 1 year mark and do it all then?
You can od it now or at the one year mark. Up to you. Use the Gemini Kit for prep on all wood that will be stained.
a customer has twp praire gray on all of his docks. is it ok for me to just clean/prep them and apply a fresh coat over the existing coating?
Yes.
So, my western red cedar fence has twp 1501 on it and is fading after 2 years a little. I want to brighten it up. So, I need to use the cleaner powder mentioned above, brightener, and then re-stain it with 1501? It’s not possible to just pressure wash and re- stain if my fence has only been treated with twp 1501?
You will need the Gemini Restore Kit for prep while pressure washing.
Thanks!
Hi, I applied a coat of TWP 1500 about 14 months ago, with a (probably too heavy) wet on wet application. We used some off the shelf cleaner last weekend, and it looks like it took some of the stain off the deck, though it does appear to still have its water repellant properties. We were wondering if it would be possible to put a thin top coat on to restore some of the color and any waterproofing that it lost, or if we need to just strip and redo?
Thanks!
Post a picture.
Bottom half is the one I’m referring to, top is the half of the deck we didn’t do yet. It accurately reflects what the bottom half looked like.
Strip and brighten this so it evens out.
I would like to do a maintenance coat on the sun-exposed wood of a portico. This would be the vertical Douglas-fir 6 x 6 supports and the exposed horizontal beans (there is no wooden decking). 13 years ago when the portico was built, I used TWP 101 natural cedar, which is no longer available here in Colorado, so I expect to use 1501 natural cedar. I have pressure washed and the wood looks very nice. Is it OK to simply apply the 1501 now?
The TWP 1530 Natural is closer in color to the 101 Cedartone Natural. As for prep, we would need to see some pictures.
After pressure washing
Looks clean to stain now.
Hi, I’m looking to due some maintenance on two decks with prior application of TWP 100 Pecan. As I have a new fence with Cedartone I am wondering if I can clean and brighten and then switch to Cedartone since the tint is similar, or if that is just going to come out looking weird. On the other hand, I’d like to avoid stripping if possible, so if I can just add a fresh coat without stripping I’d stick with the Pecan. We also have a platform by the entry where most of the wear is so I’d probably strip that regardless. There’s some wear shown here but I think we’re dealing mostly with dirt.
Thanks.
It is just as easy or easier to strip so we would suggest this for all wood: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
You would have to do this no matter what if you want to switch all to cedartone color.
A painter prepared old dock and decks with sander, applying Gemini cleaner and brightened.
After a few days of dry – he applied a 50/50 mix of 1500 redwood & 1500 rustic – which was the perfect color wanted.
Alas, he only left the stain to soak in for five minutes – not 20-40 minutes before wiping off.
The result the decks are pink – only absorbing a small amount of red base color though the railings show true color I ordered since he went over the application several times.
See attached photo.
They have dried for three days – can I still apply a brush application of stain and let it soak in?
I will test tomorrow in an inconspicuous spot but I can’t live with a pink deck for a year!
Not sure if the wood will take another coat or not. Do a test board and see what it turns out and dries.
Can we restain our cedar deck with a darker TWP stain without having to strip/sand the existing lighter TWP stain?
It would be best and easier to strip and brighten to ensure an even appearance when done: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I applied TWP1500 Natural a little less than 4 years ago on the exterior wall of house that is within our screened porch. Therefore the wall is mostly protected from direct contact with the elements and just looks a little faded – no fungus or discoloring. I would like to maintain the wall with a new coat of stain, I power washed it to remove surface dirt, is it absolutely necessary to use the Gemini restore kit or can I simply apply a new coat of the same stain? I’ve included a photo.
Thank you.
You can go ahead and apply now.
Use 100 or 1500 on a 1200 sf deck professionally done with a TWC product 2 years ago, in cedartone. I don’t know whether TWC 100 or 1500 was used, and cannot locate the contractor. I will do the restaining myself. The wood is is in very good condition still, minor checking, clean, no stains. Which prep and stain products do you recommend? The deck’s located in central North Carolina in a mostly sunny location.
Use this for prep and stain with the TWP 100 Series. https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I applied the Cedartone 100 series to my redwood deck and it’s a little orange for my taste. Would I be able to switch to a Honeytone color in 100 series in the future if I use the RAD stripper and brightener? How many years should I wait? Thank you!
Yes, you can switch if you remove it. You and do this whenever you like.
Preparing to do a maintenance coat of TWP black walnut stain on our deck. I understand the need to use a cleaner first…there is some mildew on the shady part of the steps. Do I need to do a brightener afterwards when I’m using such a dark stain?
Yes.
Do you sell an applicator?
https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools
When using the 100 series and simply changing colors from rustic to dark oak, is it necessary to use safe strip or is restore cleaner and brightener sufficient?
You would want to strip and brighten when switching color with this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I live in Maryland have the true 4 seasons of weather; snow, rain, hot, cold temperature conditions. I built my deck 3 years ago with premium treated lumber and have used TWP 1500 neutral stain with beautiful results. However, every year, the tops of the railings, steps and deck start turning a blackish color about 3 months after application. I assume it is from watering sprinklers and rain/snow. The stain has protected the wood as water beads up and it always looks new and I like the finished product, but the black starts building up. I don’t want to strip and re-apply stain 2-3 times a year to keep it nice looking. In the past I have cleaned the deck, but it strips the surface stain off as well as the black dirt and I have to apply another coat of stain. Can you recommend a good method to clean the surface and not lift the stain. I would like to only apply the stain at the beginning of the season.
Sorry but that is not possible. Our prep products are to be used only for reapplication. Using any other band of cleaner will require reapplication as well.
on my screen porch I have 120 pecan on the walls and ceiling. Can I put a new coat over of 103 dark oak. to change the color. It is rough wood. Should I switch to the 1500? I live in Missouri.
Stay with the 100 series. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and then yes, you can go darker in color.
I have a pressure treated deck which I sanded completely back in September 2016 and I applied 2 coats of TWP 1501 Cedartone. Since it has been 3 years since the last stain application, what steps would you recommend to bring the deck back to life? One of my concerns is that the vertical surfaces have retained a lot more of their color than the horizontal surfaces and I don’t know if that would cause an issue achieving a uniform color after re-staining? Since my primary goals are minimal prep and uniform color, would you recommend staying with the same stain color, Cedartone, or going with something else, perhaps a tad darker?
Use the same color. Prep all with the Gemini Prep Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
We built our deck 3 years ago, the main part and railings are all treated lumber, the flooring is locust wood. We were not able to stain it the first year, I then stained it with tinted thompsons water sealer. It pealed and looked terrible the very first summer. I then waited another two years, and cleaned and prepped my deck and stained it, because the wood was so weather worn, the main flooring area and the steps, they seem to have soaked it in quite a bit and are showing every foot step and dirt, like it clings to the wood. We have dogs and live in the country with a pond, so mud gets tracked on it like crazy. And it does not wash off, and looks so bad. Which is sad, as it looked great for like two days, before everyone was walking on it. Is there a way to add another coat? or put a smoother finish on it that would help with washing it and keeping the dirt from ingraining in the deck boards? Thanks
Sorry but no, that is not possible to top coat the TWP.
Ok, thank you. best way to clean it then?
I got done applying stain a couple of days ago. I only applied 1 coat. I still have some left over stain. Can I apply a maintenance coat next the spring? Do I need to do the cleaner/brightener? I still have some brightener left from the stripper/brightener kit. Thank you.
Yes, you can apply next spring. Just a light wash to remove dirt.
Can I apply it sooner than spring? What’s the minimum time to wait before I can put another coat on it?
6 Months.
I applied one coat of TWP ST101 yesterday
Rain is expected tomorrow.
Can i apply a second coat when the deck has had its chance to thoroughly dry again. Possibly in a few days?
Best to not do it unless the wood is really dried out and it needed another coat.
How best to tell if it is dry and does need that second coat? Try to add a thin layer to one inconspicuous board to see if it soaks in too?
Yes.