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
We had railing replaced in front of our manufactured home about 2 months ago. I thought it had to dry buy realize it says KD on it, Installed by someone else. My husband says he’s starting to see cracks and wants to get some caulk on it. The top railing is not what I wanted but what I ended up with, yellow pine from big box store. Has some knot hole spots. We need to get stain on it. I want the best UV protection and read TWP 1500 is the best. Seeing wood grain is not important, I had wanted a lighter color, but see that’s not good for UV protection. We lost our roof in the Florida hurricanes a year ago and this has been a long process of getting composite decking installed, new railing, then a covered walkway. I’m thinking oil based is best.We still have hot days but the mornings and evening are cooler and I think the perfect time to do. Can you suggest the best product? We also have an 8 year old wood dock. Stained several times, was under water for a month after Hurricane Helene. It’s peeling and also needs to be taken care of, that will come later. What is the best product for that? Thank you.
Hello,
You cannot stain this yet. Wait a couple of more months to prep and stain. See here for new wood tips: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Cracks are normal for decking and not an issue. Do not add caulk, as it will not stain to blend.
Use the TWP 1500 Series when ready.
Strip a 2nd Time? Use a Different Product?
I did a 10 board strip test on my screen porch last night using the RAD stripper with the booster and thickener. I let it dwell 30 minutes, then power washed using the white tip holding the tip about a foot away. Then I followed up with the RAD brightener and rinsed thoroughly. (I did not brush the deck at all, I just let it dwell and power washed. I also did not power wash with the tip very close because I wanted to avoid wood damage.)
The first pic shows the result after stripping, brightening, and 12 hours of dry time (it’s still drying). It looks to me that there is quite a bit of stain left. I’m unsure whether I should re-strip and re-brighten as I’m not sure how hard this would be on the wood. I’m also wondering if the stain might not have been TWP and therefore RAD stripper might not be the correct product. I guess my choices are to strip one more time, use a different product, leave as is, or sand. I’d rather avoid sanding as I don’t have the equipment or experience.
The second picture shows the other half of the screen porch. I have not attempted to strip this half yet. I’m wondering if this stain is TWP or something else. The stain doesn’t seem very translucent. I know the adjoining deck was done in TWP before I purchased the house but the screen porch was left alone at the time.
TWP is easy to strip, but you will need to be closer than a foot away. More like 6-8 inches, and you need to use a sweeping motion while pressure washing.
Thank you. So I assume it is ok to just try again and this time hold the wand closer or will it hurt the wood to do right away? Can you tell if this stain looks like TWP? I’m just guessing it might be.
Yes, that is correct. Cannot tell if TWP or not based on the pics but it could be.
Thank you! I really appreciate your help. You guys do a heck of a job!
Thanks again
The deck was stained with TWP 2 years ago & looks pretty good still but I wanted to refresh it this year. Can I just light sand it & restain with TWP?
Don’t sand for prep. Use the Gemini Restore kit.
What is the latest in the season I can stain a deck? I’m in Maryland and it’s about 58-60 degrees during the day and gets into the 40s at night. The wood is about only about 5 months old but has already been hit with some TWP 1500. The customer wants to apply a different brand that’s a little darker so the newer wood can match the old wood color. I told her the wood needs to weather more and then it will blend better but she doesn’t care about that and wants it done anyway.
Stain in the mid-50s cannot drop below 40 the first night after applying.
You cannot apply more stain to the new wood, and you cannot apply a different brand of coating over the TWP.
What is the longest amount of time I can hold off on actual stain application after after using the Gemini kit? Existing deck was stripped/sanded using 80 grit before Gemini clean and restore.
About two weeks.
I am giving the semi solid a try this time, is waiting up to 2 weeks still okay?
I appreciate you folks always getting back so promptly.
Yes.
Sanding deck & order of operations / wet-on-wet approach
Had a new deck installed in beginning of March 2024, just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, which is in full sun (no shade). In late July 2024 (4+ months after deck installation), used Gemini Restore-A-Deck Kit to clean and brighten. Then applied 1 coat of TWP 100 Series Stain (Honeytone 115).
Now I would like to (lightly) sand the deck as we have experienced a couple of splinters over the past year. And I believe it is about time for another coat of stain.
In the “Maintaining TWP Stains” section of https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/ , it is mentioned that if we wait 18-24 months, to prep again with the Gemini Restore A Deck.
Does this plan work: In late October 2025 (~15 months after initial TWP staining), (1) use Gemini Restore-A-Deck Cleaner, (2) sand with nothing finer than 80 grit paper, (3) use Gemini Restore-A-Deck Brightener and power wash, and (4) apply stain with “Wet on Wet” method.
Does waiting until March 2026 (~21 months after initial TWP staining) make a difference?
Yes, I realize that this approach conflicts with the “Pro Tip for Best Results: Always complete Step Two (brightener) immediately after rinsing off the cleaner to restore the wood’s natural pH balance and achieve the best stain longevity” on https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit , but this is the sequence mentioned in a reply to “Bill W” on https://twpstainhelp.com/the-twp-stain-guide-to-prepping-a-deck/ : “Sand after cleaning, before brightening, and no finer than 80 grit paper”.)
I am also conflicted with the “Wet on Wet” call out about sanding in the “TWP Staining Tips” section of https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/#more-3447 where it says “Do not apply 2 coats of stain to new wood or decking or to recently sanded wood that was sanded finer than 60-80 grit as the TWP stain may not be able to fully absorb into the wood”. How hard-and-fast is the 80 grit rule?
Thank you for answering; this has got to be very repetitive for you guys.
At this point, it would be better to just wait until Spring. Your steps are correct. As for how many coats to apply, it depends on whether you still have a base coat after using the cleaner. If yes, then just one coat; if down to the bare wood, then the 2 coats wet-on-wet. If you power sand, then only one coat. If you lightly hand-sand some splinters, then 2 coats if down to the bare wood.
Does your Cedartone color match the color of the CedarTone pressure treated wood that is sold at Menards? Thank you!
Probably not exactly the same.
I had a new deck built last year. The rails are Redwood and the flooring is Treated Pine. I put a coat of TWP on it last Fall and it looked great. This Spring, there was a lot of mold on it so I ended up using a deck cleaner which needless to say, took the TWP off too. After power washing it with water and letting it dry, I put a new coat of TWP on it. Now, 5 months later, there is mold appearing on it again. What sort of cleaner do you recommend to get rid of the mold and not remove the TWP?
Use this:
https://www.twpstain.com/rad-guard-mildew-cleaner-preventer-1-gallon
What stain would you suggest for new cedar siding as a section of our home has such with the remaining old cedar siding in need of staining
Please add pics so we can offer prep suggestions. As for the stain, where do you live?
Subject: Question About Applying Second Coat of TWP 100
I’m reaching out with a question about applying a second coat of TWP 100 to my deck.
– Age of wood: Approximately 5 years
– Type of wood: Appears to be pine
– Condition: Very dry and weathered
– Previous stain history: likely not
The deck was cleaned and brightened using an all-in-one product (not your brand—my first mistake). After scrubbing, a light power wash, and thorough rinsing, the surface ended up fuzzy. To resolve this, I sanded the deck with 60 grit.
For staining, I used a 3″ brush for edges and a deck staining brush for the main surface. The wet-on-wet second coat areas turned out great. It’s now been over a week since application.
My question: Can I rinse the deck and apply a second coat of TWP 100 to the areas that only received one coat?
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
No. Second coats if applied have to be applied wet on wet, not wet on dry. You can wait 6-12 months, prep the deck by removing any dirt, and apply another coat then.
Hello! We just stained our deck using black walnut but we noticed the places we used wood filler are extremely light compared to the rest of the wood. Do you have any recommendations for how to fix this? Thank you!
Wood fillers do not work well for exterior wood and will not “stain” to blend with exterior wood stains. They should be avoided.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-filler-for-decks/
We are not sure of a way to fix it.
After cleaning and brightening my redwood deck with Gemini Restore a deck kit, at our summer place (Northern California at an elevation of 4500 ft), I was all set to stain 48 hrs later, but had to hold off due to surprise rain. The deck sits in that condition and I am unable to get it done before next spring or summer. Should I tarp it for the winter—rain, old, snow and freezing all possible.
Secondly, I installed a 2×6 redwood rail (brand new) along a stairway leading to the deck. It has seasoned for a couple of months. I will be unable to prep and stain it also until summer of 2026. Since this is a pristine piece of untreated lumber, should I cover and tarp it to protect it from the elements? Thank you
No, don’t cover. Just redo the prep in the Spring.
Applying my TWP 101 to cedar boards, some old wood and some new wood. Everything is working perfectly until I applied some TWP to a few boards which had previously been stained a few years ago with another similar product, not TWP. Now they have that classic gummy accumulation of TWP stain where it did not absorb properly, especially along the bottom of the board. How can I remedy this situation? Paint thinner? Sanding? I don’t really care about looks, just properly preserving the integrity of the wood.
Try the paint thinner; hopefully, that works. The goal would be to remove the excess TWP that did not absorb.
FYI, TWP cannot be applied over a different brand of exterior wood stain.
Been using same TWP every time. Semi 100 cedar tone. Had this cleaned stripped and brightened. Good to go for stain?
It should blend if using the same color. If concerned, give it another round of the stripper and then brighten.
Thanks
It did “blend” not at all. looks terrible.
It didn’t. What now?
It looks like you used a lighter color than previously, or the pigment had settled and was not mixed well prior to applying. It probably needs another coat to darken the lighter boards, but it would be best to do this in the Spring at this point.
Would cedar tone 645 caulking blend well with TWP cedar tone 1501 stain?
Sorry, but no idea, as we are not familiar with this caulk.
I need help with recoating TWP 1500 Semi Transparent. We had the deck properly prepped, then it was stained while we were on vacation. They only applied one coat and it looks very uneven. It’s been about a week, can we apply a second coat?
Second coats, if applied need to be applied wet on wet per the directions.
Yes but that’s no longer possible, so what are the options?
Remove and start over or wait until Spring to lightly clean and recoat a light coat then.
Okay, that’s doable, the deck wont get much use until the spring anyway as I’m in the North East. Is there a specific number of months I need to wait? Which cleaner do you recommend for this? I’m happy to hear I don’t have to strip and re-sand.
6-12 months. Use the Gemini Deck Cleaner at 1/2 strength. Goal is to remove any dirt, etc, not the stain itself.
Great, thanks. So just the cleaner no brightener?
Correct.
I have a Gen 1 Composite Deck that is 20+ years old.
It is just plastic and wood fibers (no encapsulation).
A deck site I was on recommended TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series for restaining and sealing the deck.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-stain-for-composite-decking/
The original factory color was called redwood and has never been stained, only pressure-washed to remove dirt and mildew.
The wood fibers are raised and visible, looking greyish-white against the faded red plastic.
The deck and decking are in great shape, I am just looking to brighten it up.
Any recommendation greatly appreciated.
The TWP semi-solid would work. Keep it in the “red” options, such as Redwood Forest or Lighthouse. Only one coat. See here:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
I am restaining a swing set that I had previously used twp 100 in 102-redwood but am considering changing to the new semi transparent. Which color, redwood forest or lighthouse is closest to the 102-redwood in the new stain? Thanks!
Do you mean the semi-solid colors? There is no matching color in the semi-solid to the 102 redwood, but the two you mentioned may be close. We do have samples for testing.
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
If I use the RAD Guard on my cedar siding, how long do I need to wait before staining with twp1500 (cedarwood Road)? I’d like to apply the RAD Guard in the fall and stain in the spring. But I have big eaves and some areas may not get any rain at all.
I just want to make sure any RAD Guard residue won’t be a problem for the stain.
You would stain first and then use the RAD Guard over the stain once it has fully cured and dried, not the other way around. It will not work if you stain over it.
Ok. So I use the RAD Guard after I stain. I’m planning on applying it every year or two for maintenance. At some point the house will need another coat of stain. So how should I then prep for staining the house?
Use this kit while pressure washing.
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I applied a dark walnut stain 5 years ago and I wanted to lighten it with h a different color
i know that a lighter brown or tan might on top of the existing color
Do you have sampler stains they I can try to see if it worksite
You will need to fully remove the current stain first, down to the bare wood, if you want to lighten it. Samples of stain: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
I’ve applied TWP 1500 series pecan stain to my cedar wood not planning on doing a second wet on wet coat but I’m curious how long I would have to wait if I wanted to put on a second coat at a later time
6-12 months.
I’m building an outdoor pavilion. 2×10 open rafters with pine T&G ceiling.
The rafters are kiln dried 2×10’s. Since they are dried, can I apply the Natural Effect 2 steps immediately? If not, can I apply just the impregnating stain immediately and wait on the top coat. I would really like to at least get the color on the 2×10 rafters prior to installing the roof deck so I don’t have to cut in.
Related question… I want to simply seal the the T&G with no color. Could I use the Natural Effect top coat alone? In other words my rafters will be Ebony stain, ceiling will be raw, and then I top coat everything.
All new wood needs to weather and be prepped:
https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You have to remove the mill glaze with the prep. You can use the top coat without the stain, but it will not have UV protection, which should not be a big issue since it is a ceiling.