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
Will the 100 series stain be appropriate for a softwood wood slat outdoor bench?
Yes.
Re-sanding a 10 year old pressure treated deck to prepare for TWP. Whatever the last owner put on has failed in less than a year(peeling).
Trialed some samples a few months ago and they absorbed and repelled water a lot better than the other brands i trialed!!! The TWP stains are on the bottom board in the attached pic. Can’t wait to put this stuff on my deck
Thanks!
This is my third summer with this deck. Let it weather year one – cleaned and applied one layer of TWP 1501 cedartone last summer.
Planning to clean again with Gemini kit and this time apply 2 layers of twp 1501 cedartone.
Does that sound like a good plan ?
Thanks !
Just one coat if you have a base coat.
I need to redo a lok cabin and want to use TWP. The cabin was done about 8 years ago with Siken, now known as Pro-Lux. Can the TWP be applied over the Sikens?
No, you will need to fully remove the Sikkens first. TWP (or any other stain brand) cannot be applied over it.
if you are using a brush to apply TWP100, should you decant a portion of 5 gallon product into a paint tray
Yes, you can pour it into another container to use but no need to decant it like wine 🙂
How long should TWP 100 be mixed? Can/should a 5 gallon can be decanted into a paint tray ?
Just mix for a minute oro so until it evenly colored. Mix every 15 minutes while working to avoid color from settling.
What semi solid color is closest to 1503 natural (semi transparent)?
Thank you!
Hello, there are no matching colors in the semi-solids to the semi-transparents, and since final colors vary based on wood type, age of the wood, and prep, there is no way to suggest a “close” color. Best to test some samples to see how it looks on your wood.
Hello. I recently applied TWP 100 Rustic on new deck after waiting a year. The prepping steps went well but when I applied the stain over the course of two days there were major differences in color on the second day. I’m not sure what went wrong, and it looks really bad. Perhaps, I did not mix the stain well enough? The second day the stain had a much stronger red-ish color that really doesn’t look like the Rustic color. What can I do to fix the appearance? Thanks!
Yes, it looks like the stain was not mixed evenly before and during application. To fix, you would need to remove and start over:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Thanks for guidance. Will the stripper fully remove the previous stain? Does it matter if I use the same product and stain the second time?
Yes, it will remove the current stain.
Hi, we are installing a new cedar pergola and cedar fence. We like the look of letting it gray but want to protect the wood. Would the TWP clear stains protect the cedar even without blocking the UV? Would TWP100 or TWP1500 be better?
Yes, the TWP 100 or 1500 in “Clear” will protect but allow the wood to gray naturally.
Either series will work.
SOUTH CAROLINA help needed please.
Which TWP should i buy to protect against mold, fungus, water, uv rays – all of it.
100 degrees in SC today.
I think i have treated pine that was stained 3 years ago. Im not sure of brand.
The wood is cracking, stain coming off, rotting in some spots, fungus in some spots, warping
I have Trex on the floor only then the wood railings, posts, and roof are all pressured treated pine Use a sprayer and brush combo I am thinking?
Two coats?
I pressure cleaned with water but I guess now i need to redo w/ a GOOD wood cleaner.
PICS below
It is not possible to apply TWP (or any other semi-transparent stain brand) over your current stain. It must be fully removed first. Cleaners will not accomplish this.
Once it is removed, use the TWP 100 Series.
do you recommend a specific product by chance to remove the old stain?
It looks opaque in some areas, so this may be best for removal:
https://www.twpstain.com/rad-paintstrip-paint-solid-stain-stripping-gel
twp 200 vs twp1500.
I used twp 200 in the past. Can I use TWP 1500 over a deck that was treated 2 years ago?
Use the 1500 Series for decks. The 200 is for vertical wood such as shakes and shingles. Strip and brighten for prep with this:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
what can I use to clean up brushes (used series 100 stain)?
Mineral spirits.
I have a1268 sq.ft. deck that wraps around the house from E-N-WSW and is always in the sun. it sat for 19 months post-COVID due to the amount of moisture in the wood during COVID era construction. A previous contractor then used Cabot Honey Teak stain on the deck and did a terrible job and/or the product was not applied properly which resulted in patchy adhesion. I am sanding the deck and doing detailed prep prior to using TWP 1500 Semi-transparent Pecan stain. My major concern is the sun exposure, as everything I have read indicates application should occur out of direct sun. How do I approach this situation and get the results desired from staining?
Stain first thing in the am or the afternoon. Avoid direct sunlight during the middle of the day.
Who can I contact about a major issue with our shipment? Can’t find anywhere on the website. The can exploded or was dropped during shipment, cover was off, and half of the stain was in the bag the boxes were in, have pics. Huge mess!
Please contact via your order email that was sent when the order was placed.
Thanks
Writing from Northern New England. Our pine siding was coated with Cabot Wood Toned Stain + Sealer in natural at the time of construction 7 years ago. It’s in good shape, but there is some clear darkening in areas that see a lot of water and it feels like time to restain especially on south facing areas. We want to recoat with a semi-transparent gray. What product do you recommend and what surface prep is necessary?
Hi, please add some pics of the current condition for prep advice. Thanks.
Here are some details of the south side. Water staining at bottom. The other sides look more like the less stained areas.
Use the kit while pressure washing with the Step 1 Cleaner:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Great. What product can I use to go over Cabot Wood Toned Stain + Sealer? I’m looking to make everything a bit more gray instead of orangey, kind of like the water stained areas.
You cannot apply TWP (or any other stain brand) over the Cabot. It will have to be removed first. The Gemini Kit with pressure washing will remove it since it is significantly deteriorated.
In your area, you will need the TWP 1500 Series:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
or the TWP Semi-Solid in the Low-VOC version:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
Photo
We have been using TWP 205 California cedar for years on our deck by recommendation Ace hardware. Is this your best product for decks?? It says it’s for Shinglesand vertical surfaces! Does the 100 series come in California cedar??
The best options are the 100 or 1500 Series for decking, not the 200 Series. It does not come in the 205 color.
I have been using Messmer’s UV Plus for Hardwood Decks (Natural color) on my Yellow Balau hardwood deck for several years but I would like to get more than one year of results with my stain so I’m considering trying your TWP 100 Pro Series Wood and Deck Stain. One year I tried a cedar toned product but it was too yellow/orange so I cleaned it off and went back to the clear product. Will the TWP 100 clear deck sealer product likely give me two years of life? Which Restore-A-Deck cleaner product would you recommend? I have previously used Messmer’s deck cleaner but not the brightener which I haven’t felt was needed. Your recommendations would be appreciated.
TWP 100, 200, and 1500 Series are not designed for exotic hardwoods. You can use our TWP Natural Effect for this:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-natural-effect-impregnating-stain-1-gallon
Stript and Brighten for prep:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit
I’m staining a Garapa/Ipe deck that has been stripped and sanded. I’ll be using the new Natural Effect system and I’d like to prevent some black mildew/mold that appeared when using the 1500 product previously. Can a mildew agent like M-1 be mixed in to the Natural Effect system? If so, in the stain or in the clear coat? (I know the RAD Guard product advises not to use as a deck prep agent)
You use the RAD Guard after the staining and top coat have fully cured to prevent mold and mildew from returning. You cannot add anything to the coatings.
We would love to see some pics when done!
I have a part of a 5 gallon bucket of stain and want to but three more 5 gallon buckets to do my porches and fences. The label on the bucket says (TWP 101 Pro Series Cedar-tone) I don’t see this anywhere on this website?
https://www.twpstain.com/twp100-5gallon
Hi, I have sheen and inconsistent color in many areas of refinished deck. Hope you can help me understand where I went wrong.
I refinished my 15-yr old cedar deck (25×16) by sanding it with random orbital sander from HD (grit 60, then 80), used step 1 and 2 Restore A Deck cleaner and brightener, allowed 45 hours of dry time, then stained it with 2 coats wet on wet using TWP semi-solid low VOC cedar mulch color. It’s had 36 hours of cure time with no rain. Steps where I could have gone wrong:
– the wood was very thirsty, so I likely went a bit ‘heavier’ with the 1st coat (for coverage) vs a “thin 1st coat” per TWP instructions.
– for the 1st HALF of the deck, I applied the 2nd stain coat 45 minutes after 1st coat (TWP help comments to other customers said it’s ok to apply 2nd coat 20-60 mins after 1st coat). Since the stain / wood looked pretty dry after 45 mins on 1st half of deck, I waited only 20-30 mins before applying the 2nd coat to the 2nd HALF of the deck.
Most of the sheen is on the first half of the deck, but the inconsistent color is on both the 1st and 2nd half of the deck. P.S. the cedar mulch color shows more shades of ‘orange’ than the online color chart IMO. We expected more brown coloring, especially from a semi-solid.
I purchased 3 gallons of semi-solid stain and only used 2 gallons, but TWP doesn’t allow returns of unopened semi-solid, so I’m out $80 for unused stain to add salt to my wounds.
Thank you for your help!
David
You over applied. See tips here:
https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Try wiping off the excess. It will also cure and dull over the next couple of weeks.
Can we use magnesium chloride to melt ice on our TWP-stained deck? We’ve used rock salt, which turned out to be a huge mistake
No. We do not know of any ice melts that can be used on TWP.
What specifically is the best series of your stain for penetration and especially UV protection?
They are all equal in longevity. The semi-solid colors will hold color longer than the semi-transparent colors.
What size nap should I have on my roller when applying 1500 series stain on a new deck that was built one year ago?
Don’t use a roller to apply the TWP stains. Use stain pads or brushes. Best are the yellow floor brushes.
https://www.twpstain.com/brushes-stain-pads
What is your UV protection rating on TWP 100 stain?
Not sure what you mean? There is no such thing as a “UV protection rating” or a test that shows this. Please explain what you are looking for an answer to?
Which series stain is the best for boathouses in the sun all day and some flooding over the dock about twice a year..
TWP Semi-solids: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
What is the best TWP series stain for UV protection..
My deck is 6 years old. I’ve been using TWP 1501 Natural. I’ve applied the product every other year. I’m reapplying this year because though it’s in good shape it looks dull and washed out. I thought about trying 100 series natural. I don’t have any issue with mold or mildew. Which product performs best. The 1500 series takes a long time to dry with wet on wet. I like 100 dries quicker. Which cleaner to use?
The 100 and 1500 perform the same. If you switch, use the Stripper and Brightener kit:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I recently bought a home with an older ( uncapped) trex accents deck. Which one of your products would be best to use. I am considering the semi solid stain. Thx
Yes, the semi-solid is the correct product. Just one coat.
and tips on how to apply TWP Natural Effect Impregnating stain on an ipe deck?
Use a stain pad or brush:
https://www.twpstain.com/brushes-stain-pads
Keep a wet edge and move fairly quickly. Do the full length of each board. It is pretty easy to apply.
I stained by deck last night (16 hours ago), and I’m noticing some unstained areas between boards this morning. Can I go back and touch that up today? Rain is in the forecast tomorrow (about 20 hours from now). I only want to apply stain between the boards, but I’m sure I will get some on the tops too. Deck isn’t fully cured right now and has some tack to it. How should I proceed?
If you get any on top of the boards, it will dry blotchy so be careful or wipe the excess immediately!
I have a mix of a few issues. I have a top deck covered that is 2 months old. Raw PT wood.
I have a lower deck with PT raw wood floor that is about 3 years old. 2 posts and side band boards are 7+ years old and have old solid oil based stain on them.
I really want to go semi-transparent but think I may not get even coverage with the different wood finishes.
Is there a chance that I may be able to pull off semi-transparent or should I go with a semi-solid? I wasn’t sure if TWP had a product that could strip the old stain enough. My color choice would be somewhere in the Appalachian Trail or Hunting Lodge range.
We would need to see close-up pictures of the old stain to provide proper preparation advice for those areas, as the current coating needs to be removed if using any of the TWP stains.
The semi-solid would give the most uniform appearance between the new and older wood.
This is the old stain.
This is the older deck.
Do you know what stain brand it is? It looks semi-solid or opaque already which means it will not be an easy strip.
It was one of these 2. Not sure which.
Yes, you cannot use a deck stain stripper to remove these coatings. You would need a PainStripper or power sanding to remove them.
Hi, I recently replaced the treads (6×6 pressure treated pine) on a flight of exterior landscape stairs. The substructure remains and was previously treated (years ago) with a semi-transparent oil based Olympic product if I recall correctly. Which TWP product and color would you recommend for application to the new and existing wood o help blend the repair and protect both the old and new wood? A couple of photos are attached. Thank you!
See this about the new wood first:
https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
When time, strip and brighten to remove the Olympic:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Clean and brighten the new wood:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Try TWP 1520 Pecan color for the stain:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Thank you!
After cleaning the fence and washing it, do i let the wood dry before applying the neutralizer/ britner?
No, apply while wet right away.
Do you have csle cod gray pro series in semi transparent
TWP 100 Series has a Cape Cod Gray color:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Large open knotty cedar deck 1550 wet no wet application a year ago. what is the procedure for applying a second coat this year? Have placed an order for the same product.
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep:
https://twpstainhelp.com/tips/prepping-for-twp-stains/maintaining-twp/
I have a painted pergola that I believe is about 15 years old. I’m sanding it down to bare wood and would like to stain it. I believe that it is treated pine but I can’t say that I’m 100% sure.
Which one of your stains would you recommend for this project?
TWP 1500 Series.
Thank you