Need Some Help With TWP Stains?

by TWP Help

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

TWP Stain Help Staff

 

Related TWP Stain Help Tips

 
Subscribe
Notify of
10K Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
sheila
1 day ago

Hi, We just applied the RAD Gel Stripper and based on the test that we did, it needs a lot more time. Can we leave it on over night? We are going to sand after that. May we do that or do we need to wash it off first. Thank you.

Carla DuBose
2 days ago

Do you recommend the transparent stain or the solid stain for pressure treated deck and then for pressure treated log siding

Helen
3 days ago

What temperature outside to stain deck?

 
Tom Maiello
4 days ago

About 20 hours after applying 1 coat of TWP 1501 Cedartone, there was significant rain for a few days. The rain came sooner than expected or I would not have stained. I included a picture of part of the deck after the it dried for a few days. Do you think it is OK?The deck is about 15 years old. Pressured treated pine. The same stain was on the deck previously. Prior to staining I power washed and the deck had been dry for days.

Tom Maiello
3 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

Hi,
I uploaded as jpeg. Did the rain harm it? Is it possible to apply another coat?
Thanks for your attention.
Tom

IMG_9539
Tom Wright
5 days ago

TWP was recommended to me by my timber framer 6 years ago. I have been using TWP1515 in the Honeytone color both on exterior Douglas Fir and White Pine. On south facing posts over several years they dried out and I recoated them turning them considerable darker than the original Honeytone color. At the time you told me No, No No, you have to completely strip them before recoating. Which I did with your Deck Restorer products. Still came out darker. My Doug Fir exterior doors stained with the Honeytone as they age now 5-6 years are becoming darker and darker. I tried Mold Armor on them and now they are all blotchy. What the heck am I doing wrong??? We are in Southern Maine not a hot humid environment. Help please.

Tom Wright
5 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

A couple of pictures as requested

TWP-Garage-Door
TWP-Side-Door
TWP-Entrance-Beams
Tom Wright
4 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

Okay Thank You!
How then do I retain that light color with the wood grain showing through? I am using the wrong product? Should I have been using TWP 100?
Do I sand everything down to bare wood and start again?
I do not like the idea of the semi solid stain but do I give up and use Cedar Chest color. Please let me know your suggestions. Many Thanks!

Jack Winston
6 days ago

can twp 200 be used on decks ? Product description mentions shakes, shingles, fences

 
kat
7 days ago

My contractor used Minwax Spar urathane to protect some rough sawn outodoor wooden beams 10″ x 10″ (I believe Cyprus). I beleive he only used one coat and its only 4 months old applied. Will the RAD stripper/ brightner work on that so I can transition over to the 1500? If not, what should I use?

Hank malone
7 days ago

What can I do to cover the white dots caused by the wood filler?

Rusty
9 days ago

Our decks have previously been stained with TWP 101 cedar tone. The painters just showed up with TWP 1501 cedar tone. Is it okay to apply 1501 over the 101???

Rusty
9 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

What do you mean by “prepped well”? The decks were pressure washed well and are completely dry.

 
Marc Love
9 days ago

How do you apply 2 coats ?

Jim Swope
9 days ago

I re-stained my deck in May 2025 with the Rustic color Series 100 stain. I used the Restore a Deck cleaner and Brightener prior to staining. After staining the deck I let it dry for 4-5 days and then replaced the furniture. My deck is covered and we get very little rain on it. We has dirt on the deck so I washed it off 3 days ago and the water beaded up like it was supposed to but once it dried I had these white water spots appear all over. Not for sure what is going on, I never had this issue the 1st time I stained my deck with TWP which lasted 5 years. I’m including a couple photos. Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

IMG_1680
IMG_1681
IMG_1683
Hank malone
10 days ago

I have a 1 year old pressure treated pine deck that has not been stained yet. I filled the nail holes with gorilla stainable wood filler. I plan on using TWP 100 with the cleaner and brighter. Will this be a problem with the Gorilla wood filler?

 
Pamela
11 days ago

Will the 100 series stain be appropriate for a softwood wood slat outdoor bench?

Chris Mithiri
12 days ago

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).

  1. Is 36 grit a sufficient final grit for TWP to work or should i go finer?
  2. The deck is rather large so i have been sanding in stages; parts of the deck have been bare sanded wood for two month(weather challenges). Once everything is sanded, should i use the gemini kit on the whole deck to brighten before applying TWP 1500?
  3. Deck brush for the applicator or pump spray?

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!

IMG_0925
Bill
12 days ago

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 !

IMG_8943
 
Harvey Morse
15 days ago

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?

Tammy Jenkins
16 days ago

if you are using a brush to apply TWP100, should you decant a portion of 5 gallon product into a paint tray

Tammy Jenkins
16 days ago

How long should TWP 100 be mixed? Can/should a 5 gallon can be decanted into a paint tray ?

 
Richard Schoer
17 days ago

What semi solid color is closest to 1503 natural (semi transparent)?
Thank you!

Tim
18 days ago

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!

deck6
deck5
deck4
Tim
18 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

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?

David
20 days ago

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?

 
Heather Coley
22 days ago

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

IMG_7208
IMG_7204
IMG_7206
IMG_7210
Heather
22 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

do you recommend a specific product by chance to remove the old stain?

Tony Ruggeri
24 days ago

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?

Dean
25 days ago

what can I use to clean up brushes (used series 100 stain)?

 
Richard Spine
27 days ago

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?

Kris
1 month ago

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!

Terry
1 month ago

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?

Terry
27 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

Here are some details of the south side. Water staining at bottom. The other sides look more like the less stained areas.

Screenshot-2025-06-18-at-4.27.10 PM
Screenshot-2025-06-18-at-4.26.59 PM
Screenshot-2025-06-18-at-4.26.49 PM
Screenshot-2025-06-18-at-4.27.44 PM
Terry
26 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

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.

Terry
27 days ago
Reply to  TWP Help

Photo

 
Shan davis
1 month ago

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??

Robert Barrett
1 month ago

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.

William
1 month ago

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)

 
Barry Holder
1 month ago

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?

David Rivard
1 month ago

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

IMG_8879
IMG_8878
IMG_8877
IMG_8876
Leonard Drey
1 month ago

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

 
Charles
1 month ago

What specifically is the best series of your stain for penetration and especially UV protection?

Cindy Baldwin
1 month ago

What size nap should I have on my roller when applying 1500 series stain on a new deck that was built one year ago?

Brian Baxter
1 month ago

What is your UV protection rating on TWP 100 stain?

 
Charles
1 month ago

Which series stain is the best for boathouses in the sun all day and some flooding over the dock about twice a year..

Charles
1 month ago

What is the best TWP series stain for UV protection..

daniel bratcher
1 month ago

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?

deck
 
James Haugh
1 month ago

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

Salisbury
1 month ago

and tips on how to apply TWP Natural Effect Impregnating stain on an ipe deck?

Jake R
1 month ago

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?

 
Scott
1 month ago

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.

Stain
Scott
1 month ago
Reply to  TWP Help

This is the old stain.

Old-Stain
Scott
1 month ago
Reply to  TWP Help

This is the older deck.

Old-Deck
Scott
1 month ago
Reply to  Scott

It was one of these 2. Not sure which.

Behr
Olympic
Don
1 month ago

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!

IMG_2703
IMG_2704
Don
1 month ago
Reply to  TWP Help

Thank you!

Wclamp
1 month ago

After cleaning the fence and washing it, do i let the wood dry before applying the neutralizer/ britner?

 
Kevin Marsden
1 month ago

Do you have csle cod gray pro series in semi transparent

Walter
1 month ago

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.

John
1 month ago

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?

John
1 month ago
Reply to  TWP Help

Thank you

 
1 83 84 85
10K
0
Any questions on TWP Products? Comment Below!x