117K
Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by TWP Help
We are here to help you with your TWP exterior deck or wood restoration project for 2024!
TWP is an advanced wood preservative/protectant registered by the EPA. Performance and longevity can vary though depending on the wood type, how the wood is prepped, the age of wood, and how the TWP is applied. We want everyone who has decided to use TWP 100, 1500, or 200 Series to have the best possible results.
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
No you will not need to reapply the TWP.
Hi:
So I tested your cleaner and brightener combination on a section of the deck. Wow — pretty amazing results. Sign me up for the testimonial. Attached is a pic showing an area that were cleaned next to the rest of the deck. Given the lightening of the cleaned section, should I re-apply TWP 1500 after I have cleansed the entire deck?
Yes you should reapply the TWP now. It should did clean up nicely! If you have a chance, please post your review on the product page: http://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I’ll be happy to post a review — the products have been great! The brightener instructions aren’t very clear. Do I apply it to the wet deck immediately after cleaning? Or should I wait for the deck to dry before applying the brightener?
Either way is fine but best to apply right away when wet.
OK, so I’m back. Here’s the refresher:
Last month I stained the deck with TWP. Then the deck got rust stains.
Last week I used TWP cleaner and brighter to remove the stains. Waited a few days to reapply TWP 1500. I applied just one coat with a pad. Even that was having trouble penetrating.
After 24 hours of drying, the deck is still sticky and has some puddling.
What should I do? The deck is too sticky to walk on. Do I just wait another day or two and then go on the deck to mop up the sticky areas using a rag soaked with paint thinner?
Leave it alone for now and let it dry out some more. Remove excess stain with rags and mineral spirits tomorrow or when you can walk on it.
Thanks. You’re the best!
Larry, if still having issues after a couple of days, please post a picture.
I have a 3 yr old redwood play set that I am going to use TWP 100 series stain on. It was previously stained with a semi-transparent stain. I have used safe strip as part of the prep and I am ready for the brightener. I have the restore a deck wood brightener. It says to mix 6-8 oz of brightener with 1 gal. It is marked as 2 lbs. Is an oz supposed to be measured by volume or weight? It is packaged by weight so wanted to check. Thank you!
Measured by volume. One cup is 8 oz of powder.
Wow — I need some help. During July I sanded and replaced all the worn boards on a large (1,100 Sq ft) cedar deck. I stained the whole deck with TWO 1530. Last week I sanded the rust off of the steel rails and repainted them. I swept the deck when I finished — but did not hose it down (the paint was drying).
While I was away over Labor Day weekend it rained. You folks know how rainwater beads on wood treated w TPW. So the micro particles of the sanded steel sat on the rainwater on the deck.
The Cedar absorbed the standing rainwater and those micro steel particles that we’re sitting in the water. Now my deck (that I spent all summer refinishing) has these horrific black stains all over. I have pics.
I’ve tried scrubbing with Murphy’s Oil Soap and also with PineSol. The stains don’t lighten at all. Not even slightly. The stains are locked in under the TWP 1530 stain.
What do I so to remove the stains??
The black is rust spots. Try a wood brightener to remove them.
The wood brightener products I’ve used in the past were basically just bleach mixed with soapy water. Should I make my own mix?
Wood brighteners are not bleach based. They are acidic based. Bleach will not work on this.
Thank you. And I see you guys make a brightener. I will order some.
The stains are pretty bad.
Will I need to reapply TWP stain after I use the brightener?
What prep will be required before recoating/freshening my TWP stained deck in a few years. I plan to use the same series and color. Will I have to strip the existing TWP?
You do not have to strip but you can if needed. Most use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep for reapplying.
I purchased 1350 natural last year and am finally ready to put it on but have decided I need some color and not just natural. Can I add a stain to it?
No you cannot add color to it but the 1530 Natural is tinted, not clear.
Use the 1500 Series for this.
No you will need to prep first.
Brightener does not even out color between two different wood types. That is not possible to do. Use the 100 Series for this.
Use the 100 Series. If the wood is clean then you are good to go ahead and stain.
I am building a chicken house from rough hewn hemlock – probably 1 year since cutting per sawmill staff where I purchased it I have 25 baby chickens arriving in about 3 weeks. Would this stain be safe for the chicken if I get it applied on the exterior only of course in the nest week? I understand chickens lungs are rather fragile and can be damaged easily so just to make sure it is safe for the little guys.
I am sorry but I cannot answer that 100% if it will be fully cured by then. It should be.
You can stain it with the feathering now. To remove the feathering you would need to lightly sand, but you don’t need to do that.
Use the 100 Series. Not sure about the color as it depends on what your you are trying to achieve: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/
Help! I applied TWP 101 stain yesterday morning in two coats as the directions suggested. I did not let it pool, so I thought that was sufficient. Today the spots where it was applied a little more thick have not dried and are quite tacky- it stains your feet/shoes to walk on it. My house is supposed to go on the market tonight so I need a quick fix. I tried paint thinner and that seems to strip the color– any other ideas??
You can wipe off the over applied stain with mineral spirits or you can strip it all done and start over. I would try the former first.
Hi. We recently had an arbor built. The wood is all cedar. 6×6 and 2×6 pressure treated, and 2×2 treated (no pressure). Can I use TWP100 immediately, or should I wait?
Yes you need to wait for smooth wood. Please read article here: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Deck 350 SQ FT, Cedar 2 yrs old. Stained with Flood CWF-UV Transaprant 1 yrs. ago
Located in Iowa
Looking for what is needed to prep and what kind of stain is best. Like cedar color but want durable color to minimize maintenance.
Start by removing the CWF with the Restore a Deck Stripper and pressure washing. Sand the rest if needed so the deck is free of coatings. Brighten all wood with the RAD Wood Brightener. This will prep for the TWP. Use the TWP 100 series.
Bought TWP 1500 Rustic Semi Transparent Stain; halfway through the project stain had turned red. . . Tried mixing but it does not work — The stain is now red. Not sure what to do other than buy a new gallon
Twp Rustic is a red stain with some brown. You might have mixed it up initially if it started off more brown.
Winston Salem NC, full sun half day, new 5/4 PT pine and railings completed 8-15. Should I try to get a coat of TWP on before winter or just wait and prep/stain in spring. Use TWP 100 or 1500. Thank you
Use the 100 Series but please read this about new wood: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Yes you should prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and a light pressure wash. Do the two coats wet on wet. It is more like 1.5 coats as the second coat spreads twice as far as the first coat.
Hello, we moved into a new house last summer and the deck had a peeling red stain on it with otherwise gray wood. I just finished stripping and brightening the wood and it looks good now. The wood appears to be your typical pressure-treated pine, and it is pretty old as the deck has been there for years and years. Anyway, I am going to stain a darker brown (perhaps Dark Oak) and I am wondering if I should go with the 100 or the 1500 series. I am in Georgia and the deck is mostly shaded with a few hours of sun each afternoon.
Thanks!
Use the 1500 Series for this as it will give max UV protection.
I have a cedar fence that is 3 months old. I live in Lubbock, Tx. Which stain would be best for my area?
The 100 Series for this in Texas.
Hello
We have a new deck (four months old) and is ready to be stained. It is pressure treated pine and we prefer a semi-transparent stain. Outside of that, I really do not know what to do next as far as cleaning, preparing or choosing an actually stain for it (TWP 100 0r 1500).
The deck does see about 50% sunshine give or take a little depending on the time of year.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
David
Please read this about new wood: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the 100 if allowed in your state. If not use the 1500.
Cleaned and brightened our porch last weekend, stained with TWP100 Honeytone on Wednesday, and the wife now says it is “too yellow”. How do we (meaning her) go about re-staining with a different color? Do we have to clean and brighten again or just choose a stain that is a little darker?
You would have to remove it first with the Restore A Deck Stripper, brighten after. Might want to get a few samples to test from the site: http://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples/
New wood does not take a lot of stain so you will get a thin coat. Best to wait until next Spring to clean and reapply. TWP is not supposed to be shiny. It will fade lightly. Sun does fade it much quicker.
Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
Welcome 🙂
need help. am power washing with your 2 step product. last stain was TWP. horizontal surfaces are goig fine , however on the vertical surfaces the product beads up, which I then power wash. I am worried that the TWP will not penetrate these surfaces and will bead up on me. I have a large two level deck and I do not want to have to sand all those surfaces. what do yo think? live in mid Minnesota. last winter was a bear.
You could use the Restore A Deck Stripper to remove the TWP from the railings: http://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stain-stripper-detail
thx. that sounds like a realistic solution. makes sense. will make a bigger mess however. may slop over to completed areas.
If you get stripper on the floor where cleaned already, just rinse and brightener all at same time.
Hello, I recently applied TWP 1500 to my pressure-treated pine deck, and it looks great! For periodic maintenance cleanings, what would you recommend (besides just hose rinsing) that will not affect the stain? OxiClean? Dish soap? A commercial deck cleaning product? Pressure washing?
Thanks!
Lightly cleaning with water and soap to remove dirt. When reapplying, use the Gemini Restore Kit.
Am about to stain my cedar house, looks like it hasn’t been done in many years. Tested both 1500 Redwood and 1500 Rustic samples, both came out looking very similar and not as intended due to the existing color from the existing opaque stain. Do I need to sand or strip the entire house? Is there an opaque option for these? Thnx.
TWP does not come in an opaque stain and you cannot apply TWP on top of an opaque stain. You would need to sand or media blast to remove. Strippers will not remove a solid off a house.
You can go ahead and stain the new board but most likely that new board will need another coat next Spring.
I applied TWP 101 Cedartone Natural to a new cedar deck about a year ago. There is a lot of wear in the exposed area (not under roof deck) and I want to put on a new coat. After I apply a new coat how long before I can have chairs and traffic on it?
Wait about 24 hours. Make sure to prep well first.
Then you should be okay.
Just want to thank you for being so very helpful yesterday with my deck issues. Your response time was quick and knowledgeable. Thank for being there for all of us.
You are welcome!
Can i still stain with TWP 1500 series after I cleaned and brightened with a Behr product?
Hard to say. Is the wood clean and free of all previous coatings?
Yes the wood was sanding on all 6 sides to take off what was left of the peeling and blistering Behr solid stain after less than a year. The wood was uncoated for 2 years and is split so I flipped the boards over.
I am staining a red cedar deck with twp 1500. the outside temp is over 90 degrees. the label states to not apply if over 90 degrees. what is the reason?
It will flash dry in some cases causing an uneven possible application.
Yes that is fine.
I am just about to complete my deck construction (a 11′ x 24′ single level structure).
What
structure is your wood? Pressure treated Pine 5/4 Decking and uprights
are roughcut Western Red Cedar rails and panels. All new wood. I will
age the deck for 12 months as you have specified. The uprights (cedar)
however, have some patterns cut into them. All the way through the wood
(as done with a scrollsaw).
How long should I wait before protecting the rough-cut cedar?
You can if you want to rough cut right away: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
No it will not as you already removed the damaged wood cells with the cleaner.
Washed fence twice now with RAD kit. Use power washer at about 1500 psi. Still have gray spots, just can’t get them all! What else do I need to do? Fence is unstained western red cedar, aged 1 year.
Can you see the gray when wet with water? If not then you will not see the gray when stained.
The gray does not show when wet, but will it have an impact on stain asbortion?
Gray is not showing when wet but will it have an impact the absorbtion of the stain?
I’ve bleached and pressure washed siding on house but now it’s gonna rain all week can I let dry after the rain? I’m using the twp100
Yes just let dry and try to stain within 1-2 weeks after the prep.
I travel a lot. Can I clean, wait a week, then stain? How long can I wait between cleaning and staining?
Yes you can do that. Try to stain within a couple of weeks of the prepping.
I have an old treated pine deck stained ~ 5 years ago with olympic maximum natural cedartone toner. Is it necessary to strip prior to applying TWP 101 stain or could I get by with only a cleaner and brightener. Most of the old stain is almost gone on the horizontal surfaces but some residual on vertical spindles. Please advise.
It would be best to strip off the old stain so the TWP can properly work. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper and pressure washing to remove. Use the Restore A Deck Brightener after you are done with the stripping.
Wood Siding, Vertical Board and Batten
Wood: Western Red Cedar, Rough Sawn
Age: 38 year
Location: Charleston, WV
Unsure of original treatment when installed but have have applied Flood CWF Oil, Clear about 12-15 years ago and CWF water based two years ago. Neither coatings contained pigment.
Some section are showing black mildew and some sections are graying.
I prefer the natural cedar look when it is new and ungrayed.
Plan to clean with Oxygenated Bleach such as Restore a Deck Cleaner and treat with oxalic based brightener such as Restore a Deck Brightener.
My questions are:
Do I need to use a stripper before the cleaner?
Which product do you recommend, TWP 100 or TWP1500?
You should use a stripper, not a cleaner for this. Brighten after the stripping. Use the 100 Series.
Do you recommend a pigmented stain or a clear version?
Pigmented for UV protection from graying.
Thanks
Thanks so much for your help. I have 2 gallons of TWP Cedartone 101 on the way but I’m curious about proper prep of a new 240 sq ft. knotty KD western red cedar deck in Iowa. The decking was stored in a clean dry garage for 6 months prior to use (it’s very dry). The cedar has been installed & weathering for two weeks and I’m wondering if cleaning and brightening is required or if we could just brighten with oxalic acid, pressure wash off, wait two+ days and then stain? The cedar is smooth and clean but mill glaze is of concern. Your thoughts?
For new wood you should read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
In May 2014, we applied TWP 1500 to ACQ deck boards that had been weather cured for about 10 months. We cleaned the deck first using the Gemini products per instructions. We now have a white substance leaching up through the deck boards and a disappointed customer. This is my first use of the 1500 and I am not happy. I will say, that we did another deck in exactly the same way, same time frames and it has no problem. I have no idea what is this white substance so I do not know how to fix the problem. Any help?
The “white” stuff is not related in any way to the TWP stain. It is coming from your wood and no stain can stop this. It is most likely sap.
We just built this new deck in May 2014 and I already bought the TWP1500_5 Gallon TWP 1500 Series 5 Gallon Stain Color Natural 1530 and Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener. We were going to stain the deck the first week in September 2014 but I was reading some the posts here and I saw that the best suggestion for weathering was 4 to 12 months for better penetration. If we decide to do the deck next April 2015 will the stain be ok until then? I am attaching a picture of deck. It is wet so we can only imagination how wonderful it is going to look after staining it….
You can wait and the stain will be fine but It would be a good idea to do it this Fall.
Please read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/applying-a-maintenance-coat-of-twp/
TWP contains an EPA registered mildewcide to prevent mildew from growing in the stain. After the TWP dries you can try a product called “Wet and Forgot” to help additionally.
I have just stained my fence with TWP 100 in color 103 Dark Oak. I got more overspray than I was anticipating and some of it got onto my concrete parking pad/driveway. What is the best way to get the stain out of concrete?
Try pressure washing and a graffiti remover from your local store.
You should use the Gemini Restore Kit. The Step 1 is a cleaner to remove the dirt and the Step 2 brightens.
Use the 1500 Series. Please read this about colors: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/
Our 400 sq ft deck, 5-8 years old, is made of ipe Brazillian hardwood. It was stained by the previous owners of the house with something that looks like a reddish solid stain. After furiously power washing the deck I was able to remove almost all of the old stain. I realize it’s not gong to turn out perfectly unless we sand off the remainder of the stain, but I don’t have the time to do that now and just want to protect the wood.
I like the natural color of the ipe, so I’m in the middle of applying TWP clear, but I just read on here that the clear does not provide UV protection. What should I do? My first thought is to finish applying the clear and then do a second coat with something that has pigment. Is this the right idea or what would you recommend? If using a pigment, what TWP color would work best with ipe?
You should not apply a pigmented color on top of the clear now. I would finish what you are doing and then redo the entire project next year by stripping off the remaining old stain and the clear before applying a pigmented color.
OK, thanks. When I do redo it next year what color do you think would do well with Ipe without changing the color much? From what I understand “Natural” is actually a color. I was afraid to use it thinking it might be a little yellow and the Ipe is darker, sort of red.
The colors will highlight the natural tones of your wood which is a brownish red. Natural would make it similar as if wet with water.
Thanks
I have just use chemicals to strip an old failed stain off of my 4 year pressure treated deckand am in process of sanding to get rest of old stain off. Plan on using TWP1500. How do I determine if two coast will be required? Thanks
If it is older wood then best to apply the two coats wet on wet. Make sure they are tow light coats. Only need to do this to horizontal areas.
I need to add aggragate when I redo my deck to minimize slipping. Will your product work with it? Or is it too thin? Just heard about TWP yesterday. Thanks.
No you cannot add a non slip additive into TWP.