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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 clear in any brand will give UV protection. Must enhance the color with a pigmented stain to achieve protection from graying. Do not apply varnish. To remove TWP, use the Restore A Deck Stripper and a light pressure washing. Use the Restore A Deck Brightener when done.
Look at prepping first with the Gemini Restore Kit and staining with the 1500 Series every 2-3 years. You can clean and reapply as needed.
If you are waiting to stain then you should wait to prep. Use the TWP 1500 Series for the home.
Well, I seem to have had a bit of a catastrophe (according to the missus/boss). I had a handyman apply the stain (1501) while I was out of town and it came out in three separate very distinctive shades.. I feel he applied it way to light at first and then way to heavy (which is still tacky after 4 days). Deck is 950 sq ft of pressure treated 5/4 pine. Stain was applied 2 months after install of new wood. Do you have any ideas about how to even out the patchwork that resulted? I have just order another 5 gallons as I plan to do some fence and try to fix this,
About 30 percent looks just right (sort of a 3 bears thing).
You cannot fix without removing first and adding more will make it worse. In addition, new wood needs to season for 4-12 months and only 1 coat is applied to new wood after proper prep. Please read this for more info: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
TWP 100 series if allowed in your state otherwise the 1500.
Have a 6 yr old rough cedar fence that has been power washed & looks good. Live in Arkansas. Had Thompsons water seal on it. Want a little light brown tone to it. which stain and what color would you suggest?
Look at the TWP 120 Pecan for this.
Hello,
My husband and I applied the rustic stain to our 10 year old deck this weekend. We absolutely loved the first coat, but wanted it to be slightly darker and stained a second coat two days after the first application. It has dried very shiny and is still sightly tacky to the touch 24 hours after that second application. I’m really worried we messed up! Is there anything we can do to fix this or will it dull over time? Thanks for your help.
Yes TWP is to be applied wet on wet for a second application not on a dry stain. You could try to wipe the entire deck down with rags and mineral spirits to remove some of the excess stain that was over applied. If you do this make sure to saturate your rags with water after you are done.
Hello, I’ve been using TWP 1501 Cedar Tone for the last several years.
My cedar (Rooftop) deck is roughly 2000 sq ft, 4 years old, and in great shape.
I last stained it about 6 months ago. Unfortunately, it has already faded quite a bit.
I was wondering if it would be ok to just wash it of with a mild soap and water and re-apply another coat ?
I’m hoping that I don’t have to sand it again. I love the product and it really makes the deck look fantastic.
Thanks !!
Yes you can lightly was to remove dust and dirt an apply a light coat over top. Just one coat and do not over apply.
Thanks!
One coat next year is all you will need since you will have a base coat. For prep you just want a very light wash with water and maybe a light dish soap to remove any dust or dirt. No heavy prep is needed.
Thanks!
Welcome!
I know that stain should be applied when the temperature is between 50-90 degrees. However, the only chance I have to apply the stain is when the temperature lows are in the 40s. Does this just mean that it will take much longer to dry or are there other pitfalls to this?
Yes it will take longer to dry and cure properly. Pitfalls would be the nighttime temp dropping below freezing or rain on the stain before dry. Avoid that at all cost. In addition 40’s and sunny is much better then 40’s and cloudy.
Thanks so much!
Welcome!
Let it dry and see how it looks. If it looks good then leave alone. If blotchy and uneven you might need strip and start over. Other option is to leave it alone and apply a very light coat in the Spring to even it out.
I had a handyman stain my new redwood deck (600 sq feet) this last weekend. The deck
boards were left to season for 4 1/2 months and then the deck was
cleaned and brightened using the gemini product 4 days prior to
staining according to instructions. A stain pad was used to apply one coat of the TWP 1500
california redwood stain. The staining occurred unfortunately during
the heat of the day (80 – 85 degrees) and now 4 days later the stain appears
uneven and spotty – not shiny but some areas don’t appear to have taken
up the stain as well as other areas. Although I purchased 5 gallons of stain only about 1/2 of the pail was used. he did use a mixer prior to and periodically during the stain application. What’s the best thing to do at
this point? The temperature ranges between 60’s low to high 80’s, no
rain in the forecast.
Barbara, best to leave it alone and come next Spring apply another coat to the floors. Prep by rinsing all dirt from deck before applying the coat. Store the 1/2 pail by making sure it is closed 100% at the lid so there is no evaporation.
thanks for the rapid response. Next spring do I need to use the cleaner and brightener again or just hose it down? Also, would I use one coat of stain next spring or apply wet on wet? Thanks!
Best to leave it alone and clean and prep another light coat to the entire floor next Spring to even it all out.
I got my deck stripped (no railings) last weekend in the 80’s in MN, it rained most of the week, and starting Sunday through next week, highs in 50’s and lows in 30-40’s. The lows aren’t going to get warmer now. Obviously I don’t want to leave it stripped until spring. I have two gallons of 103 ready to go! Any thing I can do?
If it is dry today then stain now. If you cannot do it until later, the temps of daytime in the 50’s is fine. Just do not let it freeze overnight.
Hi. Deck is two years old, pressure treated wood, had never been stained before. Professional power washers power washed it two weeks ago, then returned yesterday to sand and stain (I had ordered TWP1500 and asked them to use it instead of the stain they say they usually use on decks). It seems likely that they over-applied; they used almost two gallons on a deck that measures less than one hundred square feet, There were and are areas of puddling. Staining was finished before 4 pm yesterday. It is now 6 am. Rain is forecast (possible shower this afternoon, likely thunderstorms/showers starting around 9pm tonight followed by heavy rain into tomorrow morning). If the deck is still wet, sticky, tacky when the rain comes, is that all right, or is it supposed to be completely dry before then? Is it O.K. to let the deck dry/cure some more as is today or does the upcoming rain necessitate asking the contractors to come back and wipe the excess with rags and mineral spirits today before the rain? I’ve spent a lot of money on the stain and labor and certainly don’t want any failure. Thanks.
Try to wipe the excess stain as soon as possible.
I had our log home stained 3 years ago with BUTTERNUT BROWN. I don’t see it available any longer. What is the closest color or combo of colors to use?
You can find that on this link: http://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
I just stained my deck with TWP 1501 Cedartone. It looks great! I applied 2 coats wet on wet. Do you recommend applying a clear water seal on top or are the 2 coats of the stain sufficient for water protection. Thank you.
No that would not be a good idea. You cannot add a clear sealer on top of the TWP.
You may have issued with over application now. Shiny spots and tacky. It would be better to wait until Spring to do this.
I have a 15-month-old fence. Last summer I stained for the first time with one coat of TWP 100 Cedartone. Per your instructions I was going to have it stained with one coat again this summer. Unfortunately, the person I had lined up to stain it got really backed up and now we’re heading into the rainy season here in Portland. Would you recommend I try to fit in the one coat this month even though it might be dicey (a light rain may fall in the 48 hour period) or do you think it will be better to wait until next spring/summer? Additionally, I already bought the product and wonder if it’s ok to store it for a year?
I would suggest waiting until Spring. The product will keep over the winter as long as it does not freeze.
You cannot apply the TWP to damp wood but you can let the dew dry off and stain in the afternoon. Two weeks after prep is optinal but can vary slightly as long as it does not get dirty or start to discolor. Lighter colors will always fade quicker then a darker color. Once coat on vertical is fine. Clean and re coat every two years to maintain properly. Not need to strip unless you let it go to full failure.
I have ordered some stain samples which should arrive tomorrow. After testing those, will they be removable with the stain stripper or is that only for removing old stain ? Thanks again.
Yes that should remove the samples but take inconsideration that newly applied stain is a little harder to remove.
I stained my rail cap with 3 samples (Cal Red, Honeytone, Pecan). The Pecan came out okay and is likely the color we will go with since it did the best at hiding imperfections (3rd photo) and should protect a little better than the other 2 since it is darker. I put on the first coat of each and then ~20 minutes later hit each with a 2nd coat. They all looked good wet but did not look as good in the morning (~12 hours later) and all were still a little tacky. The Cal Red and Honeytone looked a little splotchy and streaky as you can see. I assume the temperature dropping overnight probably did not help with curing ? Is this the wrong time of year to be staining ? Did I possibly apply the 2nd coat too soon ? I was trying to finish before it got too dark/chilly. Any other thoughts ?
It is not so much the temperature but that full cure can take a few days or longer to even out the appearance. Try applying the wet on wet application to just the horizontals only. Apply a very light coat to all the flooring and then go back on right away (wear shoes you do not care about) and apply another coat at half the volume (or less) of your first coat. The second coat is more for ensuring an even appearance and overall even stain absorption. If after 30-60 minutes you do not have stain absorbed into the wood you can wipe down the deck with rags/towels to help. Make sure to saturate any oily rags with water to avoid accidental spontaneous combustion.
What color stain to get mahogany back to original color
Rustic color.
We have a large two tiered pressured treated deck that we will stain this weekend with TWP 100 Dark Oak. Previous owners had solid stain on the deck which was flaking and in bad condition. There was also algae/mildew which we cleaned off with deck wash chemicals.
Deck is about 5-7 yrs old and is at ground level where it receive quite a bit of moisture. We had to manually sand off all the stain using 40, then 60 grit sandpaper. We are getting ready to stain with the TWP. We will brighten the deck first (it is down to bare wood) then stain.
Is it recommended to use a wood preservative/insecticide (after brightening) before the TWP, or would doing so be a waste? I was thinking of using Wolman’s Woodlife Classic clear before the TWP 100, in order to protect the boards that are cracked and guard against carpenter ants and termites. But if that product has essentially the same ingredients as are in the preservatives of TWP, I’m thinking it may be unnecessary. Please advise me.
Thanks,
Damien
You cannot add TWP on top of the Wolman. It would repel the TWP from absorbing. You can add something like this to the TWP: http://www.twpstain.com/bug-juice-insecticide
Most likely it will be fine once the rain stops and it fully cures. Just leave it alone. A light coat next Spring if needed will be okay and will even out the color if still a problem
Thanks!
Welcome!
I’m getting ready to address some redwood siding that is now dark ( mildew and oxidation?) and has been neglected for many years. I know it’s heart redwood siding just waiting to look good again. I want the natural look back with the color as natural as possible. Your recommendations for cleaning and stain choices would be appreciated. I’m wondering how best to address carpenter bees as well. Any bee control suggestions?
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing to restore wood color. For the stain, use the TWP 1500 Series. Any color that you would like. We sell a product on the site called Bug Juice for the bees: http://www.twpstain.com/bug-juice-insecticide
Getting ready to clean and stain my cedar fence put up last year. Will use the 100 series since it is legal in Kansas. The face boards are smooth on the inside and rough on the outside. Do I need to treat the rough face differently than the smooth face when it comes to either the cleaning/brightening or the application of stain?
No different. Prep and stain the same for both sides.
I applied a 100 cedartone on my deck. The deck has two coats applied about 30 minutes apart. After 48 hours, some spots are still a little shinny and tacky. I realized now probably too much stain. Will the tackiness go away with time? Is there anything I can do?
Try wiping down with rags and mineral spirits then let dry for a few days.
Hello,
Started building a 16×16 pressure treated deck about mid July, and just finished about a month ago. It’s mid september here in Michigan and with 50 degree and sometimes cooler nights, will twp penetrate into the wood or would i be better waiting until spring? If waiting until spring, will the snow and ice cause the wood to split more or cause wood coupling. The wood has already developed some splits, which i assume is from the drying out process? Thanks for your help
Please read this about new wood: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Wait until Spring. Splits are normal.
One more ? How much paint do I need? On 120 feet longs 6 foot Tails. Cedar fence. Stain on the front and on the back.
Need a total sq. footage please for both sides.
No you use it right away.
Can someone help me. Just finish new cedar fence. With 120 foots long. And 6 foots tall. What stain I should buy. Between TWP 100 Or TWP 1500. And help me pick up color. Cedartone Or Rosewood I live in Dallas Texas. Thank you
Use the 1500 and any color will work for you. This article explains colors: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/
We has some small spill spots on the interlocking pavers adjacent to the fence we stained. We used 1503 on a new Redwood fence. What to you recommend to remove the spots from a porous concrete surface?
Try a graffiti remover stripper and a pressure washer.
Our 450 sq ft deck was previously stained by a professional with 1501. We plan to do it ourselves this year and can’t find the 1500 series in stock. Is it ok to use the 100 series? Woodinville, Wa
No you should stay with the 1501 Cedartone unless you want to strip off and start over. You can order the 1501 from our site.
We completed staining our cedar deck with 1500 series as per your preparation process of stripping and brightener. We had intended to use the wet on wet application for the floor boards, but due to time restraints, we decided to wait until spring to apply another coat. What preparations are needed to apply this second coat in the spring. Thanks. BTW: We like your products and very satisfied.
Lightly prep to remove dirt and reapply a very light coat. Try soapy dish water and a soft push broom to agitate.
How many coats did you use? Did you prep first? Try wiping the entire deck down with rags and mineral spirits to remove the over applied stain that was unable to penetrate. Saturate rags with water when firnished to avoid spontaneous combustion.
I read the instructions on your web site that say a new pressure treated deck should weather for 4 – 12 months to allow proper time for the wood to weather. I then read on another site that new pressure treated lumber that has been treated with micronized copper preservatives will only need about 30 days before staining. This was on the YellaWood products web site. I don’t know if I should stain before the cold Pennsylvania winter or wait until spring. The deck is only about 2 weeks old. Any suggestions?
You need to follow the directions of the stain manufacturer for this.
I’m planning to restain my deck with TWP 101 soon. I’ve read a number of comments from people who over-applied the stain and it didn’t dry well. Any advice on how to make sure I don’t apply too much when doing the second coat? I will be using a stain pad on the deck floor.
Please read this about application: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
Should I be worries about using TWP 100 on cedar planter boxes that will be used to grow vegetables? The planter boxes are fairly large and we want to stain them to match the TWP 100 cedartone fence we just stained.
You will not have any issues with this.
Do you recommend TWP-100 stain for wood garage doors?
Thanks
As long as the wood does not have a previous coating.
The wood (cedar, I believe) did have a previous stain. The top was somewhat protected…the lower 2/3 was very weathered. I’m guessing the stain was about 11 years old, and the sun, cold, and dry climate here in Colorado has taken it’s toll on this weathered part. I have now sanded most of the previous stain off with 80 or 60 grit sandpaper. Do you think that is enough prep for applying the TWP-116? I’m attaching a photo of the doors when one of them was partly sanded.
Thanks
The top looks good. Make sure you sand the bottom as good and you will be okay.
Should the underside of the deck, which is cedar wood, be sanded/smooth before twp stain is applied (in cape cod gray)?
The underside does not need to be done. If you want to do it then use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep.
I have 650 sq ft. of white pine cedar shake mansards (slanted side roof) then a flat tar type roof. Typical roofing system in 30 yr. old homes in Florida. My shakes are 14 yrs. old in good condition. Just had them power washed. I was ready to purchase the TWP200, but
do not see the availbility.?? My condo faces the NE. Which TWP do you reommend?
The 200 would be best for shakes. You can order that here: http://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
In NC – having 12 yr old cedar cleaned – how long to dry before applying TWP – which product do you recommend? Will the tinted/ceadrtone last longer than the clear? I was told to avoid a waterproofer, is that true? Thanks!
Clear has no UV protection so yes the Cedartone last much longer. use the 100 Series for this. Let dry for 48 hours after the prep.
I applied TWP 1500 stain to my ~ 20 yr old deck a few weeks ago. More than a week after the stain was applied, we got a heavy rain storm. The stain looked fine afterwards, but the rain pooled all over the deck. I’m talking about puddles, not just little beads of water. We’ve gotten rain twice since then and the same thing has happened each time – lots of rain remains on the boards and does not evaporate, even 10 hours after the storm it’s still very wet. After each storm I’ve brushed the water off with a broom. Never had this problem before I restained the deck.
How long will the rain continue to pool? And is it necessary to brush the water off (or will it cause any damage if it isn’t brushed)? Appreciate any other suggestions, thanks for your help.
No need to brush it off and typically this does not happen after a month or so.
Thanks for the quick reply! I’m very happy with the stain and am glad that this is not a problem.
You are welcome
I live in Colorado Springs and was wondering if there is any dealer for your stains here. I have some wood trim that is very weathered…cedar I think. I’d like to protect it, as well as possibly give it a little orange/honey tint to match my front door that I recently stained with Sikkens Window and Door “light oak”. Any suggestions?
We are an online dealer and personally do not have dealers but we can ship to you there. Look at the Honeytone 115 or the Cedartone 101 color.
You can but use no more then 60 grit paper.
Planning to finish staining a 3 month old ceder pergola today with 1500. Heavy rain forecasted for tomorrow beginning at noon and into evening. Will that be enough time for the stain to dry?
It should be okay.
I am staining a pine log cabin, which has some rough cut cedar for trim. Some of this cedar is new wood, about 6 months exposed to the wether. The logs were stained with TWP 101 13 years ago. The whole house has been power washed and some areas that were more protected TWP safe strip was used. I am ready to stain. Should I use 1500 series or 100 series? Do they look different after being applied? Which series performs better? I liked the 101 cedar tone color. I also like seeing as much of the wood grain as I can. Any recommendations?
Stay with the TWP 101 as long as it is still allowed in your state. If not, switch to the 1530 Natural for the same color as the 101. Both show the wood grain the same.
Thank you for your quick reply. Which series do you think performs better, 1500 or 100? Is 1530 darker than 101?
About the same in performance
Not sure if my last question got posted. Is 1530 darker than 101? How does 1501 compare to 101? Is is a little darker?
No the 1530 is the same color as the 101.
Is 1530 darker than 101? Bringing in a different color… I was considering 1501. Is 1501 darker than 101? Thank you.
We just applied wet on wet twp 100 on our deck yesterday. The temperature was about 75 to 80
Night temperature about 58 degrees
The deck this morning looks wet and sticky
After second coat i went back over with dry pad to soak up the few puddles
I am concerned. We live on a lake and it’s supposed to rain tomorrow maybe?
Any ideas?
Lisa, get some rags and mineral spirits to wipe off the over applied TWP that has been unable to soak into the wood grain. When you are done, saturate the rags with water to avoid accidental spontaneous combustion.
So go over the entire deck with mineral spirits?
That will help to remove the excess stain.
Do you think we can just use a pad on a pole or on hands and knees?
Also won’t we leave footprints
How soon does it have to be done?
Can it wait till weekend?
Saturate rags with the mineral spirits and wipe off on hands and knees. It hsould not take that long and should be done right away if possible.
So you’re suggesting going over the entire deck with mineral spirits?
TWP 100 Clear offers no UV protectction from graying. You cannot add anything into it for protection.
Well, maybe I’ll do some experimenting. Thank you!
My cedar deck was previously stained several years ago with TWP 101 Cedartone Natural. The stain has worn away in some spots on the deck itself (not the railings). If I restain with TWP 101 again, do you recommend stripping all the old stain off, or would the RAD kit be enough? I live in Western Washington if that’s relevant. Thanks.
You could do either for the prep. Stripping is easy to do and would give the best prep since it has worn unevenly on the floor.
Try soapy water and a green scrubby for dishes.