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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
I installed a small 10 x 16 deck last year in late summer using PT boards. I live in RI and over the winter the boards warped slightly making the deck surface uneven. I sanded the deck before I found this web site and now want to stain it. The deck gets full sun after 11 am. Do I need to do anything to the sanded wood before I stain it? What product should I use?
Best to use the Gemini Restore Kit for the final prep:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain with the TWP 1500 Series:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
OK, How much cleaner and brightener should I purchase for a 10×16 deck? Should I then apply one coat of the 1500 (one gallon) or two coats (two gallons)? Thanks again in advance!
One prep kit will work. Just one coat of TWP stain this year. If you have railings and steps, you will need more than 1 gallon.
I’m building a new deck. I’m using cedar for the deck boards and green treated for the frame. Do I need to stain the cedar right after construction or do I wait?
See this about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I applied TWP stain to my deck three months ago. It looks great, but I have a few areas of milky haze after heavy rains in area where table and chairs sat. Any recommendations for treating those? I have read about various treatments such as petroleum, toothpaste and denatured alcohol for wet glass rings on indoor wood but didn’t know what to do outside.
Picture, please.
This looks like a hard water deposit to me (I live in the Texas Hill Country). We had heavy rain when I was out of town. The deposits are under chair base.
Yes, mineral deposits from the water. Try wiping off with a wet rag. If that does not work, try a little bit of CLR cleaner.
I put one coat of TWP 1500 on pressure treated pine deck yesterday. Can I put another coat today>
Best not to after it dries, If needed, lightly wash and do another coat in late Fall or early Spring.
Cleaned and whitened deck on Wed. Just applied 1500 this morning wet-on-wet (cedar deck was installed 2 years ago and never stained). When I came in it looked wet but no puddling (I was pushing extra stain off edge of deck using pad). Just took look and it appears there are small air bubbles forming where sun is starting to hit it.
Is this ok? Should I go over it with dry deck pad?
This will dry out and the bubbles will go away. Just escaping vapors from the coating in the hot sun.
My son has a log home in Montana that has a water based Perma-Chink clear coat that is peeling and breaking down after 2 years. How do we prepare it for TWP and what series is recommended for log homes?
Most likely that cannot be stripped off so the Perma-chink will need to be sanded off or media blasted to remove. Once removed, use the TWP 1500 Series.
I have some dried stain on vinyl siding and concrete. What is the best way to remove it?
Use a water-based graffiti removed cleaner from your local hardware store.
I just applied wet on wet 1516 rustic on my deck and I don’t like the color, can I apply 1503 I’ve that 1516?
The wood is new never stained and the species is cedar.
You will need to strip it down to do this. Did you read our article about new wood? https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Only one coat and it needs to be weathered and prepped first.
To remove the 1516 and change color, you will need this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Can I return a 1516 gallon I just ordered yesterday?
It looks like you ordered late last night. Please call the office to cancel it before it ships at 866-856-3325.
Hello
I have resurfaced my deck pressure treated lumber. Has been down 2 to 3 months of high 90s..i have been looking @ twp100 color chart.i am looking for a simi transparent stain . I’m looking for a light color stain colors light Cedar tone natural rustic and pecan in honey tone trying to find a color that has no reddish tint but not too dark due to the temperature of the deck any help with this would be great I’m going to try to order some samples thank you
See this for actual photos on consumer projects: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series-stain-colors-and-photo-albums/
Difference of 100 series and 1500 series
See this: https://www.twpstain.com/difference-between-twp-100-and-1500-series
I have to re-stain most of a large double deck (2×6 pressure treated) that was originally stained with TWP Total Wood Preservative pecan 9 years ago. I also had to replace 42 boards that were in bad shape. I need some advice – I’m assuming I’ll have to strip off the old stain but do you have a product (solid color maybe) that can be applied over the old stain without having to strip it?
We do not offer solid stains in the TWP brand. Yes, you will need to remove. It will easily come off with this product: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
During the drying process of staining we had thousands of bugs land in the stain. We are using twp 1500. What can we do to repair the mess
Have you tried a light pressure rinse to see if they come off? Hopefully, they are laying on top of the stain and not embedded in the stain. If they are, you may need to strip and start over.
Our deck is 3 or 4 years old. Pressure treated 2×6. We previously stained with a Behr semi transparent stain that failed miserably nearly from the get go. I have pressure washed and sanded off all traces of old stain down to bare wood. However, it will be 3 or 4 weeks before I can restain. Will I need to rewash, or simply sweep/blow debris before applying stain? I am leaning towards the 100 series, since it is still legal in my area, and just
ordered 3 samples.
Thanks!
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit for your final prep.
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Our deck is small, 14 x 12, with no railing. I previously sanded the entire deck with an orbital sander and 100 grit, after cleaning it. Rather than the added expense of the Gemini cleaner kit, can I simply resand the entire deck again before applying series 100? This will be a total of about 4 weeks since the original cleaning and sanding was done.
Thanks
Sanding actually reduces the stain’s ability to soak incorrectly. You will have better results using the cleaner and brightener.
We have a mildew/algae problem on a deck with a hot tub below it. Joists are treated pine, deck boards are cedar. Deck is 10 years old, apparently treated on the top side with some sort of latex stain product. There was green “junk” on the bottom side of the deck, probably aggravated by moisture from the hot tub. We have cleaned and power-washed both the top side and the under side with restore-a-deck stripper and brightener. Looks really good, except there is still a little bit of green residue on the joists that didn’t come off. We are intending to apply TWP100. The location is northern Minnesota.
Is it OK to just go ahead and apply the stain, or should we first try harder to remove the green residue? More restore-a-deck, or just scrub that stuff off?
We’re intending to thoroughly saturate both the bottom side ( deck boards, joists, & posts ), and the top side, with TWP100. Is there anything else that we should do to mitigate the mildew/algae problem?
Yes, go ahead and stain. The green is imbedded in the wood and will not come off most likely.
I have a Gastineau log home that was ‘sand blasted’ by hail on the three sides.The North side is in good shape. I plan to re-stain all sides of the house. TWP Cedartone 101 stain came with the materials for Gastineau log homes and I have re-stained three times with TWP Cedartone. My questions are: 1.Do I need to clean the good side with bleach and water? 2. do I still do a wet on wet application on the good side, or is one coat enough? 3. I have a 5 gallon pail of TWP Cedartone from previous staining jobs. Should I stick with TWP 101 or can I mix the TWP 101 with your new stain so I can use it up? Thank you in advance for answering these questions.
Use the TWP 100 Series again. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Deck rebuilt in fall of 2017 with cedar. When I purchased 5 gal pail of 101 cedartone and cleaner package I asked about timeframe…..as much as I wanted to apply prior to winter weather, I waited as you folks mentioned mill glaze and weathering time first for most effective use of TWP.
We used the cleaner/conditioner, rinsed, waited 72+ hours and then applied the TWP 101. We applied one coat and thought we should wait for 4-8 more months before applying a second coat from questions we had read on this site. The deck looks outstanding…but stairs are showing dirt carried up on shoes and we are afraid this may absorb into the woodgrain with only one application?
Should we wait till the fall(or longer) and apply a second coat or soap and water clean, dry and reapply second coat sooner?
As always, thank you for your wisdom and guidance!!
Steve
No. Leave as is and redo a coat in the Spring. No issues with the dirt. If needed just lightly wash the steps with water with some dish soap as needed to remove.
Hello, my deck is 16 years old. I have only used TWP Honey Tone stain for all years. I had a contractor come out to clean, prepare and sand my deck to get rid of previous TWP applications. He cleaned the deck the first day. Then he returned the next day and sanded and stained with TWP Honey Tone all on the the same day; within 48 hours it rained. He said that as long it didn’t rain within 12 hours it would be OK; Please see the attached photo. I’m asking him to come back, clean, re-sand and re-apply TWP per the instructions listed on the can. Question is should I go with a darker TWP stain on the deck surface to more closely match the color of my railing? We are not planning to re-stain the railing/balusters. Is there any further action needed to fix this?
You need to strip the flooring at this point using this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
You can then use the same color for an even appearance.
How long is an opened/partial used gallon of product still good for? And how best to store it?
See this for tips: https://twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
Has the formula for Twp changed since 2015? I have saved a gallon from the last application (1530 to be specific) and want to know if I can mix a new gallon of 1530 with it without issue
It has not changed.
I want to use TWP 100 series to stain my deck. It’s a 11 years old treated lumber (pine?) deck and was stained 5 years ago with Behr Premium Transparent weather proofing all in one wood finish. Unfortunately, the deck was not stained for 6 years.
What prepping will I need to do prior to staining with TWP 100? Any other information would be appreciated as well.
Thank you.
Prep with the Restore A Deck Stripper Kits: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
This and pressure washing while using it will remove the Behr so the TWP can be used.
I recently stained my deck – a portion that was done first dried lighter than the rest – should i apply another coat?
Wait until the Fall. Lightly rinse deck for the prep to remove the dirt and apply one light coat to all the floors.
Thanks
We have a deck that has been stained numerous times with transparent stain. The last time we used the transparent stain ,however, there was a protectant in it that left a glaze. My husband has been very upset because they are telling him he has to remove the current stain before he can restain. but they don’t have any stain without the preservative,so if we use it we’ll have to remove it again? Is there any stain without a preservative anymore? Or what is your suggestion?
I am not understanding your question. TWP 100, 200, and 1500 Series are penetrating stains. Not sure what you used before but they do not create a “glaze”. Having a preservative in the stain has nothing to do with leaving a “glaze”.
Sorry, I meant sealer (not preservative). We have looked at all the local stores, and talked to personnel, we couldn’t find stain without a sealer. When I found your website, I thought possibly you had a product that didn’t have a sealer in the stain.
All deck stains are sealers but the TWP is a penetrating coating so it does not create a film or glaze/shine on top of the wood. Before using the TWP, the previous will need to be removed first.
How long will twp stain last in unopen can?
See this https://twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
We have an older deck with Doug fir. We live in snow country at 5,600’. Which product would you recommend?
The TWP 100 Series.
I have new cedar hurricane shutters in coastal North Carolina. Do I need to clean before staining and which stain do you recommend for the natural cedar look?
Thanks
See this please: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the TWP 100 series.
I live in California have a cedar fence, gate, and house parapet (all vertical) that is about a year and a half old. Previously stained with Duckback Superdeck but it’s already turning grey and looks like it didn’t absorb well. Should I use the RAD Stripper/Brightener Kit and then apply TWP 1500?
Yes, that is the correct prep and stain.
Last fall we moved into a 7 year-old home. As far as we can tell, the 12×14 deck has never been treated or coated. We don’t know what kind of wood it is. It feels quite rough, so we are planning on sanding the whole thing. We live in the upper plains where the weather is extreme with both heat and cold/snow. Can you give me some guidance on what we need to do to prep, and also which of your products would be best? Also, what kind of dry time is needed?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep. No need to sand but if you do, use 60-80 grit paper. Stain with the TWP 1500 Series. Two coats applied wet on wet. Dries in 12-24 hours in normal conditions.
I have new pressure treated wood that has cured. I would like to stain it solid black, but have been unsuccessful finding the stain. Do you offer a solid black or have any recommendations on how to achieve it?
Thank you,
We do not have any solid colors in the TWP brand.
I’m thinking of using TWP100 on my new cedar fence. I would like it to be darker than your Dark Oak. Can I add black pigment to the stain?
No, you cannot add pigment to the TWP. The TWP 1504 Black Walnut is darker than the 103 Dark Oak.
Hello,
Live in Eastern Pennsylvania, ready to stain my deck with TWP.
Deck Situation
15×15 pressure treated deck approximately 15 years old. Previously stained with Behr semi-transparent stain. Stripped all prior stain using Behr #64 Stain Remover to bare wood.
Now ready to clean and brighten before using TWP 1550 stain.
Questions:
1. Should I use the Behr #63 Cleaner or use the TWP Cleaner and Brighten before I stain with TWP?
2. Living in Eastern PA, deck partial sun in AM, full sun afternoon, with plenty of snow in winter, should I sue oil based or acrylic based stain?
3. How long to I need to wait between cleaning and staining?
Thanks, and I look forward to your reply.
Walt
1. Use the TWP prep products
2. TWP 1500 is oil based only and is the correct product for PA.
3. 48 hours.
Thanks for the quick reply, and appreciate the advice. WaltAsk A Question Here
quite A few years ago I purchased and used 100 series which is still looking great. Problem is I live in PA. Is there any way of sending the pigment/solid part of the stain and I can add the solvent?
Have you ever shipped to a UPS pick up site or freight site so I can ship it to closes location and drive and pick it up. Its for the top dome of old victorian and I need to rent a high reach to get up there. decorative cedar shakes. Is 100 the longest lasting of your products? How does the 200 series compare. Thank you so much in advance – Scott
No that is not possible. The TWP 1500 lasts the same as the TWP 100 and is compliant for PA. Just use this.
could I mix 103 with 105 to get a dark wood finish with a gray tint? Any pictures of mixed stains?
You can mix colors together of the same series but we do not have any pictures of this.
Stained an outdoor bench with TWP 300 Stain on a day with only a 10% chance of rain. Surprise, surprise, a summer shower popped-up. Bench was under a overhang but there are some drop marks on seat and one armrest (everything else looks perfect). Solution?
Lightly sand and reapply.
I have a 4200 square foot western red cedar shake roof. It is half new and half two years old. Will TWP200 help to extend the life of this roof? Would 25 gallons cover it? Shake butts here are susceptible to powdery black fungus attack – does TWP help with that?
Yes, the TWP 200 will extend the life and the appearance of the cedar shakes. As for coverage, it is hard to say as it depends on who dried out that it is and how it is applied. 25 Gallons should be real close to what will be needed. TWP does help with preventing mildew.
Getting ready to stain a deck; I took it down to (mostly) bare wood by cleaning and sanding, so I don’t think the previous stain matters. The deck is 30 years old; some individual boards will be replaced. Part of the deck is in sun and part is shaded due to tree. Naperville, IL. Picture is attached. What is the best stain to use? Thanks!
The TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
We just installed a tiki bar and are looking to stain the bamboo slats. What series of stain should we buy? Thanks!
The TWP 300 series.
We’re also staining bamboo – where can we find the 300 series? I can’t find it on your website. We’re in Orange County, CA. Thanks.
Do a search online for TWP 300 Dealers.
do they make a solid stain?
No TWP does not make a solid stain.
I am getting ready to re-stain my deck and my 3-year old 5 gallon drum of TWP 1500 stain is still about 1/3 full. However, about half of that is congealed stain. Is the liquid part still usable? Can the congealed part be re-constituted?
No, it has gone bad.
I’m planning on using TWP 100 series stain (rustic color). What is the closest retailer to New Buffalo, MI 49117. Thanks
We ship there from our Bloomfiled Hills, Mi location:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
After I use the restore a deck stripper and brightener, can I wait a week or two before I apply the TWP 100 series stain, or does it have to be applied right away?
Staining within 10-14 days of the prep is okay.
I used TWP 1501 stain on my deck two years ago. As I used a pressure washer a little too aggressively to remove mold, can I stain with TWP 1502? Thanks.
If you want to change colors than prep with this kit:
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
We have T one eleven wood siding on a 35 year old home that was painted with solid body Cape Cod gray oil stain which is worn thin and beginning to show wood. We have purchased stain for a deck restoration and are very happy with the color match and coverage and protection. It is holding up very well. Question is: will this same paint be suitable and perform as well if we apply it to the cleaned T one Eleven wood siding?
The TWP stains cannot be applied over a solid color stain or any other stain brand for that matter.
Thanks for reply. The deck stain we used was TWP and we are sure happy with it. We did apply it over a cleaned but old deck that had been previously stained with a different brand but had pretty much worn off. The TWP stain covered and is holding up really well, best stain ever, so wishing we could use it on the siding which has old semi-solid oil stain.
Mahogany Front Porch. Decking only as railings are white. Porch is covered and western facing. As such receives strong late day sun. In spite of being covered, the decking will get wet unevenly during rain as rain reaches outer areas and the areas nearer the house stay dry.
Coastal environment, 4 blocks from beach at the NJ shore.
Wood is 14 years old and appears to have been previously treated w/ semi-transparent oil based stain. I have prepped the porch decking by Washing/scrubbing w/ Oxi-Clean and neutralized/scrubbed w/ wood brightener containing oxalic acid.
What is the best oil based, semi-transparent stain to use please?
Do you have a recommendation on color as well? The home is light gray siding with light blue front door.
Many thanks
Hello,
TWP cannot be applied over this current stain. You will need to remove by stripping and or sanding. Brighten again after. After removal, use the TWP 1500 Series.
Apologies. I wasn’t clear (or even completely correct) in describing my prep. The pics are before I prepped. And after treating w/ Oxy and then brightener, I realized the old stain was still present. So I stripped it and used brightener again. The deck is now almost all bare wood in appearance. There are however, a few small spots where it still looks a bit dark, i think where it didn’t strip completely.
1) Is it ok to sand those spots rather than retreat with stripper (then brightener) before applying TWP 1500 series?
2) Color Selection: How will the colors on mahogany compare w/ the colors on pine that I typically see on your website? Are there any examples of the colors on mahogany on your site to help me choose? I am thinking Pecan.
thanks
We have a 30 year old deck of treated lumber. After I stripped, cleaned and brightened it began to rain. today is the 4th day of rain in central Illinois in late June. Temps will be in high 80s tomorrow and no rain in forecast for 3 days. It could possibly reach mid 90s. Deck is ready to apply stain but I need to know how long I must wait after the rain to apply stain. The deck is soaked with rain.
48 hours after a heavy rain.
Port Orford Cedar deck. Let sit for 3 months, used cleaner brightener and stained with single coat of TWP100 cedar tone last summer. I would like to do a maintenance coat now since the single coat has faded a bit. Deck is very clean looking. Do I just wash or use the cleaner brightener or just one or the other prior to the maintenance coat.
Thank you
Lightly wash with the Gemini Cleaner. Use 1/2 concentration of 2-4 oz per gallon of water.
Used restore Kit on cedar decking to clean and remove shinny spots from over applying last year. some of the deck still have the spots. What do i use, sanding or stripper product and then finish with brightner??
Thanks
Stripper and brightener.
I need an estimate of the number of deck pads needed to stain a 675 sf deck. Thanks
2-3 should do it.
I sanded my deck with 50 grit sandpaper to take off previous finish. Have some black areas which I believe is caused by mildew. I ordered Restore-a Deck but wanted to sand the deck further with a finer grit. Should I use the Restore-A-Deck before the fine sanding or after. I will be staing the deck with a TWP 1500 product. Thanks
Sand first. No finer than 60-80.
Thanks. I was going to use 120 grit. Curious, why not the finer 120 grit?
Will not soak in if sanded to smooth.
Sorry to bother you agin, you’ve been so kind with quick replys. If I sand the deck then use Restore-A-Deck won’t the grain be raised again after it is wet and I’d have to sand it again? I’ve read other articles which say if deck is wet after sanding you’re back to square one, sanding.
You want to the wood grain raised, not smooth. The stain will soak in much better.
Used TWP Rustic semitransparent 1500 series on cedar deck in Portland OR. Applied as instructed. Have seen during winter/wet months a discoloration on horizontal surfaces. Best description is like looking through a “fogged” window, meaning small water droplets on a window or mirror.
Any thoughts or similar observations?
Probably mineral deposists that dried on the surface from the rain. Nothing to do with the TWP. Should wipe off with a wet rag.
On one section of my deck, it receives full sun all day. That side really soaked up both coats of the wet on wet application. should I add a third coat for greater protection on that section of the deck?
No. Too much stain is not a good idea as it will not soak in or cure correctly.