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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
Steve, TWP are not covering stains and will not belend other brands. For best results you need to remove all of the SW Deckscapes so the TWP can properly work. Stripping and possibly sanding will be the best way to remove. Try to achieve 95% removal or more.
Jim, is this rough wood or smooth? You cannot stain brand new smooth right away. Are you doing both sides and what is the total s. footage?
It’s 1500 sq ft but I’m doing both sides. When I touch the wood, it has sawdust left on it that I can brush away- so, rough, then? How long would you wait Thank you for the reply.
JIm, so the total is 3000 or 1500 sq. feet? If rough wood then I would lightly clean the wood to remove the dust then let it dry for a couple of days before applying the stain. Rough wood can be stained right away. Smooth wood needs to weather for 4+ months.
It’s okay to power wash the rough wood or should I do it by hand? Total is 3000 sq ft- 15 gallons for one coat? Thank you for all these replies.
Jim, lightly pressure washing should be fine. 15-20 gallons for the 1 coat.
Thank you!
Welcome!
San Antonio, I like the 1520 Pecan. Please read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Hello, daughter has a brand new yellow-wood deck in KC. Contractor recommend TWP, but not sure which one to use. Need oil with stain on first pass. Next year he recommends a clear oil preservative. Thanks, K
Kathy, please read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the 100 Series.
can I spray TWP stain with a 3000 psi sprayer?
Jim, an airless sprayer?
Very large10 year old full sun cedar deck in IL used Cabots oil-based Chestnut Brown semi solid stain 3 years ago. Power washed the remaining stain off the floor and replaced three boards with new. Can’t remove all from the vertical surfaces. Plan to use TWP 1500 Rustic Oak. Do I have to brighten first? Would I stain all except the new boards and then do just those boards in a few months?
Janice, did you sue a stripper when removing the Cabot? Best to sue a stripper then brighten when done before applying the TWP 1500. I would just do it all then touch up the newer boards in a year.
After using deck cleaner and then putting down Thompson’s Water sealer on part of my deck, I decided to switch to TWP product. The part I treated is beading up water. How aggressive do I need to be to remove the sealer before I apply the TWP?
Thanks, John
The Thompsons needs to be removed 100% so the TWP can properly penetrate into the wood.
So I guess more than a cleaner. Should a stripper do the trick?
Yes I would strip then brighten for the prep.
Unfortunately I just heard about twp too late. How and when can I treat with twp now that I’ve screwed up with the linseed oil?
EBl, not sure as I do not know how the linseed moisture you did will work out. Maybe next you can strip off the Linseed oil then apply the TWP.
I just power washed my 6 yr old cedar deck and coated with a 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and thinner today Can I top coat with twp?
EBL, no I would not do that.
Cari Ann, you should be able to restore the natural wood color with the prepping products. I would suggest the 1500 since the deck is older and neglected.
Dave, look at the TWP 115 Honeytone after waiting to let the wood dry. Prep first with a cleaner and wood brightener.
South Tahoe Skier, I would use the 100 Series.
Thanks for the advice TWP stain help!
Welcome!
Dave, I would suggest a high quality solid deck stain for the verticals from your local high end paint store.
If applying TWP with a pump sprayer, does it need to be brushed in, or is simple spray contact sufficient? Same question for stripper/cleaner, too (w/ power washer). Thanks.
fmaggi, you should back brush is spraying to make sure the TWP is applied evenly. You can spray the cleaners but you do not need to back brush those.
Deck: 550 sq ft
25 yr/old wolmanized wood. Good condition.
Please see pic.
-3wks ago stained w/ TWP103
-uneven throughout
-double stained in 2 areas
-totally unprofessional job (besides the double stains, can see roller spots, cut-ins, etc.)
-painter blamed the stain (“it went on like water. I used everything you gave me (3gal)”
-told him I picked the stain because of its high ranking (Deckstainhelp.com).
-I really want to avoid a full strip–>wash–>condition–>stain–>seal
-the “work” is only 3w old . . . CAN I POSSIBLY JUST COVER THIS JOB WITH A TWP PRODUCT?
-PICTURE ATTACHED
Thanks,
Marc
Marc, he did a very poor job of applying. You could possibly just apply a light coat to even it out. Make sure that it is very light and there is no rain in the forecast for awhile as it may take a day or longer to dry. It will be a little over applied at this point but it should be okay for 2 years.
As long as we’re fixing it, would a recover using1503 possibly work as well or better than a light evening-out coat of 103 (the stain used 3w ago)?
marc, use the same as you used the first time.
Phil, yes it will remove the gray.
I have an old deck that is a combination of cedar and pressure treated wood. It was in clean condition prior to applying stain. We live in nebraska. The deck was completely dry when we started application of the stain. We only stained the seats of the deck yesterday in sections. Now we are getting rain (6 hours later than some sections were stained). We used twp 103 to blend the varied woods. What do I do now?
A, I would just wait until the rain stops then complete the deck.
Tim, less product means quicker fading from UV.
I live in Munising, Michigan. My deck needs some attention. The deck floor has turned grey and I kind of like that weathered look. I want to apply some new stain to the railings (there is some old stain on there now but I have no idea what is is). What would you recommend I do to get started? I assume I need to clean the wood. Can I leave the floor alone and just apply a clear sealer to preserve the wood? Should I use 100 or 1500 for the job? Thanks!
Phil, prep all the wood with the Gemini Restore Kit. Use one of the tinted colors in the 100 Series for the rails and the TWP clear for the floor.
Will the Gemini Restore Kit remove the weathered grey on the deck?
Michael, clean and brighten for the prep with the Gemini Restore Kit then apply the TWP 1500.
Yes you can do that.
j, TWP is a water shedding stain. It does not or should not stop water 100%. You need the wood to be able to breathe. if you have a black spot under the stain then it is something else. Maybe rust?
JB, the TWP does not turn black. It is something else but without seeing a picture it is hard to say. Can you try uploading one?
Maggie, It is probably okay to stain now.
Last fall, I applied one coat of TWP 1500 over new cedar decking before laying the floor of our covered porch. I would like to put another coat on this summer. What do you suggest for preparing the cedar for another coat? Thank you!
Doug, a light cleaning with a deck cleaner to remove the dirt and grime should be sufficient.
I have used solid color stain on an older deck in the past and hated the painted appearance. will the 1500 series semitransparent stain give this type of appearance as well? What % of solids does the 100 vs the 1500 series have?
Tracy, both the 100 and 1500 are semi-transparent stains that do not hide or mask the grain but rather highlight the wood grain.
I just had my >12 year old Redwood Deck powerwashed by a contractor and treated with two-coats of TWP 1502 Redwood Semi-transparent stain. The deck looked clean and well prepared prior to application but the result is disappointing and the deck finish looks very blotchy. There are three problems:
1. Large color variation within boards
2. Large color variation board-to-board
3. Shiney surfaces presumably because the contractor did not apply the 2nd coat quickly enough and wipe off excess TWP.
My question: Is this fixable and if so what should I do?
Michael, You would need to strip it off and start over. There is not a way to fix what is there without removing. Other option is to wait a week or two and see if it “evens” out. It may.
We had our deck refinished last year with TWP stain (#1530 – Natural). We decided to have a new coat applied this year as it seemed to have faded quite a bit over the harsh winter. The guys have prepped it with the cleaner and brightener. it is all set to receive the stain. My question is this… The guys say you recommend only one coat – not two. But the brightener had made it so light it appears almost as though the wood were never stained. Is one coat really all that is needed? I’m just having trouble imagining that one coat will suffice. Thanks!
doug, if you do two coats make sure they are two light coats and that they are applied wet on wet.
Rain fell on my deck about 6-7 hrs after I completed 1 coat of stain.It continued to rain for two days. It’s dry now, can I apply another coat of TWP even though it’s NOT wet on wet? If not when would you suggest?
Jack, hard to say for sure but if you do make sure it is a very light coat.
I have a less than a year old Cedar covered (80% with no direct Sun and 20% with direct Sun contact) deck. It has never been strain. I am considering using TWP 100 series. What color should I pick to get the cedar natural look or close to it. I do not want the clear where overtime the gray may show.
Please read this for color help: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/tips/need-help/twp-color-tips/
i have an older wood deck (PTP) that was previously treated with Thompson’s WaterSeal Advanced Tinted Wood Protector. I had good result with that but can no longer get it in PA, so I ordered your TWP 15000 in Redwood. The deck is stripped and brightened. It was done over a week ago. My question is about waiting after rain to apply the stain. Do I have to wait 48 hours after the last rain and then hope for 48 hours of no rain afterward? The weatherman is never accurate and I do not want to have to strip it off again…that is harder work than staining!
Wait 24-48 hours after a rain. TWP typically can take a rain 12-24 after done with the staining.
Ryan, prep first with the Gemini Restore kit and apply 1 coat of the TWP 1500 Series.
Savor, let weather for a month or two. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit before applying the stain. Just 1 coat this time.
I have a treated pine dock. The floor is Trex. The dock has been in for 5-6 years and has never been treated as far as I can tell. Would I use TWP100 or TWP 1500. I have cleaned and power washed already. Can I go ahead and stain? I am in South Carolina.
Alex, I would go ahead and stain with the 1500 for this.
Vasan, Please read this about colors: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/tips/need-help/twp-color-tips/
Hello – I have an older deck made from redwood that has a badly peeling solid stain and some wear on the decking itself. My plan is to remove the 2×6 deck boards, run them through a planer, then reinstall for a like-new appearance. I’d like to use the TWP100, but wonder if I can apply it immediately after re-installation, or should I let the old resurfaced wood weather for a couple of months? The deck is approximately 15 years old.
Ben, I would go ahead and apply after using the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep.
I am building an elevated deck soon. Wood will be pressure treated…species is TBD. This will be new wood. I can’t understand the difference between TWP 100 and TWP 1500. I see the colors are slightly different. But what is the main difference? How do I decide which is best for me? Climate is Southeast Michigan. Thanks.
Mark, 100 series for MI. Please read this article:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I installed a Garapa deck and stained with TWP 100 series. The stain cured properly and the first time it was rained on, the water beaded and puddled on the boards. Since the deck is mostly in shade it is taking a long time to evaporate. Is this normal? Thank you
woodyi, yes that is normal.
dls, no it will not create any damage.
We purchased a home in November 2011 and have a 12×24, covered deck, with rails, that needs to be treated or retreated. I do not know what was previously used, but the glossy finish is wearing off. My preference is a clear finish without any color. I live outside of Philly, so our winters are not extreme. Recommendations appreciated.
AJ, you would need to sand off the shiny finish as TWP is a penetrating stain. TWP comes in a Clear but you must have a tint in the finish if you want UV protection from graying.
I have a 7 year old PTW KDAT DECK, I have used stain remover pressured washed and then an oxalic acid based brightener, I lightly sanded with 60 grit paper. I am in Louisville KY, it gets full sun for part afternoon, but not on all areas as the deck is only 10 x10. Question is which TWP I should use, 100 or 1500 nd more importantly why???.
Allan, use the 100 series for this.
The “how to” video shows a dark walnut color, #104, but I don’t see that as an option in the 100 series. Is it available?
Ryan, it is only available in the 100 Series.
Thank you? The 1500 I assume you meant right?
Ryan, yes 🙂
I have an enclosed porch which large has screens which are open to the elements year round. The porch has “hardwood” tongue and groove wood flooring that is 7 years old and was sealed about 4 years ago. Today I applied TWP 1500 but after 8 hours it has not dried. I guess it did not properly penetrate and is essentially sitting on the surface. Question is how long will it take to cure or do I need to remove it somehow?
Mark, I would try wiping it down with some rads and lacquer thinner to remove the excess. It will dry eventually but it could take some time. A week or longer. This is because you applied TWP to a hardwood and most likely over applied. Make sure to wet the rages down with water to avoid accidental spontaneous combustion.
Chris, you should use the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper then the brightener to remove the One Time as much as possible so the TWP can work properly.
Yes that will happen when freshly stained but it will not so that after a month or so.
Scott Paul
OPW/TheSealerStore
248.299.2512
Maybe try the 1503 Dark Oak to give the deck a rich brown look and blend the wood.
Scott Paul
OPW/TheSealerStore
248.299.2512
I’d the old stain is gone then clean prep with the Gemini Kit then stain with the 1500.
Scott Paul
OPW/TheSealerStore
248.299.2512
I have a 3 year old treated lumber pool deck that has never been stained. We live in northwestern PA. I have purchased the restore-a-deck and 1500 stain. I am having difficulty finding a dry weather pocket to clean and stain the deck. How long can it be between using the restore-a-deck and the stain? What if it rains? How long does it have to be dry after staining? Since it has never been stained, 1 coat or wet on wet? Thanks.
MJ, you can wait a week or so between the prepping and staining. If it rains make sure that it dries for 24-48 hours before applying. 2 coats wet on wet.
I presently have a TWP treated S4S cedar deck color cedartone I sanded the boards almost to natural wood Do I need to powerwash the decking prior to applying new TWP stain?
You should use the Gemini Restore Kit to prep the wood after the sanding.
Scott Paul
OPW/TheSealerStore
248.299.2512
Should I power wash?
Sent from my iPad
You can to speed up the prepping process.
Pressure wash and use the Gemini Restore Kit with the cleaning.
We are looking to treat our large pressure treated deck. It’s a year old and has never been treated. It gets full beating hot sun in summer and snow in winter. We are in Southern Ontario (same climate as Detroit). The pressure treated wood is slightly golden colour and we would be happy if it stayed that colour or a little deeper. Every “sealant” I’ve ever used has peeled. We were looking at the 100 series but see it’s not available in Canada.
Jo, TWP 100 and 1500 are not compliant for Canada VOC laws.