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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
1. Is TWP suitable for treating green wood with exterior exposure in a timber frame?
2. Is it available as an untinted product (i.e one that treats but does n ot colour the wood)?
1. See here about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
2. Yes, the 100 and 1500 come in a Clear.
10 year old Weathershiled pine deck, northern NJ. Was stained with TWP 1500 Cedartone 2 yrs ago.
Yesteerday, I used the Gemini Restore-a-Deck kit with 1 gallon pressure sprayer and then low pressure power wash to clean. When I applied the brightner the deck was wet from rinsing the cleaner. But I did not see any change in color while wet. After it dried the deck boards wet easily and are much lighter than before, looks very light beige almost sand tone in color.
Can I use the cleaner and brightner again on mostly outside surface of balusters that I missed? should the deck be wet before I start. Will it overbleach adjacent areas? how long to wait after rain before applying 1500 cedar tone?
You can redo the prep. Wood can be wet. It will not lighten the wood anymore. 48 hours to let dry after rain or prep.
I have a 10 year old cedar fence . I am having it stripped, power washed and stained. HOA says to use Honeytone 100 series but a contractor said 200 series is better on old wood as 100 series will appear too dark. Which will be closest to original new fence color? Thank you so much!
I need to stain my deck that is made from a different types of wood. I want something that will give an opaque coverage. what do you recommend?
Use the Gulf Deck Revive that we offer: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/gulf-synthetics/deck-revive
We applied Cabot solid color oil stain to PT wood 4 years ago. The deck is in full sun. It faded and in places simply wore away, but there’s no peeling. We also have a deck with ArborCoat semi-solid oil stain that is not in full-day sun and wore better, but is still not very well. What combination / sequence of TWP products should we use for each that will allow us to apply a TWP stain? Thanks!
You would have to power sand to remove both coatings fully first. Final prep would be the Gemini Restore Kit. Stain with TWP 1500 Series.
I am only replacing deck boards the frame is still in great shape, will the stain cover the new boards and older frame the same? will it be much different shades? I am looking at both Dark Oak and Black walnut. thanks
See here about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
The new wood will stain lighter in color than the older wood as they are less absorbent.
Sample question, If I order a sample is it liquid to actually see what it looks like on my deck, or is it a block of wood with whatever sample wood? I did not find answer anywhere, thanks
Liquid samples.
What should I do if there are still shiny spots on my deck 48 hours after applying the stain?
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
I have a new pole barn with kiln-dried pine board and batten. The boards are rough cut. I want to be able to see the knots and grain. I have tested some big box store brands on a few scrap boards and it really soaks up the wood. Which product would I want to use? What prep needs to happen? The bottom of the wood is really dirty where the rain splashed before gutters were up so I plan on power washing it.
Pressure wash for prep and then stain with the TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Just finishing up sanding a 14 year old PT deck. Has taken a few weeks (not every single day) of really hard work. We are in a time crunch as we both work more than one job and also have other home improvement projects to get done before weather changes. We are at the brightener stage and planning on staining next weekend (need to order the stain ASAP)….is it ok to stain the sanded wood that soon? Also, we ordered a few samples and liked the Pecan 1500 on an old spindle we took off last night but today it looks like there isn’t any stain on there. Should we go slightly darker? I don’t want a dark brown or orangey color, the pecan started out just right, not sure why it disappeared.
And, because of our time crunch and numerous jobs, we aren’t staining the deck at one time…trying to do railings one day and floor another, worried that the floor may need more than one coat and wondered if it’s ok to come back a day/week later and apply another coat over the initial one?
-You can stain after the brightener as long as you did not sand finer than 80 grit.
– Pecan is a nice color. It does not disappear after a week so maybe you applied it incorrectly.
-If doing a second coat, it must be done wet on wet the same day. Not a week later: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
Thanks so much, was hoping to hear we could apply after waiting for the brightener to dry (48 hours I have read). No, we sanded with 40 and 60 grit because the old was THAT hard to get off but the work was worth it, looks almost brand new! As far as applying, because it was just a test we rubbed some on the spindle with a rag, we’re going to put some on an actual deck board a few hours after brightening to get a better look so we can get the order in pronto!
I have read about wet on wet, but worried that we won’t see the true color of one coat if we don’t wait a few days? Say we stay with one coat and then decided it needs another coat, what is the earliest we could do that? A warm day in October? Spring? We are in upstate ny and the weather is nasty in the winter, want to make sure the deck is good and protected. If we do the wet on wet and feel it’s too dark will it lighten a bit? I love the pictures of Pecan I’ve seen on your site and doing google searches but didn’t look the same at all….hoping with brightener and a correct application (probably with brushes) it will be better. Any suggestions on applicators? Looked at stain pads but seem too large (we like to dip the brush in the can as we go along). If brushes, synthetic or natural? Thanks again, we want to do this RIGHT!
-You would have to wait 6-9 months, prep lightly, then recoat.
-Stain pads are best for applying: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools/brushes-stain-pads
-Doesn’t matter the type of brush.
Thanks again, so glad you are here to help all of us get the best result! 🙂
Welcome.
Do you still need to seal a deck after applying 1500 stain?
No need and you cannot add a sealer over th TWP.
We are staining our deck with TWP Dark Oak. The deck is about 18 years old (CCA) and has never had any kind of treatment. The deck cleaned up very well as it is close in color to some new boards on the deck (pressure treated pine – replaced 1 yr ago).
After staining part of it, it rained hard about 8-10 hours later. After it dried it looks splotchy. We used a big paint brush, there are a few overlap marks. On deck that has no stain, there are some places where stain from above dripped or a little bit spilled. We put a stop to the project needing to fix what is wrong.
What are our options to fix these problems? I can send pictures if it’d be helpful.
So three problems
1. Stained deck that’s splotchy after rain
2. Overlap marks from paint brush
3. Drips/spots of TWP on boards not stained
Send pictures.
I am using TWP 200 stains on a pine log home for many years now with excellent results. Die log house is right at the ocean in Nova Scotia and winters are harsh also due to the salt spray. This year I tried the TWP 300 stain over an old layer of TWP 200, because a sample on a log showed that the TWP 300 layer was less abrasive and less fading than the TWP 200 alone. Moreover, we liked the black walnut color very much. Is this recommended or should I use TWP 200 only?
Ulrich
Meteghan, Nova Scotia
Stay with the TWP 200 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
Can I use TWP 200 series on a composite wood? More specifically, LP SmartSide (engineered wood)?
Sorry but no.
Hello,
I have a solid wood redwood home built in the style of a water tank. I treated it with TWP 1502 about 5 years ago, (and the finish is still holding strong). Water is penetrating at each of the vertical butt joints. My plan is to take a skill saw to each joint and open up a uniform 1/8 in kerf and then caulk. My question to you, is what caulk will work with TWP? The concern is that even though I will be exposing fresh wood with the kerf, the penetrating oils of the TWP will migrate to the fresh cut and undermine caulk adhesion.
Thank you,
Bob
You should not have any issues with adhesion.
Half of my wrap around cedar deck was installed last year, the other half last month. I sanded it all and still has different shades of brightness. Any tricks of the trade that would help me match both halves?
Try to clean and brighten all wood for final prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
This will open the pores of the wood after sanding, remove the sand dust, and could help even out the appearance.
What is the difference between TWP 100 and TWP 1500?
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/difference-between-twp-100-and-twp-1500/
Thank you! Very helpful!
Does the Gemini Step 1 go on dry wood or wet wood? This is pretreated wood which has weathered for nearly 12 months. I have looked on the canister and it doesn’t say. Thanks.
Wet or damp wood is best.
Thank you. I prepped with the two steps and will wait the 48 hours for the stain.
Two questions.
1. Attached are pictures of the gazebo. I am doing inside and outside. Do you have any recommendations on the order in which I should do the parts (inside ceiling, ornamental assembly around top, ornamental rail around bottom, floor? I am thinking of using a hand pump sprayer for all of it, although I am concerned that a lot of the stain will be wasted on the ornamental assemblies. I don’t really want to hand apply all of those diamonds, though.
2. In the process of power washing, I now have “peach fuzz” (see picture 1) on the hand rails (which were untreated 2x3s). I am assuming I should sand them with 80 grit then rinse off the dust. Do I need to put the brightener on again (the right answer is “no,” because I’m all out 🙂 )?
Thank you for all of your help. Great product, exceptional service.
1. Do the inside ceiling first. Tarp the floor while you are doing this. Work your way down to stain the rest. The floor would be last.
2. Yes, sand the tops of the rails. No need to brighten after.
Thank you.
One more question … from what I gather reading through q/a’s, if you restain every year (9-18 months), you don’t need to prep and then wet-on-wet (i.e. 2 coats). Or is it a function of specific environment and the amount of discoloration/dirt which is built up?
You always have to prep when you reapply, When doing maintenance coats, typically just one coat is needed. In your scenario, you would not have to do the inside ceiling for many years or ever again.
OK. Thanks. I never realized that wood decks were so much work (if maintained properly).
Hi. I bought 5 gallons of twp 200 series 5 slate gray 10 months ago. I opened the can today and it was brown on the top. I gave it a good mix with a paint mixer (at least 5 minutes) mixing in most of the solids on the bottom of the can. The stain went on very nice; just the color I wanted. After an hour there is brown sediment on the top. It is still wet. Can I wipe it up with a cloth? I’m going to use the stain on a deck. Right now I’m testing on some steps. Is the brown normal? Will it go away if I just leave it? What is it? Thanks. Tim.
You can back wipe off the excess. It is just oils. Make sure to saturate all oil rags in water when done and lay flat outdoors to dry.
I’m in Canada. Regarding your 200 series cedartone, if I need to touch-up in a couple of years (south facing cedar siding), what’s the maintenance involved? Complete strip-down and reapply, or brighten the bare areas only & touch-up with 200? Thanks in advance
Clean and brighten the wood for recoats. Brightener alone will not do anything for a recoat.
Hello, I am looking to stain my treated deck and log cabin. It is 20 years old and I have previously treated it with Penofin Blue label cedar tone Brazilian oil stain. I have always treated it every two years. Will your stripper remove Penofin from the treated wood as well as the horizontal logs. The logs have darkened after every coat of Penofin over the years.
Yes, the RAD stripper and Brighreenr Kit will remove the Penofin with pressure washing. Use the RAD Thickening Gel since it is vertical wood.
How do you remove twp1500 stain splashes on windows.
Try a water-based graffiti remover like Goof Off.
Already cleaned and used the brighter a few weeks ago. It has rained almost every day. Should it be powered washed again before using the stain.
Brightener again and lightly pressure wash rinse.
Three of the pictures are from this morning, wood is still wet. The other picture is from 2017 stain.
Good Morning, built PT deck June 2016, stained July 2017 with 1530 Natural (From Pics could barely tell) never used a cleaner or Brightener in 2017 I just power washed and stained. Again Just power washed yesterday with water and realized I should be using a cleaner/Brightener. Any advise would be greatly appreciated, do I just go for the gusto now or take a step back and with what chemicals. I sent some pics hopefully they attached. Thanks for the help.
You should use the Gemini Kit while pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
We want to apply TWP to an old cedar deck. We applied Penofin Verde once in 2009 and have ignored it since. Can we just wash the deck before applying TWP or do we have to strip it completely to get off the old Penofin (Brazilian Rosewood Oil). What would happen if there is still some old Penofin left, since it’s an oil based stain as well?
The deck faces south, but gets some tree shade during the middle part of the day. Right now it is a dark brown with grey spots with some lichen growing at the edges, but the wood seems still sound.
It will need to be stripped. The good news it the Penofin is an easy product to remove with this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Can the stain be applied in the evening / at night time, and properly dry overnight? We tend to get dew in the mornings if that makes a difference.
It would be best to do in the am instead as the sun helps it dry and cure.
Your web site directs you to apply “100” wet-on-wet. After following your instructions
on application the deck is very sticky. Reviewing the instructions on the can it directs you to “wipe down” the deck after the first coat. Different instructions for the same product!
What do I do now?
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Once a can of TWP 100 stain is opened, what is its shelf life?
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
I have a 2 month old deck with pressure treated pine, part of it is covered and the other part gets full sun. I recently sanded the entire deck. I want a dark color and plan to use TWP1500 dark oak.
1. Will the covered & uncovered sections weather and absorb stain differently resulting in different colors? If so, what’s your advice for achieving consistent color?
I’m tempted to stain earlier than recommended, worried about splitting and warping with weathering. I understand that staining early will not absorb as well and will not be as dark as it could be.
2. Would staining early reduce the wood splitting and warping?
3. If I stained at 3 month and then a maintenance coat around 12 months later, would the color then be the same as if I had waited 15 months? or would the quick, light stain tend to block the maintenance coat from going as deep?
Thanks a ton! I loved twp on an old deck and really appreciate how responsive you are with these questions!
1. It shouldn’t stain differently but it will weather differently. Nothing you can do to prevent this.
2. No, and you cannot stain this yet: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
3. No difference.
My decks were stained several years ago with twp 1500 and now need restaining. After pressure washing and brightening can I stain over the old service without stripping?
Prep with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
You do not have to strip.
Sorry, the answer back from my post of today 7/24 did not come in, please re-enter it, thanks
Below: https://twpstainhelp.com/need-some-help-with-twp-stains/#comment-15634
Is the 100 series a better choice for the beach of North Carolina?
Maybe the 100 series is better for North Carolina beach area??
Try the TWP 115 Honeytone color.
Thank you. Do you recommend anything different as far as the series, for the salty beach of North Carolina?
Most use the 100 Series for NC.
Thank you very much.
I want to use the 1500 series natural, but feel it is too orange. I want more of a natural wood look of the treated pine. What do you recommend?
Thank you.
I want to remove a failed Behr transparent waterproofing oil from my brand new cedar deck and five steps. I have already ordered the RAD stripper/brightener kit as well as TWP200 cedartone 201 stain. Now I’m wondering if I will need the RAD booster and the RAD gel. I am not clear on the instructions for these. Is the booster mixed with the stripper? How is the gel used, is it also mixed into the stripper for vertical surfaces. The only vertical surfaces I have are the five stair risers which are 4 feet long. Please help.
It would make it easier to strip by adding the Booster and the Gel into the Stripper. Mix both into the stripper at the same time and apply to the verticals and horizontal surfaces.
Can I still use the pump sprayer even with the gel?
Yes.
I have a 20-year old deck I have used TWP100 on twice. Should I continue with the 100 series or use the 1500 or 200 series? I want the longest lasting stain.
One Series does not last longer than the others for a deck. Stick with the 100 Series.
Can I mix two different colors to make one??
Yes.
Thank you
Can I mix two different colors to make one?
Yes
using 100 on deck , plan on applying with roller……what type of nap should be used. Should I expect good results compared to a brush or pad.
Stain pads and brushes are much better for applying over a roller. Rollers are hard to get evenly applied since th stain is thin in consistency.
Did a section with a roller and came out terrible, what if I went over that with a very light coat using a brush ?
You need to do it now before it cures.
The brushed section of deck look good, the rolled section is way too dark, what is your suggestion to fix that………stripping the rolled section or ?
You would have to strip all to fix and reapply if the wood is all on the same level and continuous.
I have a so called pressure treat deck I put on last October. It has weathered since then and still looks new. I would like to stain it before the weather gets to cold. How long should a new deck like mine set before staining?
You can do it now. See this for tips: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Thank you
If it looks like the first coat isn’t as dark as I had hoped, can you switch to a darker color for the second coat?
Second coat has to be wet on wet: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
If the first coat is already dry then you cannot apply another coat right away. Later in Fall or Spring. Lightly wash and you can apply a darker coat then.
What would I wash the deck with in the fall or spring before I add another darker coat?
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Brand new kiln dried cedar shingle siding on dormers. Want a natural, transparent look but darker, and to protect/preserve. Located in northeast US, south facing.
Which product and what to apply with?
Use the TWP 1500: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Apply with a brush.
New deck in 2016 with stain by contractor- restauned by contractor in 2017- now 2019- totally absorbing rain snow – dark stains- looks terrible
Strip and brighten for prep and then stain with the TWP: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
About to apply the twp 100 redwood stain to my redwood fence and was wondering if an airless sprayer would be the best option for sprayers. If so what PSI would you recommend using the airless sprayer at? Fence is approx months old and receives a lot of direct sun and heat.
You can use a pump sprayer or an airless. Does not matter the PSI.
House and deck have been neglected many years while I’ve been overseas. Cedar plywood siding, cedar and pressure treated deck with mold and mildew throughout. Roughly 3000sft. of coverage. Will clean with hose and backpack sprayer, then what?
Use this while pressure washing for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain with the TWP 1500: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
I would like to oil my cedar shake roof. Please tell me what is your appropriate product.
The TWP 200 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
I went to a Sherwin Williams Paint Store and they said TWP doesn’t exist anymore?
Not for SW. TWP was pulled out from their stores due to SW not properly supporting the TWP brand. You can order directly from our website and have it shipped: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-wood-stains
Ha! I live in Jacksonville Fl and trust I can order on line. Your reviews for cedar stains look good to me
Yes, you can order directly from us.
We have a 500 square foot deck that had an old solid stain which we removed using a chemical stripper (superdeck brand). We have pressure washed and sanded the entire deck to look like new. Do we still need to apply a wood neutralizer before staining with TWP 1501? We have never used this product before. Also, since we sanded it back to new wood, do we need to treat it like a new deck? It is about 15 years old. Thanks!
Yes, use this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Just one coat for the sanded deck.
We have a 6ft shadow box fence with 1.5 inches between each picket. It is 210 linear feet. We got a quote from a company and they use the 200 series. We were looking at the 1500 series. We are trying to decide what we should use and how much to get since we have to order online and don’t have a store we could go grab more if needed.
For both sides, you have about 2400 sq feet. For two coats, you will need about 20-25 gallons.
The previous owners of our Indiana home stained the wood walkways, stairways, side deck, and dock with TWP 200 Butternut Brown in 2014. Last spring, we built treated pine upper and lower decks off the back of the house. This new deck only meets the old wood at a walkway/steps, so would not have to match exactly. We like the color of the old wood, but would like the new deck to be darker. We do not like the test coat of Butternut on the newer wood. It looks very yellow, nothing like the existing stain. We are planning to stain old and new this year, prepping as TWP recommends.
1) Should we use TWP 200 or 1500 on the new deck? I was thinking of using a mix of 1500 series pecan and dark oak (maybe 2:1?) on the new deck and using 200 Butternut Brown where it has been used previously.
2) Would the shades above give us a medium brown with minimal red or yellow and coordinate with Butternut?
3) If we use 200 for all, is 14 months of weathering adequate to apply 2 coats wet-on-wet?
Thank you.
1. Either Series will work. Mixing colors is acceptable.
2. Hard to say as it is based on your wood type and age. The new wood will stain lighter since it is less absorbent.
3. Typically you only need 1 coat for the 200 Series unless the wood is very absorbent. The newer wood would only need the 1.