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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 built a pergola out of new, kiln dried Douglas Fir. I prepped it with your Restore kit and have stained it with your 1500 Pecan. If I wanted it darker could I stain it with another color from 1500 for the second coat in 9-12 months? Also, after that second coat, regardless of color, how often should I restain it?
Yes but always clean first before reapplying. Every few years.
Hello,
I am going to use TWP 100 for the first time on a 20 year old cedar deck that previously had a water based Olympic
redwood stain. I want to use two coats due to the condition of the decking but I don’t think I can get the first coat
finished in the 10 to 60 minutes that is recommended for the second wet on wet second coat. Can I let the first coat age
for weeks or months and then apply a second coat after lightly cleaning the deck?
Thanks for the help.
Gary
g.odonald@frontier.com
No, has to be applied wet on wet.
OK. Thank you. I will figure out how to do that.
Gary
I have a deck that I replaced all the wood except for the framing with new treated pine about 3 years ago. I stained it about 2 years ago with Pittsburgh oil based satin finish semi transparent stain. It lasted one winter and it started peeling. I prepped it per stores instructions. After much research I stumbled upon two and read how great it is. Would I have to remove all the stain by sanding or will the stripper remove it? Also I have powder coated aluminum spindles will they affected by the stripper? And lastly what stain series would you recommend and about how long would I expect it to last and will I have to remove it to restrain in the future?
Post a picture of the current condition.
It faded in some areas and peeling and cracking in others. Wood is about 3yrs old
Use the Stripper with both additives: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
If needed sand to remove the rest that doesn’t come off with the stripper and additives. As for which series, that depends on where you live? Clean and recoat every 2-3 years.
I live in northern IL , which series would be the one that I would need? Thanks for the help
You need the TWP 1500 for IL.
Will the stripper harm the powder coated aluminum spindles I have? Or should I mask them off?
It should not but always test first.
I used TWP two years ago on a sanded, white Alaskan Cedar deck with red cedar railing. Last year, on your recommendation, I cleaned it with a cleaner and revitalizer and then re-applied on the horizontal surfaces. I have attached some photos showing a little mildew, worm spots and fading. I live near Seattle and we get a fair amount of rain. What should I do this summer to maintain the appearance of the deck? Thank you.
Same prep and reply one coat.
All surfaces or just horizontal. Thanks!
Just do the floors. Rails look good.
I bought your cleaning kit and the oil based stain and am ready to begin my project. Once I clean the deck, how many days do I need to wait to stain it? Assume no rain and temps in the 50’s at night and 70’s during the day.
Thank you!
48 hours.
I need stain for my home built 1987, western cedar siding and previously stained with unknown products and dates. I live in the river valley of western Arkansas.
Which stain do you recommend?
Thanks
You will have to remove the previous coatings before using the TWP. Did you do this? Pictures would help.
What is the best way to remove stain from the western cedar?
We would need to see pictures.
I have a 2 year old deck, treated pine, that I have just cleaned and brightened using the Gemini kit. It has never been stained or treated.
Do I treat this as new wood or old wood?
How many coats?
And what does this green tint here and there mean?
Am I ok to go ahead with staining?
Apply two coats wet on wet. The green is internal and from the treated process. It cannot come out.
Hi – I sanded my cedar deck and then used RAD Cleaner, Brightener followed by TWP 100 Clear on my deck last August. It seems like there is mold now growing on the deck with little black spots everywhere. I had used clear because I wanted my deck to turn grey naturally but still keep it protected. Any tips on what I need to do?
Try a product called Wet and Forget to remove this. It is just laying on top of the TWP.
Great – thank you! I actually have quite a bit of Wet and Forget already so that will come in handy.
Do you sell color samples?
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
I would like to thank anyone at your business who has ever answered an email or replied to a comment on your website. Your customer service is phenomenal, and consistently so. You all could serve as a model for any retail business out there. Your answers are helpful, patient, explanatory, and amazingly rapid. I would recommend you to anyone looking for stain or staining supplies in a heartbeat. Thank you for all that you do!! You all ROCK!!
Thanks! We appreciate the nice message!
Please define “one coat.” We have a fully cured / fully prepped new deck that is ready for its first coat of stain. Does this mean one, wet on wet application? Or does it mean one singular layer of stain?
And if it does mean one singular layer of stain, do we attend to “thirsty” spots by applying more? Or do we live with whatever the first layer of stain gives us until we do the second coat in 9 months?
One coat = one coat. Wet on wet is two coats. Do not apply more than one coat.
I live in Northeast Louisiana and have a large deck with seating built around a very old beautiful live oak tree which completely covers the entire deck. It was constructed in 2005 with 2×6 pressure treated pine and stained with Olympic semi-transparent redwood which has now completely faded. I applied the stain with pump sprayer and my wife followed behind me using a close nap paint roller to distribute the stain evenly. I have the restore-a-deck kit I ordered from you but have some flooring surface repairs to accomplish first before using the kit. My thoughts are TWP 100 and wife likes the rustic color.
Any advice you have would be appreciated.
You will be good with the prep kit and the TWP 116 Rustic color.
i’m building a cedar picket fence. 5.5″x6′ pickets. I’m stick building it. Bought the pickets yesterday and letting them dry out some in my shop. Right now the moisture content is between 13%-16% on average. It was about 1% higher when I brought them in. How long should I wait to stain it? At what moisture percentage? I let one fence dry out and stained it and it looks great. A few years later, I couldn’t wait to stain it as we had rain every day or every other day for about 2 months straight. That fence looks terrible. So I’m trying to do it the right way by letting it dry out, then stain inside my shop, then install and add another coat down the road.
See here about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I have rough sawn wood siding 25 years old. Which TWP product 100 or 1500 series is better for that? Two sides of my house get full sun 8 hours a day.
Use the TWP 1500.
I am ready to buy 9 gallons of TWP stain and live in Kansas. It isn’t clear to me what is the better choice, the TWP100 or the TWP1500. Which will last longer and how long can I expect it to last before I need to recoat?
They last the same. Use the TWP 100 for KC. Redo every 2-3 years.
I have rough cedar siding and I covered it with Behr- how do I clean that to use TWP?
You would have to fully remove it before using the TWP.
How?
We would have to see a picture of the current condition and know the type of Behr stain you used.
Eric Palmer from Gemini said you might be able to help me out. Looking to stain my house that has white cedar shakes (shingles) I need samples of the 200 series semi-transparent ,but it has to be liquid, if not I can not buy TWP stain.
I am in the market 8 -10 gallons.
Tony Berardi
Po. Box 114
197 Old Plymouth Rd.
Sagamore Beach, Ma. 02562
See here: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
I have a cedar deck it’s turning black it has TWP stain that was applied 2 years ago, what do I use to get the old stain stripped and cleaned prior to applying the new TWP on it
Use this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
My wife and I have moved into a house with a covered patio and deck that has been neglected for I’m not sure how long. I don’t know what type of wood has been used for the deck or patio, and I don’t know what it was finished with originally. Looking at how the rest of the house was worked on I’m sure it’s something cheap from Home Depot. We are looking to refinish both the deck and the exterior of the patio. The interior is still in great shape as it is covered. I was planning on sanding off whatever it is that’s flaking off of the covered patio and using the TWP 200 series (I’m in Canada so that’s all I would be able to get ) in California Cedar, and then using the Butternut Brown for the deck.
As you can see in the photos it is in serious need of some TLC haha. Just not sure exactly where to start. Will the colour of the stain cover up the wood pieces that have turned gray?
I would like to refinish this without having to replace any of the wood (aside from a few boards of the deck that have started to rot in places) but I’m, not sure if that’s realistic or not.
Thanks in advance!
Dan
PS just wondering what the shipping process is like to get this stuff shipped up to Calgary, Alberta. Thanks!
You will have to remove the current stain fully if you want to use the TWP. That will require sanding and then clean and brighten for final prep. Once removed, you can use the 200 Series.
Do you think I would have to brighten the deck or will it be ok after sanding? The covered patio is definitely going to need it.
Clean and brighten as we mentioned in our prior post.
Yes I am wanting to stain the running boards on my pontoon trailer. I can’t use pressure treated wood because one of the chemicals will attack the aluminum pontoons. Will twp do the samething to the pontoons?
No.
I am about to order stain. We are having a hard time getting the old stain off with your stripper. The old stain is Sherwin Williams semi transparent. We have used 2 of your stripper bags just on the stairs. We still have the whole top of deck to do. We had to use pressure washer to remove most of the old stain. Will we need to sand this after we are done? Our deck sits in the sun and takes a beating most of the day. What stain do you recommend for this? Pro 100 or 1500? Also there is a lot of black to the wood is the brightener going to help with this?
Post some pictures. As for which stain to use, that would depend on where you live?
Here are the pictures you requested. I am from Colorado. Could you please answer all the questions I have above. Thank you
Here are the pictures you requested. I am from Colorado. Could you please answer all the questions I have above. Thank you
Here are some pictures. Could you please answer my questions that I had up above.
You are having issues removing as the stain you have on the wood is excessively over-applied to the point it is acting like a paint. Strip off what you can. Sand the rest off as needed. Brighten all wood and yes it will help with the darkening. Use the TWP 100 Pro Series.
So one more question. Trying to decide between the cedartone and the rustic. What would have the best protection from the sun? Would it be better lighter or a little darker color. Do they both have UV protection in it?
Same UV protection for both.
Does TWP do custom colors? If not can you use a color with the clear to cut down on shade. If you can would this affect the durability of the stain for U.V. protection.
Thank you,
No custom colors but you can mix colors of the same series together. If you thing the UV protection than yes, it will reduce the durability.
Hi – I live in North Carolina, Raleigh which has a very humid climate. We re-stained our now 2 year old deck for the second time last October with TWP100 following the provided instruction (i.e. precleaning with the recommended deck cleaner) but starting to see more and more mold/mildew spots, splitting of the wood and uneven staining (see attached photos). Do you have any suggestions what to do/change? I had hoped to be able to start restaining only every 2-3 years but I am afraid I will have to restain again this fall. Is the new Pro TWP100 series or TWP1500 series better when it comes to mildew? Or switch to the water based series?
Any suggestions and advice would be greatly welcome! Thanks in advance.
Strick with the same TWP 100 Series. The 100 Pro Series is the same. Your stain is fine. Try a product called “Wet and Forget” for help with mildew. I can be applied on top of the TWP.
I have a garage door – White Oak, over 5 years old, that I have taken down to the bare wood. Coastal area, afternoon sun beats down on it. Previous finish was a polyurethane product. Pealed and yellowed.
Would you recommend the TWP product?
Yes, TWP would work well. Use the TWP 1500 Series.
Just over a year ago I prepped and stained my deck with TWP Rustic. It looked great all summer long. This spring after the snow melt not so much. See pic. Can I just clean and add a top coat?
Yes.
I am preparing to stain a covered exterior deck that is white oak in northern Wisconsin. It is 17 years old and I have sanded off the old stain to bare wood. It is not in the sun but does get wind blown rain that seems to age and diminish the effectiveness of stains on the first 3-5 boards particularly. I would like a stain that can be reapplied selectively to portions of the deck that age differently without having to completely strip or sand away all previous stain–which of your stains would you recommend? Also, what additional steps should I do after sanding before applying the stain?
Use this for final prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain with the TWP 100 Series.
How do you apply a new coat of twp 1500 on a deck that was previously treated with twp. Also, do you recommend back brushing?
See here: https://twpstainhelp.com/applying-a-maintenance-coat-of-twp/
Hello! I have a 20 x 15 pressure treated deck that was stained with Sikkens Cetol SRD semi-transparent (dark walnut) stain 5 years ago. The stain on the floor boards is peeling and falling off (you can pull it off.). The rails are okay.
What TWP products do I need to purchase? I will need prepping materials and stain (prefer semi-transparent, or worst case solid stain.). I have a pressure washer already.
Thanks
Use this kit for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
With both additives. Ince fully removed, use the TWP 1500 Series.
I have a fence that has been prep for three weeks and I need to apply T100 stain, but there is 40-60% of rain every day for an additional 4 weeks. In the case it does rain within 24 hrs of application, what will be the visual impact? Will you see water streaks? Can you brush on more stain to even it out?
It will not harm the finish.
What type of weather conditions is okay to apply 1500 to old wood?
50-90 degrees.
What stain of yours can I get in the Redwood shade that is oil based and solid? I can’t do semi-solid I need solid only. Thanks!
TWP does not come in a solid stain.
We have a deck and gazebo in central ND of cedar and treated pine that was coated with twp 201 5+ years ago. Do we use the same series or change to 100 or 1500? The gazebo roof is cedar shake but had a different product put on it 2 years ago that did not hold up well. Do I strip and brighten just the roof and restore the rest or strip it all?
Same series. Use this for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I was told that if you use oil base on bare wood it will look orange over time. Does twp do this? We are covering cedar tongue and groove ceiling outdoors. Also if I use it on white oak cabinets will it look orange after time. Those are indoors.
I have a mahogany deck that is approximately 18 years old. Can I change the color of the deck to a grey ?
Our products are not designed for hardwoods.
Is the Rustic color the same as the Rustic Oak?
Yes.
Hello, I applied a coat of stain to my deck last night, approximately 16 hours ago. This morning, it is still sticky in spots. It looks like it may have been over applied. I did wipe it, but it was a bit “gummy” when I wiped it. The stain was 2 years old, but stored tightly in the steel container. Is there still hope that it will fully absorb? How long should I wait? 72 hours?
I’m wondering if there was a problem with the stain because it is was two years old.
The stain should be fine if unopened. See here for tips: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Just built a new fence using Redwood. I am in Southern California, so must stick with the 1500 series. We are looking for a stain that accentuates the coloring of the redwood, but isn’t too red. We are looking at both California Redwood and Rustic. Do you have photos of these on redwood? Or perhaps a different recommendation?
See here about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Since you cannot stain it now it is best to test some samples to see how it looks on your wood: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
I am building a fence using cedar tongue and groove siding. I live in the pacific northwest in a location that gets a great deal of rain and the fence is in a spot with almost 100% sun (when it is out). Which stain should I use, and is it oil based?
TWP is oil-based. Use the 100 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Outstanding – Thank you!
Would twp stain protect plain untreated pine wood used for an outdoor flower planter?
Yes.
Hi, I’m curious for your advice. I have a 400sqft rooftop PT pine wood deck that I want to restain in Seattle. It’s 3 years old, and I applied an Olympic Elite semi-transparent stain after the first summer (2 years ago) that has been peeling off. Which product line would you recommend using and should I do anything beyond pressure washing and sanding first? I’d love to be able to re-apply every other year without needing to sand down again. Thanks!
You will have to remove the Olympic first. Feel free to send a picture of the deck in the current condition for advice on this.
Sure, thanks!
Would you recommend the 100 for the new stain?
Yes.
After you clean a deck and it rains before you put the stain on. Will it be ok to stain after it dries.
Yes, just wait 48 hours after rain.
I have a pressure treated pine deck over 12 months old in Ontario, Canada. It has not been stained yet. The house faces south, but the deck is covered. I think only the 200 is approved in Canada from what I read. Will the 200 work well for decks.
Yes, it works well. Use this for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I built my decks and fences over 30 years ago and have been treating them with Flood CFW UV in Cedar every few years. The down boards are 2 x 10 treated pine. I have just been pressure washing and reapplying etc. I have extensive decks/fences, I’m getting older and not a lot of time or energy left. What can I expect if I switch to TWP after pressure washing without stripping/brightening etc. I’m not interested in having them look like new… just preserving them and some degree of color fastness etc.
YOU cannot apply the TWP over the Flood unless you strip or remove it fully first.
We used 1500 Dark Oak to stain our dock. It’s pressure treated wood and it’s less than one year old. We sprayed it, but about half of the wood looks very dark, almost like black paint. Were we supposed to wipe the stain off as we sprayed? How can we fix it?
You always have to back wipe when your spray to ensure it is applied evenly and not over-applied. You cannot make it lighter at this point.
Hello,
we live in Northern British Columbia, Prince George, Canada. We recently replaced a large deck section with new pressure treated wood ( sales agent said boards are a mix of pine and other similar wood). we also have a smaller attached section of deck. The smaller deck material is also pressure treated wood approximately 20 years old. The wood is still in excellent condition. We have sanded off all the existing solid stain down to bare wood.
Our plan was to leave the new PT boards one year before staining. We want to stain the old sanded wood now.
From reading information on your website ( and other sites) we believe the best deck stain for both decks would be an oil based semi transparent. I understand TWP series 200 is the only product you ship to Canada and that it is oil based. ( correct?)
1. Is 200 series the product you would recommend for both the new and the old sanded deck?
2. What prep should we do for the new deck surface (to be stained next year)? and
3. for the sanded pressure treated wood that we plan to stain asap?
DULUX distributor in our community sells a TWP product which he just got in last summer but says it is a water based product. . . there is no indication of what series TWP stain it is. And he hasn’t sold any of this product and is not familiar with it’s properties.
1. can you tell me more about this TWP product that is in Canada and for sale at our local DULUX store? (the sales agent knows very little about it)
2. I can find no information of a TWP stain that is water based on your web site. I’m very confused.
My preference would be to buy locally but would consider ordering from your website once I know more about the TWP series 200 product and it’s suitability for my project as I have described and how it compares to the TWP product that is in our local DULUX store. Are they the same product? and maybe it’s some kind of hybrid between oil and water based??? very confusing for me.
many thanks,
stay safe, stay healthy, be kind.
Sharon Davalovsky 250 964-0706
1. Yes.
2. https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
3. Wait 1-2 months and then prep the sanded wood with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
We do not sell the TWP Water-based stain. The 200 is a better product in a cold-weather climate. The 200 is oil-based.
thank you. most helpful. wondering why we need to wait 1 – 2 months to prep the 20 year old sanded wood deck portion. sanded with 40 and 60 grit.
It helps the pores to open up better for the stain.
Series 100 two coats weather in the 80s how long to cure to put furniture on?
24-48 hours.
How long does it take the stain to cure my deck before people and chairs can be placed on it? I am planning to stain my deck this week…but expecting a gathering about 2-3 days after application!
Typically within 24 hours for drying but longer for full cure and any odor to go away. That could be up to a week.
Hello,
I have a pressure treated pine porch. I waited one year before staining. I used your wood cleaner and brightened, then applied a wet on wet application of TWP 100 Pecan. It will be one year within a month and I want to re-apply again because the color is fading and the wood does not repel water like it use to. First question, is that ok? Second question, do I do a wet on wet application again or do I just do one single application (I guess “wet on dry”)? Third question, the coverage for TWP 100 says 150-300 sq ft per gallon. About how many sq ft will I get per gallon doing a recoat based on whatever suggestion you provide for question 2 above. Thank you.
By the way – fantastic product. Never used a better stain before. I recommend to everyone who needs to stain their deck.
Brian
Prep with this and then apply 2 coats wet on wet for best results: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
About 100-150 sq feet per gallon for 2 coats.
Hi, deck is 10 yrs old, PT 5/4 yellow pine. Railings have 2x material. Early on, before and sealant could be applied, the decking cupped significantly and was planed and sanded down flat again.
In 2011-12 this was originally sealed with Penofin oil-based transparent, possibly too late in season so not good curing. The next summer the deck turned black in wet weather. It didn’t seem to last long. Some years later it was pressure washed a little too aggressively I think and applied with a water based semi-transparent (unsure of product) which didn’t last long and wasn’t well maintained. After that there has been no application of any kind for at least a few years and there doesn’t appear to be any remaining product. There is some mildew in more shaded areas (see photos). The water table beneath is high but the deck gets a LOT of direct sun. At this point there is some fissuring but does not seem serious.
Reason for previous seal or stain failures, I can only guess, has something to do with high humidity under the deck and intense UV exposure above, or poor application process.
I’m heavily leaning toward using TWP. What series would be best for me? I was thinking 1500
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain with 2 coats of the TWP 1500 applied wet on wet: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
Last summer I stripped off and sanded 1 year old failing cabot stain applied by the contractor when they installed the deck. I did not clean and brighten. I then applied 1-1/2 coats of TWP 115.
This spring, after one winter, I was seeing greying again, so I bought and used the gemini kit at 1/2 strength. The weather turned bad, then other obstacles, so a month later, last Friday I reapplied the gemini kit at 1/2 strength.
Sunday afternoon I re-applied TWP 115 on the cleaned and brightened deck. Monday night and Tuesday (today) it rained.
I am wondering about some trouble spots: there are still some grey streaks in the center of the some boards like in the attached photo.
Is this ok or, do you have any advice?
thanks
Charles
Seattle, WA