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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
Where can we order the TWP 300 to use for outdoor furniture like picnic tables?
We have a fir picnic table we will want to stain and we’ve used TWP on our fence which worked well, but I don’t think the TWP 100 or 1500 is for furniture.
Thanks!
The 100 Series or 1500 is best for furniture, not the 300 Series.
Hi – I have a cedar deck with mixed aged planks ranging from new this year to over 20 years old. I’ve stained twice in the past with TWP. The last time it was stained was more than 5 years ago. Very little stain appeared to remain.
I power washed; scrubbed with an environmentally friendly cleaner; stripped the few stained spots and THEN scrubbed with chlorine bleach (it’s a sin – I know) to get rid of mildew and moss that the above treatments left behind. What do I do next? And what stain (100, 1500) do you recommend? I actually like the bleached out gray natural look but want UV and mold/moss protection.
I live in central Minnesota. Part of this deck is in shade; part in sun. THANKS!
Post some pics of your prep so far.
I don’t mind leaving the new boards to stain until they’ve aged but I’d like to stain the rest now.
You will need to use the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing for prep as your older wood still looks gray/oxidized.
I began my deck stripping and brightening last weekend with “Restore a Deck” product. I watched the instructional videos and followed the directions. Our deck is yellow cypress about 1 1/2 yrs old. The wood furred. I lightly sanded with a 60-grate paper and palm sander. What is your recommendation? Rinsing with water or brightening before staining? My deck is rather large and I’m doing it in steps with 1/2 left. I feel like the pressure washing was too strong can I rinse with a garden hose and heavy-duty nozzle?
You need to brighten and then rinse. You can rinse with a nozzle.
TWP 100 Clear was recently allowed on my deck and just realized the 100 clear is non-UV protection. Can I use TWP 100 Series (101 Ceadertone Natural) and/or TWP 1500 (1503 Natural) over the TWP 100 Clear without stripping? Thanks.
No, it will not take. You will have to strip and brighten.
Thank you for the quick reply.
Is the 1500 series film-forming or NON film-forming. I’m looking for a replacement for the OLD oil based Superdeck product before Sherwin-Williams
TWP 1500 Series is a penetrating oil-based stain. Similar but much better than the SuperDeck oil-based that SW took off the market. Make sure to prep correctly first.
Does penetrating oil-based stain mean non-film forming? Thanks for the replies.
Yes, correct.
My new log home was stained with TWP 100 pecan 2014. I plan on restaining the home this summer. I have learned that TWP 100 can no longer be shipped to New Hampshire. Can I apply TWP 1500 over the existing TWP 100?
Yes, as long as you prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing.
I over sprayed some TWP 1500 and it got on my concrete deck (floor) is there any way to clean this up?
Try Goof Off graffiti remover and pressure washing.
I am renovating a 30 year old log cabin (bottom level is pine logs, top level is rough sawn lumber). It’s got a semi-solid stain on bottom and semi-transparent on top. Not sure which brand was used and it’s not peeling. I want to use 1 type of stain on the entire structure. What do you recommend (in Georgia)? Is it ok to add NBS-30 to prevent carpenter bees from destroying the home?
You will have to strip all of the current stains off first. Please post some closer-up shots for help with this. You can add the NBS-30 to the TWP.
What’s the best way to strip the old station off an entire house? Do you guys know when the semi-solid stains are going to be back in stock or do you recommend an alternative? Thanks so much for all of your help and expertise!
We are pretty sure you cannot strip this completely (it looks solid opaque in appearance) and you will not be able to use the TWP stains unless it is all fully removed.
Hello! We have a rosewood deck that we stained with Australian Timber Oil last year. It looks awful. We only used 1 coat as per the manufacturers suggestions. We live in South Dakota with varying temperature changes. I believe we could sand it fairly easily to remove the stain. Do you still recommend the cleaner and brightener kit? It will go onto one tall deck column as well. Also, should we use the twp 100 or 1500? I’d love to preserve the natural color as much as possible. What stain color should we choose? Thank you kindly for your help!
No, stripper and brightener kit for prep.
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Use the TWP 100 Series. The lightest tinted color will be the Honeytone 115.
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Which TWP product do you recommend for new treated lumber which will be used on a dock.
How should I apply it?
I plan to treat the lumber before I put it on the dock
You cannot pre stain new wood. See here: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
We recently had our new cedar deck which had been installed for 6 months cleaned with the brightener and then stained 2 weeks later with TWP 101. It was able to dry for 3 days before it rained. 2 weeks later we now notice that in some areas where water puddles after a rain it leaves a splotchy outline around where the water dried? What should we do?
Proabbly minerals from the rain water drying on top of the TWP. It will wipe off with a wet towel.
Hi, I need to know the best way to prep,stain, and seal a bamboo fence using TWP. This is a 3 year old bamboo fence attached to an existing wood fence. When new I applied a product called Bamboo Extreme which is a transparent sealer made for bamboo. that has since worn away and the bamboo needs to be cleaned,stained,and sealed. What is the best way to clean and which twp product should I use?
Sorry but the products we sell by TWP cannot be used to stain bamboo. You need the 300 Series and we do not offer it.
Can twp stain be applied over painted wood siding (t1-11) after surface prep
No, you cannot apply a stain over paint
I applied TWP 200 on my deck earlier this year (Spring) and because it is a one-coat-only application, I am looking at applying a second coat later in the year (Fall) to provide additional protection. Any issues or advice? I have a friend that tried this approach and I find that his deck looks great.
You have to lightly prep to remove any dirt or grime. Make sure to not over-apply the stain.
I installed part of my tight-knot cedar deck last year. I mistakenly, sealed it with Penofin right away. I have since installed new cedar to finish the deck and railing (in the last week). The old Penofin has caused dark spots and looks terrible. Some more information:
I would like to stain all of the wood at the same time – as soon as feasible.
I am looking at a semi-transparent stain
The wood is tight-knot and clear cedar
I live in a state that does allow the use of TWP 100
All of the project is exterior, decking, railing, and arbor has been installed
Thus I have two questions:
1) Should I strip the Penofin now and wait for the new and year-old wood to age together?
2) What TWP product should I use to re-stain the new and old wood?
1. Do all the prep at the same time in 4-12 months. https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
2. TWP 100 Series.
TWP101 Pro-Series was applied to a commercial front wood door, after a failed poly finish job. It is in need of refinishing. I am not sure how this was applied or the prep work done before application. It previously had stain and worn poly. Do I need to strip this door and start all over?
Pressure wash it and then apply another coat.
I applied a single coat of Cabin Fever semi-solid mid-June 2022. I would like to apply another to achieve a more uniform dark color and coverage. How shall I prep before application? Thank you!
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep.
Hello I used TWP1500 cedartone to stain my new house in 2018 vertical board and bat hemlock. It’s now 2022 and the front rear parts of the house that get a lot of sun need restrained. My question is does that Gemini cleaner and brighter work and should I use it?? And will it stain or discolor my trex decking boards??
Use the Gemini Kit for prep. It does not harm Trex.
I tried a sample of Cape Cod grey and left it on for two years still looked great so I did my whole deck in the summer of 2019 the next spring when I opened up our cottage the stain was gone on part of the grain. I had done the prep as directed. last summer I prepped the deck again and applied the wet on wet just like the previous application. Came up this spring and the same thing, not sure what’s going on.
Over application and the TWP is not able to penetrate into the wood correctly. Strip and brighen for prep and then apply one coat.
I want to apply TWP semi-solid stain over my 3 year-old TWP semi-transparent rough cedar cut fencing. What prep do you recommend prior to the semi-solid application aside from a thorough power washing? Thank you!
Strip and brighten with this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Would the prep be any different when applying semi-transparent over same?
If using the same color and series as prior then use this for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Hi I have been using your products for many years with great results, My question is . How long can I keep the prep #1step and #2 step after i mix them with water.I have a very large deck that i plan on getting ready for stain in sections and the prep is for 5 gallon mix. Thanks for your assistance.
The cleaner has a shelf life of a few hours after being mixed with water. The Brightener does not have a shelf life. You can mix 6-8 oz per gallon of water for smaller batches.
I just want to check again with you this is a better picture it doesn’t look like all the stain is removed to me? Do you still think brightener only?
It looks like you have a little bit of stain to remove but most of the darkening is because you have not brightened yet.
Carpenter bees are eating me up and I need to match your dark walnut stain with the correct paint color as the wood dough will not stain, any help?
There is not a paint color we know of that will match the Black Walnut especially since the Black Walnut can have a large variance in the final color do the wood type, age of the wood, and prep.
I used a RAD yesterday to strip and Brighton my deck here in California to remove TWP Honeytone and I see lots of dark spots! Do I need to strip in Brighton a second time?
Brighten again.
Is it normal that the wood turns black when you put the brightner on it? It’s just looks to me like all the stain has not been removed?
Yes, the stripper raises the internal pH of the wood, darkening it. The Brightener restores the pH of the wood, lightening it.
Half my deck is in the direct sun and half is under a cover. I stained with TWP natural on the covered part of the deck and TWP Honeytone on the sunny side of the deck. I have decided to use TWP Honeytone to entire deck but I have a gallon of natural left over is there any pigment or anything I can add or mix to not waste that gallon of natural before I order more Honeytone?
No, you can not add tint to the TWP stains.
Can I slowly mix in the one gallon of natural to a 5 gallon bucket of Honeytone?
You can mix the two.
I have used TWP the last 2 of 3 years. I skipped last year. I have white cedar.
I was planning on cleaning and then simply re-applying.
Should that be OK? Photos attached.
Use the Gemini Restore Kit while pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I have a new deck that I have let cure for 18 months. Used the cleaner and brightener today and followed the directions exactly. Now my wood looks white and ashy. I even went over it twice with the power washer after it dried….still ashy white
Sound like you did not remove all the oxidation
Make sure to pressure wash while using the cleaner.
I actually power washed twice using the cleaner because of the oxidation.
Its still there.
Post a picture and if looks okay while wet, then it is good to stain.
It looked good wet after the brightener and while wet, however I did stain it and now it looks like the furries did not come off. It actually looks like I put sand on it. I can post a picture later. I’ll post one wet and dry
One more question from Kirk in KCMO:
Apply 100 or 1500?
1500
Hello From Kansas City Missouri,
We moved into a home with a deck that has the following on it (see pics). What would you recommend to remove existing? A chemical or sand it off. I believe this is treated wood.
Thank you,
Kirk
Use the Restore A Deck stripper and Brightener kit with both additives to remove the old stain.
Hello, I purchased a 5 gallon bucket of the TWP 200 clear sealant and it was dented pretty bad and the label was faded. The PPG store said it would be fine and gave me a discount. When I opened the can a day later I noticed a 1/4 layer of thick white stuff on the bottom that won’t mix in well. Is this standard or normal?
Probably has gone bad due to being old. Return it.
I am refinishing a completely solid oak door. I have stripped the old stain off one side and sanded. The interior will be painted but the exterior i would like to stain. I am in northern NJ and the door will be southwest facing. There is a covering over the door and does not ofter get wet but does receive quite a bit of sun later in the day. Which of your transparent products would you recommend for the best protection?
FYI, you cannot get a sheen with TWP and you cannot top coat with a shiny coating over another brand.
Well that is a confusing response. Why are you talking about a sheen
Doors for proper protection typically have a shine/varnish on them. TWP will not give you that “shiny” look and therefore is rarely if ever used on a door. TWP is also not suggested for hardwoods like oak.
Oh. Ok. Thank you
will the stripper damage the painted finish on my siding/trim that’s next to the deck should I happen to get some on it while spraying it on the deck?
The stripper does not remove paint but always make sure to prewet and rinse any over psray right away.
Good day I have a composite deck that is at least 13 years old Lost its luster Looking to brighten it up Its a reddish deck composite What can you suggest ?
Can you post a picture?
Here is a picture
Use the TWP SEMI SOLID stain for this. Just one coat.
You recommend a cleaning product and color close to it ?thank you
Can you suggest best way to prep it and a color close to the deck to use? Thank you
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. As for the color, hard to say. Maybe Heartwood: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
I have a couple pieces of outdoor wood (exterior siding, wood shutters and patio posts) most likely pine (installed by the builder) which was painted with Olympic maximum stain and sealant semi transparent about 5 years ago. The total age of the wood is about 9 years old. I would like to redo them all in the TWP 100 or 1500. What procedure would I need to do fully prepare the wood for treatment. Thank you.
You will have to remove the old stain. Post some pics in the comments for help with this.
Here are some pictures of the wood, two different color stains.
For some reason the images didn’t upload, here they are on imgur
https://imgur.com/a/wkbRabt
Use this kit: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
With both additives: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-stain-strippers/rad-stripper-additives
and pressure washing to remove.
The additives are used with the cleaner? Or would I also need the stain stripper? Would I need to sand at all? Thanks
Sorry, sent the wrong link in the prior reply. You need the stripper kit with the stripper additives: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
No need for the cleaner kit.
What is the difference between RAD Stripper Kit and Gemini Restore-A-Deck Kit?
Gemini Kit is a cleaner and a brightener, not a stripper/brightener.
Hello, Is kitty litter a safe way to dry out the remaining stain (roughly a gallon from a 5 gallon) for safe disposal with regular trash?
It should be as long as it hardens up.
What product do you recommend for log cabins? The wood is stripped and sanded.
Where do you live?
The Cabin is in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The logs are prefab. pine, and the cabin was built in the 50’s. The logs are in fairly good condition.
You will need the TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Thank you
Welcome!
I have a 9 y/o cedar deck that I was only able to apply stain to some places because it got too hot, now I’m concerned when I apply the rest there might be lines between the stain marks. Will this happen? How can I apply stain to sections since I am having to stain over an extended period of time?
Historically, I’ve used TWP 1500 every couple years. This year, I switched to the semi-solid so to prep I used RAD to strip the entire thing, brightened, then hand-sanded (took several days and of course the weather delays things with continued off/on rain).
I *finally* started staining early one morning but only got the main posts, partial railings and some floorboards (to blend in drips) before it got too hot and was curing too quickly. Of course a few days later it’s rained so now I have to wait even longer to continue but now I’m worried about having it partially done in some spots–will the stain have demarcations or lines where it was partially stained and then new stain applied?
If you tell me it will and I need to strip it again I may have to just burn the entire thing down! Hahaaa
It is very possible that any overlap lines will not blend. Best to stain all sections fully. Meaning all rails (no dripping on floors) at once and then stain all floors at once. The steps would be last if you have them.
Uuuuuugh. Thanks for the quick response. (lights bonfire)
No lap lines! Blended totally fine wet on dry, even in places that were super bad and had hard edges/lines. I started to use turpentine and sanding on the hard lines but there was no need, the Lighthouse semi-solid went on completely fine, covered even the worst places, didn’t dry shiny or anything. Very happy! No bonfire needed!
While I do prefer the color of my previous 1500 Redwood better because it has a blue/burgundy undertone compared to the brown/orange of Lighthouse, I really love the more opaque look and very forgiving nature (blends better and such) of the semi-solid. Glad you have it as an option now. Hoping you might introduce a more burgundy/maroon red in the future. Thanks!
Post some pics of how it looks here in comments and might want to join the contest. https://www.twpstain.com/twp-2022-contest-win-cash-and-twp-stain
Background: Large, ~20+ year old cedar deck in Pacific Northwest. Prep + treated uncovered portion of the deck in Aug 2019 with gemini cleaner/brightener then stained (via a professional crew) with TWP100 series cedartone 101. Uncovered portion not touched.
This year: I plan on re-staining the previously stained portion with the same TWP100 cedartone 101. Horizontal stain is failing. Vertical doing better. Also, I have 3 new boards (see pic). I also want to remove the very old solid Sherwin Williams deckscapes stain from the covered portion of the deck and apply new cedartone 101 so that the stain matches.
Questions:
Cheers
1. Strip and brighten would be best to ensure an even application for the new stain: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
2. See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
3. A solid stain cannot be stripped fully. You can strip off what you can using the RAD Stripper Kit and both additives: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-stain-strippers/rad-stripper-additives
and then sand/grind to remove the rest.
I have aluminum railings + posts. Will the restore-a-deck stripper mentioned above damage the aluminum?
It should not but always test spot first.
Once I use the restore-a-deck kit on my old TWP cedar 101 stain, what is the max time I have to actually complete staining of the deck (the deck will be stained in one day)?
Wait 48 hours after prep to stain and stain within 2 weeks.
Update. Used restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail exactly as instructed. I believe the results are really good (see before/after). Questions:
-Yes, good to stain.
-You have a tiny bit left of the old stain so it will show through if you use a lighter stain.
-Just clean off any dirt as needed with water.
Ack on good to stain. But if we decide to switch from TWP100 cedartone101 to honeytone115, how should I remove the tiny bit of remaining cedartone101 (assuming we don’t want it to show)? Should I reapply the restore-a-deck stripper w/the gel booster on the remaining stain? Or would I need to sand? Trying to figure out if the extra effort is worth the color switch.
Thank you
Yes, remove the leftover stain if you switch and go lighter as it will show through darker where you did not get it all off. Try stripping again with the booster.
I have a 400 sq foot cedar deck stained 2 times with sickens translucent oil based stain since it was built 6 years ago. I am in Quebec. It needs restraining and has some pealing mostly on outer perimeter.
What are your prep. Other than power washing and type and amount of stain.
PS. The present colour is clear oak.
Thanks.
You would have to remove the Sikkens but stripping and or sanding. Brighener after. TWP 200 Series for Canada: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
I posted a question a few weeks ago about the stain not drying in previous years after staining and the response was to purchase a stripper and brighter product from TWP and use it.
So I purchased the product and clean the deck then stripped it, then used the brighter the hosed it off for almost an hour. I let it dry for two days the stained it with the 1516 stain plus a second coat with 20 minutes of finishing the 1st coat.
After it dried the finish was not even almost spotty. Like some spot the stain was absorbed into the wood other parts not. Have have included some pictures.
Your product has always worked well for me so I can’t understand what the problem is.
Any suggestions?
Thank you
Do you have pictures of after stripping and after staining that you can post?
Here are some
No pics.
I have more pictures if you need
But could only download so much at one time due to size limit
I think it just needs time to cure and even out. The shiny areas should dull down.
Hello, I replaced several 2”x 6” cedar deck boards 30-days ago. How much time should I give new boards to age and dry before applying the TWP semi-solid Cabin Fever stain? If I sand boards would that accelerate aging and drying? Not in any hurry to stain, just want to get it right. Thank you! Austin, TX
4+ months and then prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. There is no way to speed up the process.
Do it in the Fall and you should be okay.
I have two gallons in a five gallon bucket left from a previous job. How long is the twp stain 100 series cedartone good for?? I have kept it in the house. I also have an unopened 5 gallon can, can I use this?
Opened, 6-12 months.
unopened??
2-3 years if unopened but yours will be considered open if you have two gallons left from a 5-gallon pail.
Two summers ago I stripped, brightened and sanded my existing deck and applied TWP 115 Honeytone. I results were outstanding. I wish to restrain this summer. What do I do to prepare it? Clean or brighten? I noticed you no longer offer TWP 115. Should use Honeytone again or something lighter to preserve the color?
Clean and brighten with the Gemini Restore Kit. We still sell the 115. Not sure why you would think otherwise?
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Have a couple gallons of 100 series cedar tone left. Can I mix with 1500 series cedar tone?
We do not suggest mixing different series together.
HI, I’ve stained my 1- 2 year old deck and cattle panel fence, both made of pressure treated pine, with a 100 series, 2 parts Dark Oak to 1 part Rustic. As it dries, it’s a gorgeous color that warms my home and adds the last touches to the exterior.
I still have rough hewn posts on my porch to go. I know the rough hewn is going to absorb at much higher rate than the pressure treated. Therefore come in much darker if I don’t adjust. Do you suggest I a)”cut” the 100 series with a solvent b) add a clear tone (what color? what ratio?) c) other suggestions?
Do not thin it with a solvent but you can use the TWP 100 Clear to lighten it. No idea on the ratio, you would have to test it.
TWP 102 Redwood applied to a redwood deck after stripping and brightening in 2020. The results were stunning!! NOW, 2022, Where the chair legs move and the snow is shoveled it is down to exposed redwood again.
Local deck people said NOT to use a brightener, just powerwash and apply a new coat of TWP.
Is the TWP 1500 a better option? Can I put TWP 1500 over this?
You can and brighen for prep, not just brightener. Use the Gemini Restore Kit for this. The 1500 works the same as the 100 Series so no need to switch.
I will be applying TWP 1500 series to a new mostly smooth redwood railing. I was thinking of completing the deck after the wood weathers sufficiently, so as to be able to coat all surfaces of the wood, not just the exposed surfaces (that is, including the surfaces that will be covered by another piece of wood). I thought that would be a good idea, but I have seen hints that maybe it is not to treat all sides of the wood, exposed or not, something relating to “air circulation” or “trapping moisture”. What is the official word on this?
Thanks
Just do the exposed wood after installation. See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Any advice for staining around metal spindles?
Apply with a stain pad or brush and wipe the stain off the spindles right away if it gets on them.
I have some TWP 100 series cedar I used two year ago. Half is left in the 5 gallon container. I opened it and it has settled into liquid and solid layers. I started mixing and it seems to be breaking up, but wondered if it will return to its original form with more aggressive mixing>
It has gone bad, do not use it.
Hello from Iowa. I have a 20 year old Cedar deck that I have been using TWP 100 Pro Series on for past 4 years. Is it necessary to use stripper before resealing again? Or is pressure washing adequate to remove dirt?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit while pressure washing for prep when recoating: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Do you think it’s necessary to stain every year w/TWP?
Every 2-3 years is normal for most scenarios.