117K
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
Tim, rough cedar can be stained now and two light coats wet on wet is best. Coverage as about 150-200 sq. feet per gallon.
dede, the lightest tint is the Honeytone. I would suggest getting a sample or two from our site to test.
You are welcome. Would love to see a picture when done!
Painter:
I prepared a deck for stain. I did use 1500 series. the owner asked for 2 coats wet on wet.
After I finished I removed al the excess (stain). After 24 hours the owner complained and blame me because the deck wasn’t dry.
deck is not new.
as a comment the DEW makes the deck wet every single day and in some point the area comes dry.
I tested (moisture) in different days with the same result, took pictures etc.
I never apply stain if the lever of moisture is high.
I follow all the steps as a professional
When we apply wet on wet, the wood (cedar) takes whatever has to take and we remove the excess, it is nothing more that we can do.
Please can you make a comment about this?
Deck is old
Was cleaned already when I got the job
the wood was grey
I did cleaned again and apply deck brightener after .
I did light sanding to all the areas.
wait more then 48 hours before we applied the stain
color used Dark oak
Thanks
Painter, the sanding may have hindered the penetration some. It will dry but it may take some time depending on the temperature and exposure to the sun. Give it a couple of days.
I used the 1530 and I applied it on Monday. It has been 2 days and it is still tacky. I did 2 coats, wet on wet. It has not rain and it has stayed above 50 at night. It is suppose to be fine for another 2 more days.
Why is it still tacky? Will it dry and if so how long? will there be any issues?
Eric, if the stain is tacky then it did not absorb 100%. This is typically a result of over applying and or improper prep. It will dry eventually so I would leave it alone. Rain will not harm it.
3-5 days is normal.
I have a 10 year old deck which had what looks like it has the remenants of water based stain. I have pressure washed; which partially removed the stain, and then sanded the deck. Now that I have sanded, do I need to use the Gemini cleaner to allow the deck to absorb the stain? Or can I wait for a period of time and the pores of the wood will reopen and allow stain absorption?
Dani, either way you need to use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep.
New redwood deck – 400 sq. feet. Using the Gemini restore-a-deck products I scrubbed the deck and rinsed twice. Some of the older boards remained “grey” so I resorted to sanding those. When applying the brightner the unsanded boards look like pine, but those that I sanded are bright pink/red. I’m planning on using the TWP 1500 “redwood” to stain the deck – will the difference in color of the two sections matter, or am I going to need to sand the entire deck?
Regards,
Mike
Mike, doe it look uneven with wet with water? If not then you can stain.
Yes it did – like I’d used PT pine on one side of the deck, and redwood on the other. I finally ended up renting a floor sander and spent a few hours getting the silver/green/black off of the boards that the cleaner with scrubbing didn’t remove. Washed down, and then reapplied the brightner – it all looks like redwood again. Next time I’ll powerwash instead of simply scrubbing with a deck brush. thanks for the help!
Can you use twp 100 on an interior brick floor
Gary, no you cannot.
spring of this year I installed new deck using “top choice” decking purchased at Lowes. Deck looks like it is ready for a coating.. Is it still too early to apply a coating.. Which should I use on this new deck… TWP 100 or TWP 1500.
Michael, 100 Series if compliant for your area. Only 1 coat. Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep.
I have about 360 SQ FT.. how many gallons do I need.. thanks.. Michael
Michael, for 1 coat you would need about 2-3 gallons.
thank you for the quick come back.. great help and look forward to doing within the next few weeks… cheers… Michael
I have 17 year old cedar deck in Minnesota, and I recently sanded the deck. The deck is approximately 320 square feet, how much stain will I need?
Cole, for 2 coats you will need about 3 gallons.
Wendell, it can take many days for the 200 Series to dry but it will eventually
Bob, please read this: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
For the stain I would apply one coat of the TWP 100 Series after waiting for the wood to weather for this deck in CO. Any color will work for you.
Structure: Wood fence
Coverage area: ~ 2,000 sq. ft.
Species: PT Pine (Premium R.E.D. KDHT on 5/4″ x 6″ boards, normal PT 4″ x 4″ and 2″ x 4″ for posts and rails)
Condition: Brand new (not erected yet, actually)
Prior staining: N/A
What pre-treatment product should I use (to remove glaze and other contaminants) for best results?
What pre-treatment steps should I follow prior to application of stain? Sanding, wetting, etc.?
Would like grain to show through a bit, so would like something more on the transparent/semi-transparent side, yet add a splash of coloring/tint. Should I go with TWP 100 or TWP 1500?
What’s the best method for application (sprayer, brush, roller, etc.) and would you recommend staining before or after fence is erected?
Thanks!
Maverick, is the fence smooth wood or rough sawn?
It is smooth wood.
Maverick, please read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/
Would like to use the honey tone tint but I’m concerned that it won’t offer enough UV protection. Please advise thanks.
Matt, it should be fine. You can always go slightly darker in the future.
Just built a pressure treated pine deck in April, wood seems ready to treat meaning I can throw down a cup of water and its dry in minutes. Should I still only do one coat or should I go for two? Also would like to use the honey tone tint but I’m concerned that it won’t offer enough UV protection. Please advise thanks.
Matt, I would apply one coat of the Honeytone this Fall and apply a light maintenance coat to the horizontals areas next Spring. This will give you protection thru the winter and allow you to enjoy the Freshly stained all next season.
New cedar picket fence being installed this week. We would like a transparent to semi-transparent stain to preserve the cedar. Which twp product do you recommend and what is the best application method…spray or roll? Also, can we stain immediately or must we wait? We live in Maryland. Thank you, MPG
MPG, is the cedar fencing smooth or rough? Might want to read this: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Spray and back brush for a fence.
We are remodeling our covered deck. It will be a screened in deck when finished with a mostly a southern exposure, but also exposed to the east and west. The floor is tongue and groove fir. Would your product be suitable for this floor. We want to keep it as natural as possible. Also on this deck we have installed pine car siding for the ceiling. Could we use this product on that also? Thank you!
Zoe, yes you can use TWP for decking and ceiling. Might want to read this first though about new wood and TWP: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Early this summer I applied a single coat of TWP 1500 (Natural) on to Douglas Fir for a screen porch. Over the summer some areas of the wood have developed these hard small white flecks. It seems mostly in areas where the water takes a while to shed, or stays wet a little longer because of roof drips or exposure. The water still sheds well in these areas, but the white flecks are unsightly. I plan to clean the wood some in the spring and apply a second coat, but at this point it seems like I will have to spend a fair bit of time cleaning these white flecks off before hand.
Any idea as to what these flecks might be? They are definitely somehow resultant from using the TWP stain.
Thanks
Steve, never heard of this and not possible to result from the stain. It could be mineral deposits from rain drying on the surface. Try to post a pciture please.
I have western red cedar windows that need some help. The old stain has flaked and fungus / dirt / carpenter bees have taken over. I’d like to refinish these (also new trim). I used TWP 1500 rustic oak on my deck with good results (although I did get while mildew back where I cleaned it). Anyway, I think the clear would allow me to keep the natural cedar look – is that accurate? Is 1500 the best product for this? I live in northern NJ. Same questions for a door I’m looking to refinish. Thanks – Steve
Steve, the clear offers no UV protection from the UV graying. Best to use one of the tints/colors for this. The 1500 Series is your best choice for NJ and can be used all all exterior unfinished wood.
Cedar decks, just about 3 years old. Previously stained with Cabot, porter, sikkens per each painter. All failed from poor preparation and cedar was not dried out before applications. On 4th guy who only restores decks but wants to use twp 200. Am not sure about that since it is more solid and I really do not want a solid stain. Please help me with a choice of twp to use. My house is cedar – light shades of brown with dark brown trim. Live in Atlanta, GA. Any advice before I spend more money to remedy bad jobs. Can’t afford to do this anymore!! (Don’t know if my other ? went through)
SB, make sure the contractor removes all of the old coatings first. You can use the 1500 or the 200 for siding. The 200 is not a solid by any means. It will show the wood grain just like the 1500 Series.
For decking you would want the 1500 over the 200.
Tom, look at the 1500 Series. Only 1 coat. Might want to order some samples to test the color first.
i ordered samples of twp 1500 cedartone, pecan, and honeytone. I shook them for about a minute each and applied them to a 18 month old treated pine deck in Alabama. I am finding it difficult to tell the difference between the three colors. Any advice? Also I have a 26×16 foot deck with railing on three sides and a privacy fence about 16x 6 feet. Would the 5 galloon pail complete my project? thanks
Matthew, what is the total sq. footage? Make sure to add all rails and both sides of fence. Might want to read this for the colors:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/
Randy, it would go out tomorrow and should arrive on Thursday sometime.
Thanks
Cedar deck previously stained with a different brand that has mostly worn off. Is mid-late September too late in the year to apply new stain. Should I get it done now or wait until spring?
Stewie, I would wait until Spring.
hi We just stripped and brightened our 12 yo deck twice. There is still some film and solid deck stain on. should we sand with a sander or strip again. Please give me instructions We want to use TWP 1500 dark oak
finnius, TWP cannot be applied over a solid stain so probably best to sand it all off. Once done you should use the Gemini Restore Kit for further prep.
Hi,
I finished staining our deck yesterday with 1500 series CedarTone. the deck is 1yr old. So cleaned it throroughly with deck cleaner and applied 1 coat of Cedar Tone. We had an unexpected pop-up shower overnight. not long, but enough to soak the deck a little. Most of the stain had about 8-11 hours to dry. but the last area I did on the floor had 4-6 hours to dry before it rained. There is beaded water throughout the deck. i wiped off the surrounding areas/railings, etc.and a few steps but didn’t want to walk on the deck. Not sure what to do (let it dry or walk on deck and wipe off floor). Also, not sure what is going to happen to the look of the deck. it seems to look fine this morning.
What’s the best course of action.
thanks,
Matt
Matt, just leave it alone until the rain dries off. Most likely it will be fine. It may be a little tacky but that should go away as well.
Covered porches 750 sq ft on historic home. Putting down new Clear Vertical Grain (GVG) Douglas Fir that was kiln dried. Flooring material is 3/4″ X 3″ X 8′. Am using TWP 106 Rustic Oak. Lightly applied a coat of TWP to both bottom and top of flooring, because I wanted to prevent any moisture uptake in the wood from underneath the porch. Learned that it is easier to wipe the stain on with a cotton rag instead of using a brush. Using a rag allows the stain to be applied to both the tongue and the groove without the problems of drips and runs. The boards are lightly stained, allowed to dry and then installed. A little messy, but works better than spraying or brushing in my experience. The porch is about 30″ inches above the ground. My plan is to let the porches weather until next spring, then lightly sand them to even out any small differences in the flooring and then apply a good coverage of TWP. I did not use a water sealer on the bottom of the boards because I didn’t want to chance the possibility of the water sealer getting onto the top of the boards and causing a potential problem with the TWP application. So far, this approach seems to be working very well and the porches are looking great.
KT, knots being lighter in color is normal. Do not apply more stain is it will not absorb properly.
Todd, use the stripper to remove as much as you can then sand if needed to get the rest off. When done use the RAD Brightener. The 100 is not compliant for IL but we can ship the 1500 to you.
I recently stripped, cleaned, brightened and applied 5 gallons of TWP100 Cedartone 101 on my exposed deck and was happy with the results so I stripped, cleaned and brightened my covered deck, ordered another 5 gallons of TWP 100 Cedartone 101 and it looks completely different. I am really unhappy with the color, It looks Orange. While applying, I knew the color would darken like the lower deck did so I didn’t worry about the color while applying. It actually got brighter and more orange. Both decks are cedar. The exposed deck looks like a nice brown, it is connected and in full view of the covered deck that is this bright orange color that even clashes with the house color.
What can I do to remedy this?
CraigB, the 101 Cedartone is a classic cedar stain color which is more orange than brown. The only way to fix is to remove and start over.
Will be applying TWP 200 to an 18 yr old cedar shake roof. Need application instructions – site gives for the other products but not 200. Also should I apply Gemini or Wood Brightener before hand?
Thank you,
David Phillips
Ridgefield Ct
David, you should prep the shingles with the Gemini Restore Kit and a light pressure washing. Application is the same for the 200 Series as the 1500. Only 1 coat unless extremely dried out.
Small porch and 5 stairs; pressure treated pine.
Built 2005 (last sealed only with waterproofer 4 years ago).
recently cleaned with bleach and detergent removed graying and mildew.
Want natural look but realize that it should be treated for protection.
Heard semi transparant oil-based stain is the best but can you get this so would looks natural?
Dede, the TWP will show the wood grain while enhancing the natural colors. The Honeytone is the lightest tint.
Brian, yes you can use these items for a gazebo roof.
AnnS, no you can do the same color. What will not work is putting a different color of TWP on top of the Cape Cod. It just will not come out correctly.
!3 year old smooth western red cedar sided home in upstate NY with an old oil based semitransparent stain that has mildewed and failed. Plan to strip off and redo with TWP but was advised to use TWP 200 series to avoid mildew problems in future and get better protection . Do you agree? How does one best apply the stain to the long horizontal boards to avoid overlapping and splotchiness in this situation?
Peter, the 200 is for rough cedar shingles. I would use the 1500 Series. If you keep a wet edge you should not get overlap marks.
200′ x 6′ treated pine dock with 20′ x 20′ L shape area at end. Built July 2013, full sun, on tidal salt water. I am located near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Which TWP product is best for a natural to light tone sealer. Thanks
Kevin, TWP 100 Series. Honeytone is the lightest. Please read this article: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I have a 40 year old log home in the Yellowstone area. The stain was nearly non-existent and the logs very dry. I thoroughly cleaned and re-chinked the logs in June. Yesterday I started staining with TWP100 Cape Cod gray. After staining 3/4 of one wall with one coat, I realized I did not like the color AT ALL! Can I stain over the Cape Cod gray with another color of TWP 100 (maybe Prairie Gray)? Or do I need to wait until next year when this coat has weathered? The wood was so dry and porous that I think another coat would soak in.
You cannot stain over it. You would need to remove it so the new color will work properly.
Thanks
Brain, do not over apply the coats. Apply both coats thinly without a heavy saturation.
Scott, yes you can use an airless sprayer.
Drink, either is fine for your area. If you are happy with the 1500, I would stay with it.
drink, that should be okay as long as you prep properly first.
Whick series is perferable, the TWP 100 or TWP 1500 series? I live in Colorado. Thanks
Brett, either is fine for Colorado. Most use the 100 there.
Janice, strip off the SW with the Restore A Deck Stripper and sand if needed. Brighten the wood when done. Use the 100 or the 1500 for this deck.
Linda, I would wipe them off.
My pressure treated pine deck was installed 2 years ago and has never been stained. After proper prep, how many coats of 1500 should I use? 1 or 2? I’ve read here that “new” wood should only be 1 coat.
Best to apply two light coats wet on wet if the deck is two years old.
What is meant by light coats? My plan is to apply with a stain pad.
Eric, Make sure all if the SW is removed. Try the 115 Honeytone color.
Do I use the 100 or 1500 series?
Do I need to apply 2 coats?
Also, with 600 feet, do I need 3 gallons?
Why Honeytone vs Cedartone? What is the big difference.
Eric, try the 100 Series. Honeytone or Cedartone. The Honeytone is a little lighter. Two coats wet on wet will take 5-6 gallons for 600 sq. feet.
I called TWP and they recommended the 1530 Natural as it is close to cedartone and the color will last long than the 101 Cedartone. Is that true?
Will I have better or the same experience with the 2 series.
Eric, the 1530 Natural is the same color as the 101 Cedartone. The 1500 Series has a little more solids so it may give slightly better UV protection. No on the 200 Series.
I wrote in a few hours ago and didn’t get all of my concerns addressed. Whic is the best TWP stain product to use for my high altitude south and west sun exposure in Colorado at 6300 ft?
Terry, either the 1500 or 100 Series will work for you.
I am on the Board of 110 unit Homeowners association of townhomes. We are tearing off and replacing all decks and staining them with TWP 200 series butternut. My question is, how often do we need to reapply stain using the TWP 200 series – and do we need to stain the flat surfaces more often than the rails, etc.
JDE at HOA, horizontals should be every 2 years and the verticals every 3-4 years.
Deck is 750 ft plus railing and steps. Made of con-heart redwood, 18 years old, coated many times – most recent 2 yrs. ago with Cabot semi-solid new redwood stain. Both south and west exposure at 6300 ft. altitude south of Denver, CO. How much of what product do you recommend? Should I power wash or sand surface to prep? Any additional thoughts are welcome. Thank you in advance for your response.
Terry, the previous coatings need to come off. Sanding may be best if you have a buildup. After sanding you should prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. One of the kits and 6-8 gallons of the TWP for two coats will cover 750 sq. feet.