Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by TWP Help
We are here to help you with your TWP exterior deck or wood restoration project for 2025!
TWP is a cutting-edge wood preservative and protectant registered by the EPA, designed to provide exceptional protection for exterior wood surfaces. However, its performance and longevity can vary based on several factors, including the type and age of the wood, how well it is prepared, and the application technique used.
To ensure the best possible results with TWP 100, 1500, or 200 Series, proper preparation and application are key. Follow recommended guidelines to maximize the durability and beauty of your wood surface, no matter which TWP series you choose.
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
After cleaning and brightening my redwood deck with Gemini Restore a deck kit, at our summer place (Northern California at an elevation of 4500 ft), I was all set to stain 48 hrs later, but had to hold off due to surprise rain. The deck sits in that condition and I am unable to get it done before next spring or summer. Should I tarp it for the winter—rain, old, snow and freezing all possible.
Secondly, I installed a 2×6 redwood rail (brand new) along a stairway leading to the deck. It has seasoned for a couple of months. I will be unable to prep and stain it also until summer of 2026. Since this is a pristine piece of untreated lumber, should I cover and tarp it to protect it from the elements? Thank you
No, don’t cover. Just redo the prep in the Spring.
Applying my TWP 101 to cedar boards, some old wood and some new wood. Everything is working perfectly until I applied some TWP to a few boards which had previously been stained a few years ago with another similar product, not TWP. Now they have that classic gummy accumulation of TWP stain where it did not absorb properly, especially along the bottom of the board. How can I remedy this situation? Paint thinner? Sanding? I don’t really care about looks, just properly preserving the integrity of the wood.
Try the paint thinner; hopefully, that works. The goal would be to remove the excess TWP that did not absorb.
FYI, TWP cannot be applied over a different brand of exterior wood stain.
Been using same TWP every time. Semi 100 cedar tone. Had this cleaned stripped and brightened. Good to go for stain?
It should blend if using the same color. If concerned, give it another round of the stripper and then brighten.
Thanks
Would cedar tone 645 caulking blend well with TWP cedar tone 1501 stain?
Sorry, but no idea, as we are not familiar with this caulk.
I need help with recoating TWP 1500 Semi Transparent. We had the deck properly prepped, then it was stained while we were on vacation. They only applied one coat and it looks very uneven. It’s been about a week, can we apply a second coat?
Second coats, if applied need to be applied wet on wet per the directions.
Yes but that’s no longer possible, so what are the options?
Remove and start over or wait until Spring to lightly clean and recoat a light coat then.
Okay, that’s doable, the deck wont get much use until the spring anyway as I’m in the North East. Is there a specific number of months I need to wait? Which cleaner do you recommend for this? I’m happy to hear I don’t have to strip and re-sand.
6-12 months. Use the Gemini Deck Cleaner at 1/2 strength. Goal is to remove any dirt, etc, not the stain itself.
I have a Gen 1 Composite Deck that is 20+ years old.
It is just plastic and wood fibers (no encapsulation).
A deck site I was on recommended TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series for restaining and sealing the deck.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-stain-for-composite-decking/
The original factory color was called redwood and has never been stained, only pressure-washed to remove dirt and mildew.
The wood fibers are raised and visible, looking greyish-white against the faded red plastic.
The deck and decking are in great shape, I am just looking to brighten it up.
Any recommendation greatly appreciated.
The TWP semi-solid would work. Keep it in the “red” options, such as Redwood Forest or Lighthouse. Only one coat. See here:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-semi-solid-pro-series
I am restaining a swing set that I had previously used twp 100 in 102-redwood but am considering changing to the new semi transparent. Which color, redwood forest or lighthouse is closest to the 102-redwood in the new stain? Thanks!
Do you mean the semi-solid colors? There is no matching color in the semi-solid to the 102 redwood, but the two you mentioned may be close. We do have samples for testing.
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
If I use the RAD Guard on my cedar siding, how long do I need to wait before staining with twp1500 (cedarwood Road)? I’d like to apply the RAD Guard in the fall and stain in the spring. But I have big eaves and some areas may not get any rain at all.
I just want to make sure any RAD Guard residue won’t be a problem for the stain.
You would stain first and then use the RAD Guard over the stain once it has fully cured and dried, not the other way around. It will not work if you stain over it.
Ok. So I use the RAD Guard after I stain. I’m planning on applying it every year or two for maintenance. At some point the house will need another coat of stain. So how should I then prep for staining the house?
Use this kit while pressure washing.
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I applied a dark walnut stain 5 years ago and I wanted to lighten it with h a different color
i know that a lighter brown or tan might on top of the existing color
Do you have sampler stains they I can try to see if it worksite
You will need to fully remove the current stain first, down to the bare wood, if you want to lighten it. Samples of stain: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
I’ve applied TWP 1500 series pecan stain to my cedar wood not planning on doing a second wet on wet coat but I’m curious how long I would have to wait if I wanted to put on a second coat at a later time
6-12 months.
I’m building an outdoor pavilion. 2×10 open rafters with pine T&G ceiling.
The rafters are kiln dried 2×10’s. Since they are dried, can I apply the Natural Effect 2 steps immediately? If not, can I apply just the impregnating stain immediately and wait on the top coat. I would really like to at least get the color on the 2×10 rafters prior to installing the roof deck so I don’t have to cut in.
Related question… I want to simply seal the the T&G with no color. Could I use the Natural Effect top coat alone? In other words my rafters will be Ebony stain, ceiling will be raw, and then I top coat everything.
All new wood needs to weather and be prepped:
https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You have to remove the mill glaze with the prep. You can use the top coat without the stain, but it will not have UV protection, which should not be a big issue since it is a ceiling.