Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by TWP Help
TWP Wood and Deck Stain Update for 2024
Welcome to the official help site for TWPStain.com.
TWP® 100 Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. Containing unique ingredients that protect the wood from damage, TWP 100 Series has been a leader and respected product for over 25 years.
TWP® 100 Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® 100 Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes warping, cracking, splitting, and prevents freeze damage in colder climates. Use TWP® 100 Pro-Series to Restore and Protect YOUR GREAT OUTDOORS!
TWP 1500 Total Wood Preservative is an EPA-registered wood preservative for decks, fences, gazebos, cedar siding, wood shakes, log homes, outdoor furniture, and other exterior wood surfaces. TWP wood preservative offers outstanding protection from UV fading, wood rot, water damage, and mildew for all types of wood species.
The TWPStainHelp.com site is designed for exterior wood and deck owners looking for solutions to their wood maintenance questions. We have gathered information based on years of experience. From TWP stain tips and wood maintenance advice to prepping new wood and how-to articles, we will guide you step by step to achieve professional-like results using any of the TWP wood preservative products.
Please read our articles and feel free to ask any questions that you may have about restoring your exterior wood or decking surfaces. The information you need regarding wood and deck restoration and TWP deck stains are all here. Please enjoy and remember that we are here to help.
we applied TWP in oct. 2019. my husband applied to heavy in some spots. our contractor suggested we resand some spots, wash and reapply the stain. what i’m asking is what grade of sand paper should I use?
You cannot spot prep and apply and expect the stain to blend. It will not. You would have to redo all to make it blend. 60-80 grit.
Yesterday, I ordered a 1500 series pecan via phone, called back to change it to rustic but the shipment had left earlier that usual yesterday. Not realizing that your phone hours are shorter, is it possible to find out if the order was called back? I did not receive a call back today. Thanks.
Your order left on the 9th right after you placed it and is on its way. Arriving on Monday the 13th.
If you want to change the color, you would need to send it back for an exchange per our policy.
what should the moisture content of the cedar wood fence be when I use a moisture meter to stain with TWP 100. Thank you.
15% or less is normal.
I just stained our deck with your 1500 black walnut and did not get a second coat on before it dried so is it best to wait until next doing to do that . and if so what prep will I have to do . deck looks great. Just rained and water beads up and does not soak .
Leave alone for now. Clean and recoat in Spring or as needed.
We live in Ontario, Canada. I had new deck built las year in October 2019. Wood is pressure treated from Home depot. I gathered we can only use TWP 200 stain.
Please advise if any cleaning is required and what colour would be most suitable.
Yes, prep with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Any color that you like will work: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
I have been using Sikkens DEK – Cedar color. It keeps peeling off the handrails on my deck. I heard good things about TWP working with Cedar. Can you suggest a series and colors that would be close matches to the Sikkens Proluxe Cetol DEK Finish (007)?
Thanks in advance.
Steven
I just built new Western Cedar fence about 3 weeks ago. Do I need to clean and power wash before staining this new fence ?
See here about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I was looking for instructions for applying TWP 100 with a sprayer. I did a search but wasn’t able to find anything. Are there any special instructions for applying with a sprayer??
Just make sure to back brush to ensure it is applied evenly after spraying.
HELP. Finished staining a cedar deck in Seattle with TWP100 rustic. Stripped prior by pressure washing and sanding. Used RAD cleaner and brightener. Applied stain to clean dry deck. Was warm and sunny for a week. Looked great. Then it started to rain. Lots of dark stains appeared around the wet areas. Can even see dark spots under roof line where it splashed. Dry area still look perfect…. What’s going on? Help? What do I do?
It is not the stain but maybe something in the rainwater that is causing this discoloration. Not sure what though as we have never seen this happen. The stain itself would never do this so something else is creating this issue.
I had spilled a glass of water earlier and saw the exact same thing, so it’s not from the rain. It’s just water causing this. Do you ever see anything like this? What happens if the cleaner isn’t full neutralized bu the brightened???
Did you sand the deck with steel wool or anything that had metal in it?
No. Power sander. We did clean some metal with steel wool near the deck… could that be the cause? If so any advice on what to do? Can I reclean and brighten but not remove the stain?
If metal dust got onto the deck then yes, this would turn black when the water hits it. Use this to see if it removes it. https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-wood-brightener-detail
I will try it in a spot once the rain stops. I guess it’s possible small dust from using steel wool to clean up the metal railings could have gotten spread around by wind…
Just use the Brightener? No cleaner? Should I let it dwell on the surface long? If this is the issue, will I need to restrain, or should this fix it?
Thanks
Just apply and see if it goes away in 20 minutes or so. Rinse well when done. Hopefully you will not have to restain.
I tried in one spot. Better but not fixed. Any other suggestions to recover? If I strip, brighten and restain will it fix it? I am trying to avoid that of course… lots of lost $ and time
Pictures are before and after with 20 min brightener. Rinsed off. No pressure washing…
Yes, you will need to strip, brighten and restain.
No need to sand to remove this? RAD stripper/brightener followed by restaining will be enough to fix this?
No, I do not think you will need to sand.
Well, I stripped and brightened two railing sections as a test. Much better- but still some darker areas. I think I may have to sand to remove. 🙁
Given that, and that I have bought stripper, brightener and new stain… what approach would you recommend? Should I sand first? After stripping? After stripping and brightening? Or should I keep brightening more…
Thanks for advice. Before and after photos included
Strip first, sand, and then brighten.
Ok. Thanks.
Re-stain recap:
Project details:
• 780 sf Western Cedar
• Original build 2017, 1st stain 2018
• June 2020 – Cleaned and Brightener kit
• Stain color – Pecan with Walnut trim
Looks good!
Thanks! I did follow all recommendations but still got a few shiny spots. Love the products!
I have a pine porch..tin roof with supports. it’s 3 yrs old and I was supposed to coat it last year but had breast cancer. So, I am doing it this year. one lady said all I needed to do for prep was light power washing with 1:1 bleach. then, do one coat with TWP 100 (which I chose to use.) Is this the correct procedure?
No, use this prep kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Two coats applied wet on wet.
Thank you.. I figured I needed more than bleach!
Hi. I stained my deck two weeks ago, and it looked great. Two days ago, we had rain most of the morning, and now there are a few spots where i notice white blotches. What could have caused this? I have a half gallon of stain left – should I re-stain those small areas? Thank you!
That is not the stain but mineral deposits from the water on top of the wood. Wipes off with a wet rag.
Thanks for your response! I’ll try to get them off with a wet rag.
Hi I am from Michigan I am planning on cleaning and restoring my deck. It’s suppose to rain in 24 hours does it matter if I clean and brighten before the rain or after.
I would like to install TWP Series 100 dark oak to pine boards that were cut into boards last year, dried about a year, and are getting planed right before installing as board siding. It is for a Michigan lake home, and mold is a concern. I’d like to install the twp stain Right after installing and not wait 9 -12 months , and then touch up with light coat the following year. Will installation be ok? Also, does this have insecticide- porcupines are in the area and have chewed on neighbors cabin.
Sorry but no, you have to install the wood, weather the wood, prep, and then stain for new boards. https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Stains like TWP do not come with insecticides but you can add that into the stain when you applying. It will not stop animals though. Nothing will.
Can you tell me how to get drips of TWP 100 off of unfinished concrete? Possibly Xylene or something else?
Try a graffiti remover cleaner and pressure washer.
Thanks hadn’t thought of that.
I had a two year old gallon of Pecan 120. Bought a new gallon. The side of my deck with the two year old stain beads water after a rain. The new gallon does not. Both applied same day. Why would new stain let water soak in?
They are the exact same formula so should not be any different.
Hi! Which stain should I use for a deck in northeast Kansas – the 100 series or the 1500 series? Not sure I understand the difference between the two. I sanded the stain off the original deck. We added an extension to our deck a couple years ago that has never been stained. Would I still need to use the clean and restore product on both decks before staining? Thanks for your help!
Prep all wood the Gemini Restore Kit. Stain with TWP 100 Series.
Our deck was stained several years ago with Total Wood “Preservative” 101 Cedartone Natural. I noticed the 101 Ceadartone is listed under Total Wood “Protectant.” Not as “Preservative.” Is the Total Wood “Preservative”1501 Cedartone a Label change or is it a different product. Do you use the words Protectant and Preservative interchangeably?
You want the TWP 101 Cedartone, not 1501. Same thing: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
I have a 5/4 cedar deck in central West Virginia it is over 15 years old and need of a major overhaul. The deck is in full sun from most of the day. It was power washed and stained with Olympic semi transparent oil base stain about 10 years ago. Nothing has been done to the deck for the last 10 or more years. I have recently power washed the deck this month Only water was used to clean the deck. I will need to replace some deck boards and plan to lightly sand the deck before staining. I want the natural color of the cedar to show. Do I need to use a deck brightener? What is the difference between TWP 100 and TWP 1500?
Use this kit for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Use the TWP 100 for WV.
Why did my pine picket fence come out orange when using cedar tone?
The Cedartone is a Carmel color and the final color will vary based on the wood type and age.
I have a small deck that I previously stained with TWP 1500. I plan to apply a maintenance coat of TWP
1500 to the deck. The deck is located under a roof so that deck boards are not heavily weathered and the
existing coat of stain is in pretty good shape. I cleaned the deck boards with a mixture of TSP, bleach and
water. I did not use the Gemini Restore Kit this time (although I have done that prior to applying the
existing coat). Am I OK with applying the maintenance coat of TWP 1500 stain following the cleaning (after allowing for
drying time)?
Your prep is probably okay for a maintenance coat but we always suggest the Gemini Restore Kit when recoating.
Thank you for your help.
I have a small deck that I previously stained with TWP 1500. I plan to apply a maintenance coat of TWP 1500 to the deck. The deck is located under a roof so that deck boards are not heavily weathered and the existing coat of stain is in pretty good shape. I cleaned the deck boards with a mixture of TSP, bleach and water. I did not use the Gemini Restore Kit this time (although I have done that prior to applying the existing coat). Am I OK with applying the maintenance coat of TWP 1500 stain following the cleaning with TSP, bleach and water (and allowing for drying time following the cleaning)?
Hello, l applied stain and l wiped the excess but I see shiny parts on even on the same boards, it’s so frustrating How am I supposed to know if I put too much stain ????After a few hours l tried to remove the shine with a dry towel and now there is fuzz from the towel Can this saved or does the deck need to be stripped again?
I will be applying TWP 1520 stain to the floor of the deck on the east side of my house. Should I apply it in the evening when the deck is shaded but the temperature is in the high 80’s or in the morning when the temperature is in the 70’s but the deck is in the sun?
Thank you
The afternoon would be easier.
Thank you! How long should I wait before I let my dog walk on the deck after staining?
A couple of days. Make sure it is dry to the touch.
We bought a 30 year old log cabin I believe is cedar. No idea what stain was last put on. Which product line would you recommend? Thanks!
Use the TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Make sure to prep well.
Thanks, the company I am looking to hire the job out to uses twp but suggested the 200 line. From reading here I thought the 1500 is the way to go and wanted to confirm.
You could use the TWP 200 here as well with no issues.
Thank you! And sorry for the repeated question. Browser crashed and wasn’t sure it went through.
Thanks! One or two coats if I use the 200?
One.
Thanks, the company we are hiring out to recommend the 200 series. What is the main difference between the 200 and 1500 in layman’s terms?
Prep with the Gemini kit or restore a deck products? Thank you!
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Live in south Texas, on the coast. Overnight temp 80 deg, high daytime low 90’s. Have a treated pine deck, that was stained three years ago with Sherwin Williams Superdeck Semi-Transparent. Have removed that finish with powerwasher, and sanded with 100 grit. Just finished 4 weeks ago. No other prep. 800 ft2 of deck and stairs.
Want to stain with TWP 103. Questions:
1) Plan to rinse down once more to remove any surface dirt. Do I need any other prep?
2) How much stain do I need (gallons)? I plan to do two coats, wet-on-wet.
3) To do wet-on-wet, how long can I wait for second coat. It will probably take at least a couple of hours to do first coat on full deck, even skipping the stairs. Or should I section off and do two coats before starting new area?
4) Am I going to have issues with 90-93 deg daytime high temps? Premature drying, preventing wet-on-wet?
5) Best to apply with what tool? Will paint pads work on rough wood? Want it to be even finish, and might not be obtainable with brush.
1. Use a cleaner and light pressure washing.
2. About 7-8 gallons.
3. https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
4. Do not stain when above 90.
5. Use a stain pad or brush.
So do I need to buy the kit, and do both steps – the cleaner AND the brightener?
Do you mean don’t APPLY the stain in above 90 deg weather? For instance, can we start in the am and just have to get it all applied before 90 deg temps hit? It will be drying in 90+ deg temp.
1. Do you mean use the cleaner AND brightener kit, or just the cleaner step?
4. Are we ok getting the stain APPLIED before temps get above 90 deg F. Is it ok for it to dry in that temp?
1. Use both.
2. Yes.
I used TWP 1502 to stain a new Redwood fence gate 2 years ago. The color still looks good, but the wood is drying out. Can I use a polyurethane or other sealant on it now? Thanks.
No, you can never apply a coating over the TWP, it will peel.
Thanks. Is there anything I can do to keep the wood from drying out, or should I not worry about?
Not worry about it.
In your advice on using TWP 100 series stain you state “Use a brush, stain pad applicator, or pump sprayer to apply TWP 100 Deck Stain”. Does “pump sprayer” mean that I can use a pump-up sprayer like an Echo sprayer or are you talking about a paint sprayer?
Pump-up sprayer will work.
According to the directions, once we have give a deck the prep treatment with Restore-A-Deck, we need to find a 4-day period with no rain (wait 2 days before applying stain, should be no rain for another 2 days after that). Since we can apply the prep treatment at any time, how long can we wait (for the 4-day dry period) with the wood prepped before we have to apply the treatment again?
TWP can take a stain within 12-24 hours after applying. Stain withing 2 weeks of prep.
OK, thanks, though the TWP stain instructions are that the surface must be dry for 48 hours in advance (as well as not rain for 2 days afterward), hence the need for a 4-day window, at least I thought.
Before, yes. Not after.
We have just finished cleaning and staining a deck with TWP 100. There is a smaller deck located above the first deck that needs the same treatment. Do we need to cover the lower deck (already finished) with drop cloths to protect it from the Restore-A-Deck chemicals on the smaller deck above it, or is it not affected by those chemicals once the stain sets?
Cover it. It would have been best to do the top deck first.
Any idea how to clean TWP 100 stain that got spilled on concrete and has set for a while? Tried muratic acid at 4:1 ratio, but it is not touching it.
A graffiti remover cleaner and pressure washing might work.
Ordered 3 gallons of 1500 Cedertone on 5-25. We know things are slow but hard to think that the stock may have been picked clean. Still several weeks delayed? Thanks.
Your order should be shipping in the next couple of days.
We have used in the past TWP 201 cedartone because it was the only product allowed in Canada. This year we need another coat for our log home and would try a darker colour like black walnut from the 1500 series which seems not allowed in Canada. is there a possibility to darken the 201 cedartone?
Ulrich
Sorry but no, there is not a way to darken it.
We purchased a log home that had TWP 100 applied three years ago. How often should you stain and should we be using TWP 200 since we reside in Canada? Thank you!
Only the TWP 200 is allowed in Canada. Log homes are typically reapplied every 3-7 years.
Can I apply 201 stain over 101 stain?
You would have to strip it first: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
What temperature can 100 series be applied in? Does new rough cedar post have to be prepped?
50-90. No need to prep rough cedar.
Hi, what would be the appropriate stain for T-11 siding? Northeast TN. Facing west. Hard sun exposure. Its enclosing the lower half of a large deck.
Thank you.
TWP 1500 Series.
After 2 years, what do I use to clean a pressure treated wood deck after TWP application that will not strip the stain or diminish protective properties of the TWP? Please provide options for store bought product and home made solution.
To clean dirt, just use warm water with some dish soap.
I am planning to stain my deck. The deck is 2.5 years old. I am staining for the first time. The deck is power washed about 10 days ago. Now I would like to manually sand with 80 grit. Then, I am planning to apply TWP stain. I have a couple of questions.
1. After sanding is completed, Do I need to wash/rinse with water, wait for a few days to dry and apply the stain? Or Can I stain immediately after sanding and blowing the dust off? Which option is recommended?
2. My order number is 16W4088216. Ordered 2 days ago. when can i expect the stain to deliver?
1. Best to lightly pressure wash with a deck cleaner after the sanding then let dry for 48 hours.
2. As mentioned when you ordered, we are delayed 5-10 business days with deliveries before they ship. You will get a tracking email when it does ship.
I have a new deck installed last Fall that I am staining for the first time. Is there a recommendation as to the color and/or type of paint/stain I should use after I use the restore kit? The attached house is kind of Cape Cod gray, if that matters.
Any color that you like will work. https://www.twpstain.com/twp-wood-stains
I have new red cedar that has been installed for a year but not yet stained. There are a few spots that I need to sand as the pressure washer will not remove them. How long do I need to wait after sanding To clean brighten and stain the new wood.
If power sanding, wait 3-4 weeks to clean/brightener and then stain.
It’s been two weeks since I cleaned my deck with a unoxygenated cleaner. I did not get to put the neutralizer on, is it ok to go ahead apply the neutralizer? Or do I need to clean again? My deck has never been stained and is two years old. I had a lot of algae before cleaning.
Thanks!
Go ahead and just brighten the wood.
My exposed deck is about 3 years old. I first used Thompsons Water Seal and then the next time around I unfortunately used Behr Deckover which was really horrible. I plan to completely remove it with an angle grinder and a 50 grit Diamabrush, followed by a belt sander and 80 grit paper. From what I’ve read, this is my only option to get that stuff off. Can I then use Brightener followed by TWP 100? What steps should I follow?
Clean and brighten the wood after removing the Behr: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
can Gemini cleaner be bought alone?
No, only as a kit.
Is there a way to track an order I ha e made ?
Tracking is sent once the order is shipped.
I have two 5 gallon cans of TWP 1500 that was purchased in August of 2014. I believe the cans have never been opened? Is it possible that this stain is still ok to use?
Possibly but you will not know until you open it and mix it. If no clumping and it mixes 100% smooth, then it should be okay.
Thanks for the quick response.
I have new cedar deck boards that are currently being stored in my garage to keep them dry. I recently applied TWP 100 deck stain to the boards in order to protect the wood prior to installation. After two days, the boards are not even close to dry. I do not feel that we put the stain on too thickly, but who knows. I need some advice on how to proceed because the inability to dry these boards is driving me crazy.
See here about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You cannot pre stain wood. It has to be installed, weathered, and prepped. You may need to strip it all off if it does not dry in a week. https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
If the stain has to be stripped off, how would I do that? Would it make a difference if I were to sand the boards prior to applying the stain?
Sanding does not help. Use this to strip: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I am sorry to beat this to death, but I did not see any info about not staining new wood on the can. This should be very clear since I now have 4 gallons of TWP 100 stain that is absolutely worthless. I planned to pre-stain my cedar boards prior to installation to protect the bottom of the boards and now the stain simply won’t dry.
Hello, it does state this on the container/can. 4-12 months for new wood to season. It is very clear.
Are there any TWP dealers located in New Jersey?
We are an online dealer only for the TWP brand.
I cleaned and brightened fence but for the following 2 weeks weather and temperatures prevented me from applying stain. Will I need to clean again before applying?
Just lightly pressure wash rinse.
I previously used TWP 1500 Cedar Tone, I would like to go darker with the Dark Oak , can I do that, its been 3 yrs since the last coat. I would also like a coupon code, as I need 6 gallon. Last order, I was give a contractors discount over the phone. Thank You
Sorry, but we are not offering any discounts right now. For prep, use this kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Are all costs including $95 shipping cost to Canada expressed in US dollars?
Yes.