Last Updated on January 30, 2023 by TWP Help
TWP Stain Tips for New wood Decks in 2024
When applying TWP Wood Stains for the first time to new wood there will need to be proper steps taken. New smooth wood or decking is not ready to be pre-stained prior to installation or stained right after installation. It is best to follow the directions of the TWP Wood Stain when it comes to applying a coating to new wood for the first time, not the lumber yard or the paint store’s as they do not understand the proper prep needed.
TWP and New Smooth Decking or Exterior Wood
It is important to understand that new smooth wood is not absorbent enough for the TWP Stains. New wood contains a higher moisture content and a “mill glaze”. Mill Glaze is a waxy film that results from the fast turning blades that cut the profile on a manufactured log. The high speed of the turning blades produces heat that draws sap and moisture out of the log. As it cools and dries, it creates a film or coating on the logs. This will hinder the TWP’s ability to penetrate into the wood grain.
Note: New Rough Sawn vertical wood/fencing can be stained right away with no wait and with no prep as it does not have mill glaze and is very absorbent. Just make sure the wood is fully dry. If Rough sawn wood has aged or oxidized (grayed) then it will need to be prepped with Gemini Restore Kit. One coat for most instances of newly installed Rough Sawn wood.
Tips for TWP and New Wood
Let the Wood Weather First
TWP wants the wood to weather and dry out for 4-12 months after installation. This will allow the moisture content to drop and the exposed wood cells will oxidize from the sun’s UV, turning slightly gray.
Prepping New Wood for TWP Stains
After letting the wood weather it is time to prep the wood. This step consists of using the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit. This kit contains both a Step 1 Wood Deck Cleaner and a Step 2 Wood Deck Brightener. The Step 1 cleaner will help remove the dirt, graying, and mill glaze from the wood while Step 2 Brightener will neutralize the cleaner and help restore the natural color.
Staining New Wood and Decking for the First Time
Even after the waiting period and the proper prepping, new smooth wood is still not as absorbent as it will be in a few years. We strongly suggest only applying 1 coat of the TWP Stains the first time. Do not over apply as the TWP may not penetrate into the wood correctly. Make sure to back wipe any excess stain that does not penetrate properly into the wood after 30 minutes. For new smooth wood, the TWP 100 Series if allowed in your state, otherwise use the TWP 1500 Series.
Maintaining TWP Stains
Apply a light maintenance coat to the flooring in 9-24 months. If just slightly dirty prep with soapy water to remove grime and reapply one light coat. If you wait 18-24 months make sure to prep again with the Gemini Restore A Deck. After the first year or two, your wood will be able to absorb more TWP stain which results in a longer stain life and protection!
TWP Pro Tip:
TWP is a penetrating wood preservative. It performs properly when it penetrates 100% into the wood. Over applying will not result in longer protection.
Have a Question? Please Ask Below.
My fence is two years old and has never been stained. I have just cleaned and brightened with Gemini. Do I treat this like new wood and only stain once, or can I do two coats of wet on wet?
Can I spray, or would bruising be better? Thanks
Two coats, wet on wet. Spray on the first coat. Back brush in the second coat.
What do you recommend for the aging time for kiln dried cedar boards?
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
How long is drying time?
4-12 hours is normal.
Thank you.
Hi! We are installing cedar fencing that is rough on one side, and smooth on three. Our design is unique — shadowboxed but with a high amount of overlap (see photos).
I understand that the rough side could be stained now, but the smooth sides should be allowed to weather. My concern is that we won’t be able to fully access the “backs” of the boards once installed, but they will still be visible and exposed to weather.
Do I stain before I install and just know it might not be as absorbent, or wait and know there might be some areas we can’t reach? Thanks!
If you do it not it will not absorb well on the smooth side but it would be protected better. Your call.
I’ve got a new (1 month old) cedar fence that’s been installed in SW Louisiana. I don’t want it to turn grey. How soon can I apply your TWP 115 – Honeytone stain? How much prep is necessary?
Hello, the answers you your questions are in the article above. If rough sawn you can do now. If smooth, you have to wait and prep.
First Stain question?
Our deck has been weathering for 2 years. My deck is close to 1000 Sq Ft. I purchased a 5Gal pail and the cleaner/brightener kit. I read the help topic for new decks and it states to only use 1 coat now and another in about a year. Does this apply to a 2-year-old deck with NO stain at all?
Also, if the pail covers 1000 Sq Ft, is that 2 coats (wet-on-wet) or 1 coat?
How long after “Clenaing” should I wait to “Brighten”?
2 years old means it is not new. You will need close to 10 gallons for the two coats applied wet on wet. Brighten the wood as soon as you are done cleaning.
How often should you reapply TWP 1500 to a log home?
As needed every 4-6 years.
Several questions….
I applied TWP Pecan to a PT deck surface and new cedar boards (on seating) 2 years ago. The cedar never “took” as much stain as the old PT 1″ X 6″‘s. Those were probably about 20 yrs old and in pretty rough shape. I will say your stain did well on the decking boards.
1. I want to restain the deck boards. What prep should I do? I want to retain as much stain as possible from the 2017 application (1 coat as per instructions). Also, I have quite a lot of b.f. to prep/stain, etc. Please advise.
2. I want to restain the cedar. They have definitely picked up some surfacial dirtiness. I can rub that off with my hand after a good rain. Please advise on cleaning these boards. Unfortunately, they are installed over top the PT deck boards underneath them. I’m worried about contamination if I use the Gemini products, which I still have for a re-do as necessary.
3. I have a few brand new PT boards I must replace this year in a new deck area, plus a few I replaced in 2017 didn’t take stain nearly as well as the “old” PT boards. Please advise on how to treat these to maximize as close a match with the old PT deck boards as possible.
You guys have a great product.
Thanks!
NC
upstate NY
1. Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep.
2. Same as #1
3. Sorry but there is no way to match new wood to older wood. The new wood will always be lighter in color the first time staining as they are much less absorbent.
TWP – thanks for the feedback.
i have cleaned my deck with the Gemini restore a deck, by my door i have small rubber wheel chair ramp when spraying solutions on the liquid was beading. can i use a little bit of gemini safe strip on that spot?
I am sorry but I do not understand what you are asking or what this spot is exactly?
We have an outdoor pool cabana where we have large cedar beams and a cypress tongue and groove ceiling . Will the cypress take up stain or any recommendations for applying to new Cyprus. The cedar beams are rough sawn . They’ve been up exposed to the weather for about two months and are starting to change color a little bit and starting two gray. They’re starting to get some black marks as well. Should we wait for them to dry out through the summer
Wait through Summer. Prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit before applying the stain.
My cedar decking was installed last November (2018), and I want a silvery-gray stain color when finished this summer. You state the Cape Cod gray color is loaded with more solids than the other semi-transparent colors. As I do not want an opaque, solid-body looking stain, can I cut the Cape Cod with your clear finish, to obtain a more semi-transparent look? What ratios might you suggest? Thanks!
It is not opaque but close to semi-solid. You could thin the color with the clear. Maybe 2 to 1. Gray to clear.
If I spray TWP 100 what kind of sprayer do you recommend?
You can spray it. Use a high-quality pump sprayer or an airless paint sprayer.
Hello –
Summer/Fall of 2018 I removed all stain from ~ 20 yo cedar deck. Sanded approx. 3 times (various grit) and replaced bad boards. Deck has been aging since then. New and old boards now blend together pretty closely. I want to apply TWP. I live 40 miles east of the Seattle area (~800 elevation). I get four seasons and heavy snow and rain this year (~3.5 feet of snow for 6 weeks).
Questions:
– Should I go with TWP 100 or TWP 1500? Both are avail in WA.
– I feel like the deck is ready to be stained. I believe the next steps are:
– Pressure wash (using a pressure washer ‘cover so not to etch the decking)
– Use TWP cleaner
– Use TWP brightener
– TWP stain
– Do I have the steps right?
Use the TWP 100 Series. Prep with the Gemini Cleaner/Brightener Kit while pressure washing. Let dry 48 hours and then stain.
I replaced my old deck boards with prime treated 2×6’s on my dock (fresh water lake). The dock goes under water about once a year. I prefer a darker color stain that will withstand not only water, but the South Carolina sun as well. Your recommendation? DCT
No deck stain can withstand a dock that is fully submerged in water. Sorry.
Am building 30′ privacy screen using MCA pressure-treated spruce lattice fairly dense and tight diamond configuration panels @ 4′ x 8′ x 1/2″. Being somewhat rough (and dry; MC, however, not known) but smoother than rough sawn, should this be allowed to weather before applying TWP 101? Single coat? Or wet-on-wet applied with bristle brush worked into both sides before laying up? Thanks.
Let it weather 2-3 motnhs and then lightly prep. 1 Coat.
I’m installing a new cypress pergola in Louisiana. I would like to see the grain in the wood, and I would like to be able to seal it for as long as possible
What product do you recommend, and how long should the sealant last until I need to recoat? Also, how much of a mess will this make? The pergola is getting built on top of a concrete slab.
Read the article above about new application and when to recoat new wood. Use the TWP 100 Series. Cover the concrete when applying the stain.
I have aged my deck for 8 months and and now ready to prep and stain. I want to fill some cracks and knots. Do I do so before or after cleaning? What is the best filler/putty to use?
You cannot use wood filler on exterior wood. It will fail and it will not blend with the stain. Just leave as is. It is normal to have cracks in exterior wood decks.
Elmer, for what it’s worth, you might want to look at Elmer’s ProBond Wood Filler Interior/Exterior. I actually applied this to chips out of my PT deck boards. I bought their standard “blonde” color. The small square-shaped plastic container it came in said it was stainable, but when I went to apply TWP, the patches looked ghastly as the product barely took the stain.
I contacted Elmer and they apologized and sent me 4 tubes of Walnut colored Wood Filler N/C, in a tube this time. I believe it may be worth your while to give this a try.
I agree with TWP Help that said cracks are normal in exterior wood decks, but sometimes you have a blemish or knot that needs filling. Give this a try.
I had a new deck installed off the back door of my kitchen in Michigan. It was completed mid-April and I plan to wait the 4-12 months recommended by TWP; that puts the first application of stain either in mid-October or more than 12 months into next year. Which do you suggest?
Do the first coat in the Fall.
I am making working exterior shutters for my house and decided to purchase kiln dried, tongue in groove pine deck flooring to make the shutters. Can I stain immediately or do I need to wait a year before staining this wood?
See this article: https://twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
In the above article you recommended only one coat on newly installed never stain wood, does that mean i would not do your wet on wet application or does that count as one coat?
Just one coat. not two coats applied wet on wet.
what is the difference in TWP 100 and TWP 1500
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/difference-between-twp-100-and-twp-1500/
Hello, I need to stain a cedar shadow box fence that was installed two years ago. I also need to strip and stain my deck. I would be going with the cedar tone. Which product would be the best for the fence and which for the deck? Would one product work for both? I was planning on washing the deck with “30 seconds outdoor cleaner”. Would i then need to use your cleaner and brightner on top of that? One more question, do you have a method for calculating how much material to buy for a shadow box fence? Thank you
Use this for proper prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain both areas with the TWP 100 Series or 1500 Series.
See this for help with amounts needed: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-deck-stain-calculator
Kiln dried clear redwood, can I lightly sand, wipe off, then stain?
No. See this about Kiln dried. https://twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
This is the first in a series of cedar trellises I am building. It has been outside about 8 months now, waiting for me to put the finish on, so this is a multi part question. First, I know I need to clean it before I can stain it. I originally wanted to use your clear stain because we like the original cedar color (before it turned gray) but it has no UV protection, so I traded it in for the cedar tone stain with UV protection. Originally it was clear TWP and Gemini deck clean to preserve the color but now I am wondering if a 1 to 1 mix of bleach and water will do what is needed? Or, would it be better to use the Gemini Deck Cleaning kit? And, what’s the best way to preserve it over time? As you can see by the picture, it will be getting some wear. Should I strip it every few years, and re-stain it, or just add a fresh coat of stain? And how often?
Use the Gemini Kit for the prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Clean and recoat every few years. No need to strip.
Thanks. Can you give me an idea of what kind of shelf life the leftover cleaner and brighter will have?
See this: https://twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
Hi all: Last October I purchased a sample of the TWP 100 and it is awesome!
I thought when a person buys that-they had a small credit towards more?
If so-please let me know how.
Thanks so much. Robin
See this: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
t1-11 siding
Do I need to let new t1-11 siding weather before staining with 1500?
Yes.
Hello, We live on a gulf island off the coast of BC. We had our cedar milled on site and it has been stacked properly to dry since summer of 2018. It is not planed or sanded. Can we use the TWP 200 stain without any other prep? Also, can we dip it into a tub of stain and then restack to dry prior to siding the house instead of rolling or spraying it on?
We also have the cedar decking milled and drying. We will possibly sand it once installed. Can we roll or brush on the 200 directly, or should we prep the wood first?
Thank you,
Bettyanne
No. You have to install, weather 4-12 months, and then prep. It cannot be prestained. Your wood has not been exposed to natural weathering and it is not just about drying but about opening the wood grain naturally and removing the mill glaze.
It is not ready in the current state.
“Note: New Rough Sawn vertical wood/fencing can be stained right away with no wait and with no prep as it does have mill glaze and is very absorbent. Just make sure the wood is fully dry. If Rough sawn wood has aged or oxidized (grayed) then it will need to be prepped with Gemini Restore Kit. One coat for most instances of newly installed Rough Sawn wood.”
The above paragraph was copied from your website info on staining new wood. Based on that, it seems that we can stain it right away with no prep as we have rough sawn red cedar for our board and batten siding. Do you agree with the info on your website that we can stain immediately with no extra prep?
Also, if we stain it after it’s on the house, only one side gets stained. Is that acceptable?
On the other hand, if we dipped the boards prior to putting it up all sides are done.
Your thoughts?
Thanks very much,
Bettyanne
As long as the rough sawn wood is clean and dry then yes you can stain right away. Only need to stain the exposed wood.
Installed new decking and waited about 10 months to apply 1 coat of TWP stain after using the TWP cleaning and brightening products. Another 10 months have passed and if I understand your instructions correctly I can apply another coat. My question is whether I need to use the cleaner/brighter again. The deck is not that dirty and still appears stained. Any advice/help is appreciated
Yes, you must prep. Use the Gemini Restore Kit.
Thanks.
Interesting that your article above under Maintaining says “Apply a light maintenance coat to the flooring in 9-24 months. If just slightly dirty prep with soapy water to remove grime and reapply one light coat.” I assume the time length should have been written as 9-17 months, as the next catagory is 18-24. So, is it true that the first 9-17 months the deck can just be washed with soapy water as prep or not??? Thank you.
To just remove dirt and grime for a maintenance coat, yes.
I need to provide a clear finish over a porous redwood slab to enhance its unique texture for an art piece.
Waxing the material is not satisfactory due to its very porous nature. Need suggestions and help. Thanks.
The TWP will not work for this nor does the Cler enhance the wood grain.
Have a large deck that we did with TWP 1500 6 years ago and is in need of redoing. Going with TWP 100 this time as the wife wants Grey. Do I need to use RAD or Gemini for my prep? Second question…I have 2 bad boards that I need to replace. I know I’m supposed to wait 8-12 months for the new board to weather before staining it but that’s going to look terrible for this summer. Any options?
You will need to strip. Use the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kits. As for the new boards, go ahead and do them now. Worse case is you will have to apply another coat to them in 12 months.
What is the best type for full sun in South Carolina? Deck was built one year ago with pressure treated pine. Thank you
Use the TWP 100 Series. https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit.
Can we purchase it locally?
And can I get a color brochure?
We are building a new deck and porch.
Thank you.
We are an online dealer from our website. We do offer samples for testing colors: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Is there a way to get the colors available mailed to us to decide on the color?
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
We have a brand new “yella wood” pressure treated pine deck which is about 4 months old. Before staining (and we will be buying TWP stain), I intend to purchase a moister meter to determine the “wetness” of the wood. Can you advise as to the maximum percentage of wetness that would allow for properly staining this type of deck?
Also, would you be able to suggest a reliable brand of moisture meter for me to purchase?
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
15% or less is normal but you really do not need one. Just prep the wood accordingly and let dry for 48 hours without any rain and you will be good to apply the TWP stain.
I have read that it is wise, if possible, to stain both sides of cedar siding. (We have not yet installed it yet). It is also easier to apply stain to siding before installing it because you don’t have to be as careful about getting it on the trim.
However, you recommend letting the wood weather before applying stain.
What do you think about the importance of staining the backside (and top/bottom edges) of beveled cedar siding?
No need to stain all sides nor would it help in any way. Only need to apply the TWP to the exposed wood after install, wait, and prep.
5 years ago my husband used TWP for the deck. He died 3 years ago and the deck needs to be stained again. I would love to use the color stain he used. How would I be able to find that out?
Thank you so much!
The color would be on the container if you have that. If not, we can try to guess but we will need you to post a picture or two.
PS we are using TWP 1500 series black walnut
We have just sanded the old Sherwin Williams stain off our 3 yr old redwood deck. We are ready to go with TWP stain. Do we need to prep it with anything first?
Yes, use the Gemini Restore Kit for the final prep about 2-4 weeks after the sanding.
Wow…so we need to wait 2-4 weeks? Ok I guess we’ll order the Gemini and bide our time, thanks 😊
Yes. Sanding “closes” the wood pores, reducing stain penetration. Waiting a few weeks and then prepping will “open” the wood pores so the TWP can penetrate better into the wood grain.
We are using TWP on v grooved pine under our front porch . What grid sandpaper do we need to use before applying the stain?
New wood is not prepped by sanding. It needs to natural weathering and then use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep.
What grit sandpaper is used to sand new v grooved pine for ceiling
How do I know if my new cedar fence is rough sawn wood or not? It was just installed a couple weeks ago and my understanding is that if it is rough sawn cedar and it has been fully wetted and thoroughly dried for 48 hours that I can go ahead and stain it right away without waiting 4-12 months and without having to do the Gemini kit. Our contractor purchased the cedar and installed it so I’m not sure if it’s rough sawn or not. They were doing some cutting outside but I think just for length. I can call contractor to ask but in the meantime, is there a way to tell by looking? Here’s a pic (I don’t really have any close ups just one far away and one of it in the background of my son playing outside. Thanks!
That is smooth cut wood. Need to weather and prep.
It is very rough to the touch here is a closer look
The closeup does show that it is rough sawn cut. You can stain now. 🙂
Only in TWP will the 300 Series work for bamboo. You will need to order it online if your local store will not bring it in. Search Google for “TWP 300 Series” and you will see your options.
Next week, I will be installing new horizontal redwood fence panels (1″x4″) in front of a block wall for decorative purposes. The panels will face east and will be mostly shaded. I live in Arizona and have a couple questions;
1. Do you recommend TWP 100 or TWP 1500?
2. As decorative panels do you still recommend a minimum 4 month wait before I clean, prep and stain?
3. The panels will be anchored to 2″x4″ posts attached directly to the block wall, leaving a 2″ gap between the block wall and the panels. I will not be able to stain the back of the panels once they are installed. Since I am installing the panels now, what do you recommend I do to protect the back of the panels before installation?
1. Depends on where you live in AZ? The 100 is restricted in PHX area. Use the 100 is you are outside there if not, the 1500. Just one coat.
2. Yes if smooth wood.
3. No need to stain backside. Just the exposed wood.
Are there any short cuts to staining new cedar decking and getting past the mill Glaze on a new deck? What if I were to sand the cedar ? Would that eliminate enough mill glaze to accept a deep staining ?
Nope. You have to weather and prep. Sanding actually hinders the stain absorption if sanded too smooth.
I applied TWP 100 to the deck and it’s not as dark as I’d like. Should I wait 6 to 9 months to apply a maintenance coat in hopes that it will turn out darker or can I do it sooner than that?
You should wait the 6-12 months and prep with the Gemini Restore Kit.
We are using a combination of Rough Cedar, Pine and KDAT decking for a new porch and deck. Do you recommend the same waiting period and cleaning process each of these?
Yes. Wait a few months to prep and stain.
My newly installed PT deck (Sarasota FL) is drying and next fall I will use either the 100 or the 1500. Your Q-A’s are very informative and I wouldn’t even consider anything but the Big Box Store products. Love what I’ve read. I am concerned, however about the slip/fall risk when the deck is wet. What are the recommendations to reduce the slipping hazard?
TWP is a penetrating stain so it does not dry on top of the wood, creating a slipping hazard.
Our builder has just put Cypress wood on the front of our new build. We live in central Florida, on the water. Is TWP the stain and sealer we should use? I believe we are a voc state (we weren’t listed as a no-voc state). Will #100 TWP be correct to use on exterior Cypress wood? I think it was “young” Cypress. It is a honey color, but we will be staining it somewhat darker. Our roof is reddish brown, shingles.
You would want the TWP 100 Series. Wait until Spring, prep with the Gemini Restore Kit, stain with 1 coat of the TWP 100 Series.
Want to put new p.t. 2x’s on my trailer. Do I need to let them weather before applying stain. If so how long. Also what series do you recommend as the trailer will be exposed to the elements. Living in Mo.
Thank you.
Yes. The article above states how long and how to prep. Use the TWP 100 Series.
I have a new horizontal board rough dawn cedar fence (installed under a month ago, in Missouri). Should we treat it now without any prep work, or wait until spring and prep with the Gemini product before? Priorities are preventing mold and preserving color. Which series would be best?
You could do either. Now if you have time and the weather works or wait until Spring. Use the TWP 1500 Series for the fence.