Last Updated on April 11, 2022 by TWP Help
TWP with Wet on Wet Application Tips
TWP Stains are to be applied “Wet on Wet” when the wood is absorbent enough to handle more than 1 coat of the stain. This is typically for wood and decking that is older than 12 months and has been exposed to the elements. Applying the TWP “wet on wet” is similar to applying 1.5 coats of stain. The second coat covers twice as much square footage as the first coat.
Applying TWP “wet on wet” is very easy and not complicated once you understand the simple steps.
How To Apply TWP Wood Stains “Wet On Wet” to a Deck:
- Apply the TWP to the verticals first. This would include the railings, benches, and any vertical walls.
- Lightly apply one coat of stain to the horizontal flooring. Apply to the entire floor surface. If your deck has multiple levels, do one level at a time before moving to the next level.
- Wearing shoes that are disposable, walk back onto the “wet” stain and reapply another coat to the “tops” of and railings, walls, and benches. You may walk on your first coat of stain 10 minutes after finishing.
- Apply your second coat of stain to the horizontal flooring. Take care to not step in or leave footprints in your second coat!
- Finish stairs last, repeating the above steps.
TWP Staining Tips
- Do not apply 2 coats of stain to new wood or decking or to recently sanded wood that was sanded finer than 60-80 grit as the TWP stain may not be able to fully absorb into the wood.
- In most cases, a second coat only needs to be applied to horizontals as the verticals will last twice as long.
- Apply your second coat of stain within 10-60 minutes of the first coat.
- Watching for puddling on the floor. This usually happens under railings and benches.
- Wear shoes and clothes that are disposable. Do not wear shoes that have black soft rubber soles. The TWP can “soften” these soles, leaving black residue marks on your deck if you step in the stain.
- TWP Wood Stains can be applied with a stain pad, brush, roller, or sprayer.
If You Need any Help, Please Ask Below!
Does this wet on wet application is necessary also for TWP 200? I have a 5 year old deck that will get stripped and brightened before staining.
If doing two coats, then yes.
I have a new 1500 square foot pool deck with AC2 boards. Do I put one or two coats on. How many square feet should the average new deck absorb on first application.
See here about new wood. https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Having a hard time finding this answer. i need a second coat in some areas, mainly around knots that seem to have soaked in quickly. I understand the wet on wet approach which i did but probably not enough – so my question is why can i not hit a second light coat over some areas where i can wipe off & blend it together ?
Knots will dry lighter in color due to the density of the wood there and that is normal. We would not suggest spot touching them up. It will probably not blend and they will still be lighter in color when it dries.
We have a very large single level deck. It will take us longer than 40 minutes to finish it before we can get back to apply the second coat. How much time can expire before applying the second coat? We are using the 1500 series.
40-60 minutes is okay.
Can you apply oil-based poly over TWP 1500 Series stain?
No, you can never apply a sealer or poly coating over the TWP.
I live in Ohio under a canopy of trees and next to an ever flowing creek year round. What is the best product 100 or 1500?
For Ohio, you need the 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Is that because of the moisture and will two coats last 3 years? Thanks.
No, it is because of VOC laws in Ohio. 2-3 years is the norm for a horizontal deck. Longer on vertical wood.
I have a 12 x 16 deck with railing. It will take several days due to weather to complete. How is it possible to do wet on wet,unless i do in sections. Also how to apply a continous stroke on a 12 ft board, more product at beginnng of stroke,less at end of stroke? Thank you
A 12×16 deck should not take more than a couple of hours to stain. If you want to break it up then do any railings first. The flooring would take less then 30 minutes to coat for each coat.
Im using brush, but open to better suggestion. Took me 3 hrs to brush a 6ft section of railing would it be better to spray or roll on horizontal deck section thank you
Use a stain pad or sprayer is fine. See this article for some help on staining faster: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-stain-a-deck-fast/
How long after using the brighter should you wait to apply stain 1500? Also my deck is 2 yrs old and never stained or painted how many coats of stain, I will be sanding it with 60 or 80 grit paper.
Wait 48 hours after prep to stain. 2 coats applied wet on wet.
Can TWP be applied in direct sunlight?
Yes but you do have to watch out for flash drying. Move quickly and always keep a wet edge while applying.
Rough cut is very absorbent so two coats wet on wet are typically needed. Do on all.
Our contractor must have had black shoes because after staining this morning I got home and we have lots of footprints on the newly stained deck! How can I get them off? (BTW, they said the product was great!)
Many thanks!
Sorry to tell you this but the only way to fix is to strip it down and start over.
Can application be sprayed for both the 1st and 2nd coat?
Best to spray first coat and then back brush your second coat. This ensures an even application without puddling.
Can I apply TWP when it is in the upper 80’s and sunny?
Yes.
Two questions
1. New deck just built and stained (one coat) with 1500 series. Contractor didn’t do two wet-on-wet coats. How do I apply a 2nd coat of stain at a later date? Do I have to prep the deck for the 2nd coat?
2. The new deck joins a portion of the old deck. The old deck is much darker and needs to be revived. I don’t want to strip it. Do I just clean it and re-apply stain? Can I lighten it before staining?
1. Sounds like directions for new wood were not followed: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
2. If the old deck has an old stain on it then you have to strip it and then brighten it. If not stained, then clean and brighten with the Gemini Restore Kit.
Is coverage rate for each coat of TWP 100 or for the recommended two coats?
Each coat.
How soon can I start 1500 series staining after brightener applied?
48 hours.
My mistake forgot to mention that is the 100 series pro I’m planning on using for my deck.
Thanks
My deck was installed and stained with some cheap deck oil about 5 months and was already dull and peeling , it was sanded down by my contractor, not sure right now what grit they used, but if they did go 60-80 grit. You recommend only to apply 1 coat. So should I apply another coat in a certain amount of time in particular or just when worn and in need maintenance ?
Regards
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the final prep and then 1 coat of the TWP. Add another oat in 12-24 months or as needed.
I stained my deck with a single coat of pecan 1500 series in April 2021. I’d like to re-stain the horizontal pieces again with the same product/color. What are the recommendations?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep and then recoat: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I’m having parts of my deck sanded. Then the entire deck is getting 2 coats of stain. What are the guidelines for staining around areas that have been partially sanded?
You cannot partially sand as then the TWP stain will take unevenly and lighter in the sanded areas. It has to be all sanded evenly and no more than 60-80 grit paper. Final prep to open up the pores with the Gemini Restore Kit.
The old wavy cedar siding in Florida has been prepped and ready to stain — like in the next hour. The wood looks damp, could be dew as I’m writing in early daylight. Is it okay to stain the wood when it’s not completely dry?
No, has to dry for 48 hours after prep or getting wet.
I have a fence that has been stained with TWP 100 series several times. It’s time to stain it again. Can I use the 1500 series this time around or do I need to stick with the 100 series?
Stick with the 100 Series.
Apparently I put on too much stain and it is still sticky after 3 days. How do I resolve this situation?
https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Just bought pressure treated 2×6 lumber for mailbox post. Feels heavy and looks wet. Can I use your TWP stain on this wood right away, but must I wait some period of time?
Wait and prep: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
What application method do you recommend?
How to apply is explains in the above article. Use one of these applicators: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools/brushes-stain-pads
How dry does the wood need to be before application? We are dealing with humidity issues. And, if we do stain dry wood, but are hit with a heavy morning dew the next morning, will this affect drying time? Thanks!
48 hours after prep or rain. Humidity does not matter. Can take a dew 8-12 hours after applying.
If a person inadvertently sanded with 120 instead of the recommended 60-80, would the RAD strip-and-brightener “open up the wood” some so that the stain could penetrate in spite of the error?
Sand again to 60 and then use the Gemini Cleaner and Brightener Kit, not the stripper.
If I am re doing my deck after a few years along with the cleaning process do I need to do wet on wet application again?
Yes.
I have a new ground-level deck with new kiln dried wood. We *generously* stained it last weekend with TWP 1530. All absorbed but it took a couple days. Now some of it looks a bit shiny and some of it is not. It is possible to put a second coat over all the horizontal or it’s too late? Thank you
It is not supposed to be shiny at all. Do not add more. BTW, new wood has to weather and be prepped. Sounds like you did not follow these directions?
I spoke with the folks from who I bought the wood and the stain and followed their instructions.
According to them, the wood was kiln dried, with no additional cleaning necessary, did not need to be weathered, and could be directly stained.
This was not ordinary green wood.
This doesn’t quite answer my question though about can a second layer go on top of a first layer if the first layer has already dried.
They were wrong and no, you cannot add an additional coat. It will not take and dry correctly.
See here about new kiln-dried wood.
https://twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
Thank you for the information. Well what’s done is done. All of the stain seems to have soaked in. There are no longer any shiny spots. And the wood seems to be repelling water.
This is good information for someone who is looking at the forum in the future
What is the proper method for reapplying future coats as a maintenance and upkeep?
Clean and brighten for prep with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
At what temperature can the stain be applied? If the temperature falls overnight is it okay?
50-90 for applying. Can drop lower over night but not below freezing.
I purchased 5gal. bucket of 1500. How much time do I need to spend stirring? Is a wooden paddle sufficient, or does it require a drill operated mixer?
We like the 5-gallon paddle mixers that attach to a drill.
I applied a single coat of TWP 100 seris in early May 2020. I just applied wet on wet application. How long should I wait to move back the furniture and how long will the wet on wet application last?
Thank you
Wait to fully dry and cured. Typically 24 hours or so. Redo every 2-3 years.
Hi, I asked a couple of questions earlier. I have two more to add 🙂
1. The contractor says he has not worked with wet on wet application before. I don’t want him to over apply and leave me a tacky mess to have to clean up. How can one tell if the wood is ready fir a second coat if it is still wet (i.e stain has not soaked in yet)?
2. Will a second coat give a darker color and last longer? Can the same result be achieved by a one good coat or is it better to do two light coats?
Thanks!
Soaks in within an hour. Need two light coats for max appearance and life.
Hi, I have two questions:
1. I have applied a couple of twp 1500 colors in a few test spots. How long should I give it to dry before I can see to which color to go with?
2. I have mixed boards of different age, I know they will absorb the stain differently. I can already see the two previously unstained boards of significantly different age, prepped the same way, looking different. I am wondering if going with darker shades would work better for blending than lighter shades?
Thank you for your thoughts and information.
3-4 hours. You will not be able to blend no matter what so stay with same color.
Thank you, please delete my other post with the 4 questions if you can ( I am unfortunately unable to). I will put my remaining questions here:
1. How can one tell if the stain is being over applied to correct ‘as you go’? Is a little bit of pooling ok, especially when applying the second wet on wet coat, but avoid obviously large puddles, or is all pooling to be avoided? Can over applied stain be soaked up with a rag right away?
2. What is the correct ranking for the following twp 1500 colors from lighter to darker: a.natural b. cal redwood c. pecan d. cedartone?
1. If it soaks in right away then apply a second coat. Any excess can be removed after 60 minutes if needed.
2. Honeytone, Natural, Pecan, Cedartone
Thank you again! I am assuming excess can be removed with a dry rag without using mineral spirits, but please let me know if that is not right. Where does CA redwood fall in this list? Some of the samples I received last year from a local supplier seem about the same! Not sure if they were mislabeled.
Yes. Cal Red is between Natual and Pecan.
I have attached a few pics of my stain job with the 1500 oil based . We had no rain forecast . As I was staining it rained lightly but enough to get it all wet. As you can see I have discoloration. It’s been 24 hrs at this point. I’m not sure how to fix this. Any ideas ? The pic on the left is when it was wet, The others are today when dry. Thanks for any help.
You will have to redo the floor. Strip and brighen for the prep with the Restore A Deck Kit.
In this scenario is it best to sand down or use chemical stripper?
Strip: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I have a pine deck that is 3 months old. Should I just do 1 coat of stain or wet on wet?
See this about new wood: https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
just to be sure…..it’s best to do the first coat for the entire deck surface and then 2nd wet on wet coat (vs. wet on wet in sections). I have a 300 sf deck, thinking I’ll be able to do the first coat on the whole surface and apply second wet on wet coat w/in one hour. If it’s going slower should I do sections?
Do the entire deck and then recoat.
Stained ( 1502 semi t) my prepared / sanded deck a few hours ago. Finished 1st coat in about 70 minutes and then started wet on wet 2nd coat starting in the area that I first applied the stain. Second coat really made the color pop and looked great. Just went out now ( 4 hrs after finishing 2nd coat) to check how it was drying and found that when I touched the surface stain was still wet. Will this eventually dry over the next 12 hrs or will it need to be wiped off? Thanks for your help.
It will most likley dry fine. Just give it time.
Ok, we did it! 1year old pressure treated pine decks were weathered from FL rain, mold & blistering sun with no prior treatment. We used a concoction of industrial strength bleach, & detergent and sprayed the dampened decks with this stuff. After letting this stuff sink in, went over everything with a pressure washer. This took a couple of days to get everything cleaned & rinsed and lumber looking new.
A few dry days later we went with 1 coat of TWP 100, honeytone. This lumber seemed too new to do wet on wet? Hope we didn’t ruin the project.
We used pads to apply and throw-away trim brushes.
10 hrs for 2 guys spent on cleaning; not even 3 hrs for 2 guys to apply. Only way into the house is by a deck, so we left a small pathway; when it’s all coated will take pictures.
Biggest concern is having put the product on in August where parts of the deck get a good amount of mid-day sun.
Hi there! I just stained my large cedar deck yesterday with the 1500 series (after serious sanding efforts with 80 and then 120, followed by applications of the red/green restore-a-deck products and then 48 hours drying time). We applied 2 coats wet on wet and the deck is still super wet today. I’m worried that we overapplied. There are even a few spots in the middle where I think I see some pooling. Given how wet the deck still is, when/how do I try to remove some stain? How do I avoid leaving footprints when I do so?
Yes, you over sanded and over-applied. Use mineral spirits and wet rags to wipe down the excess stain on the deck. Soak all oily rags in water and lay flat outside to dry when done.
Can you say a bit more? So, do I make the rags damp first and them pour on mineral spirits on the rags, then wipe down the boards?
You wet the rags down with water after you are done with the mineral spirits.
I got 5 gal twp100. Definitely enough to do one coat but not sure enough for wet on wet second coat, not new wood, but all sanded with 80 grit.
Can I apply a second coat on horizontals after it has dried? If so, how long between coats?
No, it should be applied wet on wet, not wet on dry.
I’m applying TWP 100 wet on wet on a fence, do I need to back wipe with a roller or rag between coats or after the second coat, or after both the first and the second?
Back brush andy drips or runs as needed with a brush or stain bad.
Hello, I applied a second coat of TWP 100 clear to some Douglass Fir porch boards, as well as some cedar steps, but I did so a full 24 hours after the first coat (I obv. missed the wet on wet instructions!).
It looks pretty good, but, its definitely taking longer to dry (some spots are a bit sticky still). I am not too concerned about a few shiny spots here and there, but is there any issue with having done it this way other than appearance?
Thanks,
Scott
As long as it fully cures/dries, it should be fine.
The directions say to apply a second coat within 10-60 minutes after the first. Can it be longer than an hour? I have a big deck.
No, it should not be longer than 60 minutes.
I applied wet on wet stain two years ago on a dock that receives a lot of sun, can I apply a light “maintenance” coat either this or next year and maybe keep doing that every three years or so? I’d rather not have to do the cleaner/brightner process every time i need to reapply stain as it’s a rather large dock. The dock is pressure treated and I used 1500 Honeytone.
You always have to prep when recoating, there is no way around this.
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
ok…..on average, how long before I need to recoat, just a typical range – every 4-5 years? more, less? the dock is in NH and it sees a lot of sun as well as typical new england weather.
Every 2-3 years is normal.
just circling back to prep – I did use the cleaner/brightener prior to applying the stain to the new PT decking (after sitting for a year). when it comes time to reapply stain in a couple years, if I’ve cleaned the deck with a pressure washer (it stays fairly clean as it’s out in the open), what is the purpose of the cleaner/brightener? is it removing the previous stain on the surface or is removing the faded color of the old stain? what would be the downside to not doing the prep? because of the location, I have to pump water from the lake to hose off the product, so would love to be able to skip that step if possible
You need the cleaner and the brightener to give the prep an even porosity and prep appearance prior to restaining. Pressure washing alone with water only can also damage the wood. Using the prep kit will minimize this as you will use much less pressure.
You have to prep. Never recoat without prep as it can result in over-application, stickiness, etc.
what is the coverage for a gallon
150-250 sq feet per gallon.
I have read that your pro semi-solid stain can be used on an old Timber Tech decking. IS this correct?
Thank you
Correct.
I stained new white cedar shingles with Honey Tone maybe 10-11 years ago. I also used Cedar Shield on top of that. Most of the shingles are STILL Honey Tone but greying is gaining. One neighbor asked how did I get the stain to last so long? I don’t know if the Cedar Shield was the special ingredient on top your fine product or what. I’d like remove the grey. What prep do you recommend? If I were to pressure wash, how long before I can stain?
The Cedar Shield would have not bearing or help at all with the TWP. For prep, use the Gemini Restore Kit while pressure washing and then recoat:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Which of your stains is lighter in color than the natural….we applied the natural a few years ago and it was a bit darker than we would like??
Honeytone is the lightest tint.