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TWP Help

Official Help Site for TWPStain.com

by TWP Help January 3, 2020

TWP Wood and Deck Stain Update for 2020

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 through 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.

1,182 comments

Need Some Help With TWP Stains?

by TWP Help January 2, 2020

posted by TWP Help

We are here to help you with your TWP exterior deck or wood restoration project for 2020!

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.

4,693 comments

Prepping New Wood For TWP Stains

by TWP Help January 2, 2020

posted by TWP Help

TWP Stain Tips for New wood Decks in 2020

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 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.

1,290 comments

TWP Stain Wet on Wet Application

by TWP Help January 3, 2020

posted 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.

690 comments

How to Apply TWP 100 Stain Series

by TWP Help January 5, 2020

posted by TWP Help

TWP 100 Series Stain

Tips on Applying TWP 100 Pro Series in 2020

TWP 100 Stain Series Wood and Deck Protectant has a coverage rate of 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon, per coat. Best to measure the wood’s square footage to determine how many gallons you’ll need for your project. On wood decks, be sure to include all the railings and steps.

Before applying TWP 100 Series Deck Stain be sure the wood surface has been cleaned properly using a wood cleaner. Use a broom or leaf blower to remove any debris that may have fallen onto the wood since cleaning it.

419 comments

How To Apply TWP 1500 Stain

by TWP Help January 3, 2020

posted by TWP Help

TWP 1500 Stain

Update on Best Application tips for applying the TWP 1500 Series

First, measure your wood surface to determine the square footage. TWP 1500 Series Wood and Deck Preservative covers approximately 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon. Buy a little more stain than you need just to be sure you do not run out at the end of the project.

Prior to using TWP 1500 Wood and Deck Stain, clean the wood using a brush or pressure washer along with a quality wood cleaner. Preparing the wood properly will ensure your new TWP Wood Stain will perform optimally.

Once the wood surface is cleaned it must dry for a minimum of 48 hours before any stain can be applied. Be sure the temperature is at least 50 degrees and that dry weather is forecasted for the next several days.

630 comments

Applying TWP Wood Stain with a Sprayer?

by TWP Help January 4, 2020

posted by TWP Help

TWP Stain Sprayer Application

Update on Spraying TWP Wood Stains

Are you looking for a quicker, easier way to stain your exterior wood TWP Wood and Deck Stain? A low-pressure pump sprayer, HVLP Sprayer, or an Airless Sprayer can be a good choice but you will need to be careful with overspray and an even application.

Using these tips below will help to ensure your TWP Stain is applied evenly, with a faster application time, using a pump sprayer

See our official article and tips on this link: Applying TWP Wood Stain with a Sprayer

4 comments

The TWP Stain Guide to Prepping a Deck in 2020

by TWP Help January 5, 2020

posted by TWP Help

The Official TWPStainHelp.com guide to Prepping a Wood Deck

With wood decks maintenance is vital to the structural integrity of the wood. Cleaning, prepping and staining a deck are the 3 main keys to deck care. With any deck stain, including TWP the prep work is crucial. No matter how superior the deck stain is it will not perform properly or give you the results you expect if the wood is not prepped correctly. The following is a TWP guide to prepping a deck that has never been stained or currently has TWP stain already on the wood. If you have a stain of a different brand, you will need to remove it with a stain stripper. See this for more info Switching to TWP Stains.

Cleaning the Deck

Prior to staining with, TWP the deck needs to be cleaned thoroughly to allow for proper stain penetration. Use a quality wood cleaner like the oxygenated cleaner Gemini Restore-A-Deck. These types of cleaners are safer on the wood than bleach based cleaners and will effectively remove dirt, mold, mildew and grayed wood fibers. It is important to get back down to clean bare wood. Apply the wood cleaner as suggested by the label instructions. Let the cleaner dwell and soften up the pollutants before using a scrub brush or performing a light pressure washing.

If an old failing stain is present it must be removed. A wore down semi-transparent stain may clean off with an oxygenated cleaner. If the old stain is stubborn then you might have to use a wood deck stain stripper instead of a cleaner. Once the pollutants and any remnants of old stain are gone the deck should look new again.

Using a Deck Brightener

A deck brightener, also called a neutralizer is the next step after cleaning. Because the cleaners and/or strippers are caustic in nature they need to be neutralized. Apply the deck brightener immediately after cleaning and according to the directions. Then allow it to dwell for several minutes before rinsing off with water. This will lower the pH level of the wood and make the wood grain “pop”. This acidic nature of the wood surface will allow TWP stain to dive deep into the wood and result in a more professional like finish.

Dry Time

After cleaning and brightening the deck it needs to dry prior to staining. With a moisture meter, you want 15% or less moisture content before applying the stain. If you do not have a meter, typically 1-2 days of dry weather is adequate time for the wood to dry completely. Now the deck is ready for TWP stain. Following this TWP guide to prepping a deck will ensure the stain lasts longer, enhances the appearance and performs as expected.

109 comments

TWP 100 Pro Series Label Change

by TWP Help January 24, 2020

posted by TWP Help

TWP 100 Series versus TWP 100 Pro Series

We are pleased to announce a brand new label for the TWP 100 Series! The TWP 100 Series will now be called the TWP 100 Pro Series! We have had some questions as to if there a difference between the two besides a label change.

TWP 100 Pro Series

Same Exact Colors!
Same 550 VOC Compliance!
Same Durability!
Same Price!
Newer Improved Label!
Newer Improved Mildewcide!
The TWP 100 Series is compatible with the new TWP 100 Pro Series for maintenance coats or intermixing!

TWP Pro Series

TWP 100 Series versus TWP 100 Pro Series

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The TWP Guide to Staining a Deck

by TWP Help January 1, 2020

posted by TWP Help

How To TWP Guide to Staining a Deck in 2020

Prolonging the life of a deck is not difficult if you know enough about deck care and regular maintenance. Every year or two most decks need to be cleaned and recoated with deck stain. This will not only enhance the natural beauty of the wood but will create a barrier of protection from Mother Nature. Once a deck has been prepped (See article: The TWP Guide to Prepping a Deck) it is then ready for a coat of TWP stain. This guide will help you along in getting a professional like finish.

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