TWPStainHelp.com Tips: Difference Between TWP 100 vs. TWP 1500
The TWP brand of exterior wood and deck stain has been around for over 2 decades. the TWP 1500 is the only registered EPA wood preservative on the market today. It is made using only the best quality raw materials to offer superior wood protection. TWP Total Wood Preservative/Protectant comes in several different series of formulas. Knowing the differences can help you to make a more informed decision.
TWP 100 Series Stain
The TWP 100 Series is the original formula of deck stain and Protectant. It is an exclusive blend, which protects wood from becoming damaged. This particular series of TWP wood stain has been respected for over 25 years.
TWP 100 Series Wood Protectant penetrates wood to enhance its natural color. It comes in 6 varieties of wood tones. It will prevent the wood from turning gray by blocking out harmful sunrays and has exceptional water-shedding properties.
The 100 series is not prone to mold or mildew and is best used on wood siding, decks, fences, and hardwoods.
TWP 100 is restricted in 36 states due to higher VOC levels. It cannot be shipped to these states: California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Northern VA, Pennsylvania, Parts of Arizona, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana.
TWP is about 30-40% in solid content. It absorbs very well and dries in 2-6 hours for most scenarios.
1-2 coats depending on the age of the wood. If doing two coats, apply “Wet on Wet“. The first coat is a saturating coat, followed by a light coat to ensure absorption and even application.
TWP 1500 Series Stain
The new 1500 Series low VOC formula wood stain is compliant in all 50 states. The 1500 series wood stain is formulated to penetrate the wood better, to dry faster, and outperform previous versions of TWP stains. It is also a registered EPA wood preservative.
TWP 1500 Series Deck Stain stops structural damage caused by wood rot and decay. It enhances and prolongs a wood surface’s natural color and eliminates graying. It resists water and moisture, which can cause warping, cracking, splitting, and freeze/thaw damage. TWP 1500 uses mildewcides that help eliminate the growth of mold and mildew.
TWP 1500 is roughly 60-70% in solid content. The absorption rate is a little slower than the 100 Series and dries in 4-12 hours for most scenarios.
1-2 coats depending on the age of the wood. If doing two coats, best to apply two light coats “Wet on Wet“.
The new Total Wood Preservative 1500 Series Stain is easy to apply and maintain. It will keep your exterior wood surfaces beautiful and protected for many years to come.
I have a cedar deck that is about 11 years old. I have always used your 1500 series stain in cedar tone, It has been about 3 years since I have stained it last. I am looking to stain mainly the flat surfaces (railing and deck surface) all the rough cut surfaces (posts and decking below) look pretty good other. On the flat surfaces some of the stain is gone revealing the graying cedar wood underneath, So to restain with the same cedar tone stain. can i just sand and clean with your cleaners or will I need to use… Read more »
Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
No need to sand.
Wouldn’t sanding on railing remove some of the old stain and make for a smoother cleaner better looking surface and there for look better when finished? Also, by not sanding is there a chance that the old stain could still come off removing the new stain? I have always sanded in the past and the sanding took longer to prep than apply the stain. It would be great to not have to sand.
Sanding reduces the stain’s ability to soak in. Not needed if you use the prep kit.
Thanks very much and appreciate the help. No sanding this time. Yea
Built my house in October using rough pine siding. Do I need to clean before I stain and best way to apply stain, brush ?
If it is dirty or graying then yes, you will need to prep it. Apply with a stain pad or brush.
Can you add an insecticide to the stains
You can add this product into the TWP: https://www.twpstain.com/bug-juice-insecticide
Have a epi deck that was previously stained with twp. He said he used 200 series butternut but owner said too orange. Said he mixed 100 series dark oak with 200 series butternut. Trying to match up color to restain. They like the color it is now. Any suggestions? Don’t have a problem trying to match up on some scrap epi. Do you see any issues with mixing 100 series and 200 series together.
You should not mix different series together. You can mix colors of the same series together. The 200 has too many solids for IPE wood and will not penetrate it very well. Stick with the 100 Series. Try the Dark Oak or Pecan colors.
This was done by the initial contractor, using 100 and 200 together. Has held up fairly well but ready for a recoat and client wants the same color. Would you suggest using 2 colors from the 100 or 1500 series to get close or will we have to strip and start over?
Strip and brighten for prep and then use the 100 Series. You can mix if you want.
What type of stripper do you suggest?
See here: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
We are having a new deck constructed of pressure treated pine.
Which stain should I use 100 series or 1500 series?
We live in Missouri.
See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the 100 Series after the wit and prep.
Will TWP stain penetrate and cover a deck that has been stained with Thompson’s Water Seal a year ago? I really dislike the redwood color and want a light gray deck.
No. TWP or any other semi-transparent stain cannot be applied over the Thompson. It must be removed first.
While waiting for our deck to weather, we are noticing some black mold and mildew spots. Is there something we should be doing and/or using to spot clean this before our actual clean/brighten/stain days?
No need. The mildew will come off when you prep prior to staining and does not have any long term effect on the wood.
We stained a fir front door with Rustic. It is too orange. Can we add a third coat of say, dark oak to tone it down? And is there a finishing coat we can add?
Thank you. Claudia
You would have to remove it first. TWP cannot be top coated.
Put a pressure treated fence up 15 months ago. Pressure treated. Did not stain. Did I ruin my fence? S small area is starting to gray slightly. Temps go below 50 at night. What should I do? We have some days that get above 50 but always dip below 50. 1. Did I ruin my fence? 2. 100 or 1500? What is your suggestion. I can use either 3. Shadow box. What is best approach to stain? 4. Of I need to wait Would you suggest I power Now and snd again in spring-if you telll me to wait, or… Read more »
1. No.
2. 1500
3. Prep with this kit and pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
4. Doesn’t matter if you do prep/stain now or prep/stain in Spring.
5. No.
If I do it now will temperatures cause a problem.
You cand stain in the 50s but it cannot drop below freezing the first night.
Where in ct can I purchase twp1500
We personally sell online to CT. Takes about 3-4 days to arrive.
We have cedar siding and a fir deck. We are using 1500 Cedartone. The color difference is stark and the two colors do not compliment one another. The fir deck stain sample is much darker and considerably more red-toned. Can you recommend a different color for the deck, to counter-act the red and compliment the Cedartone ? Also, as a possible alternative solution, do you have a semi-solid or solid Cedartone to achieve a closer cedar color for the deck?
It is not possible to counteract the red natural tones of the wood. Meaning the red color of the wood will always be enhanced. The only thing you could try is a dark brown to mute the red but that will be much darker than the cedartone on the cedar wood.
TWP does not come in semi solid or solid colors.
can i mix a left over gallon of 100 series with 5 gallons of 1500 series? thanks
Sorry but no.
Can you sand between applying coats I used the twp 20 ws wood seams to be rough
No, you cannot.
Also, if I have a deck with no residual stain or seal does it make sense to still do the RAD stripper/brightener? I power washed the deck and it looks quite nice as is. Was thinking of just going over top with TWP100. Thoughts?
You need the cleaner and brightener for the prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Please provide locations in Tampa, Florida to get TWP 100 and other TWP products. Thank you!
We are an online dealer for the TWP only and we can ship directly to you.
We live in Eastern Montana and cannot decide between TWP 100 and TWP 1500, which of these would be best to use?
Use the TWP 100. https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
I’m leaning towards TWP 1500 as that seems to have a longer dry time in order to stain wet on wet. I’m staining a cedar fence we put up last year and left up to let the grain open up a bit. However, it grayed a bit and I’m thinking of cleaning and using a brightener on it. Will that defeat the purpose of letting it sit this last year? My understanding is that the brightener (oxalic acid) takes off the top layer of fence material. Or is that false?
You have to prep it with the Gemini Cleaner and Brightener kit. The cleaner will remove the gray oxidation and the brightener neutralizes the cleaner.
Are any of the TWP products considered “solid” and block the sun? My deck faces south and is unshaded and nothing I’ve used lasts more than a year.
TWP does not come in solid colors.
Can I put twp 1500 on top of previously used twp 100
As long as you prep correctly: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Where in Detroit Michigan area can I get TWP 100 in a store.
The Sealer Store
2388 Franklin Rd
Bloomfield Hills, Mi 48302
248-858-8900
I have used the 100 series for my deck railings and stairs in the past. I am trying to finish a project but currently the 100 series is out of stock in my area and the distributor said that I can mix a new 1500 series pecan color with the 100 series pecan and dark oak that I have, and it would be fine. He also said the 1500 series is a superior product especially for vertical surfaces such as log homes whereas the 100 series is meant for decks. He also said there were 30% solids in the 1500… Read more »
You should not mix between series and best to stain with the same series. He is also way off on the solid content. More like 60-70%.
BTW, the 100 series Pecan and the 1500 Series Pecan and not the exact same color.
After reading, and re-reading the info, I’m still a bit confused. We have just installed a new deck in Minnesota.–cedar-toned pressured treated pine. What would be a correct wood moisture meter reading in order to be able to apply TWP? We want to do a “picture frame” application with dark tones around the edges and cedar tone in the middle. It sounds like the 1500 series has more solids and a deeper color. Is that correct? Which would be better for our location — 100 or 1500, and why do you say that?
You cannot stain new wood right away. It is not about moisture but the porosity of the wood grain: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the 100 for MN. Colors are not darker between series.
I realize you want to sell product but in terms of prepping new wood (ecolife, from 84 Lumber) on a deck built and exposed to sun for five months, what’s the difference between a light sanding and applying both a Step 1 Wood Deck Cleaner and a Step 2 Wood Deck Brightener?
Sanding closes the pores of the wood while the cleaner and brightener open the pores. This allows better and deeper penetration of the TWP.
Fair enough. I do need to sand. Will the cleaner and brightener re-open them, or would you recommend, say, a power wash?
Sand with no finer than 80 grit. Use the cleaner and brightener while pressure washing after.
Thanks much!
What stain would you recommend for a new white cedar log swing? The 100 or the 1500?
Use the 1500 after wait and prep: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I stained my cedar deck several years ago with TWP100. I applied a touch-up coat last year. I have no more supply and it is not available in my area. Can I apply TWP 1500 onto the older, gracefully fading TWP 100?
Yes, if you prep with the Gemini Restore kit and pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Hello, I have Trex (Woodland Brown) with a wood railing. I was thinking on just using the 1500 Series (natural) for the railing, unless you have a better suggestion. Thank-you…
That would work well. See her for photos: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series-stain-colors-and-photo-albums/
Last month I re-stained my front porch (15 year old cedar) for the first time since I initially stained it with TWP 1503 two years earlier. Before re-staining, I prepped the porch with the RAD treatment and made sure it dried out for two days before and then it was dry for two days after I re-stained it. After I finished re-staining, I used terry cloths to soak up any excess before it dried. Everything looked great, but I’ve noticed what looks like excess stain seeping through the cracks to the surface of the wood. I rubbed it, really hard,… Read more »
That is sap leeching. You could try some mineral spirits.
For a NEW deck how long should should i wait to stain it, deck is in direct sun for most of the day ? Should I use 100 or 1500 I live in Missouri
See here. https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the 100 Series.
If my state allows both 100 and 1500, which one performs better on decks, fences or siding?
They perform about the same and last about the same.
I live in Montana where my 15 year old deck stays covered in snow 6 months of the year, and half shade and sun the other 6 months. Should I use the 100 or 1500 series? Would like to order tomorrow. Thanks.
TWP 100 Series.
Thank you. Since the deck is wet a lot, I am concerned about mold/mildew/algae and didn’t see that the 100 series had the mildewcides that the 1500 does.