Last Updated on January 19, 2021 by TWP Help
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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 the 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 some large benches built into my deck. Concerned about stain bleeding onto clothing after product initially dries. Live in NC, staining old pt pine. Is one series less prone to bleeding than another? Do I need to rinse or do some other process after the initial dry time? Any other thoughts? Thanks
The TWP is a fully curing stain which means it will not bleed once cured.
I have power sanded my 30 year old oak log home. It has had TWP 100 on it since I built it. Can I mix TWP 100 clear and TWP 100 cedartone 50% each, and tone down the orange hew of the cedartone?
Yes.
I applied the 1500 series in 2012. My contractor applied a Valspar semi transparent over it 2 years ago (clean up soap and water which indicates it was latex). It is now pealing and bubbling. I had a contractor power wash it today but it’s just peeling up in strips. How to fix this and start over with the 1500 stain? The RAD stripper and brighten solutions? Can I use a transparent stain or will I need a semi transparent stain? Thank you.
Post some pictures.
Here’s photos
No photos.
try again
Use RAD Stripper with both additives, let dwell for 45-60 minutes (keep from drying out) and then pressure wash off. If needed, sand any stubborn areas that cannot be stripped. Brighten all when done.
both additives? the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit? Or the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit? not sure what you mean. Sorry, all new to me
With Stripper kit. Both additives.
I think you mean the Booster Additive and the
Gel Additive, right?
Yes.
I’m building a redwood deck (surfaced 4 sides, not kiln dried). Do you recommend any application to the boards before instillation, to treat the sides and bottom of the boards?
I understand that is bad for the wood, sealing moisture in?
Also is there a color chart that showes your colors specificly on redwood
You cannot pre-stain wood and you cannot stain all sides as the wood needs to breathe. See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
We offer samples for testing: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Building new home with redwood cedar shingles siding. Can twp 1500 be applied to the shingles before they are put on house?
If the shingles are rough sawn cut, then yes.
we have a summer cottage in Canada and constructed anew deck in the spring of 2020. We are now being allowed back into Canada and need to know what stain I need to purchase. The deck is constructed of treated wood. It is approximately 1000 sq feet plus railings and benches. We are looking at Cedartone
Use the TWP 200 Series for Canada.
What is the solid content of 100 series semi-solid stain compared to 1500 and 100 semi transparent??
It varies based on color but in the 70-80% range for the semi-solids.
I have a treated railing on my deck that I installed last year (see picture). I have about 60 linear feet of railing. Any idea as to how much Cedertone 1500 stain I would need for this? Assuming 2 coats as you recommend. Any other suggestions?
What is the total sq footage of all wood that will be stained?
It was very difficult fir me to remove the several layers of ore-existing paint from my deck. I incorrectly used the Behr stripper product with a power washer. It took roughly 6 or 7 separate applications and countless hours of power washing. As a result – I over powerwashed when stripping the pre-existing paint. Now my deck has uneven levels & grooves as well as “deck fuzzies”. I just purchased the Gemini kit and am planning on purchasing the 1503 dark oak. Please advise on the following;
1) what sandpaper grit should I use when pre-sanding prior to applying the cleaner and brightener? I’d like to go as deep as possible given the unevenness, fuzziness, groves, and potential for foot splinters, but I do not want to impede proper absorption of the 1503 stain.
2) what is the best (and easiest) method for applying the stain once I’ve sanded, cleaned, and brightened? Can I use something like the homeright deck pro listed in the link below?
3) how long does it take (estimate) to ship to Ohio?
4) do you recommend one coat or two?
-60-80 grit paper.
-Use a floor stain brclike this: https://www.twpstain.com/deck-floor-staining-push-brush-detail
-2-3 days.
-2 coats wet on wet.
If I wash my exterior windows with windex, would the squeegee runoff damage the newly applied TWP-1500 single coat stain?
It should not.
Hi I live in St Louis MO and built a deck last Fall. The treated yellow pine is ready for staining and I am interested in your 100 or 1500 series. Most of the deck gets sun from early afternoon to evening.
1) I’m not sure which series to choose, would it matter?
2) I like teak color as it doesn’t pull too much yellow or orange but it is still light, would Pecan be the closest color to that?
3) With this being a new unstained deck, do I need to use your gemini cleaner and brightener or is a different prep involved?
Better pics on what’s happening.
No pics.
I have a large detailed house and barn with TWP applied in 2012 again 2017 and some again 2020 because it’s starting to look fading and dry in som places but every time they do it it looks bad ( different shad and overlaps like where it was dryer and where it would not penetrate in the wood like it wasn’t ready yet it’s like it repelled itself in some areas how do I fix this? Stripping the whole house sound crazy. If it repels water dose it need it?
Yes, you would have to strip it to get it even looking.
I stupidly put two coats of series 100 on a box of new red cedar shingles…..did not read your website carefully enough (and my hubby said to do two coats). The stain did not fully absorb…..they feel a bit greasy.
Did I ruin the shingles?
PS My hubby only went to the “dog house ” for a day!
Thanks!
Let it dry for a week and see if it fully cures.
Looking for TWP 215-40 special -5 did not see it listed . Where ca I get it and looking for cost TX.
Sorry but there is not such a product number for TWP.
Colorado just outlawed the use of two 100 which I use to stain my house each year. What twp should I use in place of the 100.
TWP 1500: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Thank you
I’m making some picnic tables for a restaurant out of Kiln Dried After Treatment Pressure Treated lumber. These tables will be subjected to the normal punishment of the elements, plus regular wiping and abuse that tables at restaurants endure, so I’m looking for the most protection I can get.
We don’t want anything opaque, as we still want the grain and character of the wood to show. Which of your translucent products would you recommend for this project?
The TWP 100 or 1500 Series.
What is the best TWP to use for a new deck that has cured and what applicator is best for the deck surface, rails and steps ? Thanks
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
As for which series to use, that depends on where you live?
I am preparing to re-stain my treated pine deck, which is over 10 years old. This will be the third time in 7 years that I use TWP1500. The painter has suggested using a clear sealant after the stain dries. Do you advise that I do so, and if so, what type?
You cannot top coat a deck stain like TWP with another coating or sealer.
Have a deck with Pergola above part of it, in Alabama with extreme heat in summer. The deck has never been stained, and was built 3 years ago.
I lnow the gemini cleaning kit is needed first…my question is on choosing the right stain. You now sell the new Semi Solid Pro, so what would be the advantage or difference between using the 100 series ve the Semi Pro? Will the semi pro last longer? Give better protection? Just trying to make the best choice, and would love to not have to restain in 2 yrs, if that semi pro would accomplish that!
The Semi-solids will give better UV protection from fading, but the 100 and the Semi-Solids will both still need to be redone every 2-3 years.
So what is the main difference? Semi pro thicker or is there a difference in one being water based and one oil based?
They are both oil-based. Difference is more pigment in a semi-solid over a semi-transparent.
We put up a cedar fence in July. It’s been roasting in the Texas sun since then. We also get lots of rain here our area of East Texas. We’d like to protect it now with your products. When (after how many months) should we apply it; what series do you recommend (100 or 1500); what type of prep will we need to do? Thanks!
You can stain it now. Prep with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Stain with the TWP 1500: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
HI I live in Southern California, where can I buy the TWP 1500?
We sell TWP directly. https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
I have just built a 1000 sqft dock and want to provide the best protection possible. The dock is about 1 ft. above the water and built out of ground contact pressure treated pine.
Construction took about 4 months so age ranges from 1 to 4 months.
What do you recommend?
Wait until Spring to prep and stain: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the TWP 100 or 1500 Series.
I have new rough cut cypress beams. They will be installed this week. Do I have to wait to apply stain/sealant? What product do you suggest ? I live in south Louisiana.
Rough sawn can be stained right away. Use the 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Everyone in our area only carries the 100 series. Do you know anyone in the Baton Rouge , Louisiana area & 25 mile radius that carries the 1500 series?
No, but you can order and have it shipped: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
I have new Yellow Cedar deck. The decking has been sitting in place and aging for about 6 months. I would like to protect it now with a stain or sealer that Is clear and doesn’t change it’s colour. Can you send me a small sample of your product that you most recommend for my deck? I want to try it on a small patch of the deck to see how it looks before I commit to doing the whole deck. Thanks.
Jake
You can order samples here: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Make sure to prep this first: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
We just changed our plaster columns for 10×10 rough cypress columns. Do I need to do anything to prep these columns before I stain them? There is no consistent answer that I have found online. Do they need to be cleaned, sanded, anything? I have a sample of both 100 and 1500 to try on some scraps before doing the final project.
If rough sawn wood you can stain now as long as it is clean and dry.
I’m looking to restain a deck originally stained with TWP 100 dark oak that’s no longer available. Can I restain with TWP 1500 in the same color?
Prep with this kit first: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
After extensive research I applied the TWP100 Redwood Semi transparent stain to my 20 year old deck. Prior to application I had to strip the former stain until completely removed.
I have been extremely pleased with the product. The wood is still sealed after 2 years. Water will form beads in most areas of the deck
However, the color was too red so I would like your advice when restaining. Also, I live in a very dry climate so the wood has some splitting and showing signs of age.
Due to the cracking and color choices i am thinking I should switch to the 1500 series and use the California Redwood.
Do you agree and do yu have any advice
Thank you
You can switch to the 1500 for color but it will not make any difference with the wood cracks. To switch you will need to strip and brighten: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I am looking for a wood preservation as opposed to a stain. My 2 x 4 fir deck is now a good 10 years old and has never been stained but could stand some rejuvination and preservative. Any suggestions?
You will need a stain color for UV protection. Try the TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
I live in S.Carolina and have a 35 year old deck that is still in pretty good condition. i have been using TWP 101 Cedartone stain every 2 years for about the last 10 years. My questions are: 1) Is there any reason to switch to TWP 1500 series? 2) Will switching to the Honeytone color actually lighten the color of the deck at all?
1. No reason.
2. You would have to strip off the TWP 101 if you want to lighten it to the 115 Honeytone: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I applied TWP1500 7 years ago. Am I well advised to stick to semi-transparent, or can I switch to solid stain ? What prep product should I use before I re-stain ? Please advise. Also, what about the boards that I need to replace ? I can’t wait another year to stain !
Use the same stain as last time.
I purchased a clear cedar wood garage door that was built in Southern California approximately 4 months ago. Due to COVID, the company kept it in their warehouse until recently. It is now on my back deck under a tarp. How long should I wait until I stain the door? Also, do I need to sand or prep the wood? It is clean and high quality.
Thanks in advance. I am a huge fan of TWP!
I plan to use 1501 Cedartone.