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.
Remove any leaves or debris that may have collected while the wood was drying. Wear protective gear like rubber gloves and safety glasses while completing your wood staining project. Thoroughly mix the TWP 1500 Wood Preservative using a paint stick until it is well blended. Be sure there are no clumps at the bottom of the pail. If the TWP stain has been sitting for some time, a paint store can shake it up for you.
Use plastic to protect any windows, landscaping, concrete, or siding that you do not want to stain. Begin staining the higher areas first. On wood siding, gazebos, wood shakes, and playsets start at the top and stain your way down. On wood decks, it is best to start with the railings and save the deck floor for last.
TWP 1500 Series can be applied in several ways. Use a brush, stain pad, or pump sprayer to apply. With TWP 1500, the first coat is a saturation coat. It should soak in fairly quickly with the exception of new wood which may take longer. If the wood absorbs the first coat with no problem, a second coat of TWP 1500 Stain may be applied. The more stain that is absorbed the better. Apply a second “wet on wet” coat within 30 minutes of the first coat.
Be wary of over-application of the stain. If you see puddles or drips of excess stain that isn’t absorbing into the wood, wipe them away using a brush or stain rag. Do not stop staining in the middle of a board. Doing so can leave lap marks. Finish each board from end to end once you begin staining.
TWP 1500 Series Wood and Deck Preservative is the only wood preservative registered by the EPA. It is designed for all exterior wood surfaces. It has outstanding penetration properties and excellent UV resistance from wood graying. It has superb color retention and is not prone to cracking, peeling, or flaking. TWP 1500 Series will only fade in time and can simply be cleaned and reapplied as necessary for maintenance.
You mention letting the wood “weather” before applying TWP. Is the same necessary for cedar, or just pine? They are going to be columns and will be under roof (though one side will be subject to afternoon sun).
All new wood has to weather, does not matter the type. https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Hi, I have a 17yr old cedar deck. I used Olympic maximum waterproofing sealant every 3 years until a few yrs ago when the local store stopped carrying it. They sold me on the Benjamin Moore Arborcoat classic oil finish translucent Natural finish. I’m considering using TWP 1500 series semi transparent stain now. Would a DeckBrite cleaning be sufficient, or must I strip what’s left of the old stain? Thanks!
You will have to strip and brighten for prep. You cannot apply a different stain over the BM without removing it first.
The brace supports are new wood…
If new wood, you will need to weather and prep.
So wait till spring? Then use which products?
In Spring, prep with this first: 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
Is it okay to stain under-deck thick cedar curved brace supports now? We are in NC. There is slight checking and wood appears to be dry enough to absorb.
And, if it rains before I can coat the deck, I assume I need to allow the deck to dry another 48 hours?
Correct.
Can I apply TWP if rain is forecast for the next day ?
Yes but it does need about 12-24 hours to dry before the rain.
I need to stain these boards on the front of my house. I’m not sure where to start. I’ve stained different woods before but nothing like this. I’m in central Texas, and the weather is finally nice enough to work outside.
Prep with this kit to remove the current stain: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Stain with the TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
I stained my deck as new in late summer 2018. Cleaned and brightened, applied the honeytone as directed, and it turned out good. Attempted to do the maintenance coat yesterday, blew off the deck, washed two days earlier with a detergent/water as suggested. The stain didn’t soak in very well, and still quite wet. Was planning on getting some shop rags to try and soak up excess. Any other suggestions?
We are in NE Ohio, btw. Had a stretch of warm dry weather
See this: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
I’m wanting to stain my deck before winter gets here. Is the 50 degree rule for 24 hours or just during application? The nighttime temperatures are starting to dip below 50, but daytime is well above still.
It can drop below 50 at night but not below freezing.
Outstanding! Thank you very much!
I have a new P.T. deck that has sat for 12 months. I just finished using the cleaner and brightener. I saw some where in your articles that the wood should meet a certain moisture content but couldn’t find it again. Can you tell what that moisture content should be before staining? Thank you very much.
Is 24 hour dry time before expecting rain enough time for twp 1500 to set up?
Yes.
How do you clean the dripping from the stain that’s on concrete? And how to clean the stain on the vinyl railing?
Try a graffiti remover cleaner for both areas.
I stained with natural cedar tone three days ago. Did not do wet on wet application as it was discouraged by the dealer I purchased from. Stain went on nice and dark with consistent color but has lightened up considerably on the floor of the deck, so much so that it looks like a different color than the railings. Can I apply a second coat to the floor in a week or two, before a hard Michigan winter? If I need to wait until spring, what would be the prep necessary before applying?
Thank you!
No, leave alone until Spring. Do a light wash to remove dirt and apply a coat then. Just use water.
We built a Redwood deck … let the boards dry for 4 months … stained with TWP 1511 … and we have wonderful results! The color and tone are perfect. One or two years from now we will clean and re-stain. For that future maintenance re-staining, should we use TWP 1511 again … or will the resulting two layers of pigment make the deck color excessively dark? I realize it’s hard to know exact results. Any advice appreciated.
Use the same color and prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. It does not get darker.
I’m going to be applying TWP-1500 in clear over a 14yr old cedar deck that I’ve sanded (some boards were flipped), treated with Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener and will be using a rented floor buffer to get out the fuzzies (I wasn’t able to do the cleaner and brightener in quick succession). I have also replaced a few rotting boards with new cedar that was also cleaned and brightened with the rest of the deck. I’m planning to use the floor buffer this Saturday morning and then applying the TWP in the afternoon. There will be at least 48hrs of… Read more »
Can you apply stain where the deck has sun??
Yes.
Surprised at answer since other TWP info says “no” do not apply in the sun. I was just hoping to get verification and a little more info than I’ve been able to find so far. For example: it’s okay if it’s not going to be in the sun for long ……. or something a little more decisive than “yes”.
A little bit of sun is okay. 90+ degrees and in full sun could create issues with uneven drying but this would vary based on the applicators experience.
I have a 15 year old cedar deck. 4 years ago I stripped it and applied Australian Timber Oil from popular brand. I want to use TWP 1500 (Illinois). Do I need to strip it again and how long can I wait between prep and sealer? I can’t get the 48 hours in one weekend. Thanks
Yes, you have to remove the ATO: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Stain after 48 hours and within 2 weeks.
Thanks, I also have to replace a few deck boards and they should weather before I twp them. Do you have any suggestions how to go about this as I want to get the twp on soon this fall? Should I replace the boards after and then do the whole thing again in the spring?
Since it a just a few boards, do it all now. Lightly recoat the new boards in the Spring.
I recently applied the 1500 natural series to my cedar log cabin after I stripped the old stain off.
It looks great but is there something I can apply to give it more of a sheen now?
Is there a sealer that could be top coated to give it that shine look?
No, you cannot add anything over the TWP nor can you add a sheen to any outside wood. It will blister and peel.
My contractor added three support posts to my deck today that was stained three weeks ago with TWP 1500. My contractor commented on how good the deck looks and stated that I could stain the new posts in a few days. He was told at the lumber yard that a new process is being used to treat the pine wood (Severe Weather, ground contact general use 6×6 posts). I did wait one year after the deck was constructed before applying stain. Are you aware of any changes of how the new lumber is treated? And what would you recommend? Thanks
No, you cannot stain new wood right away: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
He is incorrect and it doesn’t matter how the wood is treated, it is a porosity issue that needs to be addressed by weathering and prep.
I am about to stain a deck that has new wood (it’s been aged for a year, treated with the Stain-A-Deck, and had a light sand). I understand that I should only apply one coat this year – what is the recommended method for applying the stain? Brush, roller, or pump sprayer? I’m inclined to spray it with a pump sprayer and then brush it out.
You can spray and back brush or stain pad it.
Spray and back brush is the verdict. Thank you!
I have powered washed my 2 year old treated pine deck which still has some gray boards. Should all gray boards be clear before staining twp 1500 semi transparent deck stain. Power wash has left some glaze mill so I will sand prior to staying. What do I do now before applying twp 1500 stain to never stained 2 year old deck. Appreciate quick response as getting deck ready this month to stain
Can 1500 be applied with a roller
Rollers are not the best way to apply the TWP as it is penetrating stain. Best would be a flat exterior stain pad or brush.
Our deck was built in November 2018. We used the Gemini prep kit as per the label directions, power washed between cleaner and brightener, allowed full 48 hour dry time. Applied one coat of TWP1500 in dark oak color using a stain brush. The finish is very uneven and does not look good. What did we do wrong? Will the second coat in 9 mo even out the color?
Another coat next Spring should help even it out. Not sure that you did wrong but the wood did take the stain unevenly. Not a stain or application issue but the wood itself.
Thanks for your reply. I just noticed a white substance on the floor boards in several places. The staining was finished on 7/17 and this started showing within the last 2 days. We had a hard rain yesterday but not much else since the staining was complete. It does not rub off easily. Do you know what this is?
Sap leeching from the wood. Nothing you can do to stop it. Sometimes you can clean it off with lacquer thinner.
Is sap leeching normal? More and more areas are leechng. We supposedly used a premium deck board, but based on your earlier reply about the uneven finish, I wonder if a lower grade wood was used. Thanks so much for your help.
Not really normal but there is not a way to predict it will happen, stop, or prevent it. It is 99% of the time pine wood.
TWP 1503 was laid down on my deck two years ago. It needs a refresh. Do I need to use the cleaning and brightening kit before I stain the deck again or can I just give it a good cleaning with mild detergent beforehand? The cleaning kit has a mild stripper in it, right. I’d rather not put my wood through that every two years as the wood could be damaged.
Use the Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
It does not contain a caustic stripper.
I just purchased some sample stains and we have decided on TWP 1520. I am staining a cedar deck that was previously covered with Flood water based clear finish when it was new 4 years ago and refinished almost every year after that. It looked great the day I stained it, but went down hill very fast. Lesson learned. So I have pressure washed and sanded the deck and rails with 60 grit and then 80 grit and am down to bare wood and it looks pretty good. My question is, can I apply the TWP 1520 in direct hot… Read more »
We would suggest avoiding the hot sun and direct sun as it could lead to a “blotchy” appearance when drying. This would depend on how fast it is applied. It would be best to do later in the day or the first part of the day if over 90 degrees.
I stained my deck about a month to 2 months ago, I used the twp wood cleaner and brightner 2 step. I used the twp 1500 natural stain. I applied one coat with a brush and look amazing. I am now seeing areas with mold forming. What is a safe way to clean the mold with out damaging the stain? Why I am i seeing mold already? I thought that the 1500 stain prevented mold. The deck is full sun from sunrise to 5-6 pm in the spring. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you
TWP will prevent mildews from growing in the stain but not deck stain can stop mildew from growing on top of the stain. You are most likely a victim of pollen. This feeds the growth of mildew.
Try warm water with dish soap and a car wash brush to clean. Try a product called Wet and Forget after to keep it away.
we stained our deck with 1503 dark oak, we ran out of stain to do the second coat, I just ordered now, can we apply the second coat when it arrives?
TWP is applied wet on wet, not wet on dry: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
If you apply after it has dried, you could run into issues with penetration and shiny spots. It would be better to leave as is and do a light wash in Fall and recoat it then.
It has only been 24 hours since cleaning the deck. It has been very windy for 24 hours. Can I stain today
No. 48 hours after prep.
Had a painter apply stain and after 7 hours it still looks very shiney and wet? Is this normal?
See this: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Hello looking at buying TWP 1530 because I am worried about getting too dark of a wood look. I am unsure what kind of wood the deck is or if it has been treated in anyway at the yard. It has been build nearly three years now, parts have grayed, others molded particularly under the side rails and I am just trying to salvage it before its a total loss. I plan to scrub brush it with…30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner For Algae, Mold and Mildew, 1 Gallon Concentrate after I pick out all the stuff between the boards and thoroughly… Read more »
That is not the correct prep. Use the Gemini Restore Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Tint color is up to you. No need for darker. No need to sand.
Hi. I stained my boards about a week ago but am unable to install due to rain. Is it ok to stack them smooth face to smooth face under cover for a week or so?
Thanks!
Did you prestain your boards before install? You are not supposed to do that: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I would not suggest stacking them.
This is home milled redwood cut into 1x material, stickered and air dried under cover for about four years, thicknessed, then sanded to 150 for siding. Moisture content around 10%. This ok?
Still needs to weather outside if smooth cut wood. It is not about the dryness of the wood but the porosity of the wood. Sanding at 150 is also a bad idea. Too smooth and does not allow proper penetration for a wood stain like TWP.
Hi, not a handy man, so I’m hiring one to stain our deck. He will power wash and stain it. In the past we have used big box stain with fair results. I’m willing to invest in quality, so will purchase TWP 1500. The deck hasn’t been stained in three plus years .
It’s not a dark stain, and we are thinking redwood or California redwood. Is there anything else we should be considering since we aren’t doing this ourselves ?( we know we need five gallons).
Thanks
The previous coatings will need to be removed. Strip and or sand to remove. Brighten all wood after. Once prepped correctly, the TWP can be applied.
I am applying 1500 series stain to my wood siding before I install. The siding is horizontal when the stain is applied. How long should I wait to wipe off the excess stain?
20-30 minutes after. See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I just finished a long process of cleaning and brightening my deck and fence for 1500 stain, but have been delayed by rain in Nyc. The next dry day is forecasted at 46 degrees. Would it be safe to apply? I’d hate to clean and re-brighten next year
46 as the high is below the suggested 50. We cannot recommend doing this but it is very possible it would be okay.
How many hours should you allow after using TWP 1500 before the temp dips below 50 degrees. The days are pretty decent now, but the nights are cooling down. Thanks—Jim
It can drop below 50 at night but it cannot drop below freezing.
I was sent 3 gallons of TWP 1500 dark oak 1503 on May.9th.2017.I wasn’t ready to stain the deck boards till now in OCT.2018, is the stain still OK to use ??It was never opened….BTW all the deck boards 12’x16′ were replaced in June 2015 .I used the restore kit on Saturday Oct.1 and the deck boards look really good . I also very lightly sanded the boards with 80 girt sand paper with orbit sander.We have had a lot of rain in Va but we are in a dry spell for this week so Im hopeing to stain someday… Read more »
Yes, they are good as long as it did not freeze. Stir well. 14% or less is good.
What will happen if it rains the day after I apply TWP 1500?
Most likely nothing.
I have applied the 1500 coat with a roller 24 hours ago. Looks good. There are a few spots where it is tacky. Could I re-coat again now or should I wait until the tacky spots dry or wait until next year?
If applying two coats of TWP it needs to be applied wet on wet, not 24 hours after the first coat. Best to leave as is and redo a light coat next year if needed.
Thanks for the quick response. And yes, if necessary, I will recoat next year.
Does TWP 1500 need to be sealed and if so, how long after it has been applied do you seal it, and where do I get the sealer?
No you do not need nor can you apply a sealer on top of of the TWP stains.
i live in eastern oregon high desert, hot & dry. full southern exposure on deck, which could be 30 yrs. old, maybe cedar. bought house 5 yrs ago & a contractor applied unknown stain, lasted a couple of months. a majority has peeled off since then. thinking of sanding to bare wood to remove multiple spotty layers of previous applications. also to even out curled edges & remove initial cracking. wanted to use 1500. sanded wood is very dry. seems like it would absorb 2 coats easily. do i need to use the prep or restore product on fresh sanded… Read more »
After the sanding (do not sand finer than 80 grit) use the Gemini Restore Kit for the final prep. This will allow the TWP to soak in deeper and remove any sand dust.
Hello TWP, Ok so I live in New Jersey, my deck gets sun virtually all day. The deck is 16 x 20 w/ two sets of 3’ steps and one set of 6’ steps. The deck is 18 years old has been fully prepared and sanded but sun,rain and heat issues are my worry. NJ can get summer thunderstorms almost any time even though rain is not in the forecast. I’ll be working with 1501. My plan of attack is to do all the railings in the early morning and then wait until about 6:30pm when the deck surface is… Read more »
The dew should not be an issue. To do another coat after the first, 6+ months would be better. Do not do a heavy coat. That could create issues with it not soaking in.
I like your plane of attack bu doing the one coat now and doing a light second coat in the Spring would be better.
So I ran out of stain on the last step of my deck a few days ago. Ordered more, just received the can. Can I go back and fill in some spots I missed originally or will it not absorb correctly?
It is hard to spot stain and have it blend. Tyr lightly adding to these areas and then back wiping all after 10 minutes with a rag. Make sure to saturate all oily rags in water and lay flat to dry outdoors and away from any buildings.
i stained my deck a little over a year ago and it looks like it needs to be done again. Originally it had two coats applied with a sprayer which had the stain thinned. i plan to apply this time with a stain pad. do I need to do anything special prior to dipping in?
Just one light coat with a pad. Lightly clean to remove any dirt or grime build up.
I plan to apply my entire deck with a brush. What do you recommend? Stiff, soft, type of bristle, any brand? thanks.
Use a deck stain pad. Much better coverage and easier. Looks like these:
https://www.twpstain.com/padco-stain-pads
Do I have to worry about the horizontal deck surface being too hot for a “wet on wet” 1500 application.
Temps should not be above 90 or so.
Is it bad to apply a second coat around 24 hours after the first coat?
Could be. Depends on how porous the surface is. Do you have a picture?
I can take a closer picture a little later if need be. One pic is before anything. The deck was built shortly before we bought our house about 7 year ago and it had never been stained or sealed in that time. The second pic is after I power washed and the third is after one coat. I wasn’t able to get a second coat down before I started getting sunburned feeling (the temps we in the lower 80’s). The first coat went down on Tuesday. I put a second coat down yesterday and think I over did it a… Read more »
It will dry eventually. Just might take an extra few days. You will be fine.
Oh thank you! I was using foam brushes which work pretty great but they can put too much down also. If after a few days it dries but there are still a few sticky parts should I use a rag and mineral spirits and wipe it away? I think I saw that in another comment. I’m so glad I took the advice of 3 friends who swear by your product! The deck looks amazing! I never imagined it could go from grey nasty wood to such a beautiful color. Ooh I have one more question. I replaced 2 boards and… Read more »
That is sap oozing or water. See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I’m in the process of removing old stain from a cedar deck. In some places the stain already peeled off and the wood weathered, in others (under a flowerpot) the stain was in good shape. I am going to sand the entire surface before application. Do I treat this like new wood? I think the previous stain was applied to new wood without any prep, but it’s been installed for 3 years. (it peels off more like paint, doesn’t seem to have penetrated at all)
After the sanding, clean and brighten for the prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and apply just one coat this year. Do a light cleaning and another coat in 12-24 months. Every 2-3 years after that.
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Can a second coat be put on the next day as opposed to wet on wet second coating? Also railings have been power washed not stripped per request of owner, can we apply TWP color matched on top of previously stained railings?
Hello, best to not coat the next day but wet on wet. TWP cannot be applied on top of a stain of a different brand.
After applying the stain, how many days must the deck stay dry? It has been raining a lot here lately.
About 12-24 hours before rain comes after applying.
Hello,
Recently purchased a log cabin that unfortunately was painted. We stripped the paint and did a light sanding (we are now down to bare wood). Any other steps required before applying TWP 1500?
Has all stain been removed? Can you post a picture?
Sorry, I do not have a picture with me. It’s a log cabin (about 30 years old). The exterior was painted not stained. We removed all the paint and followed with a light sanding. Bare wood is showing.
As long as removed, you should be good to proceed.