TWP 1500 Stain
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 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 ant 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 play sets 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 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.
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542 Comments on "How To Apply TWP 1500 Stain"
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.
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.
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?
It will dry eventually. Just might take an extra few days. You will be fine.
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.
My deck and pergola is only 30 days old going to clean with gemini step 1 and step 2 can I apply stain in 48 hrs ?
See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Must weather for 4-12 months and then be prepped. 48 hours after prep you can stain.
For cedar siding which of your products is recommended? Is TWP oil or water based?
Use the TWP 1500 Series which is oil based,
Procedures to apply 1500 on new wood spruce rail fence?
Rough cut wood on the fence or smooth? See this for some tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Hello, how long after application does the outdoor temperature need to remain above freezing? Thank you.
24 hours
New wood needs to weather fully exposed after install for 4-12 months and then cleaned and brightened for prep before applying the first coat. It cannot sit indoors or be stacked outside. Has to be installed. See this article for more tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Does the air temperature need to remain above 50 degrees round the clock as well as remaining dry for 48 hours after application for best results , or does the 50 degrees refer to only the temperature when applying it ? Thanks !
It can drop below 50 after you apply but not below freezing. Cooler temps also mean it will take a little longer to fully cure.
My deck guy put too much stain on the new deck (6 months old). It has been 5 days since. The deck has ‘wet’ looking and sticky areas all through the deck and railing. Some areas when I scrubbed with a rag, the excess stain is peeling off. So frustrated as I told him not to apply too much. What can I do about the rest of the excess stain applied? Can this be fixed??
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Will try mineral spirits and hopefully it works. Thanks!
Lacquer thinner may work a little better.
How do I apply the Lacquer thinner? with a brush to the excess stain areas only? Will this remove the stain and will I have to re-apply the stain on those areas?
Use rags to apply and wipe off. Only removes the excess stain on top of the wood.
Redwood deck using TWP 1500 Stain. There are tacky areas that are not going to dry (or absorb). It has ben nearly 36 hours since I applied. And there is unevenness. How do I handle the tacky areas?
See this for tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Applied the 1st coat of TWP 1500 last weekend and had just enough stain to finish the whole deck. I want to do a second coat but now the stain is completely dry. Can I still apply a 2nd coat this coming weekend?
Also, I replaced some of the boards, so the new ones really stand out. Can I give them multiple coats to darken?
Best to wait until Spring to lightly recoat all.
The new wood will not take adtional coats right now. The TWP will not soak in.
Watched a video of TWP 1500 application on YouTube. Contractor stained three boards at a time and wiped down all three boards with a rag to remove or even out any excess. Is this approach recommended for TWP 1500?
Best to do the entire deck and if needed only, wipe down excess that does not absorb after 30-45 minutes. Saturate all oil rags in water and lay flat to dry outside.
It says above for TWP 1500 that, “It has outstanding penetration properties and excellent UV resistance from wood graying.”
Do all colors have UV resistance? If not, which colors offer UV protection?
All the colors have UV protection expect the “Clear”.
Too early. Best to wait until Spring. Prep with the a light washing.
Using 1500 for the first time on an 800 sqft. deck. To apply a second Wet coat of 1500 I will have to walk on the wet wood. Could this create any problems? Will I end up leaving shoe prints?
Thank you very much!
It will be fine. See this for tips on wet on wet: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
TWP is a penetrating stain so it must not have soaked in fully. Back wipe to remove the excess stain. Saturate all oily rags in water and lay flat to dry outside.
TWP is a full curing stain so once fully cured, it will not track on come off.
Thank you for the quick response. I guess the confusing part is that I do not see any wet or shiny areas on the wood. That made me think it is fully absorbed.
I will start wiping it down with rags when I get home. It’s a lot of wood. Phew!
my cedar deck is prepped (2 step RAD) I will be restaining the cedar deck with TWP 1500.
My question is: what is the max time between coats on a wet on wet application. My deck is 30 X 20 and I plan on using a stain pad for application… it might take more than 10 minutes to do one coat
Thanks for your advise
Optimal time for applying the second coat is 20-60 minutes.
It can rain on it the day after applying. Try to stain within 14 days of the prep.
Thank you for the information! Have a great day!
I followed the directions for applying the TWP 1500 Dark Oak stain on my cedar deck, after stripping and then using the brightener. I love the color but on some boards their is a residue of black grit, particularly on the cedar deck chairs and lounges.
I finished applying the stain a week ago. Is there anything I can do now to remove the black grit?
There is nothing in the stain that would create or cause a “black grit” so it must be something else. Feel free to send a picture.
1. See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
2. See above.
my deck was stained over 5 years ago with a different semi transparent stain. can I simply power wash the deck and use twp 1500 at this point.
The old coating will need to be removed first before using the TWP stains. Strippers or sanding. Brighten after.
What is the maximum moisture content of the wood prior to applying the finish?
15% or less.
Hello, can I apply TWP 100 using a roller on the deck surface?
You can but a stain pad or brush is better.
After I applied the stain I noticed the overlap showed. How soon can we apply a third coat of stain. all is dry after overnight. Can we restain today about 24 hr later?
Hello,
You should not add a third coat as it will most likely not dry correctly now. Best to wait 6-12 months, lightly clean, and apply a light coat.
If I use a stainable wood filler, will TWP stain it? Is there a specific type of wood filler I should use? Thanks
TWP will not stain the wood filler to blend. Wood filler does not work on exterior wood with semi-transparent stains like TWP.
how long can 1530 natural be stored and still be effective?
How long after application of the TWP 1500 stain can we put things back (and walk) on the deck (aka drying time)?
12-36 hours is normal. Just make sure it is fully cured and not sticky.
We used this product for the first time several days ago on our front porch. The wood was pressure treated pine and we did all of the prep work according to your instructions. It absorbed very well, almost too well in areas, but looks like it needs a second coat, can we go ahead and do this now, or do we need to wait until next year?
Best to wait since it has already started to cure.
?Will or how might the Gemini restorer chemicals impact the area around the deck where I intend to plant flowers?
Nothing will harm prior to planting flowers. If flowers are already planted, prewet, cover and rinse when done.
Would you recommend using a staining pad or a Brush to apply TWP 1520?
We like stain pads the best as they allow you to “push” the TWP into the wood deeper.
Thank you. This is a new deck that has weathered for 10 months, so the recommendation is only 1 coat this year and then another coat next year? Also do you recommend wiping with a rag after applying the stain with a pad?
Yes, that is correct. One coat this year and one light coat next year. No need to back wipe.
Hi I stained my deck last year with twp 1500 and would like to restain it again this year. Can I just wash and clean the surface or do I have to clean it with the diluted beach mixture.
No, you prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. See this for more info:
Can I apply on masonary chinking as well as logs on our log home??
You can apply TWP over wood, not masonry surfaces.
A company refinished my 20 year old cedar deck in Southern California using TWP 1500. They thoroughly washed it, then the next day sanded every inch of it and applied Natural TWP 1500 the third day. It looks fantastic. However, there are a couple boards that have some wet spots on them even a few days after they have finished. How should I address this? Should I sand, and reapply the stain? How long does the gallon last when stored?
Just wipe off any excessive stain with mineral spirits and a rag. Saturate any oily rags in water when finished and lay flat outdoors to dry.
TWP, a question: We had our deck sealed Saturday by a company using TWP 1500. They started about 9am and finished about 4:30pm, Unfortunately it began raining about 8.5 hours later (around 1am in the morning). Should I be concerned?
It is most likely fine.
I have a log house and I originally treated it with 500 series TWP stain. It’s been re-stained once also with the 500 series stain. The house has been washed and prepped and I’m ready to re-stain the house. Since the the 1500 series has replaced the 500 series do I need to do anything differently?
Also, I still have about 2-3 gal of the 500 series stain left: may I mix it with the 1500 series, or are the two incompatible when mixed?
You can mix as long as the 500 is still good. Nothing different is needed to be done as the 1500 is an improved version of the 500.
You should re-prep again using the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing. You should always stain within two weeks of the pressure washing/prep.
Hi, we waited a little long past summer to get our deck ready. We expect a few days of dry weather coming up. However, the temperature is 70F during the day, but falls to 40F at night. Would we still be good to stain? Or with that low of 40F at night mess it all up?
No issues with these temps.
Great thanks!
Hello, We have prepped our cedar deck with the gemini cleaner and brightner. It will have been dry for 48 hrs tomorrow. We would like to stain with TWP 1500 tomorrow but there is a slight chance of rain for the day after tomorrow. It looks like we are running out of the 3 day dry spells we have been having.
if it rains within 24 hrs after staining will the stained surface be damaged?
What is the minimum window of no rain after staining one should try for.
Thank you for your helpful guidance
Typically you need about 12-24 hours of drying before the rain. Make sure that you do not over apply and the TWP fully absorbs into the wood and you should be okay.
I stripped and applied brightener to 2700′ sq ft of vertical cedar siding in Southern California approx 4 weeks ago. The color we want to use is TWP 1502 Redwood mixed 50/50 with TWP 1500 Clear. Why does stain need to be applied within two weeks, and since I wasn’t able to do that, what do I need to do now?
Within 2 weeks is mostly for horizontals as the wood will get dirty and start to oxidize. You can go longer with verticals between prep and stain. 4 weeks is pushing it though. Make sure it is clean and has not started to oxidize. If needed, re brighten all and rinse.
I stripped all the siding, but didn’t have time to put any stain on the last 1000 sq ft. It has been 2 or 3 months since it has been stripped. At this point, shouild I do anything besides re-brighten before applying the stain?
Use the Gemini Restore a Deck kit. It is both a cleaner and a brightener. Brightener alone is not enough.
Can i use the Gemini Restore Kit in my pressure washer, or does it have to be applied by hand? Thank you.
It has to be applied with a pump sprayer or scrub brush, then pressure washed off.
Thanks!
It would be best to prep all with the Gemini Restore Kit and pressure washing. Stain all after. It is normal to have to reapply again after 2 or 3 years, so it is time.
Thanks you. I am relieved that I don’t have to strip the parts that are still looking good!