Welcome to the official help site for TWPStain.com. TWP 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 TWP stain help 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.
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839 Comments on "Official Help Site for TWPStain.com"
Re-stained our cedar deck a few weeks ago. Just noticed that the TWP stain from railings has dripped onto black aluminum balusters–the drips become visible when the sun hits the railing. Tried cleaning the balusters with mineral spirits, but the drips don’t come off–they disappear when wet with mineral spirits, but re-appear immediately upon drying. What can we do?
Try a water-based graffiti remover from your local paint store.
Thank you! Will try and report back on the results!
I applied 1500 series (clear) on my mahogany deck last year – it is covered – but some areas have been bleached by the sun. Pictures are attached – just your thoughts on if I can go another year without reapplying – or if I should reapply – I guess you suggest cleaning with the Gemini kit then putting on the stain – do I put one coat of stain on or do the wet on wet again? thanks
Looks good to wait until Spring of 2019. Prep with Gemini Kit.Two light coats.
I used the Restore a Deck kit, on my 4 year old never been stained cedar deck. Waited the 48 hours to dry and stained with TWP 100 in the color Pecan. I hate the color, it is too orange! Now what do I do?
To switch colors you would have to strip and brighten with this: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
What do I have to do if I switch brands? I don’t see a color I’m looking for in TWP.
Same thing as the previous post.
In late July, we used your 350 Max Voc (after cleaning and brightening) on our pressure treated pine deck. Didn’t have enough for 2 coats.
1) Can we apply another coat this fall?
2) Which of your new formulas should we order?
Which series did you use before? The 1500? If so use the same but do this light prep and stain in the Spring.
I have cedar railing around my house in Maryland as well as cedar post for our mailbox. The builder used Helmsman spar urethaneon all the cedar. It has quickly deteriorated in the sun.
I plan on using TWP1500 Honeytone. What is the best method to remove the old stain? Do I sand and then use cleaner/stripper or just use the stripper/brightener?
Thanks for the assistance.
Regards,
Chris
Sand it off then clean and brighten for final prep.
Price per 5 gl 100
On this link: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
i have 5 gallons twp 1500 8 years old is it still good
Hard to say. Open it up and make sure there is not any clumping or skinning on the surface. Make sure it mixes 100% smooth. If it cannot and has the large clumps, then it has gone bad.
I have holes in deck boards from broken deck screws and had to screw new ones right next to the broken ones. What kind of caulk or filler should/can I use to fill the holes? Do I need to fill holes? Should I do this before or after brightening (using Restore) before I stain. I am planning to use TWP 1500 in dark oak. Thanks.
Caulk or wood filler will not work on exterior wood and will not blend with the stain. Do not use it. It will look really bad and not last.
I’m interested in your 100 series Cape Cod Gray, but notice that you say it is more similar to a semi solid stain. Does that mean less penetration and eventual peeling vs. other colors?
It is still penetrating but less transparent.
Have two 2X6 deck boards that have bled and discolored on my 45X20 deck. Deck is 5 years old and was stripped/brightened with Restore-a-Deck this past May and stained with TWP 100 Cedar.
I thought I had overcome the bleeding with the complete re-finish, but you’ll see in attached pic that it’s baaaaack.
What can I do short of replacing the two boards……or is replacing the easiest way to go?
There is not a way to stop this internal bleeding/discoloration. Probably need to replace.
I work for a home builder and we use twp for the decks. I have a homeowner that the stain seems to be coming off for no apparent reason. I was wondering if you have ever heard of this problem or know what would cause it?
It would be improper prep and/or over application that would cause the TWP to not be able to soak into the wood correctly. If this happens, you can have it dry on top of the wood instead of in the wood, creating this potential issue.
Thank you for your prompt response. Would it be best just to use your suggested cleaner to clean the excess and should it be restained?
No. You would need to strip and start over. Was this wood new?
Thank you for the prompt response. How would you suggest cleaning now and would it need to be restained?
David, we already responded to this. No. You would need to strip and start over. https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Yes it will have to be restained.
Was this wood new?
What prep do I need to switch from 1500 to 100?
You would need to use this prep kit: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I have used this before (1500 series) on my porch railings, and love the product. I have some chairs with unfinished teak arms that are starting to mildew and blacken, and wonder if this is suitable to use on those, or if a specialist teak sealer is a better bet? Any guidance, if I use it, on the best color to select?
Any color would work for the Teak. Many use the Rustic for a deep reddish brown color. Just one coat for the teak wood.
I have and 10 yr old deck I power sanded with a commercial floor sander all the old stain off. it look like new dry sanded wood do I need to clean and brighten, or can I just apply the TWP 1500.
Clean and brighten with the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit for your prep after the sanding.
Have been doing research on deck staining and or sealing there is a lot of products out there that claim all,I have a boat dock that is 2.5 years old and was built with pressure treated lumber it has never been stained or sealed and now is the time the dock is in Houston Texas fresh water lake high heat and humidity could you advise what TPS products to use.tks Ron
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and stain with the TWP 100 Series:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
The dock was built about 2.5 years ago with pressure treated wood
I have a dock shill with pressure treated lumber that is now about 2.5 years old has never been stained or sealed what TPS products would you recmend.The dock is in Houston Texas need I say more hot and humid thanks Ron
If rough sawn wood and dry, you can stain right away: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
the stain still smells really bad after five days of drying, and it also still feels oily to the touch. What can we do about this ?
This happens when there is over application of the stain. Try to speed this up by removing some of the excess stain. Use rags and mineral spirit to remove the excess stain that is on top of the wood and not drying.
Very Important!: Take all oily rags and saturate them in water when done. Lay flat to dry outside and away from the house, garage, etc.
Going to use Cedartone 101 on a 10 month old new cedar fence. I bought 5 gallons, plus the “Bug Juice”.
I am here in the “sunny” Pacific Northwest, where it eains from October 1 to May 31 each year.
Do you recommend a mildewcide / fungicide additive? Which one? THe two big local paint companies out here (Miller; Rodda) won’yt warranty their exterior oil based paints unless one has added mildewcide / fungicide.
TWP already contains an EPA registered mildewcide.
Thank you for the prompt resonse, and the welcome news that I don’t need an additive.
Thanks again/
I am really pleased with the stain. I’ve used every type on the market, Thompson’s, Behr, Wolman’s, Olympic, etc. My deck is 20 years old. The color is beautiful, I used honey, and after a year and a half it still looks great. My question is can I power wash it, just to clean off the surface dirt without hurting the finish? Also, how often should I reapply?
Thanks for your help.
When reapplying every 2-3 years, prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. If you are just cleaning to remove dirt, etc, use water with a little bit of dish soap so you do not harm the finish.
We have a gallon of TWP 1500 remaining from a 5 gallon can used in a project 4 years ago. It was put in a new clean can and sealed. Is this still useable?
Hard to say until you open it up. If any skinning or clumping, then it has gone bad.
Just finished staining new, weathered 1 yr, cedar deck with 101 Cedartone. About an hour after finishing an unexpected 1/2″ rainfall popped up. Is all my work ruined?
See this for tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/it-rained-on-my-twp-how-to-fix/
I am in Canada and bought 8 cans of the TWP 100 – cape cod. Absolutely best stain I have ever used. Wife would like it more gray and less “cape code blue”. Her words. What are my options – I do not want to affect the performance of the stain. Thanks – Jay
Hello,
Sorry, but it is not possible to tint or change the color.
i have a 20 y.o. deck in good shape in butte montana. i used shermin williams semi transparent stain with sad results. it is a huge deck with plants everywhere around it, so i want to sand before using twp 1500. what grit should i use, thank you.
Start with 60 and finish with 80 grit. The SW must be removed fully before using the TWP.
I just stained my log cabin with TWP100, cedartone. What Chink do I need to select?
Any brand should work.
Hello,
Wood putty will not work with exterior wood and will not “stain” with the TWP to blend. It will look like white patches everywhere.
You can mix colors together of the same series.
For new wood, see this: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You will need to weather 4-12 months and prep correctly with a cleaner and a wood brightener. Sanding is not the correct way to prep.
Only one coat on new wood.
Correct. For KDAT, wait the one month, prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. This opens the wood grain compared to closing the wood grain if you sand. Just one coat of the TWP the first time.
The wood filler will not stain with the TWP. It is strongly suggested to not use wood filler as there is no need for outdoor wood and it can create more issues than actually doing any good.
The post plan should be okay
I’m going to use 1500 Dark Oak on my new log home. My porch ceilings are rough sawn boards and will absorb much more than the log walls. Can I mix the Dark Oak 75:25 with 1500 Clear for those ceiling to get more transparency? UV isn’t an issue there. Thanks!!!
Ues you can mix the colors of the same series.
You can just clean and recoat as needed.
Oh great .. what do i clean it with??? and thank you again
The Gemini Restore Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
We have an intricate front door we would like to strip.
It has a type of stain that seems to be flaking off. Im not sure
what the previous owners used.
Would your stripper be a good choice for something like this?
We do not plan on pressure washing it.
No. That sounds like a polyurethane and that will need to be sanded off.
Staining a second-story new redwood deck. Should we clean, brighten, and stain the underside too? And if so, should we stain the underside before the top in case there is overspray between the boards?
No need to stain the undersides.
The TWP 1530 Natural is tinted. TWP does come in a Clear but “clear” without tint means you will not have any UV protection from graying. See here for samples: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
I have some left over mixed cleaner solution. How long do they last? Can I use it in next 4 – 6 weeks? (I apologize if you already answered as I cant find the precious post.)
No. The cleaner is only active for 12 hours once mixed.
Thanks for your reply. With regard to Honeytone, Cedartone, and Natural, which stain is darkest? Which is lightest?
See this for color tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-1500-colors-explained/
Does the 1530 Natural stain have any anti-UV properties? I believe your discontinued “clear” stain (can’t remember the series) did not have any. As a general rule, the darker the stain, the more UV protection? Thanks.
The Natural is tinted and has UV protection. The Clear is not tinted and will not have UV protection. It is also not “discontinued” and available for sale.
Yes, darker colors will give longer UV protection.
Can TWP be used on Epoch, EverGrain composite decking? Which of your stains should I use?
Sorry, but the TWP products are not for composite decking.
I used TWP on my deck about 4 years ago and am not sure if it was 100 or 1500.
If I want to use 1500 this time, what should I do to prep?
Thank you!
Use this for the prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Use this for the prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I don’t know much about wood work. So my question is, does lower voc mean less results? I live in a desert and need strong UV protection for my exterior doors and furniture.
Not with the TWP stains.
Just used Pecan TWP on my deck , 1 coat, and think it may be too light. Can I use a second coat of TWP Dark maple which I have or mix some pecan and dark maple and apply a second coat?
Best to not do this now. Wait a few months or Spring. Applying now and it may not cure correctly or dry shiny. Lightly wash before reapplying to remove any dirt.
See this about shelf life: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
See this about returns: https://www.twpstain.com/refund
Has to be stored in a temperature controlled room.
I have 5 gallons of 1500 clear and want to get a color additive to make it red cedar color? Can I buy a color additive?
Sorry but no, you cannot tint the clear and we do not offer a color additive. You can intermix colors though of the same series.
1. For a dark brown, use the TWP 1503 Dark Oak: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
2. Use this for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
3. The same amount
how do I get it in Canada?
Only the TWP 200 Series is allowed in Canada and we ship it directly to you from this link: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
What is the difference between the 200 and the 100? Is there a difference in the formula? something missing in the 200 that allows it to be shipped to Canada? thank you
VCO complainct is the main difference. The TWP 200 is 250 VOCs, which is what your country allows. The TWP 100 is a 550 VOC product.
are they both oil based products?
Yes.
Is it advisable to put down a third coat? The cedar was very dry and was sanded clean before I stain per the instructions.
The old adage more must be better?
Thanks
Brent
Derry, NH
No, do not do that. More is not better as the TWP needs to soak into the wood grain. Too much stain applied, it will not be able to soak in fully.
I completely refinished my deck last year ( ‘Restore a Deck’ stripper, power washing, sanding brightening followed by to coats TWP 1520). Several sections of the deck are now mildewed. Is the ‘Spray and Forget’ product compatible with TWP 1500? What do you recommend? Thanks
The mildew is on top of the stain and the TWP contains an EPA mildewcide that prevents growth in the stain. You can try the wet and forget to remove it. It will not harm the TWP.
My pressure washer is rated 2800psi. How do I limit the pressure to the recommended max of 1500psi.
Washing at 8-10 inches away from the wood will cut the pressure by 1/2.
Is twp petroleum based?
Oil based.
Who are the dealers in Minnesota, near the Twin Cities? Sherwin Williams is no longer carrying the product.
Hello, we are an onlie dealer that ships to your area. https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Can TWP 100 or 1500 be applied over Armstrong Semi-Transparent Stain?
No but you can easily remove the Armstrong with the Restore A Deck Stripper and Brightener Kit.