Last Updated on January 19, 2021 by TWP Help
TWP Wood and Deck Stain Update for 2021
Welcome to the official help site for TWPStain.com.
TWP® 100 Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. Containing unique ingredients that protect the wood from damage, TWP 100 Series has been a leader and respected product for over 25 years.
TWP® 100 Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® 100 Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes warping, cracking, splitting, and prevents freeze damage in colder climates. Use TWP® 100 Pro-Series to Restore and Protect YOUR GREAT OUTDOORS!
TWP 1500 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 TWPStainHelp.com 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.
Do I watn to use the stripper if I have any kind of stain on my deck that isn’t the current TWP that I am going to use, correct? Then in the future I just use the cleaner?
Strip and then brighten is correct.
I want to restain with TWP 100 Rustic. 5yr old pressure treated pine deck was stained at about 1 year old with an oil based medium brown Olympic stain. Most all of the stain is gone from decking. Much remains on balusters/railing and perimeter rim boards. I have neglected this deck for the past three years. A contractor wants to pressure wash and then apply the TWP. He thinks the pressure wash will be enough to remove the old finish. I need advice.
You will need to strip and brighten to remove the old stain: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I have Cypress Post on my front and back porch that were stained with TWP100 Dark Oak about 3-4 years ago. The front side of the post are heavily exposed to the sun and weather. The other sides of the post are still in great shape. See pictures attached. Two of the pictures shows the deteriorated portions on the front of the post. One pics shows the condition of the other 3 sides. I live in Louisiana. What would you recommend be done to re-stain the post? Can you just redo the bad side?
Prep with this and redo all sides: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Thank you for the very quick response. TWP is a great product. Did a patio addition and used TWP100. Wouldn’t use anything else.
For use with a pump sprayer, can I dilute the TWP1501 with paint thinners to make it spray better?
No, do not dilute or thin the TWP. It will spray with a pump sprayer.
I have a bench (4×12) on stone legs. I used twp 101, cedar tone, on the wood. Can I put a coat of marine varnish on it, or is this unnecessary? Or, do you all have something else I can put on to insure the wood won’t rot.
No, you cannot top coat the TWP. It will peel.
Great. Thanks for the quick response. I use this stuff on my deck as well. Best stuff for the wet NW.
I need a more opaque stain. The sun in northern California is so intense: I have stained with 1500 series each of the past two summers and it is faded and aged looking by the following spring. The semi-transparent 1500 is not doing it here. I love the color and the look for the first two months (it is SO better than the crap at the big box stores). What can I use to resist the intense heat here (20 days over 100 last summer). Thanks
I am sorry but TWP does not come in a more opaque stain and that is allowed in CA.
Have pressure treated deck installed in Sept of 2020. Ready to stain deck with TWP 101 cedar tone. Do I need just stain or do I also need deck restoration kit. Deck is 668 sq ft and is in mountains of NC.
You will need the kit. See this for tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Last year I sanded down my 30 year old deck and applied 1501 cedartone TWP. Best ever and longest lasting I have ever used. What is the best course of action for second year? Do I have to use every year or is there a maintenence application?
If it looks good then leave it alone until year.
then clean and redo with same 1501 maybe in third year?
Yes, correct.
Do you have interior stains?
We do not.
Is twp safe to use on a pressure treated deck? Deck has been complete for a year and has never been sealed or stained
TWP works great for pressure treated wood.
What product would you suggest for Ohio? One being a pool deck…. I’d prefer to stay clear or light colored. Probably honey toned coloring.
Thanks!!!
TWP 1515 Honeytone for this.
We refinished our deck with TWP over 24 hours ago and it is still tacky. I’m pretty sure we may have applied too much stain (101 Cedar Tone). We prepped the deck by power washing and using a deck cleaner and then applied two coats on both verticals and horizontals but did apply it wet on wet but my definition of wet on wet might have been different than what can specified. Unfortunately your website is far more informative than instructions on can and I should have come here first. The dew point might have been somewhat high since we are expecting rain on Thursday/Friday and it was Tuesday when we applied stain. Should I give deck a certain amount of time before taking any action to fix? If deck remains tacky what would be best to do? Thank you in advance for your help.
You over applied but it should dry. Give it another few days. You can also wipe your deck with rags and mineral spirits to remove the excess stain that is on top of the wood to help speed up the process.
Note: it is very important to saturate all oily rags with water once done. Lay the rags flat on the ground outside to dry fully.
Thank you very much for the fast reply! I really appreciate it.
I am trying to preserve the natural color of yellow pine live edge siding. The TWP dealer recommended 115 honeytone. The product went on nicely and looked like a good color until it dried. I now have a very mustard colored siding especially on the softer trim boards. Would there have been a better color to use and will anything soften the dark yellow hue?
It is not possible to soften the color but it will fade over time. Honeytone is the lightest tint with UV protection.
Installed a bamboo fence mid fall of 2020. how to clean and prep for staining and what products to use?
Sorry but the TWP 100, 1500, and 200 Series that we sell will not work on bamboo.
Hello. We have a new 6 month old deck; Pressure treated pine; never stained. There appear to be a few “weather” stains. We live in a suburb of NYC.
Any answers / feedback to the following questions would be very much appreciated:
1. Is TWP 100 available in NY?
2. If not do you recommend TWP 1500?
3. Are they any distributors in Westchester County?
4. We would like a transparent or semi-transparent stain color that comes
closest to the original pine color. Which
colors would you suggest?
5. Will we need to power wash the deck before it’s stained?
6. How many days of dry weather are required both prior to and after staining?
Thanks!
Twp 100 annual maintenance …..I like to apply a maintenance coat annually…Is it ok to just use one coat if the original looks good? jim
As long as you prep first prior to applying: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I am having a new front porch constructed at this time . We have 2 vertical peeled cedar posts (recently peeled). They are about 10 foot tall and a foot in diameter. I would like to keep the posts about the same color. What is the stain that would be recommended for this project and will I need to wait 2-3 months before staining? Thank you, Dean D
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
It is not possible to maintain the same color. For UV protection from graying, a stain must be tinted and that means the color will be changed based on the color you choose.
Can you stain over twp if I don’t like the color results? I used pecan on cypress and it is to orange.
You would need to remove it for prep and then restain.
Looking to stain outdoor furniture newly constructed from Douglas fir (two chairs and two chaises). All of the furniture will be exposed to the Arizona sun and occasional rain/monsoon season. We plan to cover the furniture when not in use though.
The wood appeared freshly cut when we bought it, but it started drying quickly because we had to store outside. It hasn’t been stained yet.
I saw that you recommend waiting 4-12 months before staining for decks. Is this true of furniture, as well? Can TWP be used for outdoor furniture?
Yes you have to wait and prep. TWP can be used for furniture.
I have replaced some boards in my deck. I know I have to wait on them to weather. Can I go ahead and stain my old boards. I have already pressure washed them and will clean them with Gemini Restore Cleaner.
You can but it is much easier to do all at the same time.
I will be applying TWP 100 to my prepped deck…my husband wants to roll it…(a friend who recommended TWP said he used roller with great results) what kind of roller and nap should I buy? I did buy your recommended deck brush but they are reluctant to use it….
Do not use a roller. Use a stain pad or brush. Rollers splatter and make it hard to get on evenly.
https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools/brushes-stain-pads
Hi I am reading about this great TWP Deck Stain. I sanded my pressure treated deck ( 6 years old) completely and used a plant oil base solid stain that looked great after I finished.
This spring after the winter where ever there was a knot in wood board the stain came off.
Will this TWP stain stick to any knots on the surfaces of the wood board?
You cannot use TWP over a different stain nor can you spot apply to just the knots. You will need to 100% remove the previous coating first.
I plan on removing all the stain by sanding.
Question will TWP stain come off where ever there is a knot in the board?
TWP is a penetrating stain so no, it does not come off in spots around the knots.
I am concerned if the stain will come off when it is applied to the top of the knot
No, it is a penetrating stain.
Ok, thanks for your help.
Have a good day.
Dave
For the past 35 years I have put series 100 cedartone on my log home. I am cleaning my home with restore a deck. If I strip the whole house with restore a deck stripper, will I be able to change color to series 100 redwood? Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Yes.
I have 2 cans of TWP 1520. Side of can says “low VOC” the other can says ” 350 max VOC “. What is the difference? Where is the manufacture or expiration date?
Same product. Mix them together before use.
Please where is the manufacture or expiration date on the gallon can?
Should be on the bottom or side.
What caulk matches cedartone 101 the best?
Sorry but no idea as the final of your stain on your wood will vary based on wood type, age, prep, and amount of coats applied. Best to test a few.
I’m noticing the tip section does not mention application by roller. Is rolling out 1500 not recommended?
Stain pads and brushes are much better for applying vs a roller. Rollers splatter and are harder to get the TWP evenly applied.
thanks for the timely reply. I failed to mention that i was going to be applying to about 1200 ft² of fencing
Spray with a pump sprayer and then back brush it.
Hi, I have a couple of questions. I’ve never used TWP before but have an older gentleman who’s asked me to quote restaining his deck. He has had TWP200 used on it before and it is in great shape even though I see the 200 is not for decks, though I don’t know why there’d be difference. We’re in the Raleigh, NC area and his deck is very shaded being bombarded with leaves and acorns currently. Anyway, my hopefully quick questions:
1) There is no way to keep the leaves and acorns off during drying aside from a lot of tarps. Also it’s been very dewy and I saw where the website says to avoid dewy conditions and I think temps below 40 degrees. Is this a bad time to consider restaining? That seems to be the gentleman’s main question.
2) The deck is fairly old but as I said in great shape. Has some green in places, otherwise just regular dirt and worn spots from foot traffic. Does the 200 stain need to be stripped or just cleaned? He wants to keep the color the same. They’ve been using 206 Russet.
3) Would I need 2 coats because of the wear from the foot traffic?
4) If there really is a valid reason for switching from 200 to the 100 or 1500, is the “Rustic” essentially the same color as “206 Russet”?
1. Leaves or acorns would not harm the stain while drying.
2. Cleaner and Brightener for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
3. Just one coat.
4. Stick with the same. Colors are not equivalent.
Thank you very much!
Per TWP’s recommendation on square footage and age of cedar fence, I purchased 25 gallons of TWP 1500 stain. I stained this weekend and only used 17 gallons. I have a brand new, 5 gallon bucket still in the sealed box left over (aside from the 3 gallons still in the open container). Can I return the unopened 5 gallon container that is still in the box? Thank you, I appreciate it.
The order arrived on September 9, 2020 for reference. Thank you
See policy here: https://www.twpstain.com/refund
What is the shelf life of opened leftover 1516 stain?
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/shelf-life-of-twp/
In San Antonio, TX where we have very hot summers . We had many days 100 or above this past summer.. Deck gets sun and shade. We have both humid and very dry conditions.. Should we go with 100 or 1500? Is there a chance the 100 will go away as it has in some states.. I want to be able to re apply as needed in future without all the stripping…