TWP Wood and Deck Stain Update for 2020
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.
what should the moisture content of the cedar wood fence be when I use a moisture meter to stain with TWP 100. Thank you.
15% or less is normal.
I just stained our deck with your 1500 black walnut and did not get a second coat on before it dried so is it best to wait until next doing to do that . and if so what prep will I have to do . deck looks great. Just rained and water beads up and does not soak .
Leave alone for now. Clean and recoat in Spring or as needed.
We live in Ontario, Canada. I had new deck built las year in October 2019. Wood is pressure treated from Home depot. I gathered we can only use TWP 200 stain.
Please advise if any cleaning is required and what colour would be most suitable.
Yes, prep with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Any color that you like will work: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-200-series-5-gallon
I have been using Sikkens DEK – Cedar color. It keeps peeling off the handrails on my deck. I heard good things about TWP working with Cedar. Can you suggest a series and colors that would be close matches to the Sikkens Proluxe Cetol DEK Finish (007)?
Thanks in advance.
Steven
I just built new Western Cedar fence about 3 weeks ago. Do I need to clean and power wash before staining this new fence ?
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I was looking for instructions for applying TWP 100 with a sprayer. I did a search but wasn’t able to find anything. Are there any special instructions for applying with a sprayer??
Just make sure to back brush to ensure it is applied evenly after spraying.
HELP. Finished staining a cedar deck in Seattle with TWP100 rustic. Stripped prior by pressure washing and sanding. Used RAD cleaner and brightener. Applied stain to clean dry deck. Was warm and sunny for a week. Looked great. Then it started to rain. Lots of dark stains appeared around the wet areas. Can even see dark spots under roof line where it splashed. Dry area still look perfect…. What’s going on? Help? What do I do?
It is not the stain but maybe something in the rainwater that is causing this discoloration. Not sure what though as we have never seen this happen. The stain itself would never do this so something else is creating this issue.
I had spilled a glass of water earlier and saw the exact same thing, so it’s not from the rain. It’s just water causing this. Do you ever see anything like this? What happens if the cleaner isn’t full neutralized bu the brightened???
Did you sand the deck with steel wool or anything that had metal in it?
No. Power sander. We did clean some metal with steel wool near the deck… could that be the cause? If so any advice on what to do? Can I reclean and brighten but not remove the stain?
If metal dust got onto the deck then yes, this would turn black when the water hits it. Use this to see if it removes it. https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-wood-brightener-detail
I will try it in a spot once the rain stops. I guess it’s possible small dust from using steel wool to clean up the metal railings could have gotten spread around by wind…
Just use the Brightener? No cleaner? Should I let it dwell on the surface long? If this is the issue, will I need to restrain, or should this fix it?
Thanks
Just apply and see if it goes away in 20 minutes or so. Rinse well when done. Hopefully you will not have to restain.
I tried in one spot. Better but not fixed. Any other suggestions to recover? If I strip, brighten and restain will it fix it? I am trying to avoid that of course… lots of lost $ and time
Pictures are before and after with 20 min brightener. Rinsed off. No pressure washing…
Yes, you will need to strip, brighten and restain.
No need to sand to remove this? RAD stripper/brightener followed by restaining will be enough to fix this?
No, I do not think you will need to sand.
Re-stain recap:
Project details:
• 780 sf Western Cedar
• Original build 2017, 1st stain 2018
• June 2020 – Cleaned and Brightener kit
• Stain color – Pecan with Walnut trim
Looks good!
Thanks! I did follow all recommendations but still got a few shiny spots. Love the products!
I have a pine porch..tin roof with supports. it’s 3 yrs old and I was supposed to coat it last year but had breast cancer. So, I am doing it this year. one lady said all I needed to do for prep was light power washing with 1:1 bleach. then, do one coat with TWP 100 (which I chose to use.) Is this the correct procedure?
No, use this prep kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Two coats applied wet on wet.
Thank you.. I figured I needed more than bleach!
Hi. I stained my deck two weeks ago, and it looked great. Two days ago, we had rain most of the morning, and now there are a few spots where i notice white blotches. What could have caused this? I have a half gallon of stain left – should I re-stain those small areas? Thank you!
That is not the stain but mineral deposits from the water on top of the wood. Wipes off with a wet rag.
Thanks for your response! I’ll try to get them off with a wet rag.
Hi I am from Michigan I am planning on cleaning and restoring my deck. It’s suppose to rain in 24 hours does it matter if I clean and brighten before the rain or after.
I would like to install TWP Series 100 dark oak to pine boards that were cut into boards last year, dried about a year, and are getting planed right before installing as board siding. It is for a Michigan lake home, and mold is a concern. I’d like to install the twp stain Right after installing and not wait 9 -12 months , and then touch up with light coat the following year. Will installation be ok? Also, does this have insecticide- porcupines are in the area and have chewed on neighbors cabin.
Sorry but no, you have to install the wood, weather the wood, prep, and then stain for new boards. https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Stains like TWP do not come with insecticides but you can add that into the stain when you applying. It will not stop animals though. Nothing will.
Can you tell me how to get drips of TWP 100 off of unfinished concrete? Possibly Xylene or something else?
Try a graffiti remover cleaner and pressure washer.
Thanks hadn’t thought of that.
I had a two year old gallon of Pecan 120. Bought a new gallon. The side of my deck with the two year old stain beads water after a rain. The new gallon does not. Both applied same day. Why would new stain let water soak in?
They are the exact same formula so should not be any different.
Hi! Which stain should I use for a deck in northeast Kansas – the 100 series or the 1500 series? Not sure I understand the difference between the two. I sanded the stain off the original deck. We added an extension to our deck a couple years ago that has never been stained. Would I still need to use the clean and restore product on both decks before staining? Thanks for your help!
Prep all wood the Gemini Restore Kit. Stain with TWP 100 Series.
Our deck was stained several years ago with Total Wood “Preservative” 101 Cedartone Natural. I noticed the 101 Ceadartone is listed under Total Wood “Protectant.” Not as “Preservative.” Is the Total Wood “Preservative”1501 Cedartone a Label change or is it a different product. Do you use the words Protectant and Preservative interchangeably?
You want the TWP 101 Cedartone, not 1501. Same thing: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
I have a 5/4 cedar deck in central West Virginia it is over 15 years old and need of a major overhaul. The deck is in full sun from most of the day. It was power washed and stained with Olympic semi transparent oil base stain about 10 years ago. Nothing has been done to the deck for the last 10 or more years. I have recently power washed the deck this month Only water was used to clean the deck. I will need to replace some deck boards and plan to lightly sand the deck before staining. I want… Read more »
Use this kit for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Use the TWP 100 for WV.
Why did my pine picket fence come out orange when using cedar tone?
The Cedartone is a Carmel color and the final color will vary based on the wood type and age.
I have a small deck that I previously stained with TWP 1500. I plan to apply a maintenance coat of TWP
1500 to the deck. The deck is located under a roof so that deck boards are not heavily weathered and the
existing coat of stain is in pretty good shape. I cleaned the deck boards with a mixture of TSP, bleach and
water. I did not use the Gemini Restore Kit this time (although I have done that prior to applying the
existing coat). Am I OK with applying the maintenance coat of TWP 1500 stain following the cleaning (after allowing for
drying time)?
Your prep is probably okay for a maintenance coat but we always suggest the Gemini Restore Kit when recoating.
Thank you for your help.
I have a small deck that I previously stained with TWP 1500. I plan to apply a maintenance coat of TWP 1500 to the deck. The deck is located under a roof so that deck boards are not heavily weathered and the existing coat of stain is in pretty good shape. I cleaned the deck boards with a mixture of TSP, bleach and water. I did not use the Gemini Restore Kit this time (although I have done that prior to applying the existing coat). Am I OK with applying the maintenance coat of TWP 1500 stain following the cleaning… Read more »
Hello, l applied stain and l wiped the excess but I see shiny parts on even on the same boards, it’s so frustrating How am I supposed to know if I put too much stain ????After a few hours l tried to remove the shine with a dry towel and now there is fuzz from the towel Can this saved or does the deck need to be stripped again?
I will be applying TWP 1520 stain to the floor of the deck on the east side of my house. Should I apply it in the evening when the deck is shaded but the temperature is in the high 80’s or in the morning when the temperature is in the 70’s but the deck is in the sun?
Thank you
The afternoon would be easier.
Thank you! How long should I wait before I let my dog walk on the deck after staining?
A couple of days. Make sure it is dry to the touch.
We bought a 30 year old log cabin I believe is cedar. No idea what stain was last put on. Which product line would you recommend? Thanks!
Use the TWP 1500 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Make sure to prep well.
Thanks, the company I am looking to hire the job out to uses twp but suggested the 200 line. From reading here I thought the 1500 is the way to go and wanted to confirm.
You could use the TWP 200 here as well with no issues.
Thank you! And sorry for the repeated question. Browser crashed and wasn’t sure it went through.
Thanks! One or two coats if I use the 200?
One.
Thanks, the company we are hiring out to recommend the 200 series. What is the main difference between the 200 and 1500 in layman’s terms?
Prep with the Gemini kit or restore a deck products? Thank you!
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Live in south Texas, on the coast. Overnight temp 80 deg, high daytime low 90’s. Have a treated pine deck, that was stained three years ago with Sherwin Williams Superdeck Semi-Transparent. Have removed that finish with powerwasher, and sanded with 100 grit. Just finished 4 weeks ago. No other prep. 800 ft2 of deck and stairs. Want to stain with TWP 103. Questions: 1) Plan to rinse down once more to remove any surface dirt. Do I need any other prep? 2) How much stain do I need (gallons)? I plan to do two coats, wet-on-wet. 3) To do wet-on-wet,… Read more »
1. Use a cleaner and light pressure washing.
2. About 7-8 gallons.
3. https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
4. Do not stain when above 90.
5. Use a stain pad or brush.
So do I need to buy the kit, and do both steps – the cleaner AND the brightener?
Do you mean don’t APPLY the stain in above 90 deg weather? For instance, can we start in the am and just have to get it all applied before 90 deg temps hit? It will be drying in 90+ deg temp.
1. Do you mean use the cleaner AND brightener kit, or just the cleaner step?
4. Are we ok getting the stain APPLIED before temps get above 90 deg F. Is it ok for it to dry in that temp?
1. Use both.
2. Yes.
I used TWP 1502 to stain a new Redwood fence gate 2 years ago. The color still looks good, but the wood is drying out. Can I use a polyurethane or other sealant on it now? Thanks.
No, you can never apply a coating over the TWP, it will peel.
Thanks. Is there anything I can do to keep the wood from drying out, or should I not worry about?
Not worry about it.
In your advice on using TWP 100 series stain you state “Use a brush, stain pad applicator, or pump sprayer to apply TWP 100 Deck Stain”. Does “pump sprayer” mean that I can use a pump-up sprayer like an Echo sprayer or are you talking about a paint sprayer?