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.
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… Read more »
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…
Use the TWP 100. Texas has not changed their VOC laws.
Can I apply twp 1500 over previous twp 100 without stripping?
You should strip to ensure there are to any issues: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I used TWP 101 (two coats) approx. 3 years ago but I need to reapply a new coat due to color fading. Since this is a reapply of the same stain, is it necessary to power wash the deck? Thanks
Yes, you have to prep. Use this kit while pressure washing: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
How long should deck dry after rain before I use TWP
48 hours.
need a stain for compposite patio very confused on what to do
Sorry but TWP is not a composite stain.
I’ve got 40-year-old redwood on a deck, freshly planed (so the wood is super dry). I’ve cleaned it using the TWP cleaner from the Gemini kit. How long do I have to wait before using the brightener? The Cleaner directions say only to wait 48 hours before STAINING. It’s supposed to be low humidity and 100+ degrees here in Southern California over the next few days.
Brighten right away is correct then wait 48 hours to dry before staining.
2 years ago we had Series 200 sprayed onto our 10 year old pressure treated deck and wood fencing. Two questions:
1. What is the best semitransparent stain to use? We don’t need to use 200 again if you recommend something else.
2. Do we have to strip the deck before applying the stain that you recommend?
Thanks,
Dave
1. Where do you live?
2. Yes: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
live in NC.
Use the TWP 100 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
And if I may ask just one more question….why 100 and not 200 for my deck in NC?
The 200 is designed for shakes and shingles not decks.
You have been so very helpful and responsive. Thanks!!!!
My painter just told me he plans to use the 1500 series on my deck because it’s the improved version of 100. It does get a bit confusing and I was wondering if you could sort this out. Should we use 100 or 1500 on our deck (pressure treated) that was last treated 3 years ago with 200. As a reminder we live in North Carolina. Thanks again.
The 1500 would work as well. No issues using it.
TWP 151ll is being applied to freshly sanded vintage clear heartwood redwood siding. Some sections the color looks fine, but on another section while still wet it is turning almost black. Boards in this section had all been in good shape and quite uniform in color and texture before the stain was applied. Can you tell me what’s happening and if anything can be done? Thanks
That would be part of the wood itself as there is not any black tint in the 1511. No idea as to why it is happening but most likely you cannot fix it as it is internal discoloration of the wood.
I have decided that TWP 1500 is the way I want to go, and I have color selected. My project is a cedar picnic table and I want to have two tones. Is there a method for thinning the color of the dark walnut so I can have every other board an alternating tone?
You could use the TWP 1500 Clear to thin it.
If TWP sells the cleaner and Brightener how come the instructions on the TWP dark oak stain can label recommend using bleach. Also can the 100 be mixed with the 1500? I am staining my log siding with dark oak 1500 and my wood continues to look orange. Very frustrating and time consuming to strip/ clean/brighten and the wood to look orange.
Bleach is the old school way of prep and the Gemini Kit is the better way. We would not mix different series.
Any suggestions on how to get the orange look out?
There is not any orange or even red tint in the Dark Oak color. If you are getting some of that after applying then it is coming from the wood itself and there is not a way to change that.
What would happen if I mixed the 1500 series with the 100 series. Also I used the TWP stripper this weekend but after the siding dried it left the wood looking fuzzy. I slightly sanded to smooth these out. I’m down to bare wood. Do I still use the cleaner and Brightener?
Yes, lightly clean and brighten. Do not mix different series.
I cleaned/brightened our deck four days ago. It has been sunny every day at about 65-80 degrees, but last night/this morning the surface of the deck is damp from the overnight fog and 100% humidity. Since it is October 1st in the NW, I am generally expecting this to be the last few days of sunshine. 1. Will I be able to stain today when the surface is dry to the touch? 2. Would using a leaf blower for a while on the surface help out to ensure it’s dry enough to apply the stain today? Thank you.
You should be okay to stain today. That is surface dew that burns off in the sun.
Thank you for the quick response!
After the surface dries out, would covering the cleaned/brightened area with a tarp or plastic to protect from overnight moisture be alright? I may not have a good window to start staining after it dries, as it looks like it may be foggy for a few more hours (and then will be a bit hazy from forest fire smoke). Thank you again!
As long as it is dry you can cover it.
Perfect! Thank you for the information. Next time I do this deck, I’ll be starting in the late Spring and not mid-Summer

Is water supposed to bead up after the TWP 100 stain is completely dried. If not, is it an indication that a second coat is needed? A single coat was applied after heavy but not completely consistent pressure washing. Beading is happening only in a few places.
This was on a 15 year old deck that has has TWP 100 applied 4 times over the years.