TWP 100 Series comes in 9 different color choices, 8 of which are semi-transparent. TWP absorbs into the wood grain and "enhancing" the natural color tones of your wood by adding pigments.
Final colors will vary substantially based on:
- Type of Wood
- Age of Wood
- Prepping of Wood
This article will further explain the TWP 100 Colors to help you determine which is best for you. If you have questions, please ask below.
 TWP 101 Cedartone | TWP 101 Cedartone Natural is by far the most popular of the 100 color choices accounting for 60-70% of the sales. The 101 is a traditional Cedar color. It highlights the natural grain of your wood with Caramel/Golden tones. |
 TWP 102 Redwood | TWP 102 Redwood is a popular choice for customers who are looking to add a rich red color. We call this color a "straight" red as it does not contain any other highlights. |
 TWP 103 Dark Oak | TWP 103 Dark Oak is a beautiful Dark Brown that will really enhance your wood. This color is popular for customers who are looking to get away from the traditional golden/cedar colors. |
 TWP 115 Honeytone | TWP 115 Honeytone is the lightest and most natural looking color. This is a "golden" color that will highlight the natural grain of your wood similar to a clean "wet" look. |
 TWP 116 Rustic | TWP 115 Rustic is a red color. This color has become more popular than the 102 Redwood as it is a Reddish/Brown color similar to maroon. |
 TWP 120 Pecan | TWP 120 Pecan is the newest color in the 100 series line and was introduced as an alternative to the 101 Cedartone. This color is what we call a slightly brown/cedar color. Basically a little bit of brown was added to the 101 Cedartone to "tone down" the traditional orange cedar color. |
 TWP 105 Cape Cod Gray | TWP 105 is a popular gray color that is a traditional gray. This color is heavier in solids than other TWP color choices. We consider this to be closer to a semi-solid. |
 TWP 106 Prairie Gray | TWP 106 Prairie Gray is a unique color. We would call this a taupe gray with a hint of coral. |
Feel free to ask any questions in the comment area below.
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167 Comments on "TWP 100 Color Choices and Tips"
I’m in Virginia. I want to use TWP 100 on my new deck this year, and want to recoat a year afterward. What happens if the VOC regs change next year and don’t allow the 100 in my state? What stain would i then order in order to do a simple recoat after brightening?
The VOC will not change anytome soon. If it did, just use the TWP 1500 Series.
What cedar oil stains are offered in a solid color
Sorry but TWP does not come in a solid stain.
How soon after the first application can a second coat be applied. Painter put a good first coat but appears to have been a thin coat. If i want to come back on the top, upper deck with a second coat in a month is that ok? As do i need to use the two part prep prior to second coat?
Best to wait about 6-12 months, lightly wash, and apply a light coat.
Is it possible to get samples of twp color choices
Yes. See this link:
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Does this product work on bamboo…..it not being wood but believe it or not it’s grass. I have 600sq mtrs and have had great difficulty in finding a winner. Even linseed oil is a no no. Thanks for help from experienced bamboo fencing lovers.
Sorry, but it does not work for Bamboo.
Please advise Which 100 stain is more medium brown? I don’t want red or yellowish stain. Thank you!
TWP does not have a medium brown. Dark Oak is a darker brown. Pecan is a cedar brown.
Is the gray thicker and more app to peal
The grays are closer to a semi-solid but are not prone to peeling.
I am applying 115 honeytone wet-on-wet to my deck. The deck is 35 years old pressure-treated), but it was covered with solid stain all those years and I had it all sanded down to bare and power washed. How long before I need to re-stain? If keeping the same color, what prep would be required? Also, is it OK to stain when hot and humid?
Redo every 2-3 years. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. Do not apply when over 85 degrees.
What happens if it is over 85 degrees?
Could dry unevenly.
I used dark oak today on my deck out of a five gallon barrel. I stirred before I started applying but not again after that. When I started applying it was much more transparent then what I have in the last gallon. The deck has a bit of a reddish tone where the last gallon is a rich chocolate brown. Any thoughts?
Most likely it was not mixed fully at start and it settled during the application. The pigment can settle to the bottom and a drill mixer is suggested to mix the pigment into the stain evenly.
Can I mix in a gallon of a darker TWP 100 series color to the pail of 102 “redwood” to reduce its redness? If so, which color would you recommend?
Yes you can. Try Dark Oak 103.
I recently used 102 redwood color on a con hrt rdwd deck and the colors redder than i like. when i recoat in 9-12 months can i use a lighter color, like cedartone. thanks c.r.
To go lighter, you will need to remove the Redwood by using the Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kit.
We applied twp 116Rustic two years ago to our cedarwood deck. The verticle surfaces have retained the color but the horizontal surfaces are fading and need redone. We are wanting a more brown tone…thinking of applying 120Pecan. Will the 120Pecan tone down the existing 116Rustic after we have cleaned the wood? Do we need to apply deck stripper and brightner or can we just clean and brighten?
No it will not. Best to strip and brighten for the prep.
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Can I mix clear and dark oak to lighten the color of the dark oak a bit without creating any issues for myself?
Yes, you can mix the TWP colors of the same series.
Is the cedartone semi transparent? Thank you, Aaron
Yes it is!
How do I go aboutgetting (3) 1/4 pt.samples?
We have small sample bottles (not 1/4 pints) on this link for testing:
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Is cedartone 101 the same as Cedartone natural 101?
Yes it is.
I bought 3 gallons of TWP 101. Should I mix all together for even color on my deck? Or will that not be an issue?
Yes that would help.
Cumaru deck: We are building a Cumaru deck and would like to apply TWP 100. We are thinking a clear coat. Which colors in your chart MOST closely resemble the natural color of Cumaru? I’m thinking maybe the 102 or the 115. Lastly, will a pigmented stain provide better and longer protection than the clear?
The Clear 100 without tint will not provide UV protection from graying. 115 and 102 are tinted and will provide UV protection
Thanks. WHICH color is the CLOSET match to CUMARU ?
All the colors will enhance the grain of the wood. Not sure which way you want to enhance? More Yellow, Red, Brown, etc?
Love the dark oak. Not sure i want it that dark however, but i DO NOT want red or gold in my stain. Alternative? Yesterday our deck was partially stained until i saw the color and nearly died. please help me.
You can add the clear into the dark oak to lighten the color.
I’ve stripped, cleaned, sanded, brightened, then applied ‘wet on wet’ TWP 101 Cedartone on a cedar deck. I’m unhappy with the color. Probably should have gone with Honeytone. It seems overpoweringly orange. Is this expected?
That is the correct color for the Cedartone. It does tone down in color after full cure.
Closest tint/color to a wet look is the Honeytone 115. See this about new wood:
I have really enjoyed reading the information you folks have on your site. It’s straightforward and informative, and I have bookmarked several pages. We’ll definitely be using your products when our deck has dried sufficiently for prep and protectant.
Thanks for your quick reply.
I just had a brand new rear fence installed with all redwood materials. I am looking to get the fence stained but did not want to use the redwood color stain. I’ll be ordering the TWP 1500 series, and was looking at the rustic or pecan colors. Any suggestions on which one of these colors might look best on the redwood fence? I’m looking for a more brownish tint, and trying to stay away from the golden and orange colors. Thank you for your help.
Try the Pecan or the Dark Oak for a brownish color.
What is difference 1500 between clear and natural?
To make dark oak lighter should I use natural or clear?
Clear does not have any color. Natural is tinted. To lighten the Dark Oak, use the Clear,
I have 4 year old cedar decking that was previously stained with TWP dark oak. Have sanded the decking down using 100 grit and like the weathered look it left. Looking to use TWP again but don’t want an “orange” color. Is honeytone the right choice?
Honeytone is a golden tint. We do have sanples on our site so you can test.
Is there a clear instead of colors in the 100 series??
Yes there is a clear option. You can choose this when ordering, under color choices for the 1 gallon or 5 gallon size:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-100-series
Can TWP 100 stains be custom-tinted to match a previous stain?
No, it cannot be custom tinted.
I’m looking at using TWP 100 or TWP 1500 for staining my cedar fence. The fence is about 3 years old and its not peeling and only slightly grayed on the top cap. Would I have to strip the old stain first or just power wash it before applying your product? The colors you have don’t match exactly, so I assuming I will have some type of blended color if I apply it over the existing stain, presuming you say I don’t have to strip the old stain off. Thx
You would need to strip and brighten for the prep. This way the TWP is able to properly penetrate into the wood grain.
Hi,
I’m in mid Missouri and just completed a cedar tone, PT pine deck. how long should I wait until I coat it? Would 101 be alright? Do I need any prep before applying to the new deck after letting it weather awhile?
RIch
Hello, see this link that will answer your questions on new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
The TWP 100 is the proper series.
No issues as long as you prep correctly. Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prepping. We would suggest the Pecan for this deck.
Im gonna be staining my cedar deck & doin a two tone. Im interested in two colors, dark oak & honeytone. Do u have samples of these colors so i can test them out before i buy 5 gallon buckets of it?
http://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Thanks!
I have a few more questions. Whats the difference between the 100 series & 1500? Also do u suggest ur product for new cedar wood or should i wait a few months to let the wood weather a bit?
I just stained my deck with Pecan 100. I absolutely love the color! How long do we have to wait to walk on it?
24 hours is normal. Just make sure it is dry.
The Pecan will last as long as the Rustic.
installing new Cox Durapine 5/4 x 6 kdat decking, can i pre stain before install?
No, need to wait a month, prep and apply just one coat.
I’m looking for a nice tan / light brown with no real red hint to it. I think the Dark Oak is too dark. Do you happen to have any photos of a 50/50 mix of Pecan and Dark Oak?
Sorry but we do not have photos of any mixes. They are mixable though. Might want to get a couple of samples from our site to test.
Did you try mixing the two colors? I am looking for something in between.
Did you mix? If so, how did it turn out? Any pics?
I applied 101 Cedar Tone about two years ago. It is in need of a maintenance coat. I would like to go darker and thinking the 120 Pecan. Can this be applied as a maintenance coat or would the 101 need to be stripped off? Thank you
If you prep with the Gemini Restore Kit, then you can go darker with the 120 Pecan.
I have used 206 Russett Brown in the past. Which color in the 100 series is the closest to the old #206?
Closest would be the 116 Rustic but it is not the same color.
I just applied the 100 series TWP Clear yesterday to my pine deck. Can I apply another TWP product such as Cedartone over top of it with out having to do any prep?
No. It will not take properly over the clear. You will need to strip it off and brighten the wood for prep.
I just applied a single coat of the prairie gray to my newly installed deck (pressure treated wood). unfortunately I am not pleased with the look (more pink/purple than gray) of the stain and was wondering if there was any way to strip it completely. I was thinking of going with the Pecan color instead but I worry that there will be residual prairie gray left over.
It is not easy to strip a freshly applied coating of TWP. It can be done but you may need to strip a few times to get it all off.
your site notes that “Rustic” as a color similar to maroon…maroon is quite a deep red, is that accurate?
Yes it is a reddish color with a hint of brown.
101 Cedartone.
Thank you. Is the Cedartone in the picture at the top of the page the 100 series or the darker 1500 series?
What is the color of the deck in the picture on the top of this page?
Cedartone
I stained with TWP 100 2 years ago. Can I change to gray this time?. First time was honey tint.
If you prep correctly first then you should be okay. Pressure washing and the Gemini Restore Kit.
My husband is concerned that semi transparent will not show enough of the wood grain on our log cabin. We used a semi transparent behr deck stain a couple years ago on our deck and it does not show much grain, if any. Please advise.
TWP shows all the wood grain and does not mask it. It ehances the grain with the color you choose. FYI, the Behr will need to come off completely first. You cannot apply TWP over it.
Planning on staining prepped lakeside deck and dock mid-Michigan area this week with weather forecast of high 60’s daytime, dropping to high 30’s at night. Need to apply late afternoon to avoid direct sun. Will there be a problem with successful outcome with nighttime temp as forecast?
Yes that will be fine as long as it does not drop below freezing over night.
Can you mix two of the 100 series colors together? The cape cod gray and the cedar tone?
You can mix TWP colors together if you would like on your end.
Hello, this article explains the color. In addition it might be best to get a few samples to test from our site.
I would like a suggestion regarding 2 color choices. One color on floor and top rail, another for the spindles. Not too dark or light for the floor color. Thanks!
I am looking to go with Cape Cod Gray (105). Curious as to how it would hold up with an 80 lb. boxer using the deck/stairs everyday? Not wanting to have the peeling of a solid, but not exactly sure how much of a stain it is. Any suggestions? The deck is about 10 years old, and I will be stripping and cleaning prior to application. Thanks
All stains will wear from hevy traffic after so many years from a heavy dog. It does not peel as long as it it prepped and applied well.
You can use it on a wood table.
I am looking to stain a table I am building that will be staying outside year round. I have read excellent reviews of TWP 100 for use on decks, but I am curious if it is a suitable stain for a table surface where people will be eating.