TWP with Wet on Wet Application Tips
TWP Stains are to be applied “Wet on Wet” when the wood is absorbent enough to handle more than 1 coat of the stain. This is typically for wood and decking that is older than 12 months and has been exposed to the elements. Applying the TWP “wet on wet” is similar to applying 1.5 coats of stain. The second coat covers twice as much square footage as the first coat.
Applying TWP “wet on wet” is very easy and not complicated once you understand the simple steps.
How To Apply TWP Wood Stains “Wet On Wet” to a Deck:
- Apply the TWP to the verticals first. This would include the railings, benches, and any vertical walls.
- Lightly apply one coat of stain to the horizontal flooring. Apply to the entire floor surface. If your deck has multiple levels, do one level at a time before moving to the next level.
- Wearing shoes that are disposable, walk back onto the “wet” stain and reapply another coat to the “tops” of and railings, walls, and benches. You may walk on your first coat of stain 10 minutes after finishing.
- Apply your second coat of stain to the horizontal flooring. Take care to not step in or leave footprints in your second coat!
- Finish stairs last, repeating the above steps.
TWP Staining Tips
- Do not apply 2 coats of stain to new wood or decking.
- In most cases, a second coat only needs to be applied to horizontals as the verticals will last twice as long.
- Apply your second coat of stain within 10-60 minutes of the first coat.
- Watching for puddling on the floor. This usually happens under railings and benches.
- Wear shoes and clothes that are disposable.
- TWP Wood Stains can be applied with a stain pad, brush, roller, or sprayer.
If You Need any Help, Please Ask Below!
How soon before I can put furniture back on my freshly stained deck? Second application finished at noon yesterday.
24-48 hours.
I applied 1 coat to a new wood door and let dry before applying a 2nd. I have not used TWP before and just went along with customers request for 2nd coat. Well after 12 hours the 2nd coat is still wet, I find myself on your lovely website Q&A learning about “Wet on Wet”. My 2 mistakes are clear after reading instructions. I am sure stripping everything and starting over is a solid but timely option. Any advice? Should I attempt to wipe down 2nd coat with 50% mineral spirits?
Try wiping it down first to see if that fixes it. If not, then you will need to remove it. Also, only one coat on new wood and you may have not followed the new wood directions: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Applying to aged new pre-treat wood. Verticle only (Railings & Posts). What are outside temperture parameters.?Sunny location, days are 50-60’s currently, night times 40-to mid 30’s.
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Temps are 50-90 for applying.
Thank You and regarding ‘dry/cure’ time if then drops to 40 to mid 30’s about 8-10hrs later, still ok?
Yes but cannot drop below freezing the first night.
I have the following project. We live in Boston. I have Approx 350 ft of old cedar fence, 6ft high, in my yard (15+years old), but most of the wood is in good shape. I don’t know if it was every stained or cleaned at any point (appears not). My goal, is to get a few more years out of this fence prior to selling the home. Have some weak posts that needs fixed, but going to go with cleaning and staining. Prior to coming across your site with lots of helpful info, I decided to buy 30 second outdoor… Read more »
1. No more prep is needed.
2. 2 coats.
3. Not a roller but a stain pad or brush.
4. Honeytone is the lightest.
5. No issues.
6. 3-5 days
7. 50 degrees.
Thanks for quick reply. Awaiting samples. How much stain for size I mentioned and recommended application method? Also is “wet on wet” process what you recommend, and is there a link you have specific for a fence explaining technique?
Thanks again.
Wet on wet as the above article explains is correct. About 15-20 gallons for the two coats.
So applied the first coat on some of the vertices yesterday and the rest today! Can I apply a second coat to the ones I did yesterday?
Needs to be wet on wet when doing two coats.
I appreciate your quick response! Very impressed with your company!
A customer requested that I stain some exterior columns with TWP 101 and then seal with a couple of coats of Marine Varnish. Is this a recommended practice?
No, you cannot top coat TWP with a varnish, it will peel.
What type of sprayer do you recommend for applying TWP 101 on a wooden deck?
A quality pump sprayer will work.
When applying wet on wet on horizontal surfaces do you first wipe down the excess before applying second coat or does the wipe down occur after the two coats are applied wet on wet
You do not wipe down the first coat. Only after the second and only if needed.
What I know of my deck history is: 6 years old, weathered for 1 year, stain and prep unknown lasting 2 years with pealing, stain and prep again unknown lasting another 2 years with pealing. I decided to power wash and sand which has taken the summer to do due to schedule, weather, and physical limitations. Some areas have grayed. In Wisconsin and weather now cooling at night 50’s down to 30’s at times. Most mornings now tend to have condensation on the deck. Would I be better off letting the staining go until next year vs risk getting wet… Read more »
Do in Spri is okay. Prep with this kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
2 coats applied wet on wet. Use stain pads or brushes.
Thanks for your response. I have the RAD. If I buy the TWP stain now, will unopened cans be good for my spring application?
Yes.
Where can I find your product in Canada?
You cannot. We can ship to you directly from our website to your home.
What can be done if after 48 hrs some shinn or wet look or bloch on deck
how long before a dog can walk on after stained?
When fully dry. 24-48 hours is normal.
ty
Replaced all of the boards on my deck last year and had it stains with TWP. It has been a year and not looking so good anymore. I’m thinking the floor needs another coat. What should I do??
Prep with this and recoat: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
wood Western Redwood Cedar
Questions, I am staining new deck boards planned from rough cut, dried for 7 years, I am doing a 360 deg pre coat then installing the deck board, filling screw hole with epoxy give it a lite sand and apply a second coat on the deck surface, The will not achieve wet on wet application but will it work? TWP 100 cedar tone is my stain
Thanks
Erin
You should be treating this as new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Only one coat and wood fillers will not “stain” to blend with the TWP. You cannot and should not be applying two coats.
Finished standing our deck, but it has been raining non-stop for a week. How dry does the deck need to be after prep cleaning? Waterlogged in Michigan
48 Hours after rain or prep.
Do you sell a semi solid oil based stain
We do not.
My husband has completely sanded down our deck and got the old water base stain off. It has been sanded down to look brand new, all old stain is completely gone. We are ready to start staining with a brush. Do we need two coats of stain? I’m thinking yes. And if it puddles at all do we go over it with a clean brush to smooth out any uneven stain after it has both coats of stain? Is it okay to walk on it to get those areas that puddle? Or how would we go about doing so?
One coat since you sanded. Final prep with this kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
A few hours After I finished applying wet on wet It is oily to the touch. How long does it Take to dry?
8-24 hours is normal.
I just put one coat of TWP stain on my deck and let it dry. It is not dark enough…can i put a second coat over it?
Try a test spot and make sure it dries okay after 24 hours.
I’m ready to apply TWP 100 to my deck but it’s supposed to be above 90 degrees for the foreseeable future. I know I need to apply the stain within two weeks of doing the prep. What happens if I apply the stain in temps above 90 degrees?
It may flash dry if you are not moving quickly when applying leading to an uneven or blotchy appearance.
I just applied TWP 100 Pro to my Ipe deck in N Michigan. I put penofins down last fall and had to strip it off, let it dry before application one week ago.
It looks damn good but I think the wood was dry enough that I might be wise to put on a second coat before it gets cold this fall. Is that ok?
I used the natural version because I like the look.
Also, if I want to put down TWP with pigment next summer can I just clean and put it down?
No, only one coat on IPE. You can always lightly clean and add another coat next year if needed. You will need to strip and brighten if going from Clear to a tinted color.
If i go to tinted and just clean and dont strip natural off what is downside?
It will not take to apply a tinted color over the clear.
how long might the 1500 cedartone stain last on an older deck before it would need to be recoated again
Just finished my deck today with 1501 , just wondering ?
Bought a 5 gal pail , used less than half , ready for next time !
Every 2-3 years is normal.
I live in Florida and a month ago friends built me a cedar pergola and a large raised flower bed, also out of cedar. The raised bed is smooth-cut cedar, but the pergola is rough-cut western cedar except for the four 6×6 posts which are that beautiful two-toned red cedar, freshly rough-cut at a sawmill in Kentucky with some of the bark still on the corners of the posts. Since the pergola is all rough-cut, can I go ahead and stain it as soon as we get a day without rain in the forecast, and I assume I don’t need… Read more »
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You can stain the rough cut if clean and dry. No need to prep. You have to prep all smooth wood.
Used TWP 100 Series 2 years ago 1st time staining it was a new deck. Prepped for the 2nd coat a few weeks ago. First we cleaned. After cleaning I lightly sanded then used the brightener on the deck. Was going to stain but found out my stain has gone bad (it’s been 2 years). Just ordered new stain with cleaner and brightener kit. My question is when I get my stain can I just stain or do I need to redo the cleaning and brightening steps again since 3-4 weeks will have passed since my clean, sand, brightening steps?… Read more »
Prep again but it will be a light easy prep. Clean and brighten.
If using a roller, what kind on nap should be used? Is it OK to aoply with sprayer first then roll to evenly distribute stain?
Rollers are not the best way to apply as they splatter and hard to get the stain on evenly. Use a stain pad or brush.
I am building some outdoor furniture from KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) 5/4 pressure treated southern yellow pine. Since this wood has been kiln dried to a low moisture content, would I be able to stain immediately using TWP 100 before placing the furniture outside, or does it still need to weather? Would sanding all the wood components to a particular grit level remove the mill gaze and open the pores of the wood enough to better accept the stain even though it has not yet weathered?
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
Do not sand.
How bad is it to sand? We have a 5-7 month old (guessing based on move in time) yellow wood deck that I’m currently half way through sanding because the builders splashed paint everywhere on it and basically ruined it. I’m sanding with 80 grit to not close the pores. My goal was to finish sanding and then use your stain to protect it.
Will this be ok?
Yes but clean and brighten the wood after the sanding.
Does it matter if I apply after sun goes down?