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!
I’m using TWP 1530 and have run into an issue. I just finished applying the first coat at 730p on a Sunday. I don’t have enough stain to put on a second coat and the store has closed already. There is a chance of rain in the forecast tomorrow at 4p. Can I put on second coat in the morning and finish up by 10a? Or can I wait until the rain is done and the boards have dried for 48hrs and have another 24 hr dry window after application? The boards were at least 8 years old and have… Read more »
You may run the risk of the stain not soaking in and not curing correctly since you did not apply wet on wet. Hard to say if it will be okay or not at this point to apply another coat. You may want to wait until Fall and then lightly clean dirt and apply the coat at that time.
Thanks for the quick reply. I was thinking that after reading all the other comments. I think I’ll wait until fall or spring
Have completed re-staining our deck…….cleaning/brightening/wet-on-wet.
We do not have gutters. I want to apply Wet ‘n Forget to my metal roof before October. Will the W & F harm the stain?
Can W & F be applied to the deck to help alleviate seasonal accumulation of dust, sap , and pollen?
It should not harm the stain but nothing will stop dust, sap, pollen accumulation.
I have a 10 x 10 cedar deck that was stained with Woodsman semi-transparent oil based stain about 3 years ago. The finish did not wear very well. I have cleaned my deck with a deck cleaner and then completely sanded off the previous finish from the railings and deck horizontal boards. I used a detail sander with 80 grit sandpaper to rough up the spindles and vertical support posts – the old finish has not been completely removed from the spindles and support posts. Which TWP stain product do you recommend I use to stain my deck? 1 coat… Read more »
You will need to remove all the previous stain before using the TWP. Just one coat to sanded wood. Use the TWP 100 Series. Any color that you like. You cannot remove grease out of the wood it is deep in the wood. When you redo you clean with this and recoat: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Thank you! I don’t think I can get the product off the spindles and supports. My deck is on the 2nd story with no stairs off the deck. Any suggestions on what to do? Should I use the Woodsman product on the places where I can’t remove the finish? I will choose a TWP color that is close to the shade of Woodsman already on the deck???? Thoughts?
Use the RAD Stripper Kit while pressure washing to remove: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Thank you!
Do I use the RAD Stripper and add the Gel and Booster products to the stripper? The gel additive says that it will cling to vertical surfaces for up to 1 hour. Once I’m finished with the stripper do I use the Brightener on all surfaces? Does the Brightener go on the deck surfaces while the deck is wet from powerwashing the stripper products? Will the Stripper with the added Booster and Gel still be applied with a sprayer or is it too thick to spray? or Is it best to apply the combined stripper products with a brush to… Read more »
Yes, brighten right after you are done stripping and rinsing the deck. You can spray on the stripper with the additives with a quality pump sprayer.
Would you please confirm the steps I need to take? 1. Spray water on shrubs/landscaping and cover with plastic 2. Mix Stripper, Booster & Gel product and apply with a pump sprayer (how long should this sit before rinsing off? Using a stiff brush loosen the old deck stain and then thoroughly rinse with power washer no more than 1000 psi. with fan sprayer nozzle 3. Immediately apply Brightener to the deck with a pump sprayer 4. Allow Brightener to sit approx. 15 minutes before rinsing off Brightener 5. Allow deck to dry completely – at least 48 hours 6.… Read more »
1. Yes.
2. 20-40 minutes. No need to scrub, just pressure wash with less than 2000 psi.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. Yes.
6. Yes, 24-48 hours.
7. Correct.
Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!
I only applied one coat on my horizontal. That was 3weeks ago. Can I still apply a second coat?
Not now. Best to do another coat in the Spring of next year.
Thx
I just built some red cedar columns for our front porch. How long should I wait before applying the two 1500?
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
How long can I wait between strip/brighten and stain?
About 2 weeks is max.
After 2 weeks, clean and brighten again or just brighten?
Brighten and rinse well.
I think I read here that if there is stain sitting on top the wood after the second coat that I should wipe it off with stain rags. When should I do that, immediately or after some time period?
After 30-60 minutes. You must saturate all oil rags in water and lay flat to dry outside.
Is it OK by then to walk on it to do the wiping?
You would have to wipe off any footprints as well.
I have a three year old pine deck. TWP 103 was applied by the builder a couple of months after the deck was finished. The finish on the stairs and railings that are exposed to the sun has faded or mostly gone away and the wood has greyed. The base floor which is under the over hang roof has not faded. Can I just use the Restore a Deck Cleaner on the faded areas to clean and put down the new TWP 103? Can the un-faded areas also be just cleaned and re-stained over existing stain with the TWP 103?… Read more »
You need to prep all the same way and then apply a coating to all: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Zbyszek Chicago Ihave my deck stain 3 year ago with TWP and I plan to do this again so I powerwash an use strip and brighten kit when I was waiting 48 hours to dry weather was changed and rain came for 2 days so what is my next move , wait when everything dry again and stain or I need to do something else before staining
Just wait 48 hours for the deck to dry.
I applied second coat after first has dried (I did not follow directions). It has been 3 dry and it is leaving an oily residue. Any suggestions to help correct my lack of ready instructions?
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
My local big box shook up my 5 gallon can of TWP 100 Cedartone for me. Will that be good for 2 or 3 days? How often does it need to be stirred again?
Stir every few hours when applying.
What is the difference between TWP 1500 and TWP 200?
Is TWP 200 oil-based?
What are the appearance outcome differences? i.e. when would I use one vs. the other?
Both are oil-based. Both look the same once cured.
Do you need 2 coats of the Cap Cod Grey?
One should be enough.
Several areas are uneven as the wet on wet dried quickly in 90s temp when brushing in after rolling on. Some spots are glossy where others look matte. Should we 2nd coat the horizontal matte floor boards so it is even or wait 6 months to 2nd coat? We used 116 Rustic on a 2 yr old tint treated never stained deck. Prep: We cleaned/brightened all-in-one. Rain. 48 hours later sanded and brightened. Application: 48 hours later wet on wet to most of the rails (except for missed parts when too dark). Next day last rail section, floor but rain… Read more »
It is probably fine. Leave as is until it fully dries and cures.
The same thing happened to us and now the shiny spots look like muddy footprints – like the second coat is shriveling up. It’s been a month. Any suggestions? Is this something I need to try to take some mineral spirits to?
Yes, try this.
Do you have any distributors for the TWP 100 Series Stain in SW Michigan or Northern Indiana? I would like to use your stain for my deck in Michigan.
We are located at:
The Sealer Store
2388 Franklin Rd
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
If I have sanded my deck and then used a product to brighten the deck, would I need to use 2 coats of TWP 100 or can I get by with 1 coat? If I needed to stain again in 2-3 years due to fading, would I have to sand the deck again or could I use the same TWP 100 color stain over the previous stain? Could you explain “ wet on wet “ staining again. Thank you for your time and expertise
Please see previous question with corrected email
1 coat should work. Clean and brighten when time to redo, you do not have to sand. Wet on wet is above in the article but you are only doing one coat.
I missed the wet on wet window. Now the first coat is dry. Can I apply a second coat 2 days later? The first coat was absorbed pretty quickly since the wood (2 years old) was as pretty dry after the power washing (see before/after picture). My goal is to not have to stain again for a few more years and if another coat gives me another year or two I would do it…
No, just do the one coat now and another coat in Fall or Spring after light cleaning to remove dirt.
Sanded some kiln dried pressure treated decking with 80grit, applied one coat of 1500 rustic stain and it looks like it is not consistent across the boards. Recommendation is to not apply a second coat. Anyway to make the stain smooth out?
Also, wood likes very orange vs orange-red/brown, maybe due to the new bright wood. Assuming this will darken over time?
Was this new wood and did you season and prep it with the Gemini Restore Kit? You cannot stain brand new wood, even KDAT: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
There is not a way to even it out at this point outside of removing and starting over.
Thanks, appreciate the help. New KDAT and was told by lumber yard to stain it right away and that I did not need to use cleaner IF I was sanding to fix blemishes/stamp marks (wish I saw this site first).
Do you recommend stripping and starting over or should I let it be, weather, and apply a new coat come fall? I can live with the uneven color for the time being as long as it doesnt jeopardize the wood and as long as a future coat will help even it out
They were wrong. Strip it all off now, let it weather for 1-2 months, clean and brighten for prep before applying the TWP.
My cedar deck is about 15 years old. Five years ago we stripped the old, cheap stain off (not TWP) and used TWP 100 Cedartone. It’s now ready for another coat. If we just pressure wash it well, is it really necessary to use the recommended cleaner before recoating? What will it look like if we don’t use the cleaner?
Yes, you need to prep kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
This ensure proper adhesion and appearance.
My home is 5 years old. The builder applied TWP1504-1 – Black Walnut to our stairs and screened in porch. I was able to power wash the stairs and railing but cannot powerwash the screened porch due to it’s height (but I can re-stain it). The power washed area is lighter than the porch. Can I apply this same stain directly to both areas and come up with something that looks good?
You do have to prep before recoating. At least do a rinse off as best as you can.
This is a follow up to your reply. Not sure if I can reply to your reply lol. Ok so I don’t have to do wet on wet ? I can go over a dried coat with a darker color ? I will show you a picture. The cedar and honey are very hard to tell apart. But if you look hard enough. You can tell. So I think maybe the pecan will be the variance I need. I tried dark oak and it was much too dark for me. So dark you couldn’t see the black rail fittings on… Read more »
Pecan is not much darker than Cedartone. You should be okay to apply another coat since it is vertical wood.
Is there a color between pecan and dark oak?
No, but you can mix colors.
That’s what I’m trying now. I did a 50/50 cedar and dark oak. And still slightly too bright so I’m trying a 2/3 cedar oak.
H1 I’ve sanded and brightened a 5yr old cedar deck .I’m using TWP200 series . Question is ! coat of stain or 2 ?
thanks
1 coat.
I got the cedar tone color to do my posts and rails. And then honey tone for my pickets. I winter to do a cool two tone look. Unfortunately. With the variance of wood grain color. The different in cole is not great enough to even tell at all. With the exception of some posts are darker with the cedar tone because they were darker to start with. So I am thinking of doing pecan and honey tone instead. My question is. Am I able to do a dry in wet application. Rather could go over some of these lighter… Read more »
You will not get that much a variance with the Pecan. It would have to be Dark Oak to be able to tell. You could go over the rails with the darker color.
Ok so I don’t have to do wet on wet ? I can go over a dried coat with a darker color ? I will show you a picture. The cedar and honey are very hard to tell apart. But if you look hard enough. You can tell. So I think maybe the pecan will be the variance I need. I tried dark oak and it was much too dark for me. So dark you couldn’t see the black rail fittings on each end of the rail.
I applied TWP 2 years ago and it’s still doing great, though fading a little. If I want to keep it up can I apply a new coat over the top if I clean it? Or do I need to strip it back down to bare wood?
Edit: nevermind I found the maintaining article.
I getting ready to apply TWP 105 Cape Cod Gray, I saw a video that stated only apply one coat of this color is this correct? Should I apply a heavier coating to accomplish this? What happens if a apply a second coat?
Just one coat and not a heavy coat.
Hello! I have a cedar deck that is a dozen years old and has been a few different colors over the years, with the last color 5 yrs ago being a dark grey. I chem stripped the old floor finish off & brightened & powerwashed. Despite the cleaned wood being dark & patchy in appearance (see pic), it’s actually very clean and is practically bare wood again. I’m using TWP 1503 Dark Oak for the new finish. Should I do just one coat, or the wet-on-wet 2 coats? I want good color coverage over the uneven tones in the cleaned… Read more »
I’m going to need to replace a few boards of horizontal floor decking.
Can I go ahead and stain everything (new & old), then go back and add a coat to the new wood 4-12 months later,
or
should I skip the staining of the new boards when I stain the floor and wait the 4-12 months and then stain the new-wood boards? If I do that, won’t I need to redo the whole deck because it won’t match?
Or, should I just wait 4-12 months with my completely sanded, new-looking old-wood boards that have a few new-wood boards mixed in?
Recommendations?
The last.
Now same questions for TWP 1500 (sorry)
The deck is many years old.
I sanded down the deck flooring to bare wood so it looks new (due to failure of previous product)
What is the prep for TWP 1500?
For TWP 100 you said this:
[Prep with this: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Just one coat of stain.]
Would my prep for TWP 1500 be the same?
Do I only need one coat? (ie: I won’t need to do the wet-on-wet second coat?)
Same prep and one coat since you sanded.