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!
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331 Comments on "TWP Stain Wet on Wet Application"
I have a 8 year old deck which I have prepped by cleaning ,stripping , applying brightener. If I apply TWP 100 or TWP 1500 wet on wet this year – in 2/3 years time can I just apply TWP 100 / TWP 1500 directly on top? What would be the process to maintain it in subsequent years?
Prep when reapplying with the Gemini Restoe Kit. It is a cleaner/brightener prep.
I just added a pressure treated wood deck for our pool. How long should we wait to stain and seal? The deck is in full sun and exposed to wind. We live out in the country in northern Illinois.
See this articles about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Hi there,
I have a pretty large deck, and there is no way I could finish staining it within the 60 minute window to do it again w/ the wet on wet method. Is it best to do the deck 1/2 at a time fully (both coats) and then do the other half?
Thanks
Yes, you can do this. Make sure you have a very distinct dividing line between the two sides.
When you say “Do not apply two coats of stain to new wood”, what qualifies as “new”? I installed a pressure treated deck July 2016, going to be staining with 1520 in August 2017. Deck is just starting to fade/gray from it’s green pressure treated state. Will clean with Gemini Restore-A-Deck. Will this be considered new? One coat or two?
That is not new now. Apply two light coats wet on wet.
My painting contractor applied one coats of TWP 100, the next day he offered to do a second coat. Is 24 hours a wrong time for a second coat?
if the wood is extremel dry you can apply a coat the next day but you have to be careful and make sure it fully soaks into the wood.
Can I apply a 3rd coat on dry? I applied wet on wet but on 1/3rd of the deck it is a lot darker than the other 2/3rd. You can see from pictures. I used Dark Oak
Hi Kurt,
We have replied to your previous questions on this. No, it is not a good idea to apply more now. It will not soak in correctly and create issues with drying and curing.
Can TWP be applied to a boathouse deck that has had many coats of Thompson Tinted Water Sealer? It has been power washed.
The Thompsons will have to be removed fully first before using the TWP.
Hi, i live in Costa Rica i am going to stain my deck with your product. The wood is like walnut (costa rican corteza amarilla). The wood was cut a month ago. What should i do? What are the steps? If i have to wait….should i use another product in the meanwhile? And when i have to stain do i have to sand all over again?
See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I have a five month old deck build out of treated pine. Do I need to apply two coats of TWP 100 stain? I live in southwest Kentucky.
One coat for new wood. See this: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Should I apply two coats of two 100 stain on my new deck that I have waited five months to stain. The wood is treated pine.
Hello, no the colors are not off or mis-labeled. You can intermix colors of the same series. See this for more info on colors: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-100-color-choices-and-tips/
Hello,
Sorry you had issues with the application. It is unfortunately not possible to add more stain or spot fix this. It would be best to have them strip this off so it is down to the bare wood. Use the Restore A Deck Stain Stripper. Repeat if needed until all is removed. Brighten the wood after the stripping as well.
CAN I APPLY TWO COATS (WET ON WET) ON NEW CEDAR SIDING ON A SMALL SHED (600 SQ FT)?
See this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Just one coat.
I totally missed how to apply wet on wet and just did one coat yesterday…I assume it’s too late to apply another one now?
Hard to say. Sometimes it works fine and soaks in and other times it sets on on top of the wood and dries shiny.
I applied two coats to my deck wet on wet but did run out of stain for part of it. I want to order more stain for the part of the deck that only got one stain but it’s been a week. Wasn’t sure if the second coat would take as well now that it won’t be applied wet on wet.
It will not take very well after the stain has cured a week. Better to wait until next Spring to to it.
I’ll be staining a solid wood screening panel 96 feet long by 8 feet high. The wood is 10 years old. I used RAD products to strip and brighten it in prep for staining. Imwas planning to apply 2 coats of stain, but just read verticals only require one coat. How will I be able to tell if one coat is sufficient.
Depends on how porous and dried out the wood is. Probably could do two light coats applied wet on wet.
The dark spots around the nails means your nails are rusting and are not treated nails or lost their effectiveness. We would suggest to brighten again to remove the rust.
I keep responding to this but don’t see it after I refresh the page. If I brighten this again, I suspect that I would have to wait 48 hours again then have another 24 hours of dry after staining? what is the down-side to not re-brightening/
Yes on the wait. Probably will not turn out as well if you do not brighten.
Well, I had enough left to re-brighten. Now I’m asking for prayers to mother nature on the drying time! There’s got to be a better way!!!!
Minnesota does not leave us with enough “windows” of opportunity!
Due to Gemini product delivery delays, lost big window needed for prep and staining. The deck has been prepped since the 10th of July and now there is finally enough time for the deck to be dry for 48 hours and then stain and be dry again for 24. I have noticed that there are dark marks around where the nails are now. Do I have t o get more product to brighten the deck again and then wait again for proper drying times or can I still go ahead and stain today?
Why does it say to not do 2 coats on a new wood deck? I have a douglas fir deck at my cabin I’m staining with TWP 1500. I was going to do a wet-on-wet, until I read this. Why should I not?
New wood is not very absorbent. Applying too much of the TWP stain on new wood will result in the inability to soak into the wood grain. This will create curing issues and potential for premature failure.
Yes, you need wood to dry after prepping for 48 hours. It can take a rain within 24 hours after application of the stain.
Does the 48 hour without rain rule apply to fence as well since it’s a vertical surface? Waiting for 2 or 3 days with no rain forecast is tough.
new deck built last year with pressure treated pine. Waited 1 year then cleaned and applied 1 coat TWP100. When can I do a second coat to better blend the coverage? Live in Tennessee and applied the 1st coat in April.
Late summer or Early Fall. Light wash to remove dirt only.
Me too! TN, pine, waited a year, used TWP 100! I just applied 1 coat to the deck yesterday (looks great today!). it absorbed really and well and the color is pretty even. Today I see a few areas that appear to need more stain. Should spot stain those areas (carful not to let puddle), or wait until the end of summer early fall as indicated above? Thank you!
Leave alone for now and do not spot stain. Best to lightly recoat the entire floor next Spring after a mild cleaning.
I am doing teak handrails and mill posts. Where the elements got to it we cleaned it up all the way. Where the elements did not get to it we de glossed. Is there anything special I need to know
You will have to remove all previous coatings fully to use the TWP. As long as that is done and it is clean, you are ready to apply.
The instructions indicate to remove excess liquid 30-60 minutes after the 2nd coat by using a brush, dry roller, applicator pad or dry cloth. How much of the liquid needs removed? Wiping with a dry cloth will remove more liquid than a brush. Is the intent to remove “all” the liquid util the surface is dry or just to remove any standing “puddles” which will take forever to dry? Also, if you step in the final coat can you just wipe/brush out the footprint?
Only wipe off excess if needed. Use a rag. Saturate any oily rags in water and lay flat to dry outside. Remove only the stain that has not absorbed after 60 minutes. You do not want the stain to be over applied to the point that it dries shiny,
Lightly clean with soapy water and rinse.
Hi Bob, it would be best to leave alone and not apply another coat now. You can always lightly clean and apply this coat in late Fall or early Spring if needed.
Lightly clean = ?
1. sweep and rinse
Or
2. Sweep, clean with water and mild detergent and rinse
Or
3. Sweep and ligt cleaning with other cleaning product?
If #2 or #3 what is recommended product to use?
Thanks!
Hi, I would like to know the answer to this as well please!
Use warm warm and dish soap. Scrub lightly with a car wash brush. You just want to remove the dirt.
We live in the very southwest corner of VA, and are ordering the TWP 100 stain for the deck that has been sanded. I followed the wet-on-wet application instructions, but am not clear on how long it will take to fully dry before furniture can be put back out. We have rain in the forecast, off and on, so am trying to figure out the best time to apply. Assuming dry conditions, how long should it take? Thanks!
Anywhere from 4-12 hours is normal for a rain. 24+ for furniture.
We started staining our deck yesterday with TWP100 (rustic). This morning I noticed that one portion of the railing “stringer” looks lighter. It was getting dark and we may not have hit this spot as well as needed.
Can we re-coat this portion? If yes, how long should we wait before trying?
Or does this entire stringer need to be sanded over again?
Please see attached picture.
Just try to touch up the board only. Make sure to stain the entire board and not “spot” stain the light area.
I just had my new redwood deck stained 5 days ago, and unfortunately it started sprinkling 4 days ago, and rained for the past 2 days. The vertical railings seem fine, but the deck stain on horizontal boards is uneven. It is a new deck that aged 6 months. What is the best solution to fix this problem? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Wait until the rain dries off the deck to see how it looks. If unaffected then leave alone. Other options are to leave as is and reapply a light coat next year or strip it off and start over.
Use a stain pad for all areas is best. If you use a pump sprayer then you would only use it for the first coat on the horizontals. All final coats should be applied with a stain pad or brush.
What is the best application process for the TWP 115 stain? I have a 16×20 Redwood deck with railings. Should I brush stain on the railings and then use a pump sprayer for the rest of the surfaces? If I’m to do a wet on wet coat then brushing the main deck surface will take to long or is it better to use a pad or roller?
Apply to all the wood then walk back on while wet and apply again taking care to not step in the second coating.
2 Years is normal for a horizontal deck sruface. Maybe 3 years.
How many years can I go between applications with a Cedar deck in New York State? The deck has sun and shade, not too much traffic. Is every 3 years okay?
I applied 1 coat of TWP 1500 to an old pressure treated pine deck 10 days ago. The deck had been stripped and prepped prior to application of 1st coat. I only had time to apply 2nd coat prior to going on vacation. Can I now apply a second coat to horizontal
surface?
That may not work now that the deck has cured for 10 days. If you over apply, it can dry “shiny”. It would be better to leave alone until next Spring and reapply a light coat then.
Sorry but no idea as to what composite wood colors would match the TWP colors. Best to get some samples of the TWP colors to test from our site.
Twp100 series wet on wet- the recommended wait period between coats is 30 -60 minutes. Can the second coat be applied on the next day after the first coat has dried? Why such a short waiting period recommended between coats? Thanks.
No that would make a wet on dry coat. Needs to be done the same day and within the suggested time frame for it to be properly applied.
Which product will perform better for me, the 100 or the 1500? I’ll be applying to new red cedar and 2 year old pressure treated pine. I’m in Minnesota. Also, can I use a Wagner power sprayer to apply? Thanks!
Use the 100 Series. You can spray it on. Please read this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Either the crack and groove or a brush will work. Does not matter if you do the cracks first. Just make sure the floors are evenly covered and applied.
Should I still apply 2 coats wet on wet for a sanded deck (had to sand to remove Behr semi-trans that wouldn’t strip.
Only if the first coat soaks in right away.
We will be applying TWP 101 cedar tone to an older homes siding. The home is cedar and has areas of staining that need to be removed. We have power washed and test treated an area, we used Revive fro S.W. and it seems to have removed the water staining with minimal raising of the grain.
We plan on wet on wet coats running the entire length of the board to help prevent lap marks. Our air temps will be in the low 90’s with high humidity…..see any issues? Thanks
No you should be good with the application. Just make sure to keep a wet edge.
Just one coat since only 8 months old. Prep first with Gemini Restore Kit.
I put new wood on my deck 8 months ago. I have cleaned it. Should I apply one coat or wet on wet. I will be applying two 1500. I live in NH
You would need to clean and brighten with the Gemini Restore Kit.
I have finshed sanding the original stain from a 6 year old cedar deck. Do I need to strip and brighten the cedar prior to staining with TWP 1500 ?
We have had non stop rain for three weeks. This week will be dry with a chance of rain for the weekend. If I stain my deck at the end of the week and it rains a day or two later, will that hurt it? I am going to use TWP 100 in clear.
You will be fine. Thanks!
Thank you!
Also, if I have left over, how long is it good for?
Please read this:
Thanks!
i just had a new cedar deck installed last month. i have read so much that i am confused.#1 how long should i wait to stain. #2 which stain is best -St Louis Mo extremes cold and hot – south facing deck lots of sun.#3 wet on wet – when i stain – 2 coats or not?
Thanks Mike
This will answers your questions: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the 100 series.
You can use the crack and grove tool we sell on our site. It helps and is fast.
How do you get good coverage of the gaps in the floor boards other than brushing it in? Asking because brushing in the cracks when I stained my 19×32 deck with the old Olympic formula five years ago took a lot longer than a couple of hours, but then I only applied one coat. Concerned about getting the second coat of TWP100 on quickly enough. The deck is four years old and in good shape, and I plan to strip and clean using the RAD products.