Why You Need To Prep New Wood After Seasoning
Seasoning is the term used for allowing new wood to dry out prior to applying TWP stain. The dry time will vary depending on different factors. Your local climate and weather can play a role in the seasoning of new wood. The amount of sun exposure the wood receives each day is a huge factor. Whether it is a fence, roof shakes, or a deck the amount of sun exposure can vary the seasoning period. A deck in full sun for example will season faster than one in a mostly shaded area. On average, the seasoning period is around 4-12 months for new wood and 1 month for KDAT wood.
After seasoning, the new wood should be prepped prior to applying TWP stain. This confuses many people because the wood is new and does not seem like it needs to be cleaned or prepped. But nothing could be further from the truth. To understand why you need to prep new wood after seasoning you should consider the environment. Harsh sunrays will slowly begin to gray wood within a short time. Airborne dirt and pollution will land on the wood and begin to buildup. Human or pet foot traffic drag dirt onto wood surfaces.
Despite all the natural and manmade contaminants that dirty a wood surface from the very first day it is exposed, it also has contaminants from the sawmill. Even before you purchase the wood it will have mill glaze on it. Mill glaze is formed by heat caused by the friction of the saw blade at the mill. This glaze needs to be removed prior to staining or it can jeopardize the performance of the stain.
Prep new wood after seasoning with Gemini Restore Kit. This will clean the wood surface and free it of dirt, grime and any mill glaze. Then allow the wood to dry for several days before applying TWP stain.
Hi, we just installed a new smooth, cedar deck. Our builder has told us that we should stain it within six weeks to preserve the color, but I see here on your website that you suggest letting it weather 4 to 12 months. If we wait four months we’ll be mid-winter, so will need to wait until spring (March/April). Is there any risk of losing the color by waiting that long, or would they color be restored by using RAD? We’re planning to stain it with a clear TWP 100.
He is wrong. Follow the directions in the article:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
It will be fine. Also, if you want UV protection from graying, the TWP must be a tinted color.
Wood filler will not stain to blend when using an exterior wood stain. It will stand out and look like white spots all over your decking. You should remove it first but not sure how or if that can be done.
would the 106 prairie gray hide the woodfiller spots better then the 101 cedartone?
Not sure. Maybe but you should test first.
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
Would sanding help hide them some what?
No.
I’m trying to decide whether to use the 100 series product or the 1500 series product on a new cedar deck installed in April 2021 in Minnesota. If the MN state rules change sometime in the future, would I be able to retreat an originally 100 series treated deck with the 1500 series product (if the 100 series becomes unavailable in Minnesota)?
Also, where can I find the instructions for use of the cleaning system? I would like to understand more detail about what tools and methods are required.
Thanks.
If you need to switch in the future you would use this kit for prep: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
You can read the directions for the cleaning kit in the product pictures: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
What is the benefit of “cleaning” and brightening a new fence if we are just going to let it sit unstained and become dirty again over the “several days” it takes to dry? Makes absolutely no sense to me.
You have to prep new wood to remove oxidation and mill glaze. It does not get dirty again between the days of prep and staining.
I am staining treated wood on a dock that was built last fall. Should I give it two coats? Also, I have some old stain that was not protected from freezing through the winter. Is it okay to use?
Just one coat. The stain probably has gone bad if it froze.
Some stain got on our bluestone, how can we remove?
Try a graffiti remover cleaner from your local paint store and pressure washing.
I have a new (one month old), small cedar deck and live in the NW. Can I stain it with 100 series product after the Gemini Restore Kit? I realize that seasoning is advised, but would sanding hasten the seasoning process? What’s the down side to staining before your advised length of seasoning?
The new wood has to season for 4-12 months. You cannot “speed” up the process. It will not soak in properly if you do it now.
I am going to stain a deck that has one new level and one old. My questions are:
1- should I stain the newly cleaned and sanded (and darker with age) old area now or wait until I stain the new area in a few months?
2- will a darker stain help to match the colors better?
1. Wait a few months to do all. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit.
2. Not really. Maybe slightly but the new wood will always be slightly lighter in color.
Thanks for the help!
[quote name=”Nat”]I’m about to put up a new cedar fence. Am I supposed to let the wood dry in the sun for 4 months before I stain it?[/quote]
If smooth wood, yes. If rough sawn cut, you can stain now as long as the wood is clean and dry.
I’m about to put up a new cedar fence. Am I supposed to let the wood dry in the sun for 4 months before I stain it?
[quote name=”Brooks Miller”]is it ok to use the 1500 on new and old cedar shingles, as well as on my new redwood deck[/quote]
Yes it is!
is it ok to use the 1500 on new and old cedar shingles, as well as on my new redwood deck
[quote name=”SierraRick”]Used stripper and pressure wash, Brightened, but still had several areas of thick prior glaze. Sanded down to fresh wood which looks the same as the brightened area. Plan to wash again to remove sanded wood. Considering lightly sanding the un-sanded area to smooth. I don’t have enough brightener to cover the area. Do I need to re-brighten after sanding or will washing with the pressure washer do?[/quote]
Washing should be okay.