Why You Need To Prep New Wood for TWP Stains

by TWP Stains

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.

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Jessica
Jessica
1 year ago

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.

Judy
Judy
1 year ago
Reply to 

would the 106 prairie gray hide the woodfiller spots better then the 101 cedartone?

Judy
Judy
1 year ago
Reply to 

Would sanding help hide them some what?

compare TWP stains
3 years ago

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.

Kyle
Kyle
3 years ago

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.

Marie
Marie
4 years ago

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?

Nick
Nick
5 years ago

Some stain got on our bluestone, how can we remove?

Bob Pelland
Bob Pelland
6 years ago

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?

John Boyd
John Boyd
6 years ago

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?

John Boyd
John Boyd
6 years ago
Reply to 

Thanks for the help!

Nat
Nat
7 years ago

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?

Brooks Miller
Brooks Miller
7 years ago

is it ok to use the 1500 on new and old cedar shingles, as well as on my new redwood deck

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