Best Way to Apply TWP 100 and 1500 Series Wood Decking Stains
It is best to first measure the wood surface of your staining project. Do not forget to include steps, railings and spindles if you are staining a deck and double the footage of a fence if staining both sides. On average TWP covers approximately 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon. The newer the wood the less stain it will take. Older wood is more porous and will absorb more stain.
Prior to applying any TWP stain be sure the surface is free of dirt, grime, mildew or any old coatings. Use a wood cleaner when no old failed coatings are present. If an old coating is to be removed use a wood stain stripper instead. Allow the wood to dry for 48 hours after cleaning.
The best way to apply TWP is with a brush, roller, stain pad, pump or airless sprayer. Be sure to mix the stain well prior to opening. Use protective gloves and safety glasses and cover any plants, landscaping, concrete or windows you do not want to get stain on. Apply a light coat on one or two boards at a time or in a small section. It is best to work from one end of a board to the other then move on to the next board. This will help reduce overlap marks.
If one coat soaks in fairly quickly a second coat may be applied. A second “wet on wet” coat should be applied within 30 minutes of the first coat. Be cautions of over applying TWP Stain. If excess puddles of wet stain remain after a reasonable amount of time and or not being absorbed do not allow the stain to dry. Wipe away the excess with a clean stain rag or back brush the stain to blend it in. Leaving excess stain on the surface to dry will result in an unappealing shiny finish.
do I need to have a 24 hour period of time with temp between 50-70 degrees to apply stain? what if, after application,
it drops below 50 at night
It can drop below 50 the first night but it should not drop below freezing.
Stained 4 years ago with TWP 100 (Pecan) after letting new cedar deck dry 8 months, then doing the recommended cleaning and brightening. Verticals in pretty good shape still and I can imagine will come up well with cleaning etc and re-staining with same color TWP 100/120. My concern is the horizontals – where the stain seems to be partially gone in some areas and mostly still there in others. Can I just clean the horizontals like normal, or do these need to be stripped before re-coating? Oklahoma – high heat, high UV and freezing during winters. Thanks!
Yes, strip and brighten for prep since it has worn unevenly over the years.
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit
I applied TWP stain yesterday and noticed I unintentionally went lighter on some boards compared to the rest. Can I still add another light coat today (next day) to make it more even? Has not been 24 hours.
Typically no. Second coats gave to be applied wet on wet.
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
400 sq ft deck (new, pressure treated 5/4×6 boards)
When to apply 1500 series?
Gallons needed for two coat wet on wet application?
The new wood needs to weather. Do it in the Fall. See link for prep and applying to new wood:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
How me I know the finish of the product?
Sorry but we do not understand your question.
Just stained my deck with semi transparent stain I ran out of stain about 4 feet from the end but it had a very small coat on it what will happen if I coat it 2 weeks later will it work or how do I make it work it is rad stain
Once the first coat has cured you cannot add more for about 6-12 months and after prep.
I applied the new coat 2 weeks ago and now see the instruction to apply a “wet on wet” 2nd coat. Missed that. Any prep recommended before another coat?
You cannot apply another coat now since it has cured. You will have to wait 9-12 months and then prep before applying.
Can I spray or apply TWP deck stain with a pressure washer using low pressure?….Will it not work or not for use in a pressure washer?
No, you cannot apply a deck stain with a pressure washer.
Can you use mineral spirits to clean off excesss twp on deck?
https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Should I apply TWP 100 to the underside of the deck boards?
No need.
What if the only stain the wood has is the original stain the wood came with prior to being installed??does this still need to be stripped?
If a different brand of stain then what you plan on using then yes, it has to be removed.
can I use TWP which is 3 years old?
Most likley it has gone bad.
I’m confused about the “wet on wet” guidance. The recommendation is to apply a second coat after 30 minutes, most likely when the most recent stained boards are still a wet. So on a deck, wouldn’t it mean that we may need to walk over the most recent stained boards in order to apply the second coat so soon? And since it may take about two hours to stain the first coat by brush, could I re-start when completely finished the first coat all over? Why the wet-on-wet suggestion? Thanks
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
Hard to say for certain as it depends on the porosity. Do a test board and see how it dries after a day or two. Make sure it is not sticky or tacky.
Cleaned my deck over two weeks ago and weather not cooperating. It maybe awhile before I can stain/preserve it. When the weather does cooperate can I do a lite powerwash to clean? Or do I have to use a deck cleaner again? What does the temp and humidity level need to be for application?
If it has been longer than two weeks, you should redo the prep by lightly pressure washing. use a cleaner if it has gotten dirty in that time. Temps are 50-90. Humidity does not matter.
Airless tip size recommended for a fence
Any fan tip will work. Wider is easier.
Just properly cleaned deck and now the weather is not complying. How long do I have to put stain on? How long will deck stay clean (neutralized with oxalic acid)?
How long should deck dry after mild rain?
How long does it take for stain to dry and then cure?
Stain within 2 weeks of prep. 48 hours after rain to stain. Dries in 6-24 hours.
I have an outside handrail that I will stain (no previous stain so will clean prior ). I remember reading a recommendation to not stain all sides of the wood because of possibility of lack of air flow preventing drying. Would that also apply in this case where a handrail is completely open to the elements ( except for where it mounts to brackets)?Thanks in advance for your advice!
All exposed wood is correct for this.
Many thanks.
I am needing to stain a pergola to match the fence (using TWP dark walnut). The fence (made of pressure treated lumber) is only a couple months old whereas the pergola is several years old and wood has turned the typical gray. Was planning on mixing the stains and testing to be able to achieve the same/or very close for the fence and pergola. Can I do that? Also, do I need to do anything other than power wash the pergola before staining?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep for all wood. You can mix colors of the same series.
My contractor used TWP last year when he built the new redwood deck.
I would like to put another coat of stain on this year as it already looks weathered… reading this stuff, do I have to strip my wood EVERY year that I want to reapply a coat? What happens if I just put another coat on top?
Also, how can I clean the deck without harmful chemicals or bleach for the plants and wild animals below the deck?
You do not have strip but you have to prep. Use the Gemini Kit. https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
You cannot recoat without prepping.
What happens if you don’t prep it? I recoated my pergola and fence with the same TWP that was used the prior year (before I read all of this) and it looks great. I’m wondering why it is so important to clean and prep if the wood isn’t that dirty?Thanks.
It will not look good, probably prematurely fail, and your warranty will be void.
Well, I recoated without the prep solution 5 months ago and it still looks great.
My deck is situated over a cloth-type covered lower deck. It can’t be removed and would be very difficult to cover. The biodegradable Gemini cleaner says to wet down all vegetation before and after using the cleaner… will the cleaner ruin my lower deck covering?
Not sure, best to test a spot first.
My plan is too re seal/stain my deck with the same TWP product (picture) that I’ve used before. One note – the deck boards were some type of pretreated to provide maintenance free decking.
The contractor that applied the last time over applied the product which left white spots of residue (picture) on the deck. Should I fully remove the old product from deck boards before I add a new quote? What will thin out or remove the white residue spots as pressure washer didn’t fully remove them? Am I using the right stain sealer product? Any other recommendation would be appreciated.
Yes, use the RAD stripper and brightener kit for prep here. You are using the correct TWP.
I have a relatively new pool deck. I let the wood weather the last year and I’m ready to stain this year. Do I need to do 2 coats with new wood?
One coat, see this for tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I put one coat of dark oak stain on my fence yesterday. I would like it to be a little darker. Can I put another coat on since it has dried?
Do a test spot first to make sure it dries okay as second coats are supposed to be applied wet on wet, not over dry stain.
I have a pretty large lower deck that we are gradually replacing all deck boards. It has been 1 year and I will be staining a portion of the new deck. The smaller upper deck only needs to be stained. I have no idea what brand was used originally on either deck. How should I prep the upper deck and which product would you recommend? We live in mid Missouri on a lake. Also would you recommend your products to protect marine board?
Thanks-
Laurie
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
As for any older wood, please send pictures so we can help with the prep. Use the TWP 100 Series for the stain. You can use it on marine wood.
So i just finished staining my deck & not sure whether or not to apply a 2nd coat. I finished it yesterday and have allowed it to dry. I wouldn’t say the 1st coat soaked in immediately but seemed to be dry in about 4-5hrs. Should i apply a 2nd coat or since its been 24-36hrs would it be pointless to do so?
Second coats are to be applied wet on wet, not wet on dry. Leave as is.
We’ve sanded over-pigmented water-based preservative (Okon) off 38-35 year old redwood clapboard siding. TWP instructions rec washing after sanding old wood to remove dust. But 35 year old nails are producing iron stain when stripped wood washed in sample area. What is best alternative to washing, to prep for application of TWP? Recs for removing iron stain without having to redo whole boards also welcome.
That is rust and nothing you can do to prevent the black rust spots. It will happen no matter what once it gets rain on it. Brightener will help to remove it but it will come back once it gets wet from the rain. The only way to fix is to replace the nails and not sure if that is even possible in your scenario.
Thank you, but not a very useful answer. I know that it’s rust which is why I don’t want to follow TWP instructions to wash siding with water. Never had any nail rust on this siding in 30 yrs of weather. It only happened after following TWP’s instructions to wash freshly sanded siding before applying stain. I do not want to apply water directly to any more of the sanded boards for this reason.
So I was asking for alternative, non-water methods of adequately removing dust on all the siding before applying finish. I also suggest that TWP not advise customers to wash sanded siding, as TWP1500 instructions do, without testing for nail reaction in unobtrusive spot.
The prep products or washing did not cause this to happen, it was the sanding that removed the protective coating that prevents rusting from the nail heads that caused this to happen. Please do not blame the TWP products or advice for something that was not the fault of either.
Or advise is sound and correct. The nails are rusting since the coating that protected the nails has been removed. It will happen when it rains as well and gets the siding wet.
The only way to remove the sand dust would be to use water. You can skip this step if concerned but as we mentioned prior, brightener will help to remove rust and that means you will have to get the one section wet again.
Once stained with TWP will the TWP protect the nails from creating rust stains?
No, a stain cannot protect from rust happening. Normally this is never an issue as nails or screws are pretreated to prevent rust. Only happens if non-treated nails/screws are incorrectly used or if somehow the protective coating from the nails/screws are removed.
I am confused. You recommend TWP 1500 as best for a new deck, however, in all these comments, everyone is using TWP 100.
We need to stain a very large new deck built with pine. Can you please tell me the best stain?
It depends on where you live and which series is allowed there?
What are the best settings to use for applying twp 100 series with a graco xr9 airless sprayer?
We are not familiar with their settings, sorry. TWP is very easy to spray.
I’m going to be applying TWP 100 to a new deck. Do you have any recommendations for the type of roller pad and nap thickness?
See here about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Do not roll. Use a stain pad or brush: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools/brushes-stain-pads
if I apply a second coat of stain within 30 minutes, won’t my footsteps on the first coat be an issue?
No, see for tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
I am restaining a Log home in utah, it was first stained with redwood. Now we are changing the color to pecan wanting a new look. Can I just apply the pecan over the redwood stain. Or do I need to use the cleaner brightener first?
You need to strip and brighten first to change: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Can you apply TWP to seating surfaces or table tops that bare skin may come in contact with once stain is thoroughly dry?
Yes.
is there a stripper you could recommend to remove the TWP?
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
I have a douglas fir front door that showed signs of weathering. I don’t know what the original finish was. I sanded the surface, removed the dust and applied TWP cedar tone. Before appling TWP the door had a uniform appearance. When I applied TWP the surface has dark and light blotches. What would you recommend to correct the blotching? Thanks for your assistance. P.S. we used TWP on another property and It worked great!
The blotchiness would have to due with the porosity of the Douglas fir wood grain and how the wood takes the stain. Ther is not a way to change how the wood takes the stain.
We have a Douglas fair front door. .y husband d applied TWP on it. Can we apply an oil stain over TWP?
No, TWP cannot be top coated.
Help I used the air sprayer now I have stain “dust “ in my vinyl siding! How do I take it out? Ty
Try a graffiti remover from your local paint store.
When staining the deck with air spray, do I stain the rail first?
Does not matter but most will do rails first.
Does this work well with air spray? Do I need to brush it after air spraying?
You can spray the TWP with a pump sprayer or airless sprayer. You will need to back brush to ensure an even application.
I applied series 120 last year and just didn’t realize I was supposed to add a cleaner before applying a new coat this year. The second coat makes the deck look wet, but it’s actually dry. I still have about a quarter of the deck to do. Should I just proceed with adding the second coat over my deck stain or should I clean the the whole Deck with Gemini and restart?
Appreciate the help.
Actually you will need to strip and start over to fix this since you did not prep correctly and is now filming on top of the wood: https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit-detail
Should I fill small cracks in my wood before applying TWP 200 or will TWP 200 fill those small cracks for me? Cracks are 1-3 mm
No. Filler will not work on decks and will not blend with the stain. The stain also will not fill cracks. Just leave then as is.
Can you apply a second coat after the first coat dries?
Depends on how porous the wood is after the first coat. You do not want to over-apply it.
It is Sunday. There is rain in the forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday. Can I clean and brighten my deck today or tomorrow (Monday) and then apply TWP later in the week, after the rain stops? Or do I have to apply the cleaner, brightener, and then stain with no rain in between between applications of the brightened and stain?
Yes, you can prep now and stain after the rain.
can you apply a somewhat thicker layer on old wood that has been cleaned
No.
Hello,
I finished applying TWP200 late last night around 9:00pm. This morning everything looks great, except they’re a few areas that I missed. Is it ok to try and apply over those specific areas?
It is hard to spot apply and blend. It would probably be better to apply one very light coat to all wood.
Ok, but the first coat was applied 12 hrs ago, so this would not be a wet on wet application. Will there be any issue with the second coat absorbing into the wood?
Possibly but the depends on how absorbent the wood is. It may take a few days to fully dry.
Ok, I’ll apply a light coat over the entire deck thank you so much for the quick reply! Your product is great! Thanks
We used several gallons of TWP 100 stain last year on our deck which had been built in 2018. We had prepped it with your cleaning system. We have a person scheduled to put the second coat on in May. There are a couple of small, black “streaky” areas on 2 of the top railing boards. Do we need to wash the deck before the second coat?
You always have to prep when recoating. All the wood.
We have a cedar deck and have found that renting an orbital sander is a better way to clean the deck than power washing or deck cleaners. They just leave the deck surface rough. It takes only 2 hours to sand a 700 sq ft deck. Then use a leaf blower to clean off the dust. It is ready for sealing right away without waiting for the deck to dry out. We use TWP-1500, cedar tone. We love the look and get many compliments on this 34 year old deck! Thank you TWP.
I was told by a contractor that foam is the best roller material for applying TWP. Is this true? If not, what sort of roller should I use?
Thanks
Rollers do not work well. Use a stain pad or brush: https://www.twpstain.com/wood-and-deck-stains/application-tools/brushes-stain-pads
Thank you. My job entails staining the ‘ceiling’ of a roof overhang, so using a brush would be very messy. I’ll try the pads.
Hello,
I power washed my deck 12 hours ago (full of mold, etc.). Today I was planning on using the gemini clean/restore. Do you apply step two solution immediately after completing step 1? Also, how long before I can apply stain after step 1 and 2 are complete?
Yes, apply Step 2 as soon as you are done with the Cleaner. BTW, you pressure wash off the Cleaner. Rinse the Brightener. Wait for 48 hours after prep to stain.
Hello,
I am looking to refresh our deck and we used TWP 1500 between 1-2 years ago, and want to apply a fresh new coat of stain, Do I have to strip the older TWP 1500 off, before applying a fresh new coat, or do I just need to apply a deck cleaner and power wash it clean, and then apply a fresh coat?
Thank You
Deck cleaner and then brighten. Use the Gemini Restore Kit: https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
how many coats of poly on unstained outside deck?
You can not use polyurethane on a deck or over the TWP stains.
I guess I phrased that wrong its the clear TWP 1500 deck is cedar
TWP is typically 2 coats wet on wet unless new wood. Just one coat for new wood.