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TWP 1500 Series Deck Stain – The Best Low VOC Deck Stain
Need Help with your TWP 1500 Stain?
Key Takeaways
- TWP 1500 Stain performs best when wood is properly prepped and the stain is correctly applied before starting your project.
- The age of the wood is an important factor to consider when planning your TWP 1500 application.
- The type and condition of the wood will affect how TWP 1500 Stain performs on your exterior surfaces.
- Knowing whether the wood was previously stained, and with what brand, helps achieve the best possible results.
- Providing a small description of the area to be treated helps get the most accurate guidance for your project.
TWP 1500 Stain is a highly rated, EPA registered wood preservative that can be used for all types of exterior wood, siding and decking. TWP 1500 Stain will perform at its maximum potential when the wood is properly prepped and when the stain is properly applied. Unfortunately not all wood is in the same condition prior to applying the stain.
We are here to help with your project!
Please answer these few questions to achieve the best possible results with your TWP 1500 Wood and Decking Stain.
Age of wood?- Type of wood?
- Condition of the wood?
- Has it been stained previously and if so with what brand of stain?
- Small description of the area to be treated.
Ask Questions in Comment Area Below
8 year old deck. 9’x 32 feet plus stairs
treated lumber
never been stained
southern md
Hello,
Please see here for the amounts needed: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-deck-stain-calculator
For prep, you would need the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit.
Building pergola with rough-sawn fir ,new wood sanded lightly to remove splinters and final finish will be TWP 1530 any other steps before I apply TWP
Rough-sawn wood does not need a weathering period before staining — it has no mill glaze and is highly absorbent. Since you sanded it, prep with the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit (Step 1 Cleaner, Step 2 Brightener) to remove the sanding dust and reopen the wood pores, then let it dry 48 hours before applying the TWP 1530. Apply one coat only and back wipe any excess that has not penetrated within 30 minutes. Also, never sand finer than 60-80 grit — sanding finer closes the pores and reduces penetration.
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
We have cedar fence (with some presure treated panels for repairs) around a 72 unit townhouse community. The fence is 20 years old and is maintained each year with bad sections repaired. It has never been treated or stained. What can I spray it with to help maintain it? We don’t want to stain it, just leave it natural. Located in Vancouver BC (lots of rain in winter).
You must use a tinted color for UV protection; a clear/natural look will gray within months after prep.
I have a two month old deck that has passed the drop test for moisture and ready for a sealer/stain…The decking material is 2 x 6 select treated Pine. The posts I chose were made out of rough sewn Cedar as well as the railing. I want to try to keep it close to the cedar color for the decking. I’m considering the #1515 Honey stain 1500 series any suggestions?
The moisture drop test is not what determines readiness — it is about porosity, not moisture content. Your smooth 2×6 treated pine decking needs 4-12 months of outdoor weathering to break down the mill glaze, then prep with the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit (Cleaner + Brightener) before staining. The rough-sawn cedar posts and railing can be stained now, since rough-sawn wood has no mill glaze and is highly absorbent. Honeytone is the lightest tint and looks similar to a wet look. Color will vary based on the wood type, the age of the wood, how it is prepped, and how it is applied. It is always best to test samples to see how it will look on your wood: https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
i am using twp 1500 to stain the parts of a chinese cedar greenhouse kit before assembling them. however, i would like to use a food-safe sealer on the benches inside the greenhouse – is twp 1500 food safe?
No, TWP 1500 is not a food-safe finish. It is an oil-based, EPA-registered exterior wood preservative intended for exterior surfaces, not for food-contact or food-prep surfaces. Use a product specifically rated food-safe on the greenhouse benches. Also keep in mind TWP is oil-based and the odor can linger in an enclosed space like a greenhouse until it cures.
I am making wooden doormats out of new never-stained redwood lumber. The Youtuber I purchased the plans from (Steve Ramsey, Woodworking for Mere Mortals) used Duckback Transparent Stain+Sealer, redwood color, in his 3-year-old video. But the only way I can find to get that particular product today is to buy 4 gallons online, which is a commitment I’m not ready to make right now. So I’m looking for a substitute. The Duckback product is water-based and ideally I’d like whatever I use instead to also be water-based.
TWP Stains are oil-based.
Hi, I have applied TWP 100 cedar tone l to my cedar deck for the past 10+ years. It’s doing great. I want to do another coat this year. Info says I can’t order the 100 series in CT and I must use the 1500 series. Can I put 1500 over the 100 series product with the same excellent results?
Thanks
Since you are switching series, prep with the Restore-A-Deck Stripper and Brightener Kit first rather than just a cleaner. The 100 and 1500 last the same length of time — the only difference is the VOC level, which is why the 1500 Series is the option available in Connecticut. One thing to know: the 1500 colors do not match the 100 colors exactly, and the 1530 Natural is the closest match to the 101 Cedartone.
I applied a single coat of 1503 to new, well seasoned treated deck wood. Looks fantastic. Done on July 15. Can I apply a second coat around September 15. The first coat was absorbed into the wood thoroughly. Located in central Wisconsin. Thanks
No. You can lightly clean off any dirt and apply another coat next Spring.
Hello, I have cedar and pressure treated lumber, I want to match with the TWP 1500 series dark oak. The wood is new and so what kind of prep is involved before applying the stain?
Also do you have any suggestions for dealing with knots in the wood?
Cedar and pressure-treated follow the same timeline — wood species doesn’t change the wait. Let it weather outdoors for 4–12 months, then prep with the Gemini Restore-A-Deck Kit (cleaner + brightener) before staining. Apply one coat only on new wood — it won’t take a second. As for the knots, no special treatment needed; they’re denser and will take the stain a bit differently than the surrounding wood, which is normal.
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I am prefinishing a whole house package of rough sawn cedar siding material with 1501 – Cedartone. I have been applying properly then stacking vertically against the exterior of the house (no rain yet) to dry. We are running out of room to put these boards so my question – what is the best storage recommendation for finished boards while we wait on installers to come in a few weeks? Am I able stack them on top of each other after their cure time? Thank you.
TWP needs airflow and UV exposure to cure properly and shouldn’t be covered — full cure takes 2-3 days minimum, possibly longer, and stacking boards tightly with no air movement between them can trap moisture, slow the cure, and risk the stain sticking between boards. If possible, lean them up vertically so only the bottom and tops are touching anything. Once fully curred, should be okay to stack together.
4 year old deck. Waited a year before the deck was stained. Previously stained with Valspar semi transparent stain. Stain started peeling within 1 year. Deck is around a pool. Will your stain hold up around a pool?
You’ll need to fully strip the old Valspar first — TWP can’t be applied over another brand of stain, and leftover film is likely part of why it peeled within a year. Use the RAD Stripper + Brightener Kit to get back to bare wood, then apply TWP 1500 (or TWP 100 if it’s allowed in your state). As a true penetrating stain, TWP won’t peel like the Valspar did since it soaks into the wood instead of sitting on top. Pool chlorine will fade the color a bit faster than normal regardless of brand, so plan on recoating a little more often, but you shouldn’t see peeling.
7 year old wood, was KDAT pressure treated wood, stained with BEHR semi transparent stain after curing 3 months. Already have wood rot due to concrete umbrella stand that was on the porch.
Hello,
What were your questions? Prep? If so, add some pics in the comments.
65 year old plywood ceiling on porch. Stained at least 2x. Wood is warped but not cracked or splintered. Sanded down to bare wood grain.
What were your questions?
New mahogany deck on luxury home in east Hampton. Ny. What.is best stain. Clear did not keep
Mold off.
See this about new wood first: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use the TWP 1500 Series when ready. Rustic color.
What stain is best for my brand new pressure treated deck. It is approximately 4 months old at this time.
At 4 months, your PT deck is on the early side of the weathering window — smooth/planed wood needs 4–12 months before staining, regardless of species. Once it’s ready, prep with the Gemini Restore Kit (Cleaner + Brightener) to remove the mill glaze, then apply one coat of TWP 1500 Series.
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
The wood is six months old and is pressure treated pine. No stain on it yet
How do I prep my new pressure treated deck for TWP 1500 stain
New pressure treated wood has to weather before it will take TWP 1500. This is about porosity, not moisture — new smooth lumber has a mill glaze that blocks penetration, so it needs to weather outdoors 4–12 months before staining (wood species doesn’t change the wait). A moisture meter won’t tell you when it’s ready; go by time, then confirm with a water bead test — if water soaks in, it’s ready; if it beads up, wait longer.
Once it’s ready, prep with the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit (Cleaner + Brightener) — the kit removes the mill glaze and opens the grain. Wait 48 hours after prep or any rain, then apply one coat only. New wood isn’t porous enough for two coats, so back-wipe any excess that hasn’t soaked in after 30 minutes.
Is the TWP-1500 a good choice for a cypress outdoor a-frame porch swing?
Yes, make sure to prep correctly first.
I’ve never used it before so do you have a recommendation on prepping. I sanded the cypress to 80 grit and plan to stop there as to try to keep a bit of the roughness.
Add some pics in the comments.
Rough cut then one that has been planed and anded to 80 grit.
This is brand new wood? If so, you should read this article:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stripping-removing-an-old-deck-stain/
Is there anywhere local to Mt Washington Kentucky where I can see samples?
We sell online only as a TWP dealer.
3 years ago I used TWP on my covered screened exterior porch deck. I stripped the old solid color stain and applied 1.5 coats of TWP by hand with a stain brush meticulously. I can send you a photo, but I was VERY disappointed with the spotches I got on it, and when I called this help line and told them that I was sold at the store some TWP that (little did I realize)was 4.5 yrs old. You guys told me that it was probably the date of the stain that caused the problem and said that in a couple of years I could refinish it and it might look better. Do you suggest that I strip off the 3 yr old TSP (even though it still is beading some water) or just use a deck cleaner, then brightener, and apply another coat of TWP over the existing one?
Strip and brighten would be best.
https://www.twpstain.com/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit
15 years old deck newly sanded to the unfinished cedar in good condition
Which stain should I buy?
Where are you located, and how fine a grit did you sand?
I want to apply the same twp 1500 stain and color but its currently a blotchy becausei didn’tmix the product well when I applied last summer. I want to reapply in fall or spring of next year can I just clean and apply or do I have to remove the stain then apply? What do you recommend so it blends in more?
I think you would be fine with good cleaning and then 1 coat to even it all out, but that could vary based on the condition in the Fall or Spring next year.
Can 1500 be sprayed on?
Yes.
Power washed cedar shingles and the natural coloring looks great. Would prefer to keep it that way. Should we mix TWP Natural and TWP Cedartone or just go with TWP Natural?
Natural is a tinted color, not clear. All tinted colors will provide UV protection from graying, the Clear will not. It is not possible to keep the color as it is now while still providing UV protection. The only way to achieve UV protection is to use tinted colors, which will enhance the shingles’ color, depending on the shade you choose.
New deck, kiln dried cedar. Sun until 2 or 3 pm in summer. Which product should we use?
Kiln dried wood needs 1-2 months of weathering after install and then prep with our Gemini Restore Kit. Just one coat of TWP with new wood. Look at the TWP 1500 Series.
Ten years ago we used a TWP stain to finish some bamboo fencing. It was great. We’re doing some new fencing and I’m having difficulty finding out which series I used. I thought one was specifically rated for bamboo. Is it 1500? It’s def dark oak but why don keep seeing mention of
The 300 series? I want color and durable protection. Thanks.
Only the 300 Series can be used on bamboo.
Can I mix two colors of 1500 stain together? For example, 75% Natural + 25% Dark Oak?
Yes, as long as the colors are of the same series.
Would love to see examples of what you stained when you mixed these two stains.
“Can I mix two colors of stain together?”
Deck wood is cedar, mix of old cedar25 years and in good condition and 30% new( 6-9mo old. Older deck stain with TWO Honeytone. Want lighter color. What TWP 1500 is recommended. New deck will be power washed, belt sanded and prepped for TWP 1599. Can I use lighter color? What color is recommended?
Honeytone 1515 is the lightest tinted color.
How do we protect newly built cabin in Mississippi…it can get very hot and muggy in this environment. Additionally, can we add an insect protection into your product???
Treat this like new wood. See tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
As for the insects, you can add this:
https://www.twpstain.com/bug-juice-insecticide
What is the best way to apply 2 coats of twp 1500 I’ve heard you have to do a wet on wet within 30 minutes or you need to wait 6 months if it dries
See here: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
I bought a house in a North Carolina rain forest that needs to be restained. It is a classic A-frame that looks like Lincoln logs. I want to change to a darker color. Is this stain appropriate for that use as long as I prep it with the Gemini Restore kit first?
We would need to see pics of the house for proper prep tips. Any prior stain will need to be removed first.
You can add pics in the comments.
Does storage in freezing temperatures damage 1500 stain
It cannot freeze, it will go bad.
Can I stain new rough sawn cedar posts or should allow to weather. If stain new, should I clean first.
You can stain rough sawn wood right away as long as it is dry and no prep is needed if clean. You will need two coats of stain.
New cedar wood fence. Never stained. Live in Colorado. What do you recommend? I did the Product Finder Tool, but when I replied the fence was installed less than 4 months ago, I got an infinite spinner. Thank you!
See this about new wood:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Wait until Spring. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit, and then use the TWP 1500 Series for CO.
I stained the redwood deck 2 years ago with TWP. Can I just restain with TWP again after a light sanding?
For prep, use the Gemini Restore Kit, not sanding.
What is the Best twp product for western cedar siding? 22 yrs old. Had 2 previous coats of twp.
It would be easiest to use the same series (101 Cedartone in your case based on last order) as before. If you switch, you will need to strip and brighten for prep. There isn’t one series that is the “best” compared to the others.
I have a deck and rail wrap around porch. The rails,spindles,posts and some of the deck have hail damage.
The deck was finished with 3 years ago.
Some of the stain on the putter edges and walkways has failed. Some bare wood is showing where hail has hit.
What finishing process does TWP recommend in order for me warranty our work and ensure the product doesn’t fail for 1 year.
Add some pics in the comments for prep help.
I have a 4yr old untreated redwood fence. What is the best product for durability and longevity? Also, how many coats would I need for the best results?
TWP 1500 Series. Apply two coats wet on wet.
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Make sure to prep well with a deck cleaner and wood brightener:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
I’m staining a gluelam beam. I don’t want a stain with any coloring in it. What stain is your closest to “clear”? I bought a gallon of natural TWP 1530 Natural. It had a coloring added to it. What would you suggest to bring out the existing natural colors of the wood?
Honeytone 1515 is the lightest tint and closest to a wet look.
We live in western PA. We built a new 850sqft pressure treated deck last year. We prepped using the cleaner and brighter and looks great! We bought 5gal 1500 stain. It is Oct 8, 2025.
Although there will be a nice stretch of nice days (8-6 days), the forecast shows high in the 67°-73° and the lows 42°-47° ……seems best 2 days are 73°hi/46°low. Instructions show apply <50°. Is the any leeway if it is the 40°s?
It can drop below 50 the first night of staining but not below freezing.
Ask Questions in Comment Area Belo
This deck is in Southwest WA There are giant pine trees right next to it and even though the top deck is 40′ off the ground it doesn’t come half way up the trees. This deck spends most of its time in shade and rain. I read the recommendations and I am not sure letting this wood spend a winter here untreated would do it good nor dry it out. especially with the amount of pitch that would be on the untreated wood by then. The home owner would probably tell me to use something else also. He is requesting that I prestain all sides before install as well. Because this wood is sanded all the way around it does not appear to have mill glaze. I was about to order 1500 but read that 100 is recommended for sanded. I was going to use black walnut to match the color of the existing hand rail that is not being replaced. So what would you recomend for stain and prep?
You cannot prestain new wood; it has to be installed, weathered, and prepped. See this for tips:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Only stain the exposed wood after installation. Do not stain all sides.
My southern yellow pine deck was installed in fall of 2019 with 2 coats TWP 207 Butternut. It was cleaned and oiled with same product again in the fall of 2022. I am considering using TWP 1500 protectant for this week fir the next refresh. What would be the closest color to the 207 Butternut?
TWP 1503 Dark Oak. Make sure to prep corectly first when switching Series.
Have just finished the cleaning step (deck has one coat of 1500 stain applied last august.
Was told to do second coat now – this September.
How long should my now wet deck dry before applying this second coat?
And, how long for stain to dry before allowing traffic.
48 hours after prep or rain. No rain for 12-24 hours after applying.
New deck Spring 2024.
First coat of Twp1500 Sept 2024
Doing coat two Sept 2025
best way to clean/prep for this coat #2?
Thanks,
Use this kit for prep:
https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
Deck and railing. Cedar. Installed mid June 2025. Full Sun exposure and rain. Within 2 months it turned slightly grey.
We sanded with 60 grit. And only after doing so we read about different weathering times. Some source says 6 weeks enought of curing. Others 6months. We bought TWP1501.
Can we apply it now? If so does it have to be brightened with Gemini restore brightened? Or should we wait till 6 month to do so? Also since it s new cedar should we apply 1 or 2 coats if we apply it now (2months old) vs next year spring/summer?
4-12 months and then prep with new wood and TWP stains. See link for all info:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
When can I apply a second coat
Second coats, if applied, need to be applied wet on wet:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-wet-on-wet-application/
We used 1500 series cedartone on our shed row barns for almost 20 years. We had such success with this product we are thinking of using it on our covered new front porch floor?
See this about new wood. https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Is the 100 series semi solid stain available in North Carolina,?
Yes, we can ship the TWP 100 Series to you in NC.
Hello! New build.
1) brand new
2) Douglas Fir
3) new
4) no
5) looking for a durable semi-transparent stain with UV protection for beams above our garage doors on a new build (faux headers) as well as the porch soffits. Which stain do you recommend and which colors work well with Douglas fir (we are finding everything to be very orange as we are sampling other brands).
See thsi first: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Use any color that you like in the 1500 Series. Best to test samples first:
https://www.twpstain.com/1500-series-stain-samples