These calculations will help you determine the square footage for the proper amount of stain and prepping supplies needed to refinish your deck or fence using TWP 100 or TWP 1500 Series.
This is intended to provide you with an approximate estimate only. Material requirements may vary according to application method, surface condition, and weather conditions.
Prepping Options
- Gemini Restore Kit. This will be used for new, gray, dirty decks and for applying TWP over an intact older coating of TWP.
- Restore-A-Deck Stripper and Restore-A-Deck Brightener. This is used for removing old coatings of stain. Use this if you are switching from a different brand to TWP or if you have a neglected coating of TWP that has failed unevenly.
Deck Sq. Footage
Flooring Length x width =?
Railing Length x height =?
Steps Width x Depth x #of Steps =?
Add up all 3 for the Total Sq. footage.
Fence Sq. Footage
Length x height =?
Multiply x 2 for both sides = Total Sq. Footage
Coverage Rate for TWP Stains
The specified coverage rate for TWP is 150-200 square feet per gallon for the first coat. Second will apply at 200-300 per gallon. This averages to about 100-125 sq. feet per gallon for 2 coats wet on wet. From this, and from measuring the surface you can calculate how much stain you need. For more aged wood you could easily factor in some extra stain. On newer wood that is still smooth and dense, you probably are not going to use as much.
For maintenance coats you are not going to use near as much stain as you did initially staining bare wood. There are just way too many variables to know the exact coverage rate of TWP for sure. There is really no way of knowing exactly how much stain you will need. It is better to buy more than you need than to not have enough. You can always save left over stain for next time. TWP has a shelf life of 1 year if opened and 3 years unopened as long as the can is properly resealed.
If you have questions, please ask below.
Please explain math in this statement of yours:
“The specified coverage rate for TWP is 150-200 square feet per gallon for the first coat. Second will apply at 200-300 per gallon. This averages to about 100-125 sq. feet per gallon for 2 coats wet on wet.”
How did you arrive the average of 100-125 sq. ft., but not 175-250 sq. ft per gal each coat?
You need to treat each coat individually, not the average of the two.
Example Deck that is 500 Sq feet:
The first coat applies at 150-200 sq. feet per gallon. You would use 2/3 (a little over 3 gallons) of the 5-gallon pail.
The second coat applies at 200-300 sq. feet per gallon. You would use about 1/3 (1-2 gallons) of the 5-gallon pail.
*When done, you used around 5 gallons for 500 Sq. feet or around 100-125 sq. feet per gallon for the 2 coats needed.
I see your logic. Actually, your example would produce 85-120 sq ft/gal coverage, 2 coats, accordingly for the lower coverage numbers of 150 and 200 sq. ft, and for the higher coverage numbers 200 and 300 sq. ft.
One can calculate the coverage for 2 coats by using this formula:
2 coats coverage = Cov.1st x Cov.2nd / Cov.1st + Cov.2nd).
Check it out.
Then, divide your area into that number, to calculate total gal qty. of the needed material.
[quote name=”Derek Parker”]I found your TWP 100 product on the restore a deck website, is your Gemini cleaner and brightener and stripper the same, or better? You price on the TWP is cheaper so I was going to order from you.[/quote]
They are the same products.
I found your TWP 100 product on the restore a deck website, is your Gemini cleaner and brightener and stripper the same, or better? You price on the TWP is cheaper so I was going to order from you.
[quote name=”Bill C”]Our deck was painted gray and we wanted to return to the natural wood look. It is now sanded down to the wood, pressure treated pine. Does it need any additional prepping? The majority of the deck is in good shape, one or two planks have some splitting that is at worst, 1/8″ deep.[/quote]
Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the final prep.
Our deck was painted gray and we wanted to return to the natural wood look. It is now sanded down to the wood, pressure treated pine. Does it need any additional prepping? The majority of the deck is in good shape, one or two planks have some splitting that is at worst, 1/8″ deep.
[quote name=”Mary Anne”]My deck was rebuilt in 2014 using some of the railing pieces but new deck boards, so I have some old wood with very old solid stain and mostly new pretreated boards. Must I get both?[/quote]
Get both of what? Not sure what you mean.
My deck was rebuilt in 2014 using some of the railing pieces but new deck boards, so I have some old wood with very old solid stain and mostly new pretreated boards. Must I get both?
[quote name=”fencestripstaininwi”]I have approx. 100 linear feet of pressure treated fence, about 3.5 feet high.
Some of the vertical surfaces of the fence currently have an acrylic transparent stain (Behr transparent) that I need to remove, the longest run of fence (unsure of length) is only stained on one side.
Would Gemini Restore Kit be suitable? If so, can you make a recommendation for the amount to strip and brighten? And then the amount of TWP stain needed?[/quote]
The Gemini Kit is not a stripper and will not remove the Behr. You will need the Restore A Deck stripper and the Brightener. Behr is not easy to remove so you may need to strip more then once to get it all off. Are you staining both sides of the fence? If so you will need roughly 6-8 gallons of stain for 2 coats. 2-3 strippers and one of the brightener. That is based on 700 sq. feet.
I have approx. 100 linear feet of pressure treated fence, about 3.5 feet high.
Some of the vertical surfaces of the fence currently have an acrylic transparent stain (Behr transparent) that I need to remove, the longest run of fence (unsure of length) is only stained on one side.
Would Gemini Restore Kit be suitable? If so, can you make a recommendation for the amount to strip and brighten? And then the amount of TWP stain needed?
[quote name=”ewhubbard1″]I have an approx 1200 sq ft deck to stain with twp 100 series. I also have a deck rail with spindles and small fence which would be approx 700 sq ft total if it was made of planks, not spindles. Pressure treated pine, 2 years old, never been stained. I am planning on 2 coats for the deck, 1 coat for the rail and fence. How much Gemini restore a deck and how many gallons of stain should I order?[/quote]
3 Gemini Kits and 15-20 gallons of the stain.
I have an approx 1200 sq ft deck to stain with twp 100 series. I also have a deck rail with spindles and small fence which would be approx 700 sq ft total if it was made of planks, not spindles. Pressure treated pine, 2 years old, never been stained. I am planning on 2 coats for the deck, 1 coat for the rail and fence. How much Gemini restore a deck and how many gallons of stain should I order?
[quote name=”James Scott”]My deck is 816 sq feet, including steps, of new wood that has been installed for 45 days. Do I need the (2) Gemini Restore-a-Deck kits? Also, I’m installing aluminum fence so it should not be an issue.[/quote]
Yes and please read this about new wood:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
My deck is 816 sq feet, including steps, of new wood that has been installed for 45 days. Do I need the (2) Gemini Restore-a-Deck kits? Also, I’m installing aluminum fence so it should not be an issue.
[quote name=”George Engel”]I am staining a cedar fence. Can I use a HVLP sprayer to apply TWP 1500? If so. What would be the idea spray tip size?[/quote]
You can use this sprayer. Not sure on the tip but wider fan is better.
I am staining a cedar fence. Can I use a HVLP sprayer to apply TWP 1500? If so. What would be the idea spray tip size?
[quote name=”Lyne pobega”]Good Morning,
I had a white cedar fence with pressure treated pine posts installed last Septmber and now it’s time for protection. My fence measures approx 85ft X 6ft. What color stain would be best to keep my fence color yet offer greatest protection. Your calculator is geared towards decking which requires coating on one side only, therefore can I only stain one side of my fence? My fence is extremely difficult to access on opposite side and i don’t care if color grays on opposite side. Please[/quote]
We answered this in the previous questions.
Good Morning,
I had a white cedar fence with pressure treated pine posts installed last Septmber and now it’s time for protection. My fence measures approx 85ft X 6ft. What color stain would be best to keep my fence color yet offer greatest protection. Your calculator is geared towards decking which requires coating on one side only, therefore can I only stain one side of my fence? My fence is extremely difficult to access on opposite side and i don’t care if color grays on opposite side. Please
[quote name=”Lyne pobega”]Good Morning, I had a white cedar fence installed (approximately 80 ft X 6ft) last September, Your calculator to estimate how much is needed is for a deck which requires stain to be applied to the top surface only. I wanted to ask if I had to apply stain on both sides of my fence or can I just apply to the side facing me. The reason being that my fence is built on the edge of a retaining wall which has a 10 ft drop on one neighbors side and my other neighbor may not allow me access to his property. Also, which stain would give protection but
keep color of fence closest to its natural color. I live in Staten Island, NY which has brutal winters.
Thanks for your help.
Lyne Pobega
718-986-4192[/quote]
Look at the TWP 1530 Natural or the 1515 Honeytone. Up to you if you want to do both sides but most people will.
Good Morning, I had a white cedar fence installed (approximately 80 ft X 6ft) last September, Your calculator to estimate how much is needed is for a deck which requires stain to be applied to the top surface only. I wanted to ask if I had to apply stain on both sides of my fence or can I just apply to the side facing me. The reason being that my fence is built on the edge of a retaining wall which has a 10 ft drop on one neighbors side and my other neighbor may not allow me access to his property. Also, which stain would give protection but
keep color of fence closest to its natural color. I live in Staten Island, NY which has brutal winters.
Thanks for your help.
Lyne Pobega
718-986-4192
Prep after the sanding with the Gemini Restore Kit. One coat this time after sanding. About 5 gallons.
I have 880 square ft. deck pressured treated pine deck. It is 20 years old has been sanded down to natural wood removing previous layers of latex opaque stain.
Is this prepped enough and how many coats of 1500 needed and how many gallons required.
[quote name=”rick gilbertson”]looking at restaining exterior walls and washing and staining roof shakes.if you could send me a direct number to disscuss product to use I am located in Canada but client is located in u s . thank you rick gilbertson rg painting[/quote]
Phone numbers are in our contact link:
http://www.twpstain.com/contact/twpstain
[quote name=”Roy Wong”]Where am I able to purchase twp1500 in Vancouver, Canada?[/quote]
Hello, TWP 1500 and 100 are not allowed in Canada.
Where am I able to purchase twp1500 in Vancouver, Canada?
looking at restaining exterior walls and washing and staining roof shakes.if you could send me a direct number to disscuss product to use I am located in Canada but client is located in u s . thank you rick gilbertson rg painting
[quote name=”JTP”]We will be recyling old redwood decking by planing first. So, this will be old wood but with a new surface. Do i prep as old wood with open pores, or do I have to go through the wetting cycles of new wood? I plan to seal before applying the decking so treating as old wood is much easier.[/quote]
You should treat this like new wood and not pre stain but let weather and prep before staining. Please read this:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
[quote name=”Mark Shipp”]My 25 year old pressure treated pine fence has never been cleaned or stained. It is being power at this moment. The cleaner is using an industrial strength liquid sodium hypochlorite solution under low pressure to pre-wet, then powering it off. n It is looking great. do I still need to use the whole Gemini prep kit, or just the brightener/neutralizer? How long will it need to dry before Applying the TWP 100?[/quote]
You can just brighten as long as the wood is cleaned well. Stain after 2 days of drying.
We will be recyling old redwood decking by planing first. So, this will be old wood but with a new surface. Do i prep as old wood with open pores, or do I have to go through the wetting cycles of new wood? I plan to seal before applying the decking so treating as old wood is much easier.
My 25 year old pressure treated pine fence has never been cleaned or stained. It is being power at this moment. The cleaner is using an industrial strength liquid sodium hypochlorite solution under low pressure to pre-wet, then powering it off. n It is looking great. do I still need to use the whole Gemini prep kit, or just the brightener/neutralizer? How long will it need to dry before Applying the TWP 100?
[quote name=”richlife “]I’ve previously used TWP 100 and 1500 series on my deck. A contractor has said to use the 200 series. Can you explain why he would choose this (I see that it has more pigment)? Is the coverage the same (100-200 sq ft)?[/quote]
The 200 Series is for Shakes and Shingles. Better to use the 100 or 1500. It does not have more pigment but more solids.
I’ve previously used TWP 100 and 1500 series on my deck. A contractor has said to use the 200 series. Can you explain why he would choose this (I see that it has more pigment)? Is the coverage the same (100-200 sq ft)?
[quote name=”tim meyer”]Please help us determine what products we need.
We have a 1100 sq ft green treated deck that was stained over 10 years ago. We need to strip the old stain, address the black mildew areas and re-stain. Do we need a cleaner, stripper and brightener? Our main goal is durability and longevity. We live in Minnesota so the environment is harsh.[/quote]
You need the RAD Stripper and Brightener for the prep. You do not need the cleaner. Use the 100 Series.
Please help us determine what products we need.
We have a 1100 sq ft green treated deck that was stained over 10 years ago. We need to strip the old stain, address the black mildew areas and re-stain. Do we need a cleaner, stripper and brightener? Our main goal is durability and longevity. We live in Minnesota so the environment is harsh.
[quote name=”Mark Shipp”]I live in Cookeville, TN 38501 (between Nashville and Knoxville) I have a privacy fence, built with pressure treated 5/4 decking boards for the verticals, up for about 12 years. It never been stained or painted, or washed. I plan to use a Wagner sprayer that will feed directly out of a bucket to apply the stain,thenback-brush. I have about 3,588 square feet, that is cleaning and staining both sides. I’m thinking maybe the Redwood color stain. (1)what do I need to clean with, and how much will I need? (2)Which stain is the best for me to use, and how much will I need? (3)What is the total cost of everything I will need to get from you? Thank you, Mark[/quote]
Prep with the Gemini Kit. You will need about 4 of the kits for this amount. Use the 100 Series and you will need about 25-40 gallons for 2 coats applied wet on wet. The large difference in amount is based on how dried out your wood is. All prices are on the links above.
I live in Cookeville, TN 38501 (between Nashville and Knoxville) I have a privacy fence, built with pressure treated 5/4 decking boards for the verticals, up for about 12 years. It never been stained or painted, or washed. I plan to use a Wagner sprayer that will feed directly out of a bucket to apply the stain,thenback-brush. I have about 3,588 square feet, that is cleaning and staining both sides. I’m thinking maybe the Redwood color stain. (1)what do I need to clean with, and how much will I need? (2)Which stain is the best for me to use, and how much will I need? (3)What is the total cost of everything I will need to get from you? Thank you, Mark
[quote name=”Fern Cottage”]16×24 deck
Iron rails but wood corner posts (10)[/quote]
About 400-500 total sq. feet.
16×24 deck
Iron rails but wood corner posts (10)
[quote name=”Jason Mac”]I want to dip 600 2x6x8′ fence boards. How many gallons do you think I will need to do this??
AND will I need a second coat if they are dipped?[/quote]
Jason, please supply us with a total sq. footage of the wood for all sides. In addition is this wood smooth or rough sawn? If rough sawn you can do this. If smooth you cannot. Please read this about new wood: http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I want to dip 600 2x6x8′ fence boards. How many gallons do you think I will need to do this??
AND will I need a second coat if they are dipped?
[quote name=”Barry Behrens”]I have a 14×20 ft shed that is 1-1/2 years old. The outside walls are 8ft with a 11in overhang and gable roof. It has rough 4in vertical grooved plywood (similar to T1-11) with a very light dry stain. I plan on staining on darker color. How should this be prepped and how much stain?[/quote]
What is the total sq. footage of wood that is being stained? If you have an older stain then you will need to remove that with the RAD Stain Stripper and Rad brightener when done.
I have a 14×20 ft shed that is 1-1/2 years old. The outside walls are 8ft with a 11in overhang and gable roof. It has rough 4in vertical grooved plywood (similar to T1-11) with a very light dry stain. I plan on staining on darker color. How should this be prepped and how much stain?
[quote name=”Elena Strickland”]My deck has an apron on it. It does not have a railing because it is only 6 inches off the ground.
The deck is 30 feet wide and 16 feet deep.
Can you let me know how much product to purchase?[/quote]
You have about 500 sq. feet so 1 of the 5 gallon pails should be enough for this and two coats.
My deck has an apron on it. It does not have a railing because it is only 6 inches off the ground.
The deck is 30 feet wide and 16 feet deep.
Can you let me know how much product to purchase?
[quote name=”Ben Moore”]Can I assume your calculator is for one side of the deck? I have a raised deck and must stain underneath as well as the surface. Should I double the square footage?[/quote]
Yes you would need to roughly double.
Can I assume your calculator is for one side of the deck? I have a raised deck and must stain underneath as well as the surface. Should I double the square footage?
[quote name=”Susanne Shalit”]I have an atrium area which previously had a hot tub. I would like to redo the deck floor with a stain. Right now, I have done several things, but not sure what to do. It appears to have multiple types of wood, but I am not sure. The part near the door looks like redwood, the other part looks like fir. I have power washed all, cleaned the part near the door with oxygen type bleach. What can I do to make it look even? I would like a stain to show the wood, but with a nice redwood color. The closeup is the most current picture.[/quote]
You will probably need to power sand the wood to even out the color then brighten all when done. Even then it will not be perfect but it will be better.
I have an atrium area which previously had a hot tub. I would like to redo the deck floor with a stain. Right now, I have done several things, but not sure what to do. It appears to have multiple types of wood, but I am not sure. The part near the door looks like redwood, the other part looks like fir. I have power washed all, cleaned the part near the door with oxygen type bleach. What can I do to make it look even? I would like a stain to show the wood, but with a nice redwood color. The closeup is the most current picture.
[quote name=”Margaret Pearce”]Can I use TWP 100 on my old wood exterior french doors? I just cleaned them with restore-a-deck wood cleaner and brightener while I was cleaning my deck in preparation for staining, and they now need at the least some kind of preservative on them. There is currently no polyurethane left on them. Thank you for you time.[/quote]
Yes but you cannot apply a polyurethane on top of the TWP.
Can I use TWP 100 on my old wood exterior french doors? I just cleaned them with restore-a-deck wood cleaner and brightener while I was cleaning my deck in preparation for staining, and they now need at the least some kind of preservative on them. There is currently no polyurethane left on them. Thank you for you time.
[quote name=”Jerry Ford”]Is this product also good for new cedar fence pickets[/quote]
Yes it works very well for cedar fences.
Is this product also good for new cedar fence pickets