Why Do I Need to Wait to Stain My New Deck with TWP
After a new wood deck has been constructed it is important to protect it from the elements. Unprotected wood will be prone to graying, warping, cracking, splitting, and mold/mildew infiltration. Protecting your wood deck is easy with TWP Total Wood Preservative. There is however a waiting period to allow new wood to season prior to stain application.
New wood is commonly called “green” wood. Meaning it has not had time to season or dry. It has a very high moisture content. You may notice the difference in weight of a newer deck board and an older one. The newer one is much heavier due to all the moisture it is holding. As the wood dries it also shrinks. This is noticeable in the gaps between deck boards. They will be tight together after first construction and as the wood shrinks the gaps will become larger.
Applying TWP deck stain to a newer deck too soon can result in a failed deck coating. The stain will trap moisture in the wood, which can cause several problems. Mold and mildew can spread quickly underneath the stain eventually leading to rot and decay. The moisture will also keep the wood stain from penetrating properly and may cause it to peel and flake off the surface. TWP wood stain is designed to penetrate deep into the wood for maximum protection. If the wood has too high of moisture content the stain cannot penetrate correctly.
There are some people who believe you have to wait and entire season or 1 year before you can stain new wood. This is normally not true and actually a lot of the wood damage can occur in the first year if the wood is not protected. Most types of wood will be ready to stain within 4-12 months after being erected. All new wood should be prepped with the Gemini Restore Kit before staining. Wait time can vary depending on sun exposure, weather, and temperatures.
For TWP wood deck stain to give you the best results on a new deck, the moisture content of the wood should be 15% or less. This can be easily checked with a moisture meter. If you do not have access to a moisture meter and you have waited several months of hot summer weather, you can do a drop test with water. Sprinkle a few drops of water in several areas of the deck. If the water soaks in right away indicating the wood is dry it is probably okay to stain. If the water does not soak in right away, the wood may still be holding too much moisture.
Be sure your new wood deck has had plenty of dry time before applying TWP deck stain. This will guarantee proper wood penetration giving a naturally enhanced look that will last and perform as expected.
Ask Questions in Comment Area Below
Is it ok to stain a fence if the outside humidity level is high? The wood itself is dry, well below the moisture content threshold, there will be no rain in the forecast for a few days and will be sunny the days I will be staining, but only thing is it will be a humid day.
Yes, it is fine.
I’m staining my deck in two phases. I’ve just finished all railing with RAD cleaner/brightener and TWP 1500. Now I need to use RAD cleaner/brightener on horizontal areas and stairs. How long until it is safe for RAD to come in contact with newly applied stain and then power washed away?
Avoid contact with newly stained wood otherwise, you may have some discoloration that will need to be touched up.
Just finished building a pergola with Douglas Fir. I let the beams sit for a 2 months before the build. I am in Southern California. The moisture content has dropped from 17+ to 12+. I am measuring with pin style meter. Some of the beams are 6×6. How long should I wait before applying 1500 sealer?
See here for new wood tips: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
we have a second story waterproof deck just done and we use on the ceiling knotty pine we just apply TWP 100 clear and looks like different colors on the darker knotty wood is looks like very wet and where the wood is clean with no knots looks dried, so over all looking it from one side looks very spotty. is this normal? is been almost two weeks already.
Knots are denser so yes, they are lighter in color.
We have new #1 deck board at the beach in NC. The boards after 1 month are at 8-9% with a moisture meter. Would you still wait 4 months and are you not worried about splitting and warping with this hot sun?
Yes, you have to wait and prep: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Splits and or warping can happen no matter what. A stain will not stop this. That is the nature of exterior decking.
is 24 hours sufficient to allow the waterproofing to dry or do you need more.. trying to plan according to weather
After staining and before rain? Yes.
So I have followed your instructions for new wood and applied TWP 1500 at the one year mark, and now one year later I am ready to apply a second coat. Your articles suggest cleaning the deck with soap prior to applying. What type of soap do you recommend? I would think dishwashing soap might be to harsh?
Thanks.
If it has been a year, use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep.
I seasoned the knotty pine wood for 13 months in Atlanta. I cleaned with Gemini 1 and 2. Waited 48 sunny hours to start staining. Thunder storm and rain right over my deck only 16 hours later after staining. Water is siting on it. What should I do, if anything?
No need to do anything, it will be fine.
Thank you. However, this morning I am noticing darker stain spots in some corners that evidently did not dry out before it started to rain. How to I cure this issue so stain is the same color everywhere?
Try wiping the excess stain off. Use rags and mineral spirits. Saturate all oily rags on water and lat flat to outside when you are done.
I am doing a remodel and have kiln-dried millwork (smooth finish) and a pergola, both are Western cedar. I understand that TWP 100 series cannot be used on new wood, but if the moisture is taken out via kiln, would this suffice versus letting the wood weather before staining?
No, still has to weather. See this about kiln dried wood:
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/kdat-and-twp-wait-period-for-new-wood/
Mid October our pretreated wood deck was finished. We live in upper Michigan. Should we seal or stain before winter sets in?
Hello, as the article states, wait 4-12 months and then prep and stain. That would be Spring based on when you finished.
My new deck has the “HT” Heat Treated Thermally modified wood for planking and railings . The rest is pressure treated. The HT wood is dry, with moisture content about 10%. The deck was just built. Can I seal the HT wood right away? My contractor is adamant that I do it right away. Thanks, Rob
For this wood type, let sit for 30 days and prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit. Only one coat.
[quote name=”Steve LAKEY”]Live in St.Louis. Having cedar deck installed late September. Contractor says treating with two will be fine. Seems to contradict your procedures. Please advise.
Thanks[/quote]
He is wrong. Need to wait and prep.
Live in St.Louis. Having cedar deck installed late September. Contractor says treating with two will be fine. Seems to contradict your procedures. Please advise.
Thanks
[quote name=”June Castonguay”]I live in mid Michigan and just had a deck installed work completed the first week of August. I know I should wait 4-12 months. If I wait for months the weather will be too cold to stain. Is there anything I should do to protect the deck during the winter there will be plenty of snow.[/quote]
It will be fine and normal to go through the Winer. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and stain in the Spring.
I live in mid Michigan and just had a deck installed work completed the first week of August. I know I should wait 4-12 months. If I wait for months the weather will be too cold to stain. Is there anything I should do to protect the deck during the winter there will be plenty of snow.
[quote name=”Ms Barb Thiesfeld”]Will the tallin still come through the redwood after i stain the deck with the wood preservative?[/quote]
Typically it does not, but that would have nothing to do with the stain, but the quality of your wood.
Will the tallin still come through the redwood after i stain the deck with the wood preservative?
[quote name=”Debra K.”]If deck is built using kiln dried tight knot cedar 5/4×6, can it be stained transparent within a month or does the 4 month seasoning still apply?[/quote]
1 to 2 months will work for Kiln Dried. Still need to prep with Gemini Kit and only 1 coat this year. Another coat in 12-18 months for the horizontals.
If deck is built using kiln dried tight knot cedar 5/4×6, can it be stained transparent within a month or does the 4 month seasoning still apply?
[quote name=”David Haugen”]I MUST replace a seriously degraded >40 yr old deck. Majority of deck boards in full southern sun, others in full shade. Stain must tolerate many cycles of (1) freeze/thaw & (2) snow cover/above moisture. “Kiln-Dried-After Treatment” (KDAT) Southern Yellow Pine. The cited KDAT supplier stresses the IMPORTANCE of applying stain IMMEDIATELY after installation to avoid absorption of rain/high humidity. QUESTIONS: May I successfully apply TWP to KDAT before “weathering”? If yes (A) which will be most effective (series 100 or 1500?), (B) should I pre-stain all sides of the KDAT before installation, (C) should I use “Gemini Restore Kit” before staining to assure stain penetration? In a “water-test” are water drops readily absorbed by “as-received” KDAT? Which “hidden” deck board fasteners do you recommend & why?[/quote]
Wait about 1 month after install of the KDAT and prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. Use the 100 series if allowed in your state otherwise the 1500 Series. Only 1 coat of the TWP. Not sure on fasteners.
I MUST replace a seriously degraded >40 yr old deck. Majority of deck boards in full southern sun, others in full shade. Stain must tolerate many cycles of (1) freeze/thaw & (2) snow cover/above moisture. “Kiln-Dried-After Treatment” (KDAT) Southern Yellow Pine. The cited KDAT supplier stresses the IMPORTANCE of applying stain IMMEDIATELY after installation to avoid absorption of rain/high humidity. QUESTIONS: May I successfully apply TWP to KDAT before “weathering”? If yes (A) which will be most effective (series 100 or 1500?), (B) should I pre-stain all sides of the KDAT before installation, (C) should I use “Gemini Restore Kit” before staining to assure stain penetration? In a “water-test” are water drops readily absorbed by “as-received” KDAT? Which “hidden” deck board fasteners do you recommend & why?
[quote name=”DaveThompson”]Just installed a new con heart redwood cap on my retaining wall (80 LF) here in Northern California. We are just coming into our rainy season. How long should I wait to stain and what product would you recommend?[/quote]
Please see this about new wood:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You will need the 1500 Series.
Just installed a new con heart redwood cap on my retaining wall (80 LF) here in Northern California. We are just coming into our rainy season. How long should I wait to stain and what product would you recommend?
[quote name=”Steve W”]I just put in a new Covered Porch of Douglas Fir. I live in Central Idaho. I understand that i need to wait to let the wood cure. However, it gets snowy and deep here in the Winter. Should i cover the Porch with Plastic etc.. for the winter and open back up in the spring to prevent Snow getting in and sitting on the wood deck[/quote]
No. Just leave alone and prep/stain in spring.
I just put in a new Covered Porch of Douglas Fir. I live in Central Idaho. I understand that i need to wait to let the wood cure. However, it gets snowy and deep here in the Winter. Should i cover the Porch with Plastic etc.. for the winter and open back up in the spring to prevent Snow getting in and sitting on the wood deck
[quote name=”TRISH”]What temperature works best. Can you stain in the fall of the year?[/quote]
Above 45 degrees. Yes you can stain in the Fall.
What temperature works best. Can you stain in the fall of the year?
[quote name=”Betsy Hamilton”]My deck was finished in 4/2015. I thought the wood was wet/green/treated improperly. The GC stood w/ it being cured fine. TWP stain was applied. It’s been 4.5 months and the deck is black. I believe the wood was green. Can you look at pictures and advise me? I have photos before staining (that show green wood) and now a mold covered deck. I am meeting w/ my GC this week. Thank you. Betsy Hamilton[/quote]
You have to strip it off and start over as you did not wait 4-12 months and most likely did not prep correctly. I would suggest waiting until Spring to do this.
My deck was finished in 4/2015. I thought the wood was wet/green/treated improperly. The GC stood w/ it being cured fine. TWP stain was applied. It’s been 4.5 months and the deck is black. I believe the wood was green. Can you look at pictures and advise me? I have photos before staining (that show green wood) and now a mold covered deck. I am meeting w/ my GC this week. Thank you. Betsy Hamilton
[quote name=”CMCannon”]Does one need to use the cleaner/brightener on verticals? I will be staining a new (6 months old) pressure treated deck with your TWP 1500.[/quote]
Yes you do need to prep the verticals and the horizontals.
Does one need to use the cleaner/brightener on verticals? I will be staining a new (6 months old) pressure treated deck with your TWP 1500.
[quote name=”Neil Meyer”]I had a new cedar deck built and completed on September 10, this year. The customer wants a clear stain to maintain its current look. How long should I wait before I stain it? Can I wait till spring and maintain its original look? I live in central Minnesota. Thanks![/quote]
Neil,
As the article stats, you should wait until Spring and prep with Gemini Restore Kit. Make sure that your customer knows that the Clear will not protect from UV graying. You must have a tint/color in the stain.
I had a new cedar deck built and completed on September 10, this year. The customer wants a clear stain to maintain its current look. How long should I wait before I stain it? Can I wait till spring and maintain its original look? I live in central Minnesota. Thanks!
[quote name=”D Borden”]We built a new porch in February 2015 using treated yellow pine wood. We live in Northern Virginia. We are thinking of staining in October 2015. We like the look of yellow pain. What stain would you recommend for the porch and how many coats?[/quote]
One coat on new wood. You need to use the 1500 Series for your area. Prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit.
We built a new porch in February 2015 using treated yellow pine wood. We live in Northern Virginia. We are thinking of staining in October 2015. We like the look of yellow pain. What stain would you recommend for the porch and how many coats?
[quote name=”chuckfitz”]I just finished prepping a 2000 sq ft, two year old cedar deck. Had to strip off a bad stain, sand, and brighten. Do I have to wait a full 48 hours to start staining after brightening if the wood is already reading less than 15% moisture content after 24 hours in sunny 90 degree day?[/quote]
Yes you should wait 48 hours.
I just finished prepping a 2000 sq ft, two year old cedar deck. Had to strip off a bad stain, sand, and brighten. Do I have to wait a full 48 hours to start staining after brightening if the wood is already reading less than 15% moisture content after 24 hours in sunny 90 degree day?