Which TWP Stain Should I Use?
TWP stands for Total Wood Preservative. It has been around for over 20 years and has been a leader in the wood staining industry. TWP Exterior Wood Stain is an EPA registered wood preservative. Unlike other stains that cover up wood and form a protective film that is venerable to peeling and flaking, TWP stains are a penetrating oil formula that offers excellent protection. Knowing which TWP formula is best for your exterior wood project is the key to having excellent results.
TWP 100 Series – The 100 Series has been a leading and respected formula for over 25 years. It penetrates and enhances natural wood beauty and is available is 6 different colors. It is used for all types of exterior wood decking, siding, fencing, and hardwoods. It is not prone to mold or mildew. The 100 Series is not compliant in all states. Please be sure to check if it is compliant in your area.
TWP 200 Series – Available in 8 different colors, the 200 Series formula is best used on wood siding, shakes, and shingles. It uses a non-drying paraffin oil formula that enhances the wood cell’s structural stability making it an excellent choice for older wood that has lost its natural oils. It sheds and repels water and prolongs UV fading. The TWP 200 Series is compliant in all 50 states.
TWP 500 Series – The TWP 500 Series formula has been discontinued and replaced with a new and improved formula called TWP 1500.
TWP 1500 Series – The new 1500 series replaces the old 500 series. This newly formulated preservative penetrates better, dries faster, and outperforms it predecessor. TWP 1500 is a low VOC preservative with unique absorbing pigments that prevent wood graying, fading and premature discoloring. Selected mildewcides prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Available in 9 different colors, TWP 1500 Series Stain is best used on all types of wood fencing, decking, siding, log homes and roofing. It is compliant in all 50 states due to its low 250 VOC formula.
Choose the TWP Series Stain that best fits your needs and give your wood surfaces the protection and lasting beauty they deserve.
Need More Help? Please Ask Below!
I live in an area that is very dry in summer and sometimes down to 20 ° F in winter with snow. I have an old cedar deck and new cedar fencing. Would 1500 or 100 be most appropriate ? My fence had never been treated. I stripped and stained the deck with 1500 2 summers ago. Thank you!
[quote name=”Steve L”]Our deck in Montana is set to be stained in twp 100 thanks to you. We have a new redwood section and some sections being redone. Just confirming, the portions to be redone need to be stripped and sanded down to bare wood, correct? Also, the total space is 36′ x 8′, 24′ x 24′, and 20′ x 14′, plus steps. How much will we need (approx.) for the two coats?[/quote]
Strip and brighten the older sections. You do not need to sand. See this about new wood:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Only one coat on the new wood. What is the total sq. footage of the old wood and the total sq. footage of the new wood.
Our deck in Montana is set to be stained in twp 100 thanks to you. We have a new redwood section and some sections being redone. Just confirming, the portions to be redone need to be stripped and sanded down to bare wood, correct? Also, the total space is 36′ x 8′, 24′ x 24′, and 20′ x 14′, plus steps. How much will we need (approx.) for the two coats?
[quote name=”constantined”]Can i use the twp 1501 on interior cedar wall for my kids room. once dried do i have to worry about outgases[/quote]
Yes, but it will have strong odor until it dissipates. It does not leech or outgas once fully cured.
Can i use the twp 1501 on interior cedar wall for my kids room. once dried do i have to worry about outgases
[quote name=”Reedgibb”]I live in a dry desert climate in St. George, UT. I am building a douglas fir pergola. Which product should I use to stain? How long should I expect this to last before needing a re treatment? Thanks.[/quote]
Use the 100 Series after letting the new wood season. Prep first. Redo every few years or as needed for a pergola.
I live in a dry desert climate in St. George, UT. I am building a douglas fir pergola. Which product should I use to stain? How long should I expect this to last before needing a re treatment? Thanks.
[quote name=”Reedgibb”]I am building a douglas fir pergola. I live in a dry hot climate, St. George, UT. Which product should I use, and how long can I expect this to last before re treatment? I llan on treating first, then assembly. Thabns.[/quote]
See this about new wood:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Look at the 100 Series.
I am building a douglas fir pergola. I live in a dry hot climate, St. George, UT. Which product should I use, and how long can I expect this to last before re treatment? I llan on treating first, then assembly. Thabns.
[quote name=”Donald Kinison”]We r staining a redwood deck and live in Az. The project was biuilt in stages. One section is 8 months old and the second stage is 3 months old. The wood used is redwood construction common. The total sq footage is about 1000. We intend to use either 100 r 1500. Can we get color samples of the 2 products so we can decide what to order. Also any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank u and excited about using your products.[/quote]
Hello, samples are on this link:
http://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
We r staining a redwood deck and live in Az. The project was biuilt in stages. One section is 8 months old and the second stage is 3 months old. The wood used is redwood construction common. The total sq footage is about 1000. We intend to use either 100 r 1500. Can we get color samples of the 2 products so we can decide what to order. Also any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank u and excited about using your products.
[quote name=”Frank May”]I am looking at your 1500 and 200 for a 29 year old cedar siding. Your info says they only last 2-3 years?? Tell me why and which one should I use in Middle Georgia to last the longest. I have already cleaned the surface.[/quote]
2-3 years on a horizontal deck. Twice as long (4-6 years) on vertical wood and siding. Use the TWP 1500 series.
I am looking at your 1500 and 200 for a 29 year old cedar siding. Your info says they only last 2-3 years?? Tell me why and which one should I use in Middle Georgia to last the longest. I have already cleaned the surface.
[quote name=”David Dunphy”]I lived in NE CT and installed a deck and pergola 7 months ago. I’m now ready to stain. I’m looking for the the deck to be lighter than the pergola. Looking for suggestions on the TWP series type that would work best for me. Can you advise?[/quote]
Prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit. Stain with the 1500 Series. Maybe Dark Oak for Pergola and a lighter tint for flooring?
I lived in NE CT and installed a deck and pergola 7 months ago. I’m now ready to stain. I’m looking for the the deck to be lighter than the pergola. Looking for suggestions on the TWP series type that would work best for me. Can you advise?
[quote name=”Brannon Holt”]I bought some western red cedar adirondack chairs and furniture from BC Canada and it is different colors of cedar. I want to preserve it and keep the natural difference in colors of wood. Would I be better off using the clear or cedartone on it? I want it to have a rich look about it.[/quote]
Clear offers not UV protection from prevent the natural graying. The Honeytone is the lightest tint. We offer samples to test.
I bought some western red cedar adirondack chairs and furniture from BC Canada and it is different colors of cedar. I want to preserve it and keep the natural difference in colors of wood. Would I be better off using the clear or cedartone on it? I want it to have a rich look about it.
[quote name=”Jim Spurlock”]I am about to the decks on our house in Colorado redone. The upper deck is not covered and therefore gets full sun. The lower deck is mostly shaded. The decks appear to be constructed with pine. The existing stain seems to be water-based (rubs off with denatured alcohol). Our elevation is 8,000 feet, so UV exposure is significant. Would TWP 100 or TWP 1500 be best? What prepping should be done?[/quote]
All of the old coating must come off before using TWP. How to remove depends on the type if stain it is. You will need to either strip and/or sand to remove. Strippers will not work on solid stains so you would need to sand. Once removed, use the TWP 100 Series.
I am about to the decks on our house in Colorado redone. The upper deck is not covered and therefore gets full sun. The lower deck is mostly shaded. The decks appear to be constructed with pine. The existing stain seems to be water-based (rubs off with denatured alcohol). Our elevation is 8,000 feet, so UV exposure is significant. Would TWP 100 or TWP 1500 be best? What prepping should be done?
[quote name=”Joe Caricato”]I am building a pergola make of rough cut spruce, I would like to use a stain with color. Which product of your would you recommend, I live in Pueblo Colorado.[/quote]
Use the 100 Series.
I am building a pergola make of rough cut spruce, I would like to use a stain with color. Which product of your would you recommend, I live in Pueblo Colorado.
[quote name=”saf”]I have a newly built cedar bench that I purchased with no treatment. What product should I use to preserve it? I’d like to keep the natural cedar color & grain.[/quote]
Either the 100 Series or the 1500 Series for the bench. See this about new wood:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I have a newly built cedar bench that I purchased with no treatment. What product should I use to preserve it? I’d like to keep the natural cedar color & grain.
[quote name=”Jean Stimmell”]I built my house with vertical, rough-sawn pine board & batten nearly 40 years ago. The last two times I have stained my wood I used CWF clear. The wood is in good shape but it is nearly 10 years since last application.
I l ike the sound of your products.
Which TWP series would you recommend?
Thank you
Jean[/quote]
Use the TWP 1500 Series. Make sure to prep properly by removing all of the old CWF first.
[quote name=”jhduroch”]I have a 3 year old children’s playset from Rainbow Play Systems. The redwood colored stain on is almost completely off. Which stain and what wood prep would you recommend? I am in south central Wisconsin.
We used your 1500 stain for our log cabin and deck in Northern Wisconsin last year and it held up well over the winter. To prep, we used both the stain stripper (worked great) and the wood brightener (didn’t seem to do anything).[/quote]
Use the Stripper and Brightener again for the prep of the playset. The brightener neutralizes the stripper and is needed. Use the TWP 1500.
I built my house with vertical, rough-sawn pine board & batten nearly 40 years ago. The last two times I have stained my wood I used CWF clear. The wood is in good shape but it is nearly 10 years since last application.
I l ike the sound of your products.
Which TWP series would you recommend,
Thank you
Jean
[quote name=”Bryan L. Barness”]I am building a new home using tongue and groove cedar on the soffit( undersurface), This will be fairly protected but exposed to heat and cold changes. What product and how many coats. How much for 5 gallons to Sioux Falls SD.
Thanks[/quote]
Use the 100 Series. 5 Gallons pails are $170 and ship free. See this about new wood:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I am building a new home using tongue and groove cedar on the soffit( undersurface), This will be fairly protected but exposed to heat and cold changes. What product and how many coats. How much for 5 gallons to Sioux Falls SD.
Thanks
[quote name=”Ridge Magee”]We are staining a cabin in NE Georgis that was stained with TWP about 10 years ago. Assuming a good pressure cleaning is performed, will TWP absorb properly being a second application of a penetrating product.[/quote]
Use the Gemini Restore Kit with the pressure washing and that will work the best.
We are staining a cabin in NE Georgis that was stained with TWP about 10 years ago. Assuming a good pressure cleaning is performed, will TWP absorb properly being a second application of a penetrating product.
[quote name=”YvonneMarie”]Can I tint TWP1500 clear w Minwax penetrating oil base stain?[/quote]
No that is not possible.
Can I tint TWP1500 clear w Minwax penetrating oil base stain?
[quote name=”YvonneMarie”]We r doing a plywood ceiling on a beach house. Can I use TWP 1500 on the plywood?[/quote]
Yes you can as long as the plywood does not have a previous coating.
We r doing a plywood ceiling on a beach house. Can I use TWP 1500 on the plywood?
[quote name=”Walter Mooshoolzadeh”]I am about to build a redwood pergola type patio cover. The wood is smooth but dry. Do I still have to “weather” it before staining with the TWP 1500? If so, how long? After building it, there will be surfaces of wood that will not be exposed to the sun, like wood upon wood, underside of wood, and I imagine will not be weathered properly or evenly. After weathering, do I need to use your cleaner and then apply the stain and just leave the wood upon wood areas alone? I am in Southern CA with plenty of sun.[/quote]
Yes you still have to the weather and prep it before staining:
http://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
I am about to build a redwood pergola type patio cover. The wood is smooth but dry. Do I still have to “weather” it before staining with the TWP 1500? If so, how long? After building it, there will be surfaces of wood that will not be exposed to the sun, like wood upon wood, underside of wood, and I imagine will not be weathered properly or evenly. After weathering, do I need to use your cleaner and then apply the stain and just leave the wood upon wood areas alone? I am in Southern CA with plenty of sun.
[quote name=”Scott Elsasser”]I’m doing several new hardwood exterior doors. I’ve used TWP 100 series on a similar door 2 years ago, and am happy with how it has held up. Which will be best in this application, Series 100 or 1500? Thanks![/quote]
Use the same as you did before.
I’m doing several new hardwood exterior doors. I’ve used TWP 100 series on a similar door 2 years ago, and am happy with how it has held up. Which will be best in this application, Series 100 or 1500? Thanks!
You can use the TWP 1500 Series. Best to use the same stain color for all sides. Use an exterior stain pad for application.
I will side my newly constructed home with 1×8 shiplap Spruce boards (rough side out) mounted vertically. It is Kiln Dryed and still under shipping wrap. I want to treat both sides with and oil preservative and the rough (outer side) with a semi-transparent stain before I put the siding up.
What TWP stain would you recommend and how should it be applied.
[quote name=”JC Butler”]We need to treat lots of exterior cedar wood structures in southern AZ. It was treated with an oil about 10 years ago. We need to keep the wood from drying out in the very intense sun. Will TWP work in this situation? What product should we use?[/quote]
Use either the 100 or 1500 Series. Make sure to prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit. This will work well for you.
We need to treat lots of exterior cedar wood structures in southern AZ. It was treated with an oil about 10 years ago. We need to keep the wood from drying out in the very intense sun. Will TWP work in this situation? What product should we use?
[quote name=”bob graham”]WE ONLY HAD ENOUGH STAIN TO DO THE RAILINGS TWICE (WHEN WET) AND THE DECK FLOOR ONCE. IT IS NOW DRY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE NOW APPLY A SECOND COAT TO THE DRY DECK FLOOR? WILL WE HAVE TROUBLE WITH A LONG DRYING TIME?[/quote]
Yes you may have issues with longer drying time and possibly “shiny” spots.
WE ONLY HAD ENOUGH STAIN TO DO THE RAILINGS TWICE (WHEN WET) AND THE DECK FLOOR ONCE. IT IS NOW DRY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE NOW APPLY A SECOND COAT TO THE DRY DECK FLOOR? WILL WE HAVE TROUBLE WITH A LONG DRYING TIME?
[quote name=”Verdade”]I guess I meant to ask below about which RAD the kit, the stripper, or the stripper and the brightened? Sorry for any confusion.
Thank you![/quote]
If you still have old stain then yes it shoudl come off. How depends on the stain type it was. If a transparent or semi-transparent then you will need both the stripper and wood brightener. If a solid (opaque) stain, then you will need to sand off the old stain spots, then clean and brighten after.
I guess I meant to ask below about which RAD the kit, the stripper, or the stripper and the brightened? Sorry for any confusion.
Thank you!
Thanks for the stain recommendation. After looking at my deck again in different light it appears that I do have some old stain patches here and there. I originally cleaned the entire deck with a pressure washer only (last weekend). Is it ok to go over the deck now with the RAD kit?
I’m hoping to avoid stain blotches when I apply the TWP100.
Thanks again.
[quote name=”TheSealerStore”][quote name=”Verdade”]We purchased a home that was built in 2001. We just finished cleaning the deck (probably never cleaned by previous owners).
I believe it is pressure treated pine, however I’m not sure what stain was used before. After cleaning and drying it looks like new wood – clean with no stain pigment left. We are in KY and the deck gets sun from 11:30-5:30ish. Which TWP do you recommend? Thanks in advance!
-Ken[/quote]
Use the 100 Series for this.[/quote]
[quote name=”Verdade”]We purchased a home that was built in 2001. We just finished cleaning the deck (probably never cleaned by previous owners).
I believe it is pressure treated pine, however I’m not sure what stain was used before. After cleaning and drying it looks like new wood – clean with no stain pigment left. We are in KY and the deck gets sun from 11:30-5:30ish. Which TWP do you recommend? Thanks in advance!
-Ken[/quote]
Use the 100 Series for this.
We purchased a home that was built in 2001. We just finished cleaning the deck (probably never cleaned by previous owners).
I believe it is pressure treated pine, however I’m not sure what stain was used before. After cleaning and drying it looks like new wood – clean with no stain pigment left. We are in KY and the deck gets sun from 11:30-5:30ish. Which TWP do you recommend? Thanks in advance!
-Ken
[quote name=”reba”]My 25 year old pressure treated pine deck is in need of attention. The solid color stain I applied a few years back is starting to peel. I was told I need to go with Armstrong Clark semi solid stain. I was told I would need to completely sand off the previous stain. I have about 1000 square feet of flooring, maybe 60 feet of rail and 20 steps, along with some lattice. I tried to sand and because of the condition of the wood with grooves in the wood, I cannot sand it.
What would be the second best way of taking care of my deck? I live in north Alabama and the deck gets morning and early afternoon intense sun. Thank you so much for any help you can give me.[/quote]
You cannot use TWP unless you remove all of the solid stain. Stain stripper will not remove a solid stain so you will have to sand it all off or replace the wood with new wood if you want to use TWP.