Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My review of the TWP 1500 Series comes from years of hands-on testing and my expertise in wood restoration. I’m here to help you find the best deck stain choices based on real-world performance and quality.See here for more info about me. TWP 1500 Series Review At DeckStainHelp.com, we’re proud to be the Internet’s leading resource for everything related to exterior wood and deck restoration. For years, customers who’ve used TWP wood and deck stain have been consistently impressed with both the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. Whether you’re a seasoned user of TWP or trying …
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
Scott Paul ~ Restoring Wood & Decks Since 1993
As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior wood and deck restoration. Scott and his Deck Cleaning Michigan company have restored over 10,000 decks in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the deck restoration industry and has contributed to numerous wood restoration forums and informative sites.
In the spring of 1996, Scott opened his first Brick and Mortar storefront in Rochester Hills, MI. Scott relied on his experience and stocked the store with the best wood restoration products available. The store quickly became the go-to place for contractors and homeowners seeking the best products possible for their deck maintenance needs. In 2002, Scott opened his first eCommerce site selling the products he sold through his retail store. This allowed him to offer eCommerce solutions to both contractors and homeowners alike.
Over the years, Scott has used and sold enough decking and wood stain to cover over 100 million square feet. In the past 10 years alone he has helped over 30,000 contributors on his sites with their wood restoration questions and concerns. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject and loves to help homeowners. His goal has always been to help consumers achieve better results through better products and better service than provided by a local big box store.
Scott is only biased toward the products that perform the best based on his own personal experience using the products and in his 20+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous different deck restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.
All the products he suggests through this site are sold through numerous online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott's eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them. You can also contact the manufacturer(s) directly for help in locating products.
eCommerce Deck Stain Sites Operated By Scott:
- www.opwdecks.com
- www.TWPStain.com
- www.DeckStain.com
- www.ArmstrongClarkStain.com
- www.Restore-A-Deck.com
DeckStainHelp.com was conceived by Scott and is his way of giving back and helping promote the use of quality products for better results.
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Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Review of Restore-A-Deck Solid Color Wood Stain is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain Review 2025 This is my initial Review of the Restore-A-Deck Solid-Color Wood and Deck Stain. This review will be updated over the years. As deck restoration contractors, Restore A Deck Solid-Color Stain will be our go-to Solid-Color Stain for 2025 due to its ease of use, 5 pre-mixed solid colors (the only solid stain …
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Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stains TWP® Natural Effect utilizes state-of-the-art European waterborne technology and is designed to revolutionize exterior wood maintenance… …while at the same time significantly enhancing performance! Spend more time enjoying your investment and less time maintaining it with TWP Natural Effect. Natural Effect is the superior way to beautify and protect your exterior wood investment! …
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Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Wood Stain Review Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in becoming the Internet’s number one reference for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Today, we are reviewing Armstrong Clark in the Semi-Solid Colors. We have found that the higher the solid content, the longer the UV protection when using Armstrong Clark Stains. Armstrong Clark’s newer …
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According to the Lumber and Building Materials (LBM) Journal, the U.S. decking industry remains incredibly resilient despite legitimate challenges. Recent tests included COVID-related material shortages, sky-high lumber prices, and the multi-year lapse in new home construction. The National Association of Realtors agrees that decks effectively “extend the livable area” of a home and are desirable to prospective homebuyers, resulting in approximately an 80% return on investment (ROI). In 2025, some of the outdoor deck design trends include creating multi-functional decks with features such as multiple levels, vibrant colors, eco-friendly options, and natural materials. Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Trends Here, I’ll explain many current deck trends reflecting the desire to create decks with functionality, practicality, sustainability, modern aesthetics, and …
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Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood cleaning. My Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with Additives review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me. Update for 2025 Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster & Thickening Gel I would love to hear if you have used the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with the Booster and/or Thickening Gel additives on your wood or deck. Please post a rating in the Consumer Star Ratings below. If you have any questions as to the effectiveness of your deck or …
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Deck Stain Stripper ReviewsDeck Stripping Facts and Tips: Helpful Advice
Best Deck Stain Strippers: My Pro Tips and Reviews
Hi, I’m Scott Paul. Since 1993, I’ve been specializing in prepping and stripping exterior wood decks. Over the years, I’ve tested just about every product on the market and have compiled a comprehensive list of the top wood and deck stain strippers. My reviews and tips are based on decades of experience as a wood and deck restoration contractor. Each recommendation comes from hands-on testing, ensuring you get the best product options for your needs. Looking for expert advice? Learn more about me here and discover how my experience can help make your project a success. The Best Deck Stain Strippers 2025 With over 30+ years of restoring decks as a contractor, I have done extensive research to find the …
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Top Deck Help GuidesDeck Cleaning Facts and Tips: Helpful AdviceDeck Stripping Facts and Tips: Helpful Advice
Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck cleaning and stripping prep. My wood prepping help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me. How to Prep a Deck 2025 This has become one of my most popular articles on how to prep your wood deck before applying a wood deck stain. In it, I will help consumers find the best way to prep their deck for an application or reapplication of a deck stain or deck coating. Not all scenarios are the same, and this article, with your input …
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Top Deck Help GuidesDeck Cleaning Facts and Tips: Helpful AdviceDeck Brightening
Prepping Your Wood Deck – Cleaning
Hello, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck and wood prepping. My wood deck prepping help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me. I have updated our DeckStainhelp.com site with numerous new reviews and articles on deck cleaning products and how-to tips for 2025. We strive to remain your number one deck stain information source. Please ask any questions below that you may have in our comment area. If you own a deck, you know the wood faces exposure to harsh outdoor elements all year long. That includes ultraviolet (UV) light …
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Top Deck Help GuidesDeck Staining How-To Help TipsDeck Staining Help and TipsDeck Cleaning Facts and Tips: Helpful Advice
When to Stain a New Deck: Stain Now… Or Wait?
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in new deck staining and prep. My new wood stain reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me. Want to Stain a New Deck in 2025? Read This First! Every spring, I get hundreds of questions about when to stain a new deck, wood fence, or exterior wood home. This is one of the most frequently asked topics on DeckStainHelp.com. To make it easier for you, I’ve put together this comprehensive 2025 …
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Hi, I’m Scott Paul, an exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience specializing in exterior deck staining. My reviews on semi-transparent wood stains and helpful tips are backed by years of hands-on testing and my expertise in wood restoration. I’m here to guide you to the best product choices based on real-world performance. See here for more info about me. Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stains & Sealers: Pro Picks Whether you’re prepping an existing deck for a refresh or picking the ideal semi-transparent stain for a new addition to your home, selecting the right product is crucial for both durability and long-term visual appeal. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best semi-transparent stains of …
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I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in clear wood sealers. My reviews and help tips are based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top product choices. See here for more info about me. What Is the Best Sealer for Wood Decks? Homeowners often ask, what is the best sealer for wood decks, especially when trying to protect against water damage, UV graying, and mildew. Deck Sealers typically come in two types: a clear sealer and a lightly pigmented Transparent Deck Sealer. Both types are penetrating and will thoroughly soak into the wood. The best deck …

