TWP 1500 Series Review Here at DeckStainHelp.com we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one resource for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. As years before, our customers who have used TWP wood and deck stain continue to be satisfied by the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. If you have used TWP wood and deck stain in the past, or if you are using it for the first time this year, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them. Important Note: This is an updated 2022 TWP 1500 Series Review. TWP® (Total Wood Preservative) 1500…
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.DefyStain.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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Restore-A-Deck Solid Stain Review 2022 This is our 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 2022 due to its ease of use, 5 pre-mixed solid colors (the only solid stain on the market that comes pre-mixed), and the ability to prep and stain on the same day. Note: Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains are the only stain we have tested that can be applied to dry or damp wood. Applying to damp wood allows you the ability to prep and stain on the same day, saving you a tremendous amount of time.…
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Defy Extreme Wood Stain Review 2022 This is an updated review of our original Defy Extreme Wood Stain. See Here for First Review: Defy Extreme Stain Review Note: Defy Extreme Stain had a label change in 2019. Defy Extreme Stain Description Defy Extreme Wood and Deck stains are one of our top choices for water-based deck stains. It has superior UV resistance and has the ability to penetrate into the wood grain almost as well as an oil-based semi-transparent. The mold and mildew protection is superior to 90% of all other semi-transparent stains due to the nanoparticles of zinc oxide. In 2008 Defy unveiled the Defy Extreme Stain, which quickly became the most popular stain in the Defy stain line.…
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Update for 2022 Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper Booster @ Thickening Gel We would love to hear from you 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 wood stripping project, please ask below with the name of the stain brand and type being removed. Please add a couple of pictures as well. Note: These are 2 additives for the RAD Stain Stripper. They only work as additives for the Restore-A-Deck Stain stripper and will not work by themselves. This article is reviewing both of the additives when…
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What is the Best Deck Deck Prep 2022 This has become one of our most popular articles on DeckStainhelp.com. In this article, we help by guiding consumers in finding 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 some input and pictures from you will help determine the proper way to prep. Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck? This is the 2nd most popular question that deck owners have on this website with the first being What is the Best Deck Stain? Prepping your deck is the single most important aspect of the deck restoration process and will determine your…
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Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stain We have been using deck stains now for 25+ years and reviewing them on DeckStainHelp.com since 2012. Our favorite stains have always been penetrating semi-transparent stains as they last for 2-3 years, do not peel, and can be cleaned and reapplied without the heavy lifting of power sanding and insurance scrapping. Here is a list of our Top 5 semi-transparent penetrating wood and deck stains. The 5 Best Semi-Transparent Deck Stains are TWP 100 Series Semi-Transparent Stain Restore-A-Deck Semi-Transparent Stain Armstrong Clark Semi-Transparent Stain TWP 1500 Series Semi-Transparent Stain Defy Extreme Semi-Transparent Stain See below for more information on each brand.
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What is the Best Semi-Solid Deck Stain? We have been using deck stains now for 25+ years and reviewing them on DeckStainHelp.com since 2012. In the past 5+ years, we have used more and more of the semi-solid stains and colors. The major reason is that the higher the solid content, the better the UV protection from fading. One caveat, the semi-solid stains need to be fully penetrating and unfortunately, that is not the case for many brands. Semi-Solid wood and deck stains allow the wood grain to show slightly and if they truly soak into the wood grain, reapplying is much easier down the road. One issue is that not all semi-solid stains are penetrating but rather film on…
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Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Wood Stain Review Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one reference for all things exterior wood and deck restoration related. Today we are reviewing the Armstrong Clark in the Semi-Solid Colors. We have found that the higher the solid content, the longer the UV protection when using the Armstrong Clark Stains. Newer for Armstrong Clark is the Espresso Semi-Solid color, a rich deep brown tone that promises excellent UV resistance. Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Stains are a highly regarded oil-based stain formulated with 5 generations of stain industry experience. Armstrong Clark Semi-Solid Stains are available in 5 colors: Mountain Cedar, Woodland Brown, Oxford Brown, Sequoia, and Espresso. Armstrong…
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New Product Alert – TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series!
For years now, TWP has been the brand of choice when it comes to professionals. TWP® stands for “Total Wood Protectant” and has been distributed for over 25 years. Offering Superior Protection from UV discoloration, rotting, and water, TWP® Wood Care, and Deck Stains can be used on virtually any exterior wood surface. Brand new is the TWP Semi-Solid Pro-Series Stain! Available in 30 Custom Colors, the TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series will keep your wood beautiful, fresh, and looking new longer! The ease of application and maintenance will allow you to enjoy your investment for years to come. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series provides a broad spectrum of weather protection, is water repellent, and aids in color retention. TWP® Semi-Solid Pro-Series resists water absorption that causes…
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How to Restore Your Deck all in One Day
Tips on Restoring Your Deck in One Day In recent years there have been a few new deck and wood stains coming to the market that allow the ability to prep and stain your deck all on the same day. As contractors in the deck restoration business, this allows us to save money and more importantly time by completing everything on the same day. No need to wait days or even weeks for the wood to dry or the rainy weather to cooperate. This frees up a lot of time for the average homeowner as the task of redoing the deck or exterior wood does not take up multiple weekends. Here are the 3 basic restoration steps on prepping and…
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Which Deck Stain Lasts the Longest? No deck stain can last forever. The best you will get on a horizontal deck surface is 2-3 years and 4-7 years on vertical surfaces like wood railings and wood-sided homes. Since nothing lasts forever, what you really should be asking is “Which Deck Stain is Easiest to Maintain” while giving the longest life possible? Penetrating Deck Stains Are Best Our favorite deck stains have always been penetrating semi-transparent and semi-solid stains. These stain types allow the wood grain to show, and if they truly soak into the wood grain, reapplying is easier down the road by cleaning and recoating as needed. No need to strip or sand and even if you do have…
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Deck Stain Facts: Frequently Sought Questions & Answers
The Top Decking Staining Questions & Answers In 1993 we started restoring exterior wood and decks and that led us to start DeckStainHelp.com which has become the internet’s largest resource for all things deck restoration related. Our deck restoration business restored over 10,000 decks and during that time, we have tried nearly every brand of deck stain and deck sealant on the market. DeckStainHelp.com was started 10 years ago as a way to help consumers find and use better prep and stain products and give customized help towards each individual deck or wood restoration project out there. There have been currently over 74,00 Deck Stain related Questions and Answers on this site since it was started.