This post was updated on January 9, 2025
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 100 Series Wood and Deck Stain is based on my extensive background as a wood restoration contractor and hands-on testing. I’m here to share my expert insights and provide you with the best tips to get the most out of your deck stain projects.See here for more info about me.
TWP 100 Pro Series Review for 2025
At DeckStainHelp.com, I’m proud that we’ve become the Internet’s go-to resource for everything related to exterior wood and deck restoration. Consumers who have used the TWP 100 Series wood stain have shared how their decks have withstood the test of time and weather, even after a harsh winter. As deck restoration contractors, we’ve trusted TWP for over 30 years, and it remains one of our top stains.
I always appreciate hearing from you, so feel free to leave a comment below and share pictures of your completed projects if you have them. Your feedback is invaluable!
This is our 3rd Review of the TWP 100 Series.
See our other reviews of the TWP 100 Series here: TWP 100 Wood Stain Reviews
TWP 100 “Total Wood Preservative” Deck Stain is designed to protect and maintain all exterior wooden surfaces with its contractor-grade formula, blending a unique mix of chemicals for superior performance.
The TWP® 100 SERIES penetrates deeply into the wood, avoiding excessive surface film buildup. This allows the natural wood grain to shine through with remarkable clarity and warmth. It’s specially formulated to defend against the four major causes of wood degradation: wood rot, water, sunlight, and mildew, providing long-lasting protection and enhancing the beauty of your wood.
TWP Deck Stains – 100 Pro Series Review
How I Rated TWP® 100 SERIES
My TWP® 100 SERIES review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of TWP® 100 SERIES after Application
- Preventing UV Graying
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the TWP® 100 SERIES Application
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
- TWP® 100 SERIES Final Score
8-Step Review of TWP 100 Series
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9
I prepped the deck with the Gemini Restore Kit and applied the TWP 120 Pecan color after a few days of drying. This deck was originally done with the TWP 101 Cedartone. The customer wanted to use the Pecan this time as it has a slight “brown” tone. The overall appearance was excellent.
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 8
The TWP Pecan 120 retained about 80% of the original color after 2 years of full exposure to the elements, the same as the first time tested.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 9
Very minor or no wearing of the TWP. TWP penetrates well into the wood grain, which is expected.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 8
The 5-gallon pail of TWP 100 Pro-Series Stain costs $210. We used 6-7 gallons for our 700 sq. foot deck, so the total cost of the stain was $300, or .44 cents per foot.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 9
No mold or mildew. Some green algae along the edge, near the home.
6. Ease of Application: 9
I used the suggested TWP application of “wet on wet.” The pump sprayed the first coat of the floor very lightly and applied the second coat with a pad applicator to ensure an even appearance. The railings were stained with a pad and brush. Overall, we applied the TWP stain in a few hours to the 700-square-foot deck and a team of two employees.
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 9
The TWP did not darken from mold or UV discoloration.
8. Difficulty of Reapplication: 8
Reapplication will be as easy as using their Gemini Restore A Deck Kit. One of the kits will be enough to clean and brighten the deck for reapplication. No stain stripper will be needed to remove as the TWP has faded lightly and evenly over the last few years.
My Overall Score TWP 100 Series Stain at 2 Year Period: 8.5
Once again, TWP is one of our most commonly used stains. We’ve applied the TWP 100 Series to thousands of decks, and rarely encounter issues. It’s easy to apply and equally easy to reapply when the time comes. While there are a few other stains that come close, TWP remains the best option in our experience.
Note: We do not use TWP on brand-new wood. When applied to wood less than 4 months old, it can struggle with penetration. This is something we’ve noticed with many stains we’ve worked with on new wood. The manufacturer recommends waiting 4-12 months to allow the wood to weather. We strongly advise waiting and applying only one coat for wood that’s 4-12 months old.
Product Information:
TWP Help? Search Google: TWP Stain Help.
More Info: TWP 100 Series
Cost: $42 per Gallon, $210 per 5 Gallon per Pail is the average
Stain Type: Oil-based Semi-Transparent
Available Colors: 100 Clear, 101 Cedartone, 102 Redwood, 115 Honeytone, 116 Rustic, 120 Pecan, 105 Cape Cod Gray, 106 Prarie Gray
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats. Applied “Wet on Wet” Only 1 Coat for new smooth wood.
Coverage Per Gallon: 150-250 sq. ft
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 2-12 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner
VOC Compliant: 550 Compliant in 36 States
More Info: Product Data
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 700
UV Exposure: Deck in full sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: TWP Pecan 120
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
TWP 100 Series Stain Photos
My TWP 100 Pro-Series Review Video

Thanks Deck Stain Help for all of the great info on your site! Followed your guidance & just finished staining our deck, details below & 4 photos attached.
TWP 100 series stain
Custom Color – 5 gallons Rustic 116 to 1 gallon Dark Oak 103
600 sq ft deck + rail + steps + lattice
Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine
Waited 1 year to stain new deck
Used Gemini 2 part cleaner
Brushed stain application, 2 coats wet on wet
12 gallons of stain to cover everything in photos
Thanks for the post and pictures. You did a quality job with this!
Applying TWP in Dark Oak to Wood Fence.
I have applied thousands of gallons of this stain. I LOVE it! I have used Olympic (Max and Elite), Flood, Readyseal, Armstrong Clark, and others. this is BY FAR the best stain money can buy, which is generally cheaper than most oil based stains. Weathering is KEY. you can NOT apply this stain to new wood, it molds in a matter of weeks, but all oil stains will do this because they will not penetrate and trapped in spores will not wash out. Great stain, great price.
While we were waiting to stain our white cedar shakes and cypress posts some mildew took root in some areas and we have some water marks. We finally are having it stained 6 mo later and the painters pressure washed every thing with Green Clean. I still see some mildew and they said they hope some sanding will remove it. We also have pine ceilings on the brow and porch which does not have any mildew, thankfully. But does everythg need to be brightened now as well? I do not think they are planning to do that. We are using the TWP 100. Thanks for your help.
Nemo, you should use their Gemini Restore kit. This kit is the prep and contains both the proper cleaner and a wood brightener.
Cedar Adirondack chairs, sanded smooth, in Minnesota. Do I just leave them alone for the 1st season before applying any finish next fall?
Yes, let them weather for at least 4 months and then lightlyclean before staining.
Andrew, when can you apply this to new wood?
No. New wood needs to season 4-12 months and be prepped before applying TWP stains.
My NEW deck was built in April with pressure treated wood . I was going to stain it in oct ( Fall for Michigan ) before the harsh snowy winter season approaches. So that would make it 6 months old but of course the wood could have been older than that from the lumbar yard. That I do not know . Should I be safe to use TWP ?
Yes on the TWP. Prep with the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit first.
I just completed staining my 5-year old cedar using TWP-101. This is by far the best oil-based stain on the market. I made my decision on going with the TWP-100 series based on information on the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available for most stains online. If it doesn’t contain petroleum distillates and linseed oil, and cleans up with paint thinner, it probably is going to fail and peel within the year. I had used Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil which peeled after 6 months. It took me two months to sand the deck, I then applied the deck stripper and deck brightener. The stain went on smoothly and quickly using a brush. I completed my 650 sf deck including the railing with on 5-gallon pail! The wet-on-wet application is easy and quick and you will not see any drips or lap marks! This stuff is the best out there…you can’t go wrong as long as you have a properly prepared deck! The prep time is the most important; again it took me 2 months to sand and prep!!!!! Don’t rush is and you will be very satisfied! So glad I found this product.
Looks really good!
Thanks! And thank you for this product!!!!
Hi. What color tint did you use on your deck? Looks great.
TWP-101 Cedartone
**Had to repost to include pics.
Hi Scott, need a little guidance if you don’t mind. I started to stain this red cedar fence about a year ago. The darker side has 5 coats of TWP 100, the lighter side has 1 coat. Both sides seem to have weathered over time. I could not get the stain to look even, hence the different coloration. I need to get this looking in uniform and fresh. What steps do you suggest?
After removing fully, use a tinted color of TWP, not the clear.
Thanks for your response Scott. I will get to work on it! Just wanted to add the Stain on the fence is the TWP 101 Cedartone not the clear. Would you suggest going back with the same?
Yes.
Hi Scott, need a little guidance if you don’t mind. I started to stain this red cedar fence about a year ago. The darker side has 5 coats of TWP 100, the lighter side has 1 coat. Both sides seem to have weathered over time. I could not get the stain to look even, hence the different coloration. I need to get this looking in uniform and fresh. What steps do you suggest?
5 coats? You cannot over apply the TWP as that will result in product failure. It is 2 coats max applied wet on wet. To fix, you would have to remove all and start over.
What steps should I take?
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper with both additives. The Booster and the Gel. Apply and pressure wash off. Use the RAD Brightener when done. You can find these products on the TWPStain.com site.
Would you use this product to protect outdoor wood furniture? And if not, what would you recommend? Thanks
Yes, you can.
What is the best stain for a new deck?
See this first about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Hello from ALASKA…looking to re-due our decks for the 4th time in 20 years. They have slightly molded due to the wet weather and long months of deep snow. We rinsed and brushed as much of the dark mold off with a mixture of DAWN liquid detergent and powder Borax, and it really cleaned most of it very well! If I use a hand scrub brush it even turned out better, but it is a lot of work for my back and arms. ( this was all before I read your posts about deck cleaners)
In 2020 we used Superdeck, SEMI TRANSPARENT STAIN, Oil Based with Moderate Hide, colored Weathered Gray. {its a light gray blue}
We would like to go more of a two tone wood look, a bit medium driftwood adding some darker Gibraltar Gray highlights to match the trim on our home and shops. We don’t mind if some of the old color shows through, we’d love several tones if possible.
We have replaced all the wood that was starting to get punky with new boards..
Please what would you suggest? We do have a power washer also.
I have attached 2 pics, one of not so clean, one of a very clean small area.
Thank you very much..
Susan
What you have on there is not semi-transpant but fully opaque. Does not matter what the can said, it is what you have in “appearance” that matters. This means going forward, you will need to use a soild stain unless you want to attempt to remove it all.
THANKS!! Please what brand of Stain would you use? and, if we use a solid stain, can we brush it on, to leave some of the original color to get a deck to look somewhat like the pic attached?
thank you so very much
Susan
No, it is not possible to get a look like your picture. It will be fully solid in appearance when it is done.
Ok, what about a specific weather proof brand of stain please.
See the best solid stains on this link:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
Really appreciate your help! we’ll look through the cleaners and stains and order when we decide.
Hello
My deck is 8 years old (PT) and has been stained 3 times already with TWP 100 Dark oak
I power washed it yesterday afternoon (Saturday 07/06) – I only used a cleaning solution (oxiclean) + power wash and not a stripper since I’m planning to use the same stain. I have a few questions though:
1) I’ve read I should wait at least 48 hours before staining it…..But with the current weather in Michigan, there is rain every 2 or 3 days. Looking at the weather forecast, I could probably stain on Monday afternoon (which will give the 48 hours) Is it long enough?……If I can’t do it that day, it should be raining the day after (Tuesday). Should I protect the deck with tarps to prevent it to get wet again from the rain?
2) The power washer I used isn’t very powerful (electric – 1700psi) with a wide tip. But I find the wood to be a little bit “dull/fuzzy”. Should I quicky sand with a pole sander and a 80 grit?
3) Assuming I want a richer color, could I also go with TWP semi-solid even though I didn’t use a stripper? Or should I stick with TWP100?
4) Where can I find a photo gallery of the TWP100 colors and also the semi-solid ?
Thanks
what are the risks if I don’t strip and use the semi-solid?
I understand stripping when you switch from different brand, but in this case, it’s still TWP
Any link for a photo album? I’d like to see what Seafoam or Stonehenge look like
No photo albums for semi-solid colors. You can order samples to test. Best to remove when switching series of TWP for max benefit.
OK, thank you…..I think I will use TWP100 again then
How long does it take once stained (2 coats) to fully dry and rain won’t affect it?
6-12 hours but it does vary.
OK, so assuming I stain Tuesday in the afternoon and it rains the day after (Wednesday), it will be fine, correct?
It should be but drying can vary based in temps and UV exposure.
I’ve just learned I can’t get TWP100, and it will be TWP1500 instead, which takes longer to cure
Since I rinsed off the deck on Sunday morning around 9:00am, I think I have to wait 48h and stain Tuesday in the morning. Is this correct?
Assuming weather forecast is right (🤔) it should have time to cure properly (or at least enough) before the (heavy) rain on Wednesday
Yes, you should be fine.
How soon after staining can I put back furnitures, flower pots, etc…?
1-2 days later.
I was able to stain last Saturday, and it had more than 30 hours to dry before it rained
My wife is now (Wednesday) moving some furnitures to power wash and stain the 2nd section. But when moving some patio chairs, looks like some “rusty water” from the frame dripped on the new stained section. She tried to rinse it off asap with the garden hose, but apparently it’s still visible….Is there something specific to do? Or is it going to disappear on its own?
It should wipe off or go away. Not sure of what cleaner would remove the spots and not harm the stain.
Live on the intercoastal waterway and have a 360′ long boardwalk; used the Cedartone, but would going to a dark oak tone provide any greater protection against UV? I’m re-staining about every third season. Thank you for your consideration.
Yes, it is normal thay darker colors protect against UV longer:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stain-with-uv-protection/
It does not meant the stain will last X years longer. It means it will hold color longer but will still need to be redone every 2-3 years.
Last spring we applied TWP 100 to treated pine decking that had been untreated for approximately 4 years. We did a light sanding to clean up then did a powerwash clean after a couple of weeks. It was perfect all summer and fall, but now that it has wintered, the stain has come off of the boards in spots that appear to have knots or a ‘harder’ grain in the areas that catch the most sun (shaded part still looks great). I will say that the stain did not seem to penetrate these areas as well when we initially stained…..but maybe didn’t penetrate at all. We sanded off Behr water base stain on cedar railings and posts then power washed same as decking and all the railing still looks great. I do not detect any peeling of any kind at this point. Is it OK to power wash and recoat this spring? If OK, do we need to do 2 coats or just one? Do you think it will do the same thing every year in these areas that do not penetrate very well? Thanks for any direction you can give us.
Yes, just clean and recoat. Just one coat of the TWP is needed.
testing
Hi, I recently finished replacing all of my old deck boards with new pt pine deck boards which I finished in the late summer. This process took me a little over a year to accomplish due to several factors: I had to cut the deck boards off due to the fasteners failing(screw heads stripped out and screws that broke off), only working on it when I had days off, trying to keep the deck functional by only doing a few rows of boards at a time so that my dogs could get out to the yard and the fact that I don’t work as fast as I used to. Based on varying opinions I decided to let the deck ‘weather’ until this spring to finish the deck. My family likes the look of the TWP 100 Dark Oak so that’s what I plan on using. The deck is 360 square feet One flight of stairs is 26 square feet another flight of stairs is 72 square feet totalling 458 square feet. Someone that works in the stain business suggested that I seal the underneath also which I didn’t think of. I’m not sure if this a good idea or not as far as the sealer recommendations go but do think that it would deter those pesky wood boring bees for a while so if I do the underneath I would need more TWP 100. Since the pt boards have been exposed and gotten weathered I’m thinking they need to be cleaned with something before putting the TWP 100 on and possibly sanded. There are a few products recommended on this site that would probably work to clean the wood. I’m not sure which one to go with for my situation or if I should sand it also. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
No need to stain the undersides. For the prep use the TWP’s Gemini Restore Kit. See some tips here for TWP and new wood.
https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
Last year I stripped and stained our Redwood deck and used TWP rustic. Husband was not pleased with how it weathered (he liked the oily look and water beading of whatever stain the previous owners used). He also feels that it faded too much. For the sake of time, we have decided to just recoat with TWP this year. I used the TWP restore a deck cleaner and brightener and plan to restain- Husband wants to use the Redwood stain color over the Rustic color from last year- will we have issues doing this?
It should be okay. BTW, never put a shiny finish on a deck. It will peel and become a huge nightmare to fix.
Hi there,
I have prepped my 25 yr old cedar deck by stripping most areas with the restore a deck stripper and also used the twp stripper. Brightened using Restore a deck product last week. I replaced a few rotting boards with kiln dried cedar from local Seattle lumber yard. The new boards were exposed to the brightener product. Should i apply only one coat of the twp 100 series to the new deck boards? And two coats to all others? Would the cleaner/brightener product remove the mill glaze that i see referred to in other new wood posts? This will be my first time using an oil based product since my nightmare with penofin stain 12 years ago. Slightly shy about using the twp in September in Seattle. I will do my best to apply correctly ( not overapply!) so that it gets a full cure despite shade on north side of deck and high humidity in this region. Any tips appreciated! Thanks, Diana
You cannot stain your new wood yet. It has to weather and be prepped.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
With TWP, only one coat for the new wood after proper weathering and prep.
Hey there, we have a cedar deck. It’s been neglected for about 5 years so the wood was really grey. I sanded all the railings and added Dalys sea fin ship and shore penetrating waterproofing sealer to harden and condition the wood. I’d like to now use TWP cedar tone over to finish. Do you see any issues there! Thank you!!
You cannot use a penetrating stain like TWP over a sealer or vice versa. The sealer will repel the stain in this case.
Second coat needed?
That varies based on how old the wood is, if a prior coat of TWP on the wood already, and the prep as well.
What is the best stain for a deck exposed to the winter elements here in the northeastern US? It is a deck constructed of Amish rough cut lumber. How often should it be stained? How many coats should be applied each time. Thank you
What state do you live in? Is the wood new or older?
Hi. I live in Port Huron Michigan. I have a pressure treated 2 tiered deck that is 50 percent in the shade for most of the day. With snow cover post winter I do get a bit of mildew that burns off in the spring and summer heat. I used a clear PU coating last year and it faded as well as flaked off. I am looking for a light or clear stain that is very UV resistant and has an Algicide component to it. I can spray or roll or rag on and am not concerned whether it is water based or solvent based. My main concern would be to get the maximum number of years with little fading or flaking. I can sand prep etc. please advise.
Your main issue is fully removing the Poly coating. That cannot be used on a deck. You will have to power sand to get this off. Once removed, the TWP would work well for you. FYI, the richer/darker the color, the longer it will last from UV graying.
I just applied one coat of Sherwin-Williams water-based transparent wood stain on new deck wood9 mos. old.. Now I read that it fades & peels after 2 years…not what I want! Whata to do now? Should I strip it with Restore A Deck stripper that biodegradable, then apply TWP 100 Pro-Series that has 9.2-9.8 rating. Need guidance! Thanks,
Since already on the wood it is best to just leave it on and once it starts to fail, strip and brighten then. It will be easier to remove later.
My husband is in the midst of re sanding deck as we speak. It’s about 15-17 years old. After sanding do you recommend washing or treating with anything before start staining I think we are gonna go with the TWP 100. What is the wet on wet application ? Has spent over a week sanding don’t want to pick wrong stain after all of this. We normally have pressure washed and then stained but felt it was time to give a good re sanding.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stain-instructions-for-wet-on-wet/
We are refinishing a cottage dock. The wood is pressure treated about 20 old. It has been sanded, removing old treatments, and are looking for a wood treatment that will give it moisture and more life without building a film or sheen that will be slippery. We would like a bit of colour, but not a solid colour/stain. Confused re differences with the attributes of stains vs oils in the research we’ve done. Suggestions would be appreciated.
TWP 100 or the TWP 1500 Series would work well for this cottage.
New cedar fence 6 yrs ago installed in November. Let it sit until the next summer, prepped and stained using this. 5 years later still looking good. Certain parts now starting to show bare wood and some green on a few panels in spots but overall I’m very surprised by the results. Have nothing to compare it to since this is the first time staining my fence but can’t imagine another of this type of stain that would last longer but I’m always looking!
In the next couple years I’ll be looking at restaining and probably looking at their semi solid with hope I could get 10 years.
My fence is 300 ft long and 6 ft. tall. It took dozens and dozens of hours of prep and work.
Pressure washing, cleaning, waiting to dry, staining, waiting to dry, covering