This post was updated on April 2, 2026
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 2026
TWP 100 Pro Series is one of the most well-known penetrating oil-based deck stains on the market and has been a staple in the industry for many years. From my experience restoring decks since 1993, this is a product that performs best on older or weathered wood where deep penetration is key.
It does not form a film on the surface like many newer stains, which makes it much easier to maintain over time. However, that also means UV resistance and color retention are slightly lower compared to some newer hybrid or acrylic-based stains.
Overall, TWP 100 is a very good choice if you are looking for an easy-to-maintain, penetrating oil stain for an older deck.
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!
8.63 Overall Rating for TWP 100 Series
TWP 100 Series Review
🔹 Quick Verdict
TWP 100 Pro Series – Quick Review
- Best For: Older decks, weathered wood, easy maintenance
- Not Ideal For: New brand wood (needs 4+ months of weathering) or hardwoods.
- Type: Penetrating oil-based stain
- My Overall Rating: 8.63/10
My Take:
TWP 100 has always been one of my go-to stains for older decks. It penetrates extremely well and is very forgiving when it comes time to recoat, but it will fade faster than some newer formulas in full sun.
TWP 100 Series Description
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 $220. 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: 9
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: 8.63
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.
TWP 100 Series Product Information:
TWP Help? Search Google: TWP Stain Help.
More Info: TWP 100 Series
Cost: $45 per Gallon, $220 per 5 Gallon 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 Prairie 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
Dry Time: 2-12 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner
VOC Compliant: 550 Compliant in 36 States
More Info: Product Data
TWP 100 Series 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
🔹 Pros and Cons
TWP 100 Pro Series – Pros
- Excellent penetration into older and dry wood
- Does not peel or flake due to its non-film-forming nature
- Very easy to reapply with minimal prep
- Enhances natural wood grain without creating a heavy surface coating
- Proven track record over many years in real-world use
TWP 100 Pro Series – Cons
- Color fades faster in full sun exposure
- Not ideal for hardwoods like IPE or exotic woods
- Limited availability in some states due to VOC restrictions
🔹 Best Wood Types for TWP 100
Best Wood Types for TWP 100 Pro Series
- Cedar: Excellent penetration and enhances natural grain
- Pressure Treated Pine: Works very well after proper weathering (3–6 months)
- Redwood: Good absorption and natural look
Not Recommended For:
- Hardwoods (IPE, Cumaru, etc.) – will not penetrate properly
👉 See: Deck Stain for New Wood
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
🔹 Application Tips
- Apply to clean, properly prepped wood
- Do not over-apply
- Apply thin, even coats
- Back-brush if needed for uniform coverage
👉 How to Prep a Deck
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-deck-prep-clean-strip-or-sand-the-deck/
🔹 Maintenance & Recoat Tips
TWP 100 Maintenance Tips
One of the biggest advantages of TWP 100 is how easy it is to maintain compared to film-forming stains.
- Recoat every 18-24 months for decking, depending on sun exposure
- No sanding or stripping is typically needed
- Use a deck cleaner and brightener before reapplying
- Apply a light maintenance coat before the stain fully wears off
From my experience, staying ahead of maintenance with TWP 100 will keep your deck looking consistent and avoid major prep work later.
👉 Deck Cleaning and Brightening
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/cleaning-wood-deck/
TWP 100 Series Stain Photos – Real World Testing
Below are examples of TWP 100 Series Stain applied to different wood types and how it performs over time.
These are from actual field applications and testing. As with any stain, results will vary depending on prep, wood condition, and exposure.
🔹 Who Should Use TWP 100?
Who Should Use TWP 100 Pro Series
You should consider TWP 100 if:
- Your deck is older or has weathered wood
- You want a stain that is easy to maintain long-term
- You prefer a penetrating oil over a surface film
- You do not want to deal with peeling or stripping in the future
👉 Best Deck Stains
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
🔹 FAQ Section
TWP 100 Pro Series – FAQs
How long does TWP 100 last?
Typically 18-24 months on decking, depending on sun exposure and weather conditions.
Does TWP 100 peel or flake?
No. It penetrates into the wood and does not form a surface film, so peeling is not an issue.
Is TWP 100 oil-based or water-based?
It is an oil-based penetrating stain.
Can you use TWP 100 on new wood?
It is not ideal for new wood unless the wood has been properly weathered for 4+ months and prepped to allow absorption.
Is TWP 100 good for full sun exposure?
It performs well in full sun.
🔹 Final Thoughts on TWP 100
TWP 100 has been around for a long time and continues to be a solid choice for many deck owners. While there are newer products with improved UV resistance (TWP Semi-Solid Colors), this stain still stands out for its penetration and ease of maintenance.
From my hands-on experience restoring and staining decks for over 30 years, products like TWP 100 are often the best choice for homeowners who want a natural look and a stain that is easy to maintain year after year.
If you are willing to do light maintenance coats as needed, TWP 100 can keep your deck looking good without the headaches that come with film-forming stains.
*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.
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.
https://youtu.be/xH6RnzN4M-c
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
My horizontal decking is pressure treated pine and was previously stained with Cabots SOLID 8 to 10 years ago. I was hoping to go the oil based route. This week I drum sanded the entire deck down to bare wood. I would like to use TWP 100 but am concerned about the "sides" between each board where the old solid stain remains. I can't sand it and stripper wont touch it. I was planning on using two coats of TWP 100 (wet on wet) but wasn't sure if it will be a problem because the oil won't be able to penetrate the "sides" of the boards. Will this be a problem… and/or… should I use consider using a different product under these circumstances? THANKS!!!
The problem is more of an aesthetic appearance issue. The solid stain on the sides will still show after applying the TWP which is a semi-trans.
Yep… I've accepted the fact I'll be able to see the old finish between some of the boards but I can live with that. The bigger question was will TWP (or another oil based stain) still perform if it can only penetrate from the top surface and not the sides? My ideal solution is to find a product I can apply every other year without having to strip or sand. (just power wash, clean, dry, then apply a maintenance coat or two) I've read several articles of people doing this with TWP 100. I was originally looking at Armstrong-Clark but haven't found much info on being able to apply back to back maintenance coats. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!
Yes it will still perform. The TWP is a penetrating stain that den be cleaned and reapplied as needed. does not have to be stripped, but can be easily if ever needed.
Last question before I move ahead with TWP 100… To recap: My deck is pressure treated pine, was last coated with Cabots Solid 8 to 10 years ago. I scrubbed down the deck with Oxyclean then pressure washed to rinse. Once dry, drum sanded the entire deck down to bare wood. So… the final question is… For the best adhesion / results with minimal problems, should I apply a brightener or any other chemical of any kind? Thanks to this website I am aware the final color will be different if I use a bright versus not… but believe it or not… I'm not that concerned about the final color as I am doing it right the first time. Since so much work is involved I don't want to miss a step and be one to hear my application failed because I didn't prepare the surface properly. 🙁 Thanks for all your help and assistance. It is greatly appreciated!
Applying a brightener and rinsing well after sanding does help the stain to penetrate a little better into the wood grain.
We live in n.e. Alabama so mild climate with lots of rain & hot summers. We had a pressure treated pine deck installed 4 months ago & we were going to use a product like deck over by Behr but after reading reviews we won't be doing that so what would be the best product for our deck & how long should we let it dry before applying any stain?
You can use a stain like the TWP. It is a penetrating stain so less chance of peeling. See this about new wood though:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
l live in Minnesota and have a poolside deck that is 20 years old and made of cedar. It is on the east side of our home and only gets morning sun. It is also built just off the ground because of this it has a hard time drying out. I plan on sanding it and cleaning it after. What do you recommend for a stain?
TWP 100 Series or Defy Extreme stain.
Twp cedar tone will look very nice its an oil base stain.
Best TWP product for a new cedar deck?
Hello, you cannot apply TWP to new decking right away: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for…
I have a 2 year old cedar deck, west facing so it gets afternoon sun. Last year, I applied Thompson's Waterseal Waterproofer Plus Clear Wood Protector. While water still beads, the wood looks dry and there is some feathering and cracking. Which product should I use to protect the deck and what preparation would be needed before applying? Location is the Catskills in upstate New York?
Strip an brighten for the prep. For NY, you will need the TWP 1500 Series.
I have a two level deck (13×13 and 12×18) faces SW in Eastern Mo. All cedar – some is rough sawn and some is smooth. Parts of it are 13 years old, parts are like 9 years old, and I just added a roof over it so some of the top posts and trim boards are new. Will also be building screen panels with smooth cedar to screen the top deck in. We screwed up a few years ago and put Restore on the floors and top rails. Thank God we didn't do the rough sawn posts. We are replacing the floor on lower deck with composite so no worries there – and floor on top deck will be covered with outdoor carpet. Been removing the Restore off the rails with heat gun and scraper which works pretty well, then sanding with DA and 60 grit. The old rough sawn posts have a stain on them that "sinks in". Can't remember exactly what it is as it was done when we did the Restore probably 4-5 years ago. So my problem is that I will have a combination of old cedar sanded down with 60 grit, new smooth cedar, new rough sawn cedar, and old rough sawn cedar with some kind of stain on it. Afraid to power wash the old stuff as that will tear up the wood. Can't sand it off or it won't be "rough sawn" anymore. Looking to use something like this TWP stain tinted in some cedar color. I also have lattice around the bottom deck so something that I can spray on that with a pump sprayer would be a big plus..
Suggestions on my combo platter of pain?
As long as the prep is done correctly, you should be good with the TWP. The new cedar and the sand cedar should be weathered for 4+ months when using the TWP. Clean and brighten before applying. TWP is sprayable.
Which version of TWP would you suggest exactly?
100 if allowed in your state. If not, use the 1500.
We have a cedar sided house and will have it bleached and pressure washed – which product is better the 100 or the 1500 TP. We live in Central Wisconsin. We had a Rymer semi transparent on in previously.
Either will work but the 1500 would give slightly better UV protection.
We have a deck that was completed in September. It is made from kiln dried teated pine with a cedar pergola. We live in Wisconsin and it gets sun 50% of the time. We had originally thought we could avoid treating the deck and still have a long lived deck.
1. Should we treat the deck to ensure a long life?
2. What process and products do you recommend?
Thanks
1. Yes
2. Prep with Restore A Deck Kits and stain with TWP or Armstrong Clark.
I want to stain a three year old dock with a product that will not harm fish. I am in South Carolina. Dock gets 8 hours of full sun in summer
I am stripping my 16 year old, pressure treated pine, 750 sq ft deck which was covered three years ago in Rustoleum Restore. I am stripping it with Rustoleum stripper the company sent to me. Most of it is completely stripped. Some areas still hanging onto spotty areas of a Behr semitransparent stain applied before the Restore. Do I need to get it all off? Then use cleaner and brightener? What would be the best stain to apply after? I was going to use Behrwe semi transparent but do not want anything that will peel again. Thank you!
Yes you need to get it all off and clean and brighten after. Use the TWP stains.
I have 2 three-year-old decks( pressure-treated pine ) previously treated at one year with flood products. The sealant was almost completely gone after About eight months. Now after that sealant is pretty much gone and the wood is starting to Gray, I am going to clean up with the Gemini cleaner and restore kit from TWP and Seal with TWP honey tone. I realize I will be putting two coats on and I am trying to figure out how much product to get. According to calculating tool on their website it looks like I am going to need more than 5 gallons.
I have two questions-
1-How much would you recommend that I get to do the job?
2- being in Wisconsin I know that I can use 100 or 1500, which is going to do the better job and last the longest? Thank you in advance!
Use the Restore A Deck Stripper so you can make sure all the Flood is removed, not the Gemini Kit. Without knowing the sq. footage, cannot answer the quantity needed. Use the 100 Series.
I'm sorry I guess I forgot to mention the calculator tool on the TWP website says I have approximately 750sq ft total.
Do i still need to use the stripper even though there's no beading up or color besides grey?
I would follow what their calculator says as far as amount needed. If you think you still have some of the old sealer/stain left then use the stripper. If not, the cleaner kit should be okay.
Thank god I found this website. There is a lot of conflicting information and misinformation regarding deck stains
I live in Minnesota and have a new cedar deck that faces the east. It is shaded for much of the day but gets some early morning sun. Naturally we have hot summers and cold winters.
1. Both TWP and Defy are rated highly. Is there a significant difference in using a water based vs oil based product?
2. Is there a difference in the TWP 100 vs the 1500?
3. To the best of your knowledge have the TWP, Defy, or Armstrong Clark been reformulated in the past year? Apparently other brands have been reformulated causing lower product reliability
1. Water based stains will do better with mold. Oil based stains penetrate better. TWP contains an EPA registered algaecide so it does well with mold prevention.
2. Mainly VOC. some states cannot use the 100 Series. Your state allows both.
3. No they have not.
See this about new decks: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I think the Twp 100 oil base cedar is he best.
Bought a cedar playscape from costco last year in Connecticut. Already some graying. Best stain with least amount of prep?
Strip and brighten for prep to remove the current stain. Stain with TWP 1500 Series as the 100 is not allowed in CT.
Western oregon
Cedar Deck
previous stain with transperant stain superdeck
Best stain?
Strip and brighten with Restore A Deck Kits to remove the Superdeck. Stain with the TWP 100 Series.
Our deck is approximately 20 months old, new deck constructed of treated lumber and never stained or treated with anything. I just ordered Restore-a-Deck cleaner and brightener to clean and prep. Do you think using TWP100 would be an OK choice given the age? The reason I ask is that we want to use a gray color and TWP100 has this option, whereas Woodrich Timber Oil (your best recommendation for new wood) does not. Thanks for your advice!
Yes this will work for you.
Thanks, that is what we ordered. For white trim on railing, what do you recommend? BTW, the RAD cleaner and brightener worked amazing.
For a solid white stain, look Flood Solid stains.
I started to apply TWP100 on trim work, between railings etc., and the color we ordered (cape cod grey) is too light/wrong color for the look we are trying to achieve. What do you recommend as the appropriate period to wait until we change the color to a darker grey? Should we wait until next season or can we simply go over what we have already covered? Our railing is white, so changing color now would be our best option since we removed the railings to spray. Should we use the same product (TWP100) or switch to something else? Thanks for your help.
Either way you will need to remove first the TWP as you should not apply a different brand on top. It would be easier to strip off the TWP next year. TWP does not make a darker gray.
So what would happen if I use Flood solid stain over it in a few days once the TWP100 has a chance to cure?
For the Flood solid to work well, it needs to soak in somewhat and the TWP may hinder that.
Hi again, I contacted the manufacturer of TWP100. They provided EXCELLENT customer service! They are a small company and said they want their customers to be happy. Another plus for choosing this brand. They also suggested to only apply TWP100 on top of the current TWP100 application, but that I could go to a local paint store and try to darken the color using alkyd color, and using a pint to test before treating the 5 gal pail I purchased. They said that if I darken the color and reapply over the already stained area that the darker color should cover in 2 coats. Any thoughts?
They suggested to darken the Cape Cod? We have been told by Gemini that you cannot add tint to their stains. In addition, over applying the Cape Cod to the point that it does not soak into the wood grain sounds like a major fix when it\’s time to redo. Definitely try a test spot if you do this to make sure it does not dry shiny, sticky or tacky. That would be a big problem to fix.
We would definitely strip and start over.
Yes the TWP 100 will work for you now.
Was looking to use TWP 100 on my new deck. Deck boards are new kiln dried western red cedar. Since the board are not pressure treated and were kiln dried, do I still need to wait to stain / seal ?
Wait about a month. Prep with their Gemini Restore Kit. Only 1 coat of stain.
Staining my deck for the first time. Home was built in 2007. What are the best steps for me to take to stain my deck and it last long?
Use the Gemini Restore Kit before applying the TWP.
Aalways better to pressure wash the old stain before redoing another stain.
Can TWP 100 be applied over Olympic Maximum Stain (oil base) or must I strip it off first? Thanks!
Strip it off is the correct way.
I live in Oregon. Have a 10 year old deck that was stained with Cabots deck stain about 3 years ago. The deck has some mildew and the stain needs to be re-done. If I want to go with the TWP 100 series do I need to sand the deck to get all the old stain off or can I just use stripper and brightener? What is the best way to prep the wood to get the best results?
Yes you have to remove the Cabot. Strip and or sand to remove. Brightener after. Without knowing the type of Cabot used, it is hard to say if stripping or sanding will be best.
I have just purchased new cedar deck boards (approx 400 sq feet). Had many issues with my previous pressure treated pine holding solid stain, and not peeling….Looking to make sure I do it right this time.
I live in Wisconsin.
Looking to understand best product for new cedar
Looking to do a semi-transparent
Looking to understand if I need to wait 4+ months before applying something
Looking to understand if I need a stain and sealer, or if one product server both purposes
TWP wants you to wait 4-12 months for the new wood to season. Prep first with their Gemini Restore Kit and just one coat the first time staining. Deck stains are sealers and you cannot apply a deck sealer on top of a deck stain.
I have a pressure treated pine deck that was previously painted with a product that is or similar to Rustoleum 10X by the previous owner. The deck surface was in poor condition; peeling paint, discoloration and rot from potted plants. Also the vertical surfaces and railings were painted with this coating even though I believe it ins not intended for vertical surfaces.
I have completely scraped and sanded this coating off, as well as the the original stain that the paint was applied over. Unfortunately the only surfaces I cannot remove the paint from is the sides of the deck boards; the spaces in between the floor boards.
The deck now looks great and fresh. I need only to replace a few boards.
My question is what is my best strategy for staining the deck?
Try a penetrating oil based stain like the TWP. You should use a deck cleaner after the sanding for final prep. Brightener as well. Only issue is that the paint between the boards will still show through.
Since the paint between the boards is gray, I will try the TWP 100 Cape Cod Gray.
There are few cracks here and there and also a couple of knots that have popped out. Should I use a filler like Bondo or is there something better? Should I clean the deck before I apply filler or after? What cleaner do you recommend?
Fillers do not work on outside wood nor will they blend with the stain. Just leave as is. Prep with their Gemini Restore Kit.
Cedar deck 12×18 installed Nov 2015
Black ballisters in railings.
Bought Restore A Deck kit and TWP 100 stain Pecan March 2016 from this site.
6/18: Cleaned, pressure washed and brightened. Waiting a week to stain.
Our deck is 9 ft tall with walkout under. We didn't plan on staining under side of deck as joists are pressure treated wood but 6×6 posts are cedar.
Question: Should we stain it with same stain and do we really need to?
No need to do undersides unless you want for appearance.
I would stain the posts.
I live in Iowa. Pressure treated deck about 8 years old. Previously stained with Behr premium stain. Some peeling in high traffic areas but not too bad elsewhere. I want a better product this time around. How can I properly prep the deck for this product and do I need to strip the vertical surfaces as well? Is this product readily available in Iowa?
You have to remove the Behr fully. Strip, pressure wash, and sand for this. The wood needs to be free of all coatings to use the TWP.
I live on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. I have an 8 year old pressure treated pier that I recently power washed with an EZ Clean 15" flat surface cleaner attachment to remove built up dirt and mildew. The attachment seemed to prevent the wood damage you often get with normal pressure washing. The wood now looks much like when the pier was first installed. I would like to use a water-based, colorless product to maintain the current natural wood look. What would you recommend?
TWP is oil based. There is no such thing as a colorless product that will prevent graying for more then 6-12 months. You must have a tint/color.
I live in Wisconsin and have a deck made out of pressure treated pine. It is 8 years old It currently has SW deckscapes that is peeling badly on it. It also had about 6 floor boards that I replaced about 7 months ago due to some rotting. I plan to strip, clean and brighten the deck using a restore a deck kit. I then plan to use TWP 100 in pecan color to refinish the deck. Here are my questions.
Since I have some newer boards would you recommend just one coat this year and follow up with a second coat next year?
When I want to recoat the deck is just a simple cleaning with a quality deck cleaner followed by reapplication of the TWP stain all that is required. Providing there is no peeling I would like to avoid stripping if possible?
Thanks
Yes the 1 coat will be fine
Yes TWP can be cleaned and reapplied without the need for stripping.
I live in Minnesota and have a cedar deck that is about 15 year's old. Looking for a good stain ?
The TWP works well in your area as long as you prep correctly first.
In Maryland near the Bay
New Knotty Cedar Deck professionally installed
Full Sun
Vinyl Rails
Some cracking in cedar planks (should I be concerned?)
Between TWP 1500 and Armstrong Clark. I understand from your comments that AC is better on new woods, but then I wonder should I do transparent or Semi Transparent?
Do you have any advice? 🙂
Thanks
Semi-trans will give better UV protection over a transparent.
Nothern illinois
Treated pine
Full sun
Mold and mildew treated with concrobium and concrobium mold stain remover
Deck has gone ten years with no maintenance. Surface is distressed but i am not sanding
Prep with the Gemini Restore A Deck kit and use the TWP 1500 Series as the 100 is not allowed in IL.
I'm from long island, NY. Just had a pressure treated deck done about 2 months ago. I know you mentioned not using this on new wood, do you have any recommendations for a new deck in the NorthEast. The deck gets sun early in the day until about 2-3pm. We have vinyl lattice and rails so its just the deck boards themselves and some of the outside framing.
Thanks
Doug
Use the TWP 1500 Series for NY. The 100 is not allowed in NY. Wait a couple of more months, prep with a Gemini Restore Kit, and stain.
Hello,
I followed the advice from this website and forum when I built and stained my deck and found it very helpful, so Thank You. I build a pressure treated pine deck in July 2014. I let it sit and weather for 12 months and then used Restore A Deck to clean and brighten it. I followed that up with TWP 100 stain. The deck appears great and I would like to keep it that way, so want to anticipate my future maintenance.
1) When should I do a reapplication of the TWP 100 stain?
2) Should I use the Restore A Deck Cleaning and Brightening Kit before the reapplication of the stain?
3) Can I mix 2 of the TWP 100 stain colors together to get a stain color more to my liking?
4) After the reapplication of the TWP 100, can I just use Thompson's Water Seal every year for protection, if I don't mind the stain color fading from UV?
Thank you again for sharing your deck knowledge.
1. Every 2 years is normal
2. Yes that works for reapplying
3. Yes you can mix TWP colors
4. No you cannot apply a sealer over top of a deck stain.
Should I use TWP 200 on new deck (premium yellow pine, KD19 HT) or TWP 100?
Use the TWP 100 Series. The 200 Series will take 1-2 weeks to dry on a new deck.
Hi, I have a pressure treated wood deck that we have allowed to sit for 6 months. It is now time to paint. it has blackened some so need to know how to clean that and how long do I need to wait before painting. Also, was told by painter to use Thompson Water Sealant first after cleaning? Also, we want a solid stain color to match the house and painter told us to use oil based primer first on railings and then the trim paint but my question is can a solid stain color come in an oil? He is suggesting an oil solid stain but I thought they only come in certain colors. we have no choice but to do solid stain color as some of our deck was not rebuilt and has house color trim on it now. Please advise when you can, have party in 2 weeks. Thanks
Hello, this post about the TWP 100 Series and it does not come in a solid stain. You do not need a primer for your solid stain. Not sure of there will be solid stains in oil based in your state as many states restrict this.
I live in MN and want to redue my deck. I used natural cabolt about 3 years ago. Nothing left. What is the best way to go about this. I do not think there is any stain at all left on the deck. It is AC2 pine treated wood. Thanks
If not stain left, prep with a deck cleaner and wood brightener. Stain with TWP 100 or Armstrong Clark.
Just got back into restoration & renovation market, was a Store manager and Rep for 15 years. This 100 series product was my weapon of choice. Log homes, cedar shakes, decks, fences etc. Never had a probelm with it. From the looks of it, I will be back in the premium wood decking market with same series. Bravo to Gemini, looks like TWP is still the winner, the champion serioes to use.
Russ Ramey
RNR Group
Elida, Ohio
I recently purchased a 5 gallon pain of TWP 100 and used about 2 gallons of it. I resealed the pail and am wondering how long it will keep. Would I still be able to use it next year or the year after that for a maintenance coat? As you know, it's not inexpensive so it'd be nice to be able to use it in the future. Thanks!
Jimmy, if there is any evaporation of the solvents then the TWP will harden to a jell like consistency. If you want to try and use it next year, make sure it is 100% closed and stored where it will not freeze.
Assuming it's sealed well and kept from freezing, none of the solvents or other chemicals lose their efficacy with time?Meaning, it will keep indefinitely and still stain well as long as it's sealed tight?
Yes that is the theory. Unopened we have seen cans last 2-3 years.
hey jimmy …………I just used Twp cedar tone today that was 18 years old and it looks great ………….hope it will hold up for moisture tho .
I am removing an old composite deck (2002) and replacing it with kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) lumber. My painter recommended TWP 100 for my stain. I have read from the lumber web sites that KDAT should be stained immediately after installation and to use 1 coat. TWP 100 recommends 2 coats wet on wet. I will be staining 3500 sq ft of decking (including skirting), so I want to make sure I have this done correctly. My questions are : (1) Do you recommend immediate staining for KDAT lumber; (2) do you recommend 1 or 2 coats of TWP 100? I live on a lake in Texas and the deck will receive full sun exposure. Thanks for your advice.
1. Wait about a month and prep with the Gemini Restore Kit
2. 1 coat only on new wood. Apply another coat in 18 months.
just finished installing a new cedar deck, it faces south and is in the sun most of the day, we live in the northeast, are we better off waiting until after the summer to stain? and would you recommend this stain for cedar? thanks in advance
Brian,
See here about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
TWP wants 4-12 months of weathering. One coat only the first time and another coat in 12-18 months. After that you should be on a every 2-3 years cycle.
We have a large pressure treated SYP deck. The we started installing in the end May 2015 and finished in the beginning of July 2015. It surrounds our above ground pool and is attached to our house on one end. It gets full sun all day in the summer and stays pretty wet with the kids swimming. We live in western northern Virginia. What stain do you recommend using. The deck has not been treated with anything yet.
The TWP 100 or 1500 Series should work well. Make sure to prep first with the Gemini Restore Kit.
I have a seven year old deck, NE Ohio
pressure treated lumber
stain once with Cabot semi stain(suppose to last 5years, never made it pass two)
stain again with Cabot solid stain(suppose to last 5 years, never made it one season)
will not hold stain on deck or rail
I powered washed, used deck cleaner, even hand sand, but still having issues. I want to re-do this summer. but loss on what to do. Can you advise of a product that will hold up? Thanks
Nothing lasts 5 years. 2-3 is max. You can apply a stain like TWP over a solid stain. Either sand it all off to remove and start over or reapply another solid stain. Problem is you will be at the mercy of the Cabot solid stain failing under your new coating.
Where can I buy TWP 100 stains
Contact manufacturer direct for help locating or order online.
I previously coated with One Time Wood and want to switch to TWP natural color product. Will I be able to coat over the OTW product? Will it require stripping prior to TWP product?
No, you have to strip off the Onetime if you want to switch brands. Use RAD stain stripper and pressure washing. Brightener when done.
what is the best stain for a cedar deck
The TWP 100 Series works very well on cedar wood.
We have a 1. 5 year old pressure treated (possibly) pine deck. It was installed by the previous owners just before we bought the house in October 2014. We wanted to stain the new deck last Spring but never got the chance due to various issues, and are hoping to get the staining done in the next couple of weeks. We live in Richmond, VA. What would you recommend in terms of product? Thanks so much!
Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit and apply two coats of the TWP 100 Series.
I have a 2 year old pressure treated pine deck.
Live in Connecticut, full sun morning and afternoon and partial shade in the late afternoon, looking for your recommendation.
Thanks
Rich, the TWP 1500 Series is what you would need for Connecticut as the 100 series is not allowed there.
I live in Mass. I have a 2 yr old redwood deck that I used ben.Moore arbor coat semi-transparent stain on. Needs to be sanded and new stain applied considering twp 100 series stain . Any help on prepping deck and which stain?
Only the TWP 1500 is allowed in MA. As for removal of the Arborcoat, stain strippers do not work well on this stain. Sanding is the best way to remove. Use 60 grit paper to remove. Clean and brighten the wood after the sanding is done.
I would give the TWP stain an 8 out of 10. We use it every two years on our deck at our lake house. I like that it does not peel and lets the natural grain of the wood show through.
We have been using TWP 100 Series as deck cleaning contractors for the last 10+ years. We have found it to be the best stain available in our area. It always lasts 2-3 years on cedar and pressure treated pine decks. No mold even though we are in a humid climate. East to clean for re-coating and strip if ever needed. Does not peel and does not turn black like other oil based stains. We are fortunate that we are still able to get the 100 Series in our area, but have tried the 1500 Series as well. It performs the same, just takes slightly longer to dry. Favorite colors are Cedartone and Pecan.
i have used twp 100 series cedar tone for yrs. now need to clean and reapply mainly to floor . Will a 5 gallon bucket be too much for. 700 sq ft deck?
Should be good when doing a maintaining coat. Just one coat. Clean off any dirt first.
I live in Charlotte, NC and 16 months ago I followed this website and with advice from a friend's father and a few other online reviews, went with the TWP 103 Dark oak. I followed the instructions to a "T" and after letting the new treated pine deck age for 9 months, I used the Gemini caustic cleaner followed by brightener. I built a three level deck with lots of facades and a sunken firepit. The staining job took me about 2 days after the deck had dried for two. The stain is high in VOCs and had the neighbors complaining about the odor for about 2 days after I finished. Nonetheless, the deck turned out beautiful. However, 12 months later, I find it in desperate need of recoating. I really expected to get two years out of it. The deck experiences sun for about 1/2 of the day (mid day portion). The vertical components held up well, but anything horizontal showed extreme mildew growth, fading, wood cracking and board warping. As a chemist, I should of known better than to go with this stain, but after spending a good deal of time hunting around for reviews and word-of-mouth endorsements I opted to follow experience. However, one glance at the SDSs and anyone can find out there is not much too this stain. It is weak on UV protection, mildewicide and oils compared to many of it's competitors. First, it uses unpolymerized linseed oil – great for penetration, but the excessive amount of unsaturation in the linseed oil leads to further oxidation. Additionally, it becomes great mold and mildew food. A better option would be to buy a linseed oil that is pre-polymerized. This increases the hydrophobicity of the oil, reduces propensity to be eaten by mildew and mold and reduces the degree of oxidation. Another choice over linseed would be tung oil as it is more naturally resistant to mold and mildew, but this is less common due to the higher import costs relative to linseed. Many of the competitors use linseed oil or polymerized versions but also incorporate short chain alkyds and overall much higher oil concentration. These are non-film forming, but help to increase the amount of "oil" being added to the deck and (I think – not 100% sure on this one) provide a higher plasticization to the wood, helping it to reduced stress from thermal fluctuations. Additionally, more renowned brands, like Sikkens, also use variable solvent packages to help with penetration and evaporations rates. And final, one can not underestimate the value of mildewicides and UV inhibitors. It is possible this is captured in the undisclosed components of "TWP Proprietary" on the SDS. If not, it has very little protection in these departments. And my deck after 11 months is proof. I would like to leave a better recommendation over TWP 103 in this comment however, I have not tried another stain – yet. I am thinking of going with the non-film forming, oil-based sikkens… Read more »
Nick, thanks for you in-depth review and sorry that it did not work to your expectations. Here are a few observations.
1. We have found that the first time staining new wood, it will never last as long as the next time. Mainly due to the limited absorption of the newer wood. We have found this to be the same for all semi-transparent stains, not just TWP. As contractors we tell our customers to stain with one coat the first year, another a year later and then go on a two year cycle after. TWP in their defense also states that only one coat on new wood and another coat is needed on the horizontals in 12-18 months.
2. With the mold, TWP is the only deck coating that is actually rated by the EPA as a wood preservative for mold prevention. This is due to the TWP containing a registered algaecide in it. We have found that TWP works better than any other oil based stain when it come to preventing mildew. Obviously it did not work very well for you. Not sure why, but we rarely have a mildew issue. Speculation here, but did you happen to apply during pollen season? Be careful of this as the pollen will feed mildew growth no matter the stain brand. We had to strip a deck where the yellow pollen from the trees dried into the stain while the stain was drying. Different brand but same results. Whole deck turned black.
3. TWP uses a limited amount of linseed oil (10-20%) and also does have a \”solvent\” package as you described. Not sure the SDS that you were reading, but there is a good amount of ingredients on it and as you know, they are not required to list all for \”trade secret\” reasons.
Two toned decks are great, but be wary of a filming stain on a horizontal surface. They will peel and highly doubt they will last 5-6 years. Nothing does on a deck surface. 2-3 years is the most we ever see.
Good luck and thanks again for you review.
Just had our deck and house painted with Sherwinn Williams products by a professional painter. The decking and hand rails have already blistered and now the painter has offered to sand them down to the bare wood and repaint using whatever products we want. We live at the coast in central California and most of the deck is in full sun. What product would be best for us to use? He used a solid colored stain. Please include as much detail as possible. thanks!
Hard to sand off all the solid stain. If he can get it all off, do you want a semi-transparent? They penetrate deeper with less chance of peeling. Armstrong Clark and TWP 1500 would work well if you are able to remove all of the solid stain completely.
Can the TWP 100 be applied using a power sprayer? This would save me a tremendous amount of time and effort on railing and pickets on my deck! Thanks!
Yes it can. Watch for drip after applying and use a brush to even it.