This post was updated on June 16, 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 2026
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!
TWP 100 Series Review
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:Â 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:Â 9
No mold or mildew. Some green algae along the edge, near the home.
6. Ease of Application:Â 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:Â Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage:Â 700
UV Exposure:Â Deck in full sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used:Â TWPÂ 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
Best stain I have ever used!
Yes, it works very well! Do you have any pictures?
Last year, I stained my deck after cleaning it (using a solution of oxiclean) and power washing and light sanding. Then I applied 2 coats of TWP1500
It went well and I was satisfied with the final results
I would like to apply a coat as a “refresher” this spring, but without power washing though
How should I gently clean it before applying this 1 refresher coat?
Thanks
Whenever you recoat, you should do the full prep. Use a deck cleaner and lightly pressure wash.
Scott Paul…thank you for all your tips and responses! I am building a new outdoor fence in Southwest Louisiana out of Spanish Cedar…I was going to use Australian Timber Oil until I read your reviews about it…ie, they changed the formula years ago… what would you recommend for an outdoor spanish cedar fence in a humid climate?…I’m guessing TWP… ?? Your tips generally refer to stains…but I want a clear coating… what TWP product would you recommend with a clear natural finish? …thanks in advance – JP
You must have a tinted stain, not a clear sealer as clear sealers offer no UV protection:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/will-a-clear-sealer-prevent-graying-on-deck/
You should also read this about new wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
After the weathering and prep, TWP 100 Series in a tinted color would be an excellent choice.
Scott…thank you kindly for your reply and info! I will use TWP 101 Cedartone stain. As for as weathering, I have a question…the Spanish Cedar I’ll be using is being cut today at the mill…it is close to my house. The raw boards will be cut to a smooth surface but they will be technically “New Rough Sawn Wood” without the rough surface…do I need to still ‘weather the wood’ for 3 months because its a smooth surface or is it OK to stain immediately because its fresh cut, literally today? 4/10/25 SW Louisiana is humid and gets a lot of rain. I had planned on staining my side of the fence and painting the other side on my neighbors side…I saw in another post, you mentioned not to stain/seal both sides due to trapping moisture…can I stain the top and front of each horizontal board…paint the back side…but leave the bottom of each board raw unstained/sealed. These will be horizontal fence boards… thank you so much for your reply!!! – JP
Yes, you still need to weather and prep. As for the fence, it is normal to stain/coat both sides, and since it is vertical wood, it will be fine. The bottom of the horizontal boards will be uncoated, and that will help
Ok, thanks again Scott!
**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 with tarps during rain, etc…I tried different methods but ended up brushing the entire thing. Can’t say that brushing made any difference compared to spraying but it did give me more control.
Even if you spray you still need to brush at some point.
Bottom line is it was a lot of work but the results were and still are incredible. I can’t comment on using this on decks but if you do the right work you won’t be disappointed in the results on fencing.
I am about to undertake (for the first time) the cleaning, brightening, and staining of a boat dock. The decking is pressure treated #1 pine. The storage room is T-111 siding and was NOT replaced. It is about 6 years old and never been stained. I have been looking at a number of different products and the more I read, the more confused I get. Is it better to use water based stain or oil base? I want something that will last. I don’t want to have to do this all over again in a year or two. Also, some companies say to stain the wood within a couple weeks of installation. On this forum, however, I see it suggested to let new wood weather for 4 to 6 months. What am I to believe?
New wood must weather and be prepped. How long to weather varies on the stain brand and what their directions state.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
As for the stain, there are decent brands for both oil and water based. No stain will last mreo than 2-3 years on a dock though. See one of these brands.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Greetings Scott,
I like your website and I can use all the help that you can provide. However, I have tried several times to register for the help forum without success. After I have input my user name (3-15 characters), email address, robot puzzle, click on agree to allow for you to send me an email …. then click enter …. I get a message on the screen telling me that I am using illegal characters (I think in my user name). Which does not allow me to register. I have tried different user names such as JHK49 and harvey …. I get the same message. Any help for this would be appreciated.
No need to register on the forum, you can ask questions anywhere on our main site.
Greetings from southwest Georgia. I have recently had my pressure treated pine deck replaced (1000 horizontal sq. ft.) and now the next step is to get it sealed/stained. On my old deck I used a product called OneTime Wood, it worked OK but I thought I would try something different this time around. After reading many reviews and “expert” opinions I finally found your website which seems to know more about stains than the others. My concerns are UV protection since I live in the (hot/humid) south and just about the whole deck is in direct sunlight most of the day …. which of your top stains will provide the better UV protection? Ease of application is important to me since at 74 years old I am only good for about 4 hours a day …. and getting up/down isn’t as easy as it once was. Of your top stains, which is the easiest to apply ie. roller, brush, spray, rag? I am planning to use an oil based semi-transparent stain. I saw that you rated TWP 100 and TWP 1500 stains at 8.5 ….. What did you not like about those stains? For the Armstrong Clark stain you did not show a rating as you did for the TWP, why not? Also, if you have any thoughts/suggestions about this next investment for my deck, please feel free to express.
TWP and AC stains are excellent and would work very well. As for the difference in ratings, best to read the reviews. Make sure to prep by removing the One Time stain first. You might want to consider the TWP Semi-Solid colors:
Thank you for creating this resource. Which product do you think would be better for my new PT deck- TWP100 or TWP1500? From what I’ve read here, I’m pretty sure it’s between these two. For reference, we live at 6500 feet altitude in Colorado with 8+ hours of full sun exposure, with very low humidity. Is there a better product you know of for this application? Also, I know you recommend ~6 months for the PT to fully dry, however, does that also apply for very dry climates like mine, with full exposure? Thank you!
For CO, you need the TWP 1500 Series. See here first: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
TWP is 4+ months and then prep.
Thank you!
My deck and porch were just stained for the second time with TWP 100 series but porch is still tacky 5 days later while deck has dried. Weather is in high 70’s and low humidity What do you recommend to fix issue.
Give it another week to cure. If it doesn’t you might need to strip it down and start over. This can happen due to improper prep and or over-application.
I have a 3 month redwood fence. Do I need to wait 4 – 6 months before applying, and is it acceptable to use a pump sprayer?
With TWP, yes. 4+ months. You can spray but you will need to back brush to ensure even coverage and catch and drips or runs.
Where can I buy the stain in Cincinnati Ohio
The TWP 100 Series is not legal in Ohio. You can order the TWP 1500 Series on this link:
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
I am new to this site. I have a pressured treated deck that will be a year old in July of 2023. What do you recommend to stain the deck with? Thank you.
One of these products would be best: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
What is your opinion on Penofin vs TWP100?
TWP is much better. Penofin darkens or turns black. Known issue with the brand.
Can this product be obtained in a solid color (IE: Barn Red ?) I’m looking for a good Siding product for T-111, which will match an existing structure on the property. Located in Eastern PA. If not can you make a recommendation? Thanks
TWP does not make solid color deck stains. See her for solid stains: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/what-are-the-best-solid-color-deck-stains/
I live in Oregon and have been using TWP 100 series for many years, applying every 2 years to 27 year old cedar deck. About a year ago we noticed deck to stop beading up water after only 1 year since application. Since the wood is so old, should we be putting 2 coats of TWP 100 series on? Thank you very much!
Beading water is a myth and it is not suggested. It should be breathable and shed water. You are doing it correctly.
Thank you Scott! But does a second coat help or harm? Much appreciation.
More is not always better. It really depends on the porosity of the wood.
Scott, thank you again.How does one determine the porosity of a 27 year old cedar detck that has just had a fresh sanding and one coat of TWP 100 series? There is a shine film on the cedar that does not get much traffic, but no shine film on the heavy traffic cedar. Would you recommend 2nd coat test on a portion of the heavy traffic cedar decking? Other thoughts appreciated!
TWP is not supposed to be shiny which means it dried on top of the wood instead of in the wood. If it is shiny, it was over-applied and or not prepped correctly. You are not going to get longer life by adding additional coatings so best to just keep doing what you have been doing.
Does the higher amount of solids in the TWP 1500 help it perform better than the 100 in anyway?
There is review of the 1500 in 2022 on this site that says it is the best even though they are rated the same overall.
Is there a reason I should use one over the other?
Also, can I add a mildewcide to either for extra protection?
No, they last about the same for most cases on a deck. Then one caveat would be vertical wood would get slightly better UV protection. Mildewcide is already in the stain.
Take a look at the TWP Semi-Solid for better UV protection.
I’m using it on Douglas fir wood soffits and covered patio ceilings so most of it doesn’t get direct UV. I’m more concerned with mold and mildew since I already have a problem with it 1 year after moving in to a new house. PPG cetol SRD was used on it.
Would I be better off using Restore-a-deck with better mildewcide? Or TWP 100 or 1500?
The RAD Stain will do better with mold and mildew prevention.
Hi there,
We will be having a new red cedar, horizontal tongue and groove fence installed in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, TWP is not VOC compliant in NJ as I know it is your top pic and gets great ratings in general. I have researched quite a bit and Consumer Reports rates Behr as very good/their pick. But I have seen lots of complaints as well. The company that we are working with is a firm believer in BM Arborcoat and has never had an issue. I was thinking semi-transparent Stonehedge. We are having our fence stained before it is put in place because we have a narrow lot and don’t want to bother the neighbors once it is in place. So, it won’t be weathered for 4 months unfortunately. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Use the TWP 1500 Series. It is allowed in NJ and is much better than Behr, which is a very poor stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deck-stain-review/
We also do not suggest the BM ArborCoat: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/tag/benjamin-moore-arborcoat/
Read the consumer comments below the reviews:
I used TWP golden pecan on a very weathered wooden fence. I pressure washed it the wood and then applied 1 coat of TWP and 3 years later still very happy. FUNNY Thing, I Came across this review because, I bought Rocksolid 20x,around the same time; but went with the TWP instead. I was going to use up the gallon of 20X on small wheelchair chair ramp but I don’t have the primer suggested, and now I am having second thoughts on the 20X rust-O which I had high hopes for. TWP I felt I would give credit, where credit is due.
I have a 22 year old deck in pretty good condition. So happy to have found your website about 6 years ago – TWP is the only product I’ve ever used (after perhaps 5 or 6 different products needing to be redone nearly every year!) that has lasted and worked beautifully!
Last year we had to redo our steps and a few boards with new cedar. Now I need to stain the new boards after weathering approximately 10-11 months.
I know I need to clean/brighten the new wood, and clean the old wood, then stain it all. Should I use the same cleaning products on the entire deck (I usually just wash with dish soap and water and reapply TWP when necessary)? Should I strip the old decking even if I’m using the same color stain (TWP 120 Pro Pecan)?
And anything different if I decide to change the color?
We would strip and brighten the old stain and clean and brighten the unstained wood. This will give you the evenest results when you reapply.
Just wanted to say thanks for your excellent guidance. It took me a while to get to it, but I did just what you said and the deck turned out great!
My little deck is 140 sf pressure-treated lumber (pine?), Central Florida. Originally coated 6 years ago with Thompson’s Water Seal(?) or some other useless stain/sealer. It’s finally peeled off enough to tackle again and have pressure-washed- mostly bare wood now except for a few small areas which I have sanded enough to blend, if not completely removed. I’m 72 yo (old and tired) and don’t need the deck to look perfect. Cost is an issue. I’m leaning towards the RAD bc of the short drying time and easy cleanup.
Will it be a disaster to use either TWP (oil based) or Restore-A-Deck without all the prep work? At this point I just want to be able to slop it on with a pad and be done with it.
You must prep, no way around it. Post some pics and we can help with that.
It’s somewhat weathered but not actually gray and comes up to a rich “natural” color after a good rain. Six years of dead pecan tree leaves must’ve protected it. Color resembles new PT lumber. Pics show leftover previous finish.
Forgot to mention pressure wash was with water only, two weeks ago. Which product(s) do I need to use? Both cleaner and brightener?
Strip and brighten for prep with RAD Products since you still have some old stain on the wood.
Why did my cedartone CWP stain applied to western red cedar develop black splotches and spots in some areas which are shaded and near the house?
Send pics. TWP does not turn black so it has to be something else that caused it.
What is the difference between TWP 100 and 1500? What is the best TWP to use on a 5yr old cedar deck that I will clean first with your suggested Gemini product. Previously stained with oil base
The difference is VOC and what is allowed in your state. Where do you live?
I have a deck around my salt water pool. Will this stain hold up?
Yes.
New deck 12 months old in Michigan
Which one to use on a new deck….12 months old…in Michigan
Use the TWP 100 Series after prepping with their Gemini Restore Kit.
My pressure treated deck is only a month old and my contractor is wanting to stain… I am in Georgia where it is getting quite hot but I’m wondering if it’s really ready. Is there a TWP product that works on new pressure treated wood?
No. You cannot stain this yet and TWP wants 4-12 months of weathering for new wood and then prep. See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
We put in a deck about 6 years ago using treated wood. We live near Seattle in Washington state. We have not been happy with the stain we have used and have not been able to get an even coverage even after pressure washing. We plan on sanding the deck and using TWP stain. The deck is 17′ x 32′. Should we use any other product to make sure this stain penetrates? Any other advise you can give us would be appreciated. (Right now it is raining so the picture would not be helpful, but let us know if you need one.
Thank you
Use the Gemini Restore Kit after sanding. This helps open up the pores of the wood. Do not sand finer than 60-80 grit.
We live in Ohio a couple of miles inland from Lake Erie. Deck is on the east side of house. Replaced about 1,000 sq ft of ptw last September. Considering TWP semi-transparent. Would 100 be a better choice than the 1500? Clean and brighten? Would probably be at least another month before I and Mother Nature both get in the mood. Thanks
You can only use the TWP 1500 for Ohio.
you can get TWP 100 in West Virginia or Kentucky if you are willing to travel
Great information here, this really is the best online source out there for staining expertise. We’ve read the reviews and wanted to know your opinion on our plans to apply semi transparent stain to not only our PT decks, but also our shed and fence.
Standard pine fence and T 111 shed has been stained over several years ago with semi transparent. Our smaller PT deck has been stained years ago with semi transparent. Our larger PT deck has never been stained post install 3 years ago.
Torn between Restore A Deck and TWP 100. They are very close in score w/ a slight edge to Restore A Deck. I saw your TWP 100 testing was performed in full sun, whereas Restore A Deck was half sun. Our larger deck, shed and fence will be in mostly full sun. The smaller deck has very little sun (north facing).
Was hoping to simplify and only use one stain for all. Leaning toward TWP 100 but can also see the value in the Restore A Deck being a little better w/ mildew prevention. Our larger deck has developed small black specs of mold even though it’s primarily in the sun.
Would appreciate any thoughts you have on what stain would work best for the above.
Thanks,
John
Honestly the TWP and RAD will both hold up very well. UV protection is great with both. The RAD advantages are the mildew resistance is better and applying to a damp deck if that sounds like what you would like to do. TWP’s advantage is it being oil based it will soak in a little deeper. Both can be cleaned and recoated as needed without stripping.
I live in the desert southwest and I am wondering if I need to oil the wood before I apply a 100 series product. The wood has been outside for 1.5 years now and is starting to show the little cracks of dryness.
No, you cannot oil wood before applying a stain. No need as well.
What is recommended for redwood desk?
The TWP 100 Series would work very well.
Thank you for this useful information! Planning to stain our new pressure treated pine deck that has been weathering 7 months. Still debating the merits of oil-based vs water-based. It is a large deck that comes out over a walk-in basement, and it will be a big project prepping and staining. The question is should we stain underneath the boards at the same time as we do the top surface, or can they be done at separate times? Can the boards be sprayed from underneath? (I understand we will need to clean/brighten first)
You do not need to stain the undersides of the deck but you can if you want for aesthetic purposes. We would not spray as it will be very messy.