2026 TWP 100 Series Review
Important Note: The TWP 100 Series has undergone a label change and is now called TWP 100 Pro Series. Rest assured, it’s the same trusted product with identical performance and colors.
- TWP 100 Pro Series earned an overall score of 8.69 out of 10 after two years of real-world testing on a 2,100 square foot cedar pool deck.
- The stain scored a perfect 10 for mold, mildew, and algae prevention, with zero spore growth detected after two full years of exposure.
- At roughly $0.23 per square foot, TWP 100 offers strong cost efficiency for large deck projects using two coats.
- Reapplication is straightforward: a wood cleaner and brightener are enough prep, with no stripping required after two to three years.
- Do not apply TWP 100 to wood less than four months old, as the stain struggles to penetrate properly into new lumber.
At DeckStainHelp.com, we’re proud to be your go-to resource for everything related to exterior wood and deck restoration. Customers who have used the TWP 100 Series consistently report that their decks have weathered the harsh winter remarkably well, standing the test of time and the elements.
We value your feedback! If you’ve used the TWP 100 Pro Series, feel free to share your experience in the comments below. Don’t forget to include pictures of your completed projects—we’d love to see them!
TWP 100 Series Deck Stain Review
Important Note: This is our 2nd 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 protects and maintains all exterior wooden surfaces. TWP Wood Stain is a special blend of chemicals in a contractor-grade formula that safeguards and protects exterior wooden surfaces.
TWP 100 Wood Deck Sealers lock out water and moisture that causes wood to crack, split, and warp. Freeze damage is also prevented in cold climates.
TWP Stains – 100 Stain Review
TWP 100 Series Wood Deck Stain Scores (1-10)
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 9
– The TWP 100 Stain was applied to a very large deck surrounding a pool. The wood was about 1 year old at the time and was prepped with the Restore-A-Deck Cleaner and Brightener kit. The wood was a knotty cedar and the Cedartone 101 color gave a rich look that is typical of a cedar stain. Knots and grain were enhanced and the stain dried evenly for the 2 coats that were applied to the floor.
Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 8
– Same as the first time tested, The TWP Cedartone 101 retained about 80% of the original color after 2 years of weathering.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8
– We found that the TWP did wear slightly in about 20% of the floor area. It was mostly in the high-traffic areas that surrounded the pool. The upper-level deck in the back had little to no wearing.
TWP 101 Cedartone Color
Cost Per Square Foot: 8.5
– The price paid was $170 for the 5-gallon pail of TWP 101 Stain. We used all 15 gallons for the 2100 foot pool deck. We applied two coats to the floor and 1 coat to the railing. The cost to stain with TWP 100 Series was $.23 per sq. foot.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 10
– No mold, mildew or algae spores were present.
Ease of Application: 8
– As you can see from the photo, this deck was surrounded by a pool. We needed to be extremely careful of getting any stain into the pool. We did all flooring with a stain pad that allowed the stain to apply evenly and absorb well. We tarped the railings to prevent overspray and used a pump sprayer to apply to the spindles, back wiping the drips.
Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 9
– The TWP did not darken from mold or UV discoloration. Slight water spots were noticeable around the edge of the pool.
The difficulty of Reapplication: 9
– Reapplication will be easy without the need for stripping off the two-year-old stain. The use of a wood cleaner and wood brightener should be sufficient prep. On this particular deck, we cleaned and prepped the flooring and reapplied it to the floor and top of the railings. We did not do the verticals as they still looked good from the original application.
Overall Score TWP 100 Series Stain at 2 Year Period: 8.69
– As contractors, we enjoy using TWP Stains. It penetrates well into the wood, fades lightly in color, and holds up to wear and tear. We like that when it is time to redo the wood in 2-3 years, the TWP can be cleaned and re-coated or even removed with ease. This makes the reapplication process much easier.
Note: We do not use TWP on brand new wood. If applied to wood that is less than 4 months old, it seems to have a difficult time with penetration. We find this with many of the stains we have used on new wood. The manufacturer suggests waiting 4-12 months to let the wood weather. We strongly suggest that you wait.
TWP 100 Pro Series Review
Product Information:
TWP Help? Search Google: TWP Stain Help
More Info: TWP 100
Cost: $41.99 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, 1o5 Cape Cod Gray, 106 Prarie Gray
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 2 Coats. “Wet on Wet”
Coverage Per Gallon: 150-250 sq. ft
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 2-8 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner
VOC Compliant: 550 Compliant in 36 States
More Info: Product Data
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Western Red Cedar
Deck Square Footage: 2100
UV Exposure: Full Sun Deck and Pool Area, Skirting and Railings
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: TWP Cedartone Natural 101
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Take into consideration that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
TWP 100 Series Stain Photos
TWP 100 Pro-Series Review Video
Applying TWP in Dark Oak to Wood Fence.
https://youtu.be/xH6RnzN4M-c
Hello, we have 9 mos old pressure treated pine deck here in Georgia we will be staining soon. I am looking at an oil based stain, the deck is an extension of our covered porch that is also pressure treated pine deck with a 10 year old oil based Olympic stain. Can I clean the porch deck and apply the new stain on it or does it have to come off?
Thanks
Strip and brighten to remove the old stain. It has to be removed.
Can you mix TWP 100 clear with TWP 100 cape grey to get a much lighter grey color? Perhaps 5 gallons clear to 1 gallon grey?
Yes, you can mix, but adding one gallon of clear to a 5-gallon bucket of tinted color will not make it much lighter. You would need closer to a 50/50 mix.
Cedar deck (20 years old with TWP Cedartone 101) New fence stained with same. Western red cedar fencing. I used this because it’s the same color as the deck. And I sorta have some remorse. The fence is really orange. The deck is older and has multiple coats of stain so it’s darkened a bit. I was wondering I could re-stain both to a darker stain without stripping it first? Would something like Restore-a-Deck cleaner and brightener be sufficient? I’d really hate to strip brand new stain on the fence and waste the $ it took to buy and apply it. Maybe to a TWP 120 Pecan. Slightly darker with less orange tone.
Most likley it will not take/penetrate without removing it first if you do it now. You could lightly clean and then recoat next Spring. There is a good chance the “orange” tones down over the next few months.
Thanks. I meant to say, I’d wait until next spring/summer at least.
This is what I used
That was in 2017 all clean and ready for stain I wanted oil sikkins but they don’t sell the oil base paint here in mass so he got me a hybrid waterbase did not work
This is my deck I’m taking all the decking off and replacing about 1200 Square feet I’ve had people stain it and clear nothing works. I had it done in July come May all peels off but nothing but a nightmare for me.it’s twenty years old
Look at TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark Stains. Both are VOC-compliant oil-based stains that are allowed in your state.
We have a brand new cedar deck we just installed. What is the best semi transparent stain? And should we sand to remove mill glaze? We are in Naperville Illinois
See this about new wood:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Do not sand for prep.
Is the TWP Pro 100 available in New Hampshire?
No but the TWP 1500 Series is allowed there.
I have a 5-year-old cedar deck that I used Cabot log oil on the first year and it performed terribly. I sanded it down and used Q8 log oil for the past 3 years. I’m wondering about switching to TWP100. Would cleaning be enough prep to change to the TWP100?
No, when switching stain brands you should remove the prior coatings. If you would like tips on doing this, post some pics in the comments of your deck.
I applied TWP 100 on a KDAT deck and next spring I will need to reapply. Overall the deck is in great shape but the water repellency went down this year. It is otherwise clean and mold free. If the deck is clean and mold-free, do I need to use something like the Restore-a-deck cleaner and brightener before applying a new coat? Would just a brightener be sufficient? Can I simply pressure wash, dry and reapply?
You will need to clean and brighten. Brightener alone is not sufficient for prep.
Restaining a 18 year old Mangaris deck in SoCal. South facing. Used TWP in the past and it held up ok but probably needed to reapply in 2 years instead of 4 or 5. Is this still the best to use for this application. It takes a beating from the sun but very little foot traffic as it’s a balcony.
Thank you!
No such thing as a deck stain lasting 4 to 5 years. Your hardwood Mangaris, typically requires annual recoatings, so if you are getting 2 years, you are doing much better than any other stains.
Would you recommend this for Red Grandis Eucalyptus which has high sun exposure – Pena fin was used which greyed very quickly after install, Messmer UV and IPE stain were recommended now but not applied.
What would you recommend?
You have a hardwood. See here for best options: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/hardwood-deck-stains/
What works best on a treated wood dock in a freshwater lake It is 100% in sun The dock is 30×17 in PA.We just built it and want it to last
You cannot stain new wood right away: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Try the TWP 1500 Series when time for PA.
Have you ever used Outlast q8 for a deck? What is your opinion?
We have not.
Question:
I have beautiful 2 x 8 clear cedar facias. I love the natural, warm orangey color. We power-washed and oil them about every 2 years.
I live in CA about 1/2 mile from the ocean. I am told that the salt air tends to cause my cedar to gray. Also, I have a “galvalume” metal roof, and the chemical in the roof’s run-off seems to add to the streaking and weathering of the facia. (No rain gutters except where necessary.)
So far, we have been using the Armstrong Cedar Tone oil finish. We are willing to clean and condition the wood for a new product, if there is anything better. It appears that TWP 100 is not available in CA, and Armstrong v. TWP 1500 is comparable.
What would you recommend for my cedar facias?
Thanks, GJ in CA
Salt air does not cause graying. UV oxidation from the sun does. As for the streaking from the galvanized roof, no stain will be immune to this. To give longer life from UV graying you will need to up your UV protection by going from a transparent color to a semi-transparent color. You can use the AC Cedar Semi-transparent or try something like the TWP 1500 Series or Restore A Deck Stains.
Wanted to get your thoughts for the best product for the job.
Large deck in North Carolina lots of sun an humidity. Some snow an ice.
Mostly redone with kadat kiln dried pine but still has some 20 year old previously painted but 95% stripped an blasted.
The TWP 100 Series would be a geat option for this deck in NC.
I have to media blast my Doug fir soffits and covered patio areas to get all of the mildew/mold and stains out. The covered patios are built with 2×6 T&G Doug fir car decking with underlayment and shingles on top and the underside is exposed. Would the TWP 100 be the best product to protect these areas?
100 or 1500 Series would work well here.
Had my deck stained with honeytone and love the color. It has been over 24 hrs and there are a few shinny wet looking spots. Can they be corrected. Reading the directions, it states that the stain may not have bee absorbed in the wood. Please advise what we can do. Thanks.
See here for tips: https://twpstainhelp.com/twp-stain-is-spotty-or-shiny/
Do you have any reviews of Sadolin products for decks?
No, never heard of it.
In your ratings you always mention wood. Can TWP 100 semi-transparent stain be used on 10 to 12 year old TREX that is still in good condition but has no color.
No, you can use the TWP semi-solid though.
I’ve got a fence that has a redwood frame and galvanized mesh. I don’t remember what stain/protector I used when I built it a year or two ago. I’m adding some additional features to the fence and would like to clean up the existing portions, too. I saw some comments in the Q&A section that the product shouldn’t be used on new wood. How long should I let it age? After it has aged, what steps can I use to clean it up prior to application? I have a pressure washer, but the fence design is so simple that I can easily sand the wood. Or should I avoid sanding?
Thanks.
Wait 4 months and then clean and brighten for prep.
Will it be better to sand or just pressure wash at that time?
Pressure wash.
Hi there, we are just putting in a red cedar deck here in upstate NY. We do not mind the greying that will happen but would like to protect the wood as much as possible from moisture, rot etc.. Found a “recipe” for mixing boiled linseed oil, paraffin for clear transparent seal protection. Has anyone had experience? I hear conflicting things about linseed oil being the best oil for cedar and then other sites saying stay away due to mold issues. Can we substitute mineral oil then? From what I have read, I guess we should wait until the spring before prepping and sealing,, but can we rub on a layer of pure mineral oil to protect for the next 6 months or will that affect the spring sealing?
You cannot just make a recipe and have it work well. In addition, your formula will not provide any mildew protection or UV protection.
Just buy a proper deck stain like TWP 1500 Series for NY.
I should’ve also mentioned that I’m really looking for a one coat system to apply and I believe this would be to pressure treated pine
I have valspar cedar transparent but I really think it issue I transparent. I live in Kentucky. What should I use twp 100 or twp 150. I will have to strip valspar off first. Want to spray on stripper and then use pressure washer to rinse stripper off. Would Armstrong Clark stain be a better choice.
Either the AC or TWP would work very well. Use the 100 Series for KY.
Actually I am cutrious for your suggestion. I had someone encouraging me to use onetime stain but your sight doesn’t give it good reviews. The reason I like suggestion of onestain is the article application. The twp is 2 cost wet on wet for existing wood. I really want to do a single coat and Armstrong Clark seems to say it is stifle coat. Is that true statement?
It is normal to do two coats so not sure what you are against it. It is very easy.
Doing 3200 sq feet of fence plus my 600 to 800 sq feet of deck is lot to do myself without any help. Rather do one coat than have to go back and do second coat
It is wet on wet when applying the two coats. Very easy
It may be easy but for me if I am using even a pump sprayer, I will have to spray a section and then back brush it. Only do a small section at a time and then go back and do it again with a second coat. Not hard but very time consuming because I cannot go to far without the need to do the second coat on wet area.
It is not as hard as you think it is. Spraying a section takes a few minutes then you immediately back wipe on a second coat. It is very easy and fast and honestly, you are making it harder than it really is. We could stain a fence of your size in a few hours this way with one person.
Ok. Well I do appreciate your thoughts. I have never done anything like this and so my wife trusting me to do it rather than paying someone which will cost a lot especially right now makes it all seem a bit daunting. Just lot of moving parts. I have to strip off the old valspar, then clean it, then do the stain. Just trying to decide what all I want to do and what product I want to use
Where can you buy the TWP
http://www.twpstain.com
Is their a distributor in Kentucky
Sorry but no idea.
Have you seen the grey color? I can’t find ti online.
https://www.twpstain.com/twp-105-cape-cod-gray
Can I buy the TWP-100 Semi Transparent Stains in Colorado? If not, can it be bought online?
You need the TWP 1500 series for CO due to VOC laws there.
I’ve used TWP 1500 series (1511) for my deck last time. Can I use TWP 100 series (102) this time? I’m from New York State.
The TWP 100 Series is not allowed in NY.
2 questions: 1. What would the TWP 100 clear stain coating dry to, satin, gloss, etc? 2. Can you put one coat of clear on and then put another stain coat (say pecan) over the clear coat and get good results? Thx for your help. My deck is 3 years old and I just cleaned the deck and am ready to re-stain.
-TWP has no shine. Having a shine for a deck stain will result in peeling.
-No, you cannot clear coat and then stain coat over top. Or vice versa.
I have used Cabot’s in the past, but I never see it mentioned on any site. I’m assuming it’s not as as good as long ago. My deck is desperate for some food lol. It’s been cleaned as much as it can be, it’s about 17 years old and in surprisingly good shape – a lot of shade now that’s it’s older. I’m just stymied with all these products, I certainly don’t want to go through this every year, I’m talking about at least 1500 sq ft.
I would appreciate your suggestion, oh by the way I live in the Midwest and try to keep it shoveled in the winter.
Thank you for your time.
TWP 100 or TWP 1500 Series for your deck.
What would be the best tool to apply the TWP 100? I have only a flat surface front porch to do (railings are painted).
Deck stain brush or a staining pad is best:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-applicators-for-deck-stains/
Building a pergola and have wood in garage to cut and want to apply a semi-trans finish and thinking of the TWP 100. Can I do it now vs. having to wait? The wood was just delivered this week.
You have to wait: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
Is TWP oil stain legal in Illinois?
The TWP 1500 Series is but not the 100 Series: https://www.twpstain.com/twp-1500-series
Hello, new cedar decking laid in midwest this week (October) Should we stain/seal with anything to protect or wait until spring. I’m seeing conflicting advice. Thanks in advance, Kim
Just wait until Spring to prep and stain.
We had rough sawn cedar posts wrapped for our front porch. Would this twp 100 be ok for newer wood? It was installed a month ago. The ceiling in the gable is tongue and groove and not rough sawn. Should we let this weather over winter or stain it now? Or do the posts that are rough sawn and wait on the ceiling to cure out? Thanks!
Do it all at once next Spring would be best: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-long-should-you-wait-to-stain-a-new-deck/
I have a 30 year old cedar deck that I just finished sanding to bare wood. As I was only able to work on it a few hours a day when weather permitted it took about 7 weeks to finish and it is now graying. I am thinking of using TWP honeytone for the stain. Since I did not use a stripper/cleaner and the wood is very bright do I need to use a brightener? The spindles and posts are a natural honey color and when the deck is wet all areas are the same honey color.
Clean and brighten the sanded wood for the final prep.
I have read your reviews of both the TWP 100 and 1500 series. Why would you use one over the other?
Thanks!!
The difference is VOC compliancy for certain states.
How do u know whether to use oil based stain vs water based stain for decks and or/ docks? I have pressure treated wood on dock and Brazilian hardwood on a covered deck. Location I- NE Georgia on a lake
The type or base does not matter. It is more or less if a good brand and penetrating. See here for the dock: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/the-5-best-deck-stain-reviews-and-ratings/
See here for the hardwood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/ipe-exotic-hardwood-stain-review/
Best color to coordinate with taupe siding
That is your preference. Any color will work.
After using Restore a Deck stripper to remove old bad Behr stain jobs we left the deck to gray naturally. We will re-clean and brighten it but want to retain the gray tint. Is there a good clear stain we can use? I don’t see one on the TWP website. Understand we will have no UV protection, but are there other benefits of staining with a clear because it provides needed oils or other? Thanks.
TWP has a clear. You can use that. A clear sealer will help with protecting the wood from other issues like water, rot, mildew, etc.
TWP 100 Pro Series would seem to be the product I need for our new deck, but I’m having an extremely difficult time finding it. I called Gemini Coatings, and the best they could come up with is World of Stains.
Where do you get your TWP products? Are there any stores that carry TWP products? The only thing I’m finding is online ordering. I’d rather go into a store to buy stains, paints, etc.
I am located in the San Antonio, Texas area. There seems to be a dealer in San Marcos, but that’s over an hour away in no traffic.
Order online.
Thanks. That is extremely frustrating. Maybe I’ll look for another product. Nothing replaces being able to go in and talk to someone who has used the product locally.
It is the way of the current world and the future.
Can I see a color chart
Go to the TWP website. TWPstain.com
The TWP 101 application requires a “wet on wet” 2 coat process! So, wouldn’t the second coat application result in shoe prints since I would have to walk on the first application to apply the second coat!?
No. TWP is not a paint but a penetrating stain. Just do not step in your second coat.
So, how can I not step on the 1st application? Or, are you saying the 1st coat will dry within enough time for me to step on it when I apply the 2nd coat? I have to apply it over the first coat by stepping on the 1st coat! I’m confused 😕!
It will not harm it to step in the first coating.
Thanks!
Maybe our contractor applied the Sherwin Williams stain too early (after reading the above). However, we have had our deck two years and it looks horrible. Cracking and mildewed and dry. Can we clean and brighten it and then use the TWP without stripping the deck? We were told to us the Sherwin Williams (oil, transparent) but we would like to find an alternative. Thanks!
No, you must strip it to be able to switch to TWO or any other brand of stain.
Do we have to strip the deck even if we re-use the Sherwin Williams?
You would have to use the exact same SW color and product.
Thank you for your help! We loved the deck when it was first done, and do want the same color. Hopefully it will go better this time!
Since TWP 100 is an oil based stain, could I mix in a small amount of Penetrol to the TWP 100? I am big fan of Penetrol. Several years ago I stained an area with Penetrol only and it seems to be holding up well. The areas I am staining are oak siding on a barn type structure.
Not sure if it would have any benefits to doing this but doubt it will harm anything since it is wood siding.
This work well in Minnesota weather?
Yes, we use it all the time in the Midwest and a similar environment.
Only available by mail? If so… Just stir good before applications?
Check with manufacturer for locations. Just stir or use a drill mixer.
We have a 5 year old mahogany porch. It is covered and is on the East side of the house. I have stained it every year with Australian Fire oil. It now looks very dark and I would like to get it back to a warmer color. Please advise. We live in Massachusetts. Thank you,
Strip and brighten for prep before using the TWP.
So no need to sand the mahogany first?
No need to sand.
In Montana there is no such thing as re applying in 2 to 3 years. EVERY year or you’ll be down to bare wood. I’m not happy with this product as compared to the reviews I see. Pic below is one year skipped! Odd how similar this site is to the TWP website. Now I get it….
The pictures in the photo show wearing due to the TWP not soaking in when applied. If it soaks in fully then it does not wear. Looks more like an application issue than a stain issue. Also, that looks 2-3 years old and would be time to prepped and recoat. We restore over 4– decks with TWP and never seen issues like this after 1 year.
As for this site, the very first article on the home page will answer all questions to who maintains this site.
What deck stain is best for a 25 year old cedar deck that has been stained numerous times. We are sanding the entire deck.
The TWP 100 or 1500 would work well if you remove all of the previous stain.
I am in north Georgia mountains and have an extremely large multi level deck (2000+ sq ft). Some deck is covered some not. It has never been treated and is between 1 year and 2 years old (some areas were built later as an addition). Pressure treated pine flooring. We do have dogs that may add additional wear to flooring. Nervous about picking the right stain for the job. Would this stain be your top choice for this application?
Yes, the TWP would work very well here. Make sure to prep correctly as that is key to stain longevity.
Where can I buy TWP 100 series Deck stain ?
Check with the manufacturer.
If I had a cedar fence installed at the end of June ,what is the soonest I can stain it with TPW?
Smooth or rough sawn wood on the fence?
Hello, Can you tell me what the difference is in TWP 100 and TWP 1500? Thank you.
VOC compliancy for certain states.
My deck was previously stained with Olympic Solid Stain. It’s been a nightmare. Peels like crazy. I’ve had it cleaned and powerwashed. As some has remained I need to use another solid stain. Does TWP 100 come as a solid stain? Would you reccomend it to be used to correct my deck issues? Thank you.
TWP does not make a solid stain.
Do you have any recommendations for an alternative?
We live in California and just built a large redwood picnic table. How would this look on redwood? Is it available in California?
You will need the TWP 1500 Series for Cali. Works very well.
We are building a barndomenium. We purchased cedar posts to use for the porch posts. My husband used a pressure washer to remove the bark. They have been in place for about a month. I want to keep the natural light color of the wood which has the dark spots or holes in the cedar. Can I use the clear color on cedar posts and if so, will it keep them from the graying process?
Jana, the TWP in Clear will not provide UV protection. Any of the other semi-transparent colors will provide UV protection.
FYI, not clear sealer (no pigment at all) will provide UV protection. You must have tint in your stain for this.
Okay so if I go with one of the pigments ones, do you know how long I can expect it to last and if it will keep the cedar from graying? Also, I’m thinking either the cedartone or the honeytone. Any suggestions on that?
Honeytone is the lightest. For vertical posts, 3+ years is normal.
Great! Thanks so much for your help!! Maybe I’ll post a before and after pic for others to see in case someone else has same question. 🙂
Yes, please do that!
Hi there. Thanks for all the excellent info.
We recently purchased a home with extensive and badly neglected decks and ramps. Replacement isn’t in the budget for any but structurally unsound boards and the surface is horrible, truly dangerous for severe splinters or catching feet and tripping the unwary. If we power wash the thing, use a belt sander on the worst bits, would TWP 100 be a good option for extending the life and making it more user-friendly? The resurfacing products all seem to be extremely costly for minimal benefit. We live in Eastern TN where it:’s quite wet with wide temperature variation.
Yes you should be able to get this looking better and last longer if your prep well and then use the TWP.
Thank you.
I have a 3 year old pressure treated dock over water in Florida. The wood has never been sealed or stained. What products should we use? We are interested in clear or semi-transparent sealers.
The TWP 100 Series would work very well here. Prep with their Gemini Restore Kit.
Live in NE Ohio so I cannot get the 100 series but seems like the 150 series will work?
Have a brand new treated wood deck built in Oct 2017.
What do I need to clean it with seeing that it is new?
Do I need a brightener as well before the stain?
Is one coat enough or does it need 2 coats?
Is the product hard to work with as it needs to be applied “wet on wet”?
Do you suggest just doing a board at a time with 2 coats if needed so that it will not dry before the 2nd coat goes on?
Please advise.
Thanks!
Yes, the TWP 1500 is allowed and what you would use for Ohio. You should clean and brighten the wood for the prep. See this for tips: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Only 1 coat for new wood.
I am about to build a pergola. SO many sites say to stain/seal before construction. However, with TWP 100 I am to wait 4 – 12 months before application. What should I do? What should I use on brand new cedar?
You have to wait and prep with all stain brands. Stains cannot be applied to new cedar right away unless the new cedar is rough sawn. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Just to be clear, I do have rough sawn cedar. Would the Armstrong-Clark Semi-Transparent stain or the TWP-100 be better for the rough sawn cedar?
Thanks for your help.
Sorry. If rough sawn, you should be able to skip the weathering and prep. Either one you mentioned would work very well.
We live in Cincinnati Ohio and have a redwood deck that is 15 years old which has been neglected, the wood seems solid no soft areas! what process do you recommend for restoring such deck and bringing it back!
Prep with Restore A Deck Kits and stain with TWP 1500 for Ohio.
I live in west central IL. Deck was built in Fall of 2016 and is located on the west side of house. Wood is pressured treated pine. What is the best stain for my deck? Do I use a wood cleaner and a wood brightener? If so what would be the best? I have no idea where to start but want to do it right the first time.
Thanks!
Yes, prep with the Restore A Deck Kits. Stain with TWP 1500 for IL. The TWP 100 is not allowed there.
Great site, thank you!!
We have a cyprus deck we put up last year. Not being told to let it weather first we applied Sikkens Cetol SRD matte wood finish in natural translucent.
It has not held up, is blackened. Not happy. It didnt seem to soak in very well at all.
From reading i believe i need to strip first to remove the old finish and plan on using the Restore a deck stripper. After this i become a bit confused. Do i then let the wood age a few months than use the cleaner and brightener prior to using the TWP? We liked the bright appearance of the new wood
Since it is fall are there any issues leaving the stripped deck over the winter? I live in North Georgia, some snow, some ice but mostly rain and cold.
I saw you do not recommend sanding. Will the stripping/cleaning/brightening be enough?
Thanks!
You can strip and brighten now to stain this Fall or you can strip and leave until Spring. If you do this, you will need to clean and brighten in the Spring. We do not always suggest sanding unless it is needed for removal. Not all stains strip off easily or at all so sanding is needed.
Its now Spring and time to clean and stain!
Which TWP would you recommend for our cyprus deck? 100, 1500, some other?
We live in Georgia
Thanks again!
Use the TWP 100 Series.
Addition to Marc Turgeon question: I am planning on using TWP 100.
Recently installed NEW Western Red Cedar deck about six weeks ago. Floor is greying and some dark grey spots are appearing on the board surface. I am confused & would appreciate your input. The deck is new (~six weeks old) and I am looking to prep properly before staining. Prep instructions vary between Gemini Product data sheet (July 2010) NEW WOOD instructions and TWP-100 Series instructions and Staining A New Deck new Smooth Decking instructions.
Weather new wood 4 – 12, 1 – 12 or 3 – 12 months??
Wood Cleaner / Brightener or wet the wood twice & remove the surface tannins or household bleach & water or power wash / wood bleach ??
Thank you for your site and thanks in advance for a reply.
TWP wants 4-12 months of natural weathering. Prep with the Gemini Restore Kit.
Where is it available in northern Mn.?
Contact the manufacturere for help locating.
Is there a retail store for TWP in SW Michigan (zip 49093)? Prefer not to order over internet.
Best to contact them for help with this.
I bought mine in Kalamazoo at O’Leary’s Paint store on Peekstock Rd.
I have a log sided (not full log) home that needs new stain. Western and southern exposures are quite dry; east and north still have some sheen. Had Sikkens Cetol applied 6 or so years ago. Estimators say it needs help. It isn’t Terri le. Do I need to continue with Sikkens or can I switch to TWP? Must it be fully stripped to switch? I can’t afford the bids I’m getting that include stripping….
To switch you will need to remove the Sikkens.
I have put a new deck up I live in Richmond Virginia Which stain should I use to protect my deck
See this article: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I had put up a new deck which stain should I use
Best deck stain that we have used. Every 2 years we reapply a coat. Does not peel or wear off.
We use the TWP 100 Series for about 15-20 years. It is one of our favorites for redoing our customer’s decks.
how long does it last on a fence?
Twice as long as deck, maybe even longer. 4-6 years depending on UV exposure.
What is the difference between the TWP 100 and TWP 1500? We are preparing to list our home this spring and need the deck stained. Thank you
Different VOC laws based on your state. Some states do not allow the 100 Series.
Thank you!
Hi. I have a home with cedar siding on the coast of Maine. It has only been stained and sealed once, when it was built 9 years ago. Used Messmer's UV Plus. Thinking of switching to TWP with just cleaning and pressure washing. Will it take or would it have to be stripped? And, if so, would you recommend simply staying with Messmer's? Please advise as I have no idea. Thanks!
Best to remove the Messmers. Strip and brighten for the prep. It will be easy to do as Messmers comes off with no issues. For Maine, you will need the TWP 1500 Series as the 100 is not allowed there. We would suggest this.
I had a new deck built with pressure treated wood what would be the best product ?
Barbara, see our article on new decking here: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
I live on the Lake of the Ozarks in mid Missouri. We have over 2,200 square feet of Decking to stain this spring. I NEED the best! Id like to do this in one pass and be able to re-aply without any headaches later on. Please let me know your suggestions on getting my deck ready for stain and your suggestions on stain and keeping it nice. Thank you.
The TWP 100 would be a good choice. It can be cleaned and reapplied as needed without hassles. Prep first with the Restore A Deck products.
I live in South Florida and have an 8-year-old pressure treated deck that I just cleaned and need to stain. Is there a product that is good for areas with lots of rain and humidity. I need something that dries fast because we rarely get a 0 percent chance of rain forecast.
The TWP 100 should work for you. Make sure the you apply to dry wood and that there is no rain for about 8012 hours after.
Live in north central Florida. We have a 13 year old never stained, pressure treated pine porches (approx 1000'). Would the Restore-a-Deck kit and then TWP 100 semi transparent stain be a decent choice for our area and wood type?
Yes that would be a great option for this.
Live in Denver area. 3 years ago, the last owner put on his yearly application of a very gooey type of oil based wood stain on what I believe is a Redwood deck. He would apply every year and although the deck was 20 years old when I bought it, it looked brand new. It is a West facing deck. Half of it only gets sun in the winter and the other half get a fair amount of sun in the summer and of course more in the winter. My house gets 20% more snowfall and 20% more wind than an average suburban Denver area house (I have measured this). I made a mistake a lightly pressure washed the deck a year ago while preparing to put on Behr DeckOver so I could have a 5 year life instead of a 1 yr life. I blew it and didn't do the staining and found myself having to go through an entire winter last year and all summer this year and it still hasn't been done. I am now wavering on doing DeckOver because the prep time will be too long (I caused this myself obviously). I am in the position of needing to sand the deck because of my laziness and I don't have enough time now before winter sets in. The temperature is barely within range to apply a stain. Realizing that I must do a complete job of things next spring, what should I apply that will be easy to apply and yet easily removable next spring when I do a complete reconditioning job with a large sander and all of the other prep that a pro would use?
Mike
Mike, you should not apply anything over the layers of the old stain. Leave alone and strip it all off next year.
Thank you for responding. Normally I would agree with you but let me add this clarification. The old stain has almost all withered away. It has gone far enough on the deck floor that in my opinion, oiling the deck would totally soak it and not just gum up the surface. There is maybe only 10% of the old substance on the surface anymore, if that. The railing is much better of course. Fortunately, the 4×4 posts are in concrete and you can't even budge them. The 2×8 cross supports are totally OK too. However, the deck is extremely dry and starting to crack everywhere, although the railing is easily restorable. I am very afraid the deck will get a lot worse over the winter. I was thinking that if I applied some sort of a linseed oil to add a moisture barrier and also relax the drying wood, that oil would soak in deep enough to partially remain even after I refinish it next spring. I am also rethinking applying the DeckOver product. Let me make an educated guess that DeckOver would work much better if the subsurface wasn't already so dried out. My guess is that even with the most perfect prep work in the world next spring on an overly dried out subsurface, will allow the deck to continue to deteriorate from beneath and between the 2×6 decking boards. A product like DeckOver or any other product that is only a cover up (doesn't penetrate very deeply nor does it moisturize the wood), only prolongs the inevitable, it doesn't restore anything. My question is: Would a different product be better able to actually restore the wood as follows: Sand with large ____ type sander, fill larger cracks with ___ restoration application (not for the entire deck surface, mostly just the cracks that remain after sanding), remove and replace screws that are loose (applying a ___ brand sealer or glue in the few screw holes that became over-sized) and then applying 2 coats of the final deck product. If you are in agreement with the above for the most part, what would be better in this case than DeckOver, so I wouldn't have to keep applying a new application every one or two years?
Also, if I could completely cover the deck with 6 mil industrial grade plastic and seal all of the edges so no moisture could get in, would this be a better option than letting the deck dry out even more? My fear in the Denver climate is that we have have a very regular "freeze / thaw" cycle nightly because our temperatures vary so much. The good part is that we don't get moisture as regularly as some climates but at the same time, the temp will go below freezing and then rebound the next day with bright sunlight. THe UV rays dramatically speed up the drying cycle in the morning which then leads to a more dramatic expansion and contraction.
Have you read the Behr deck Over Reviews on our site and across the Internet?: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-review…
The only \”Deck Resurface\” type product that seems to work well is the Deck Revive: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/gulf-synthetics-deck…
Their instructions say to just prep with pressure washing and that it can be applied over a previous coating.
Not sure if the tarping will have any benefits.
Thank you so much for assisting me with my dilemma. Awesome customer service and very detailed also! I am a very particular person so I would have been very disappointed with anything less than an excellent result. Kudos to you and your team.
Mike
No problem. Let us know how it turns out.
Hello,
I live in San Diego, CA
I am having a deck build in few month from Ipe or Redwood. I am trying to opbtain a redish color.
I was reading online the product "Ready Seal", do you recomend TWP, if so which one?
Thank you evry much
Yoann, see this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
TWP 1500 Series is allowed in your state but you will have to install and wait 4-12 months before staining. Prep is needed as well.
We just had a new cedar porch built on the back of our lakefront home (upstairs and down) with 10" posts and 2" railings that faces east (direct sun every morning). I love the look of the new cedar and want to do everything I can to prevent it from graying out. We're located in west TN where the weather has a tendency to go to either extreme. Our contractor has suggested Behr or Olympic to seal it now (even if just a clear sealant) but I want to do whats going to be best in the long run vs. short term fix. I like the reviews of TWP, but it says to wait 4 months which puts us in middle of winter months. Any suggestions?
Wait. Too early to stain now. You also cannot seal it then stain over the sealer. You will have to strip off the sealer before staining. Do not use Behr!
I live in Dallas TX and have a 20 year old TP pine deck that is very large. It has been power washed and I would like to stain and seal it. There is some feathering. I assume I need to sand it first before applying any product. Which Product is best for this aged deck? And what would be the best application method?
Try the TWP or the Armstrong Clark stains.
I need to re-stain my PT Pine deck. I have been able to pressure wash off most of the old stain but some remains. From the readings of other comments, I percieve that oil based is out since I cannot get a completely new surface for it to adhere to. Am I right? I need a dark brown solid stain. I'll be using it to cover the deck, dock, stairs to the dock, and various trim. What would you recommend?
Yes on the solid stain of you need to cover. Try Flood Solid stains.
I had a paint contractor stain my very large deck. He used Cabot solid stain. It peeled the very next year. I have just finished stripping my deck down to the bare wood and used all of the cleaners and brightners. I am having a very difficult time deciding which stain to use, so I don't have to strip it all of the time before I reapply. I do not want a solid this time. I want something that will soak in and protect the wood. I have a western facing deck that only gets shade in the morning and I live in northern Indiana. I have done much research and am sfill having a problem deciding which product to use. I have heard that Sikkens was good and so was Defy. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Try the TWP 1500 or Defy Extreme.
I live in northern Wisconsin. I have a one-year old pressure treated cedar deck and sidewalk that haven't been finished yet, as I was told to wait a year. I've read many of the comments here and am still confused as to whether the 100 or 1500 series would be better here. Not sure what the difference is. They get full sun until late afternoon and are high traffic areas as the deck is the way into the house and the sidewalk connects the garage to the house. Also, it's now getting down into the 30s at night with highs in the 50s and 60s in the days. Is it too cold to stain at this point? Hoping for some warmer weather yet, but not sure…
We would use the 100 Series after prepping with their Gemini Restore Kit. As for the temps, we stain in these temps during the day but will not apply stain if the temps below freezing at night.
Not only do I have a large deck but also have log siding that's is in desperate need of restaining. I live in NE so we see it all. Am considering the TPW100. We are in the process of powering washing off old stain, graying, dirt, moss etc. Questions: 1) what additional measures should be used to prep all surfaces? 2) will TPW100 work on log siding as well? 3) I have noticed some log homes have a glossy sheen to their logs. Is there an additional product that is applied after staining to produce this result or a different stain entirely?
1. Just make it is clean, free of mold, and no old coatings.
2. Yes it works great on vertical logs.
3. You cannot apply TWP over a old stain with a sheen not can you apply a product on top of the TWP that would create a sheen.
Good morning, I live in Downeast Maine along the coast and we are getting new Western Cedar STK decks installed over the next few weeks. You recommend that the wood should season for up to a year before staining. That would mean our new decking will need to go through a full winter (lots of snow and very cold temps). Should we consider sealing the decks now and look to applying a stain next summer, or should we be okay with letting the deck just sit and then clean/stain after this winter concludes?
You will be okay to let the wood site through one Winter.
Hi. I'm in Pa and have a very large 1 year old pressure treated pine deck which hasn't been stained. I didn't replace my steps which have some old stain on them. I purchased the Gemini cleaner and brightener and plan on using twp stain. Daytime temps will be dropping to mid 70's, but, evening low temps will be mid to high 40's. Please answer the following for me : what stripper Do you recommend on the steps? How long do I have to wait between stripping then cleaning and brightening? In fear of incorrect application and failed stain, I am wondering if a single coat would be sufficient to protect from harsh winter and full sun? Will low evening temps slow stain dry time and/or contribute to stain failure? Best tool for floor application? Lastly, 100? Or 1500? Thank you in advance.
1500 for PA. What stain brand and type is on the steps? Makes a difference as the stripper needed. Do all the prep the same day but strip first. One coat this Fall and then maybe a light coat in the Spring after a light wash to remove dirt. Use deck stain pads for applying.
I'm not sure what brand of stain is left behind, but, it is solid color–most of which was washed off with a pressure washer last season. Since I am running out of "good weather" days here, will the drop in eve temps below the 45 degres minimum application temp Cause stain failure? Also, is a brightener required for staining success? If yes, can the brightener be rinsed with a hose only? Thank you for your time!
Jules, you will need to sand off the rest of the solid stain then both clean and brighten all the wood for the prep. Dropping below 45 at night does not affect the stain. Brightener can be rinsed but cleaners need to be pressure washed or heavily scrubbed.
I live in Missouri and just power washed my deck that nothing had been done to for at least 5 years. After much research, I want to use the TWP product. But I have a couple questions.
1. Do I really need to use a cleaner or brightener, or sand before using the TWP 100 Wood and Deck Stain?
2. Do I need to use a Deck Sealer on top of the first product?
Thank you for this useful site.
1. If the wood is clean from your pressure washing then no need.
2. No you do not apply sealers on top of deck stains.
Can't say how TWP 100 Stain will look at the two year mark but having lived with 1100 sq feet of wood deck for 20+ years I can say that I have never used a product that went on as easily than this one. No problems with lap marks and able to go back and get thin spots. Having used major store brands and the heavy advertisers where the stain turns out to be paint and the waterproofing doesn't make through the second storm I'm ready for a real, live, stain that actually soaks in. If this even starts to last I'll be quite happy
Can TWP be used over 3 yr old deck that has had two treatments of Messmers clear oil stain on it all ready,
You will need to strip off the Messmers and brighten the wood for the prep.
Hi, we live in Maine and had a pressure treated pine deck built around an apple tree(beautiful but messy). We are ready to stain our deck and bought a cleaner but havn't tried yet. We want to keep it as close to its natural color as possible and see the wood grain. What do you suggest for a stain? It's about a year old. Thanks. Sue
TWP in the Honeytone is the lightest color with UV protection in this brand.
I live in northeast Iowa with a west facing deck. What is the best semi-transparent stain that will last and help fight off the elements of sun, rain and snow? The deck is about 15 years old and is pine I believe and is in very good condition.
The TWP 100 Series would work well for you.
Can I apply this over existing stain?
No you cannot unless it is TWP already on the wood.
We just finished sanding Our 700+sq. foot deck because of the stain we used two years ago gave us terrible results. The wood we used was Deck Wood. We're trying to decide what stain to use now. We don't want to go through this again. TWP 100 sounds like the answer to our prayers. Since we just sanded the deck down to the bare wood, is there a time we should wait to apply the TWP 100 or is there is something else we should do to the deck before we apply the stain?
Prep with a deck cleaner and wood brightener to open the grain so the stain absorbs deeper. That will help. Do not over apply the TWP. You want it to penetrate fully into the wood grain.
Where can I purchase the stain in Western Colorado.
Contact manufacturer for help.
I live in Kansas and am re-staining a cedar pergola. We have already cleaned and power washed. We are considering the TWP 101. My question relates to application. Due to the proximity of the pergola to the house, we will have to apply with a brush/roller. I see the review indicates "wet on wet" application…will you explain what that means? We also have a newly installed rough sawn cedar fence. Do we need to let it weather before application of the TWP 101?
Apply the first coat then apply the second coat within 20-60 minutes of the first coat. Rough sawn cedar fence can be stained without the weathering when new. It is much more absorbent.
Excellent site, thank you! We began building a screen porch in May this year with new cedar (western red). We're in Minnesota and the decking was beginning to gray just slightly. (southern exposure) On the recommendation of our local Home Depot I applied Behr's Transparent Weather Proofing – All In One Finish in cedar natural tone just to the decking/floor boards. It's water based and is after 4 weeks still sticky when you walk on it and is more like paint than stain. I'm very disappointed and wish I had found your site before applying their product. I should have gone with an oil based product that would actually penetrate the wood. The rest of the porch – posts eve's etc. are also cedar and the goal was to stain it before it turned too gray. My questions are –
1. What should I use to remove the water based product? From reading it sounds like sanding could make future staining less optimal for penetration. Not to mention 12 X 16 deck is a lot of sanding.
2. Should we wait through the winter before applying anything as you indicate new wood doesn't stain well and if we wait will the cedar gray too much during this time? Our preference is to preserve the newer color with a semitransparent stain.
3. Do you have a recommendation for sealing the cathedral ceiling, rafters and support beams which are made of Douglas Fir?
I would happily pay for advise or further consultation, thank you!
Strip off what you can but you may need to sand as well to remove all of the Behr as it can be stubborn. Use a wood brightener after the removal. You can wait until spring to do all this. You can use the same stain on the ceiling, rafters etc.
loved using this product! What an improvement over the Behr and Wohlman's!
We have a 12 year old cedar deck in Minnesota that needs refinishing. We intend to use TWP100 series. We are thrilled with the color palette — is it possible to blend 2 colors together like Dark Oak and Pecan to get the desired effect?
Yes you can blend TWP colors. We do it all the time.
Wow, first off I want to say I'm amazed at the quick responses to questions here and thank you! I have a couple of questions and have been doing research on something that is entirely new to me, so looking for your help.
We just had 238 Ln Ft of Western Red Cedar fencing installed and are trying to figure out the best stain/sealer, especially to prevent the graying we had on our old (contractor provided fencing).
From what out installer told us the fence is ready to stain and we don't have to wait, but from what I'm seeing here it's suggested that we have a wait period. We did the water absorption test and the water did not bead up, but did absorb quickly. Our backyard faces West, so we have full sun most of the day, with the exception of early morning.
So my question is 1) which stain would be the best? I've been leaning towards the TWP, but saw some were suggested to use the AC. 2) What is the difference between the TWP 100 and the TWP 1500. We would like to maintain the original color, maybe just a bit darker, but be able to see the grain. 3) So what color would be best with those requests?
Thanking you in advance!
1. If the fence is rough cut then you can stain right away as long as it is dry. Use the TWP
2. Both TWP stains show the grain. The TWP 1500 is VOC compliant for all states while the 100 is not. You may need to use the 1500 depending on where you live.
3. Honeytone is the lightest pigmented color.
Thank you so much! We are in South Texas, Galveston County, so lots of humidity and a very warm climate, actually HOT!
Do We still need to use the Gemini Restore kit? Can we apply with a sprayer, and should we only do one coat?
Sorry thought of these questions after I submitted the first post.
Thank you again for all of the great info!
Debbie
You do not have to use the Gemini Kit if the wood is rough cut unless it has grayed.
Spray and back brush to ensure even coverage is fine.
We live in Colorado and our deck faces north.
Part of the deck is the original maybe 30 years.
We extended the deck 20 years ago and stained it.
With yearly upkeep, it looked fair for a few years.
Had to rebuild part of the deck 2 years ago and replaced several boards (couldn't afford to start over, still can't) and painted it a great custom color with Sherwin Williams porch and floor enamel but pealed after a year, repainted it (same product), pealed again. We aren't hard on it (no kids) but we have a dog and understand having nail scratches here and there. If I can match the current color (or even come close) can TWP go OVER the old paint? or is it more of a stain than a paint? Every year we think we'll be able to tear it down and begin again but…….
No TWP cannot go over a paint. Only a paint can go over a paint. Might be time to rebuild.