This post was updated on May 1, 2024
2024 TWP 100 Series Review
Important Note: There has been a label change for the TWP 100 Series. New labels now say TWP 100 Pro Series. Same product, performance, and colors.
At Deckstainhelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we are your trusted go-to site for all things exterior wood and deck restoration-related. Hearing from our customers who have used TWP 100 Series wood, their decks have held up to the test of time and weather surprisingly well after this harsh winter. As always, we appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have 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.
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.