This post was updated on April 4, 2025
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.
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.
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.
I just bought house with a wood garage door. I think it is made of cedar and about 9 years old. It appears that not a lot of maintenance was done on the door although it is in pretty good shape. I have started to brush/sand the surface in preparation for a new coat of stain/sealer. As I live in Texas I will probably use TWP100. Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated.
Just make sure to remove all of the old coatings first.
I have a 10 y.o. Mahogany deck that was initially treated with Penefin oil. It has been cleaned and restained twice, the last was with an opaque stain (Behrs). I am planning to sand it then stain. Which TWP product would you recommend?
TWP is not suggested for Mahogany by the manufacturer but we have used the 100 Series on it before with decent results. You will have to remove the solid stain 100%.
Mistakenly used Behr deck stain several years ago. Terrible stuff! Since it's actually dilute latex paint, had to completely sand the deck down. Used Gemini Cleaner and Brightener. Couldn't be happier. Applied TWP100 in cedar. Beautiful! Went on easy, great penetration, with very fast application with stain sponges. Zero issues with blending or drip marks. Coverage is amazing. Used less than three gallons, when it took 6 of the Behr for the same coverage. Overall, just an excellent recommendation and superior products!! Central CO, cedar deck, 7 years old. Thank you for educating me thru this process! Cheers, Mike
If your researching and trying to figure out what stain/sealer will work best, you can stop searching because the TWP product is the best. I did my research years ago and there simply is not another product that works as well and has as many happy customers as the TWP product. I personally use the 100 series and am very happy with the results. From the first time we stained the deck, to the second and third the ease of use has been great.
What is the shelf life on TWP 100? If I have left over I'm wondering if it will still be good in 2-3 years when the deck needs re-coating. Thanks.
Doubt it will last that long but maybe. I would ask the manufacturer.
*Atlanta, GA area – full sun and partial shading of outdoor deck under a roof covering half the deck. No snow, mild winters, semi-drought conditions.*
I rebuilt a 5 year old deck that was poorly constructed by the builder and failed. I used 5/4 green decking hand picked and allowed to dry out. Decking was predrilled and screwed to 2×10 joists with no initial spacing. Boards gradually shrunk and provided an avg. 1/8″ space. I used Western red cedar for posts and rails and mahogany for crown. All wood was coated with TWP wood preserver according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Each deck board and every piece of lineal cedar was sanded and cleaned as per instructions. Two coats were applied of semi transparent oil base.
Within 6 mos., decking was fading. Full sun areas lost/absorbed stain and/or developed a black mildew/mold coating. Cedar railings developed black coating and faded within 8 months. Green and black mold appeared within a year with total failure of product’s ability to provide protection. Decking and railings under the roof structure remained relatively free of issues. Shaded areas that were not covered by the roof, grew green mold.
I re-sanded deck and rails and did process again. Same result. I had also coated underside of deck with outdoor acrylic latex as instructed by paint professional to prevent possible mold migration. Deck stain is falling again within a year.
I was told by the retailer that TWP may have been neutered by the EPA of some of its chemical properties that allowed product to withstand intense sun and rain. Retailer stated his wood projects are also fading using TWP but knows of no other alternative, reliable oil based stain. I have to power wash and re-stain the deck annually.
I was made aware of some oils that actually encourage mold and at this time, I feel this product may have oils that assist development of mildew and mold. It will not withstand sun and rain.
I do not recommend this product.
Sorry you had issues but it may be related to your conditions. We apply the TWP to hundreds of decks every years and rarely have an issue. Keep in mind that no stain brand can stop mold or algae from growing on top of the stain once fully cured. Mold and age can grow on any surface including metal, paint, vinyl etc. What stains like TWP do is add algaecides that can prevent the growth \”in\” the stain. TWP also is the only stain preservative on the market that contains a EPA registered preservative for this, so yes it does work form preventing growth in the stain. By no means will the TWP assist the growth of mold.
TWP in a color is very UV stable and prevents graying. Our costumers that we apply it to get 2-3 years. In some of your applications you did things wrong and not according to directions. For example, TWP only wants one coat on new wood and you are supposed to wait 4-12 months after installation to prep and stain. Prep by using a deck cleaner, not sanding as sanding can result in less penetration of the stain and a quicker failure due to lack of absorption. Using a latex paint on the underside was possibly not good idea as well. The wood needs to breathe and now it cannot dry through the wood. I would guess that your wood now always has a high moisture content and this can result in premature failure as well.
I am sorry you did not have results you expected but I am under the assumption that you will have the same results no matter what semi-transparent stain brand you choose based on your conditions. Please post back if you switch brands and if the results were similar or better.
Thanks for posting!
WHERE CAN I GET THIS STAIN? I LIVE IN WEST VIRGINIA
Contact manufacturer for help with locating.
For starters, love this site! … so thanks, DeckStainHelp!! Had our deck built last year (6/2014) here in Centerville OH (just outside of Dayton). Deck is ~950 sq ft with 3 sets of steps. Majority of deck is pressure-treated pine. It also has composite trim (outside border of deck, a few boards within the deck to divide the three sections, as well as all the handrails). Now that the deck is right at a year old, we want to stain it this summer. Had planned to go with a clear finish/stain, but your site clearly points out that clear doesn't offer any UV protection whatsoever, which would result in minimal protection and would require more work/more frequent staining. So, we plan to go with a semi-transparent stain, probably a honeytone shade so we still get to see the beauty of the wood grain. We plan to go with TWP (I guess I'll have to order it online as I don't believe they sell it anywhere locally. Or do they?). Any particular TWP stain you'd recommend? What about deck cleaner, brightener? And since this deck has never been stained, it sounds like we should just go with "1" coat this first time, correct? Last thing. With the composite handrails and trim/border we have on the deck (as well as the low-voltage lighting fixtures on the posts and stair risers), should we tape off all the composite wood (and lighting fixtures)? And if so, should we use painters tape? OR … will the cleaner, brightener, stain be okay on the composite trim/border & handrails? Sorry for all the q's. Our deck was a hefty investment for us, so I don't want to mess it up, or have to re-do it. Look forward to hearing back from you as well as any others on this forum. Thanks! -Al
You can use the TWP 1500 for Ohio. Prep first to remove the gray oxidized wood cells with the Gemini Restore kit. since it has been a year you may need to remove some \”fuzzies\” with sanding buffing pad. Most lily 2 light coats will be needed.
Cleaner and brightener will not harm the composite but deck stains will stain it so make sure to tape. Same with the light fixtures.
Sounds good. I'll use the TWP 1500 in honeytone or natural. Not sure what "fuzzies" are, but I'm sure it's identified somewhere on your very informative website. 🙂 Couple of questions: (1) Is there a recommended amount of time I need to wait before using the Gemini Restore kit and staining the deck? (2) For a 950-sf deck, I should probably get two Gemini Restore kits just to be safe, right? And what about the TWP 1500 stain? It sounds like I need to get one 5-gal container plus maybe one or two additional 1-gal containers? While on that topic, if I went ahead and purchased two 5-gal containers and ended up having a couple of gallons leftover, would I be able to store it for a couple of years, and then use it 2-3 years down the road? Thanks! -Al
Two kits to be safe. Best to get the 10 gallons and store the excess so that it is sealed 100% form evaporation and is in areas that it will not freeze. See here for fuzzies: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/wood-fuzzies-furring…
Like many on this forum and others I'm trying to decide what stain to use for my 6 year old western red cedar deck which I last stained in 2013 with Cabot clear cedar tone stain which had almost fully weathered off by June of this year( 2015). I live in Iowa where the summers can be hot and humid, and winters cold and my deck is on the north east corner of the house. I have stripped and cleaned the deck (water droplets easily absorb into the wood). So I was looking at TWP and am wondering about the maintenance phase as I want to be able to simply clean the deck and reapply stain, and NOT have to strip the deck. I don't mind if I have to clean and reapply stain every year, just as long as I don't have to strip the deck. My deck is such that about 3/4ths of it is in direct sun for a good part of the day and 1/4 in much less sun. This results in uneven wear on the decks horizontal surfaces. So in regards to the maintenance phase how would I handle this. Is applying the TWP such that I could apply a normal coat to the more worn areas and a much lighter application to the lesser worn areas, and wipe off any excess, and get a result where the stain looks fairly even again across the entire deck or is this not possible? I've looked at blue label penofin which appears you would be able to do this type of thing but reported issues with darkening and mold have initially dissuaded me from using that stain. Any thoughts.
You can clean and reapply TWP without stripping. If ever needed to be stripped, TWP is very easy to remove and stripping it is not harder then cleaning for prep. There is a wrong assumption that stripping is harder or more time consuming then regular prep. To your question. TWP can be easily maintained down the road but you cannot \”spot\” treat it. You would have to coat the entire floor. No stain can be spot treated and have it blend well.
So if the deck has weathered unevenly (parts in full sun compared to partial shade) your're saying I clean and reapply TWP over the entire deck taking care when doing this say as follows: For those parts of the deck that have weathered less, less stain is needed and this is done by putting down a thinner recoat in those areas, basically not putting down more than the wood will absorb (possibly stripping the entire deck might be needed if this variation of weathering is to great). Just wanted to make sure I don't end up getting uneven layering or shiny parts on the deck.
Apply the same amount to all wood but you may need to back wipe any excess stain that does not absorb within 30-45 minutes. Saturate any oily rags with water when done and lay flat to dry.
We are ready to purchase a stain/sealer for our lakehouse located in East Texas. Exterior is T111 Pine panelling which was installed a year ago. We need to clean the wood and paint it and would like to get your recommendations as to the best products to use. We like the look of California Cedar TWP100 on cedar wood. What color should we use to achieve that look on pine? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Try the TWP in Honeytone or Pecan colors.
I sanded my Brazilian mahogany deck, comprised of lighter and darker shade planks, down to the bare wood last year and then applied TWP 101. However the result was very blotchy.
Ironically the deck "showed" very well during rainy/misty weather whereby the blotches disappeared and the desirable light/dark original wood tone showed through.
I, this year, put a second coat sample on a short stairway board and while the blotches disappeared, the board darkened. The main concern I have is the darkness of a second coat and how it will be distributed among the lighter and darker main deck boards. I'm not after a uniform dark look, but I'd rather have that than blotches.
Anyway, I'm about to apply a second coat of 101 throughout the deck.
Do you have any comments?
Does it look okay when wet with water? Is so then a light coat should give a similar appearance.
Does the Twp 101 cedartone protect better or last longer than the 100 clear? Thanks, and please advise.
The clear will not protect against UV graying so yes the Cedartone lasts longer.
We live in SW Missouri. I applied Cabot Premium Woodcare oil based semi-solid deck stain tinted dune gray 2 years ago on my decks. Horizontal surfaces that catch the afternoon sun are beginning to show a bit through to some of the wood grain. I plan to re-treat soon. I would like to find a solution that lasts more than 2 years, more like 5 to 10 years. Can you recommend something that doesn't require total stripping, sanding, cleaning/heutralizing and then staining? Can I effectively use a cleaner and then apply another oil based stain over the top ot the existing stain? If so, what products would you recommend?
Nothing lasts 5-10 years. 2-3 is the max you will get on a horizontal surface. You cannot apply a different brand on top of your Cabot without stripping it all off first.
Where can I buy this at the price you say?????
This was the price two years ago. Prices go up every year.
We are trying one more time to refinish our 25 year old deck before replacing it in a few years. Every few years we have power washed and used clear Thompson's wood protector ( the last time it was Thompson's Water Seal Advanced) on the surface. It has held up quite well…we live in Maryland.
The last power washing, 2 years ago, was done with a heavy duty machine which caused much splintering. Our plan is to power wash again, sand and use a semi transparent stain on it.
Do you advise any other prep steps? Do you think TWP would be the right product for us?
Your prep sounds good but use a deck stripper and brighten the wood as well. TWP would be a good choice, you will need the 1500 Series for MD.
My cedar home is 30 years old & the cedar deck is about 10 years old( lots of big dog traffic).
Rec. cleaner & semitransparent stain please
This TWP 100 or the 1500 would work well for the house and deck. Prep with the Restore A Deck Products.
Am torturing myself trying to decide which product to use on 15 year old cedar deck, TWP or Armstrong Clark or maybe something else? My indecision is so bad that I stripped deck last summer and then did… nothing. Deck is now cleaned and brightened. Is one product easier to reapply than the other?? From your reviews it looks like I may be splitting hairs. My husband detests this job (so I get stuck doing it) and wants to throw in the towel for composite decking – yuck. I'm hoping to find a product to ease the pain of this yearly maintenance issue. We live in Minnesota and deck is west facing with no protection from sun. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
For full sun, try the AC but in one of their semi-solid colors. You will get better UV protection this way.
I have 1000 sq ft pressure treated 10 yr old deck. Lots of mildew and algae form on it. Wood is on good shape otherwise. Was stained 2 yrs ago but most has faded and worn off. Do I use 100 or 1500 stain?
Depends on where you live. If your state allows the 100 Series then use this. If not use the 1500.
We have a brand new redwood deck surface. it looks absolutely beautiful and we want to keep it looking this way. Reading alot about stains brought us to this site and the TWP -actually thought this was Thomsons, but now know better. So the question is what is the best stain for our new deck. Deck is directly in intense Colorado sun, with about 1/3 in shade most of time.
Please read this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
TWP wants new wood to season for 4-12 months then prepped first. Only one coat as well. TWP 100 series and for a light tint, look at their Honeytone color.
Hi,
I leave close to the michigan lake in St Joseph. Last year I used thompson semi transparent to stain the deck and after all the snow in this winter the stain is pretty much gone. This year I'm looking to use something that will last. From all the reviews I see I have no doubt that TWP is a great product, but it is also semi transparent. I was wondering what would last longer, TWP, being it semi transparent, or a different solid color product. Any advicce?
Go with the TWP but you have to remove the Thompsons fully first.
Where can i buy TWP in eastern Iowa or SW wisconsin
Dave, ask the manufacturer for help with this.
Hi I have a deck on a small lake in Northern Michigan (Traverse City). I have no idea how old the deck is. It is at the water and has some kind of colored protective coat on it (not painted) that is badly worn off. I am looking at this sealer (TWP 100) as a possible option. Can the deck just be sanded and this applied? I can't risk any kind of stripping agent as most of the deck is permanently in the water.
Yes but you will need to lightly clean and brighten after for the final prep. TWP 100 is a good choice. Traverse City is an awesome area!
Thank you very much for the quick response 🙂 I'll get right on finding some so we can work through our next vacation too, LOL!
And one more question…what do I use to clean and brighten? I'm a novice with this subject.
Restore A Deck Kits.
I live in Northern KY and have a 3-year old pressure-treated deck that gets hit hard by the afternoon sun. I ignorantly and painstakingly applied 2 coats of Behr on it and the stain just lasted 1 year. I love your site and detailed reviews, and I see that your top 3 stains are TWP, Defy Extreme, and Armstrong Clark. My question is: which of these would you recommend for a fairly new deck that gets direct afternoon sun as well as several inches of snow every winter? Is one of these stains better than the other for my deck and environment? Thanks in advance for your input! 🙂
Andy, your first issue is to remove the Behr stain completely first. You cannot apply a different brand on top of it. Remove by stripping what you can off and then sand if needed to remove the rest. Apply wood brightener when done. Once the wood has not more Behr on it then you can try a different brand. Use the TWP 100 Series.
Hello Everyone, I own a restoration company in KC. Been using TWP since 1995. Over the years I have tried many of the sealers/stains out there but TWP is the best Semi-transparent stain on the market in my opinion. I have also noticed much of my competition using the same product. If you properly clean, brighten, sand, and apply the stain evenly throughout your deck, you'll have the best looking deck in the neighborhood. I'm assuming many of you are DIY people so I would also suggest looking up "David Ortiz how to stain a deck" on Youtube. I have seen many how to videos and he is the only one I would recommend watching. Follow his step by step guide and you can't go wrong.
Hi Jim, Any chance you might post a link to that YouTube video? I didn't find any videos by anyone named David Oritiz regarding staining a deck. Even used specifically your search in quotes there and that only comes back to this site in Google. Too bad you're not in TN. I probably would just get a quote and have your guys take care of this! 🙂
Thanks!
Les
I own a restoration company and have been in this business for over 20 years. I have tried many sealers/stains and I have always gone back to TWP. If your deck is cleaned properly, brightened, sanded, and stain is applied evenly throughout the deck, ( no overlapping ) you'll have the best looking deck in the neighborhood. Highly recommend.
We are refinishing a deck in So. California. We've decided on using the TWP but I'm not sure if I should use the 100 or 1500. Deck is dry, cleaned and brightened redwood
The 100 Series is not legal to use in California so you will have to use the 1500 Series.
My deck is 4 year old cedar. Two months after installation, I sanded and then applied a semi-transparent BM stain (cedar colored.) No peeling but the stain is wearing off now (deck is south facing and receives lots of dun) I live in Southern Ontario – can get down to -40 and lots of snow. Any advice re application and new stain?
TWP is not allowed in Canada. Use the Armstrong Clark deck stain.
Forgive me if this has already been addressed.
I did read though about 5 full pages of comments and haven't seen an answer.
Do you evaluate elastometric stains/coatings? Any comments re elastometric vs stain? Because I have a very old dock and the wood is not great shape, thus I would like to "seal" splinters and cracks.
Might want to read this?: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-olympi…
I am installing new redwood deck. If I were to wait for after the installation to apply stain, I'm afraid the bottom will not be protected. Can I apply the stain before the installation?
Also which brand works better with new wood? Thank you.
Please read this about new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
You do not need to stain the underside, only exposed wood as redwood is naturally resistant to rot and decay.
MAY/JUNE 2014 I USED RESTORE A DECK STRIPPER ON MY 1100 SQ. FT. TREATED PINE DECK. IT WORKED GREAT, REMOVING ABOUT 5 APPLICATIONS OF OLYMPIC WATER BASED STAIN APPLIED OVER THE PREVIOUS 12 YEARS. I POWER WASHED THE DECK TOO AGGRESSIVELY LEAVING RAISED WOOD FIBERS ON THE SURFACE. I SANDED THE ENTIRE DECK REMOVING ALL OF THE RAISED FIBERS.
I THEN APPLIED TWP 101 CEDAR TONE NATURAL OIL BASED STAIN, WET ON WET. THE DECK LOOKED LIKE A MILLION BUCKS. HOWEVER, BY THE END OF AUGUST THE CEDAR TONE WAS FADING NOTICEABLY. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE REFINISHED AGAIN.
I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS:
1). WILL ANY OF THE REFINISHING PRODUCTS BE COVERED BY YOUR WARRANTY?
2). WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU SUGGEST THAT I USE TO PREPARE AND REFINISH THE DECK.
NOTE, THE SURFACE OF DECK IS IN GOOD SHAPE.
THE ONLY REASON I AM CONSIDERING USING TWP AGAIN IS THE DECK LOOKED SO GOOD WHEN I FINISHED LAST YEAR.
THANKS
1. We are a help site and do not warranty stain products as we do not make them. This would be up to the manufacturers so best to contact them for help.
2. Use the Gemini Restore Kit for the prep or a good deck cleaner.
It is possible that the TWP faded quicker due to the sanding. Sanding will reduce penetration amount of the stain resulting in a thinner application. Basically the more the stain you get to soak into the wood, the better the UV protection.
All caps is the equivalent of yelling at the top of your voice. So please refrain from using all caps Fred. Besides, It makes you look like a dummy.
I have a Cedar deck that is probably 15-20 years old located in NJ. Has not been maintained for many years and was grayed over and also had some mildew. I power washed it this weekend and used Simply Green (I know that wasn't recommended but just found this website) and it has some splintering and also some frays sticking up from the soft cedar wood. I really have no interest in sanding the deck at this point because I don't think it has many more usable years. I ideally want to use something a little thicker so it covers up any splinters and we are able to walk barefoot but I don't want to mess with products like Deckover. I would prefer a semi-transparent but I assume I would probably be better off with a solid stain. Are there any suggestions you could make for this situation. Great website. Thanks
Lightly hand sand just to remove any splinters with 60-80 grit paper. Blow off deck with a leaf blower when done. Stain with Armstrong Clark in a semi-solid color.
I have a Redwood 16×20 deck. I live in Eastern WA we get all types of weather to extreme cold and snow to high heat. I have refinished it 3 times in 3 yrs. I have sanded it before the application of two different products and haven't been satisfied with either one.
1. Should I continue to sand before the application or is there a better prep? The wood is just mostly gray.
2. Is TWP 100 the best choice?
3. What color would be best want to keep the color as natural as possible to bring out the natural wood.
1. Prep by cleaning (strip if old coating), pressure washing, and brightening. We only sand if absolutely needed as you want the wood as porous as possible.
2. TWP 100 would be a good choice for this
3. Lightest tint is the Honeytone. Take inconsideration though that lighter tints will fade faster then darker tints.
if one has Olympic semi transparent deck stain on his deck and its 3 years later can you just powerwash the deck and apply TWP100 or TWP1500? or what do you have to do prior?
You cannot apply TWP on top of a different stain brand. If all of the Olympic is gone then you are okay. If not then you will need to use a stain stripper with the pressure washing and apply a wood brightener when done.
2 questions. I have power washed my (older) deck which stripped it of old finishes and am in the process of sanding it. I plan to apply TWP 100 in Dark Oak.
1) Do I need to use any type of brightner or am I good to go since I sanded?
2) Can I use anything to fill cracks or holes? I'd rather keep the holes than risk the TWP not adhering correctly.
1. Best to both clean and brighten after sanding to open grain of wood and remove sand dust.
2. No. Filler does not work on outside wood.
Live in buffalo,NY area,have 6 yr old deck for pool,needs restraining,old stain is peeling,was a behr stain.need something durable that will last with the rain and bad winters we have,
Any recommendations?
Is it OK to stain over old stain after cleaning?
Thanx a lot!
No you cannot apply any stain on top of the behr. It need to be chemically stripped and pressure washed off. Neutralize with a wood brightener when done. TWP 100 is not allowed in NY. You can use the 1500 Series there.
I live in western Colorado and want to resand a 5 year redwood deck that is mostly shaded. The temp in western Colorado can be -20-102 degrees. Any suggestions a on a clear stain that will show the original redwood color?
All of the TWP colors will show the grain but will also enhance based on the tint you choose. For a lighter tint, look at the Honeytone or Cedartone colors. TWP will work well in CO.
We just bought a house that has hemlock siding. We are putting an addition on and due to the hemlock blight, we couldn't match, and are getting a pine siding. What stain would your recommend? How long should we wait to put it on? Thank you
TWP wants you to wait about 4 months and prepped well first before staining if the wood is smooth. If rough sawn then you can stain right away.
I just purchased twp 100 to stain my deck before temperature drops to much lower. my primary concern is after reading the directions on bucket, it says that it can't be applied to a previously sealed deck unless it is all taken off. The re-application score on here is high so I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this? My deck is 12 months old in michigan and has never been stained, but I want to put a product on it that will be easy to reapply the next time with out having to strip away all stain. Should I switch products all together, or should I apply the twp for this first time, and then switch to a different stain when it needs redone?
You can reapply TWP with TWP later on down the road after a good prep with their Gemini Restore Kit. What you cannot do is apply TWP on top of a different brand of stain without removing. Stay with TWP.
I'm in the same situation in Wisconsin, however my deck is stripped, sanded the fuzzys off, and ready for stain. I used Restore A Deck to strip acrylic junk off. I highly recommend it. Best get moving as power washing and the whole process of drying takes a couple days if you have everything on hand. I'm set to stain on Saturday. Hi of 63 F. No rain. TWP says 50F minimum temp.
My deck is 10 x 20, went up 3 wks ago. We went with premium wood, pressure treated pine. Worried that we put it up in September and now October has been very rainy. we are expecting four sunny days. Should we just let it be until the spring or can we wait 2 days to dry it out and give it a single coat to protect/seal it thru the winter months? if so, what to use? need advice. Live in TN and deck sees the morning and midday sun and late afternoon half of the deck is shaded. thank you.
Wait until Spring. This will explain new wood: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Just finished staining a cedar deck with TWP 100 series. About 2/3 rds of the deck look great but the last portion of the deck done has a grey sheen to it. Any idea why or what to do about it? Stain was applied with a deck pad and back brushed.
Never heard of a gray sheen with TWP or any stain. Please post a picture if you can in our Forum.
Hey there… good site. Nice to see actual long term testing of specific deck stain products. I live in Statesville, NC and am looking a stain a 10-year old deck and separate screen porch framing. I want to comment on an observation. I see a LOT of recommendations by this site for the TWP product, but I see very few actual testimonials from users. Since I am considering the Olympic product from Lowe's, primarily due to it's wider variety of colors and opacity as well as the availability, I read the reader comments of that product. They are not good. Certainly makes me cautious. But the small amount of actual user feedback on the TWP makes me cautious as well. I actually ordered four samples from them. Two I definitely did not like once I spread them on a board. If you are looking for other colors or something with more pigment, then it seems you have to at another product. According to this site, there are not many good options.
We have been using TWP 100 Series for over 20 years now for the majority of our jobs that we restore. It is a great stain but yes it has limited colors and availability as you will never find it in a Big Box store. With all the changes in regulations in the past years many of the good stains have switched to lower VOC options and thusly the products are not as good as they used to be. For example Olympic made a very decent stain until 4 years ago. Same with Cabot, Flood, and Wolman, etc. They seem to have all sold out to bigger corporations and when they did they changed the formulas. TWP is one of a handful of products that have not switched or been bought out.
I used an Olympic stain in 2005 and it was good but used it again last year and it was terrible. It is flaking off after six months. Deck washing, prep, and staining is time consuming, and there is nothing more frustrating that having to do it again six months later. Thanks so much for this site and helping me choose a product that will hopefully last much longer.
Hey Tim I live in Statesville too and I have the same problem. I don't trust Olympic because of the many negative reviews . So I am wondering what product you ended up using and what results have you had? Thanks in advance for any information you may provide.
Hi Tim, I own a restoration company and have over 20 years experience. ( restored 100's upon 100's of decks ) I have tried all sorts of stains and sealers and I have always gone back to TWP. This is one of the best products out there, looks great and has a long life for a semi-transparent stain. Typically 3 years, ( will depend on environmental factors) definitely after it's forth Winter you'll want to reapply. My name is Jim Gold with Deck Solutions of Kansas City, look me up if you have any questions.
Jim,
Does TWP make a product/stain that fills deep cracks similar to the Behr Deck Over deck restoration finish?
Thanks for replay in advance.
They acquired the Gulf Synthetics Deck Revive: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/gulf-synthetics-deck…
Hello. The more research I do, the more confused I get so will ask you, "the experts"!
Have a new (1 month old) Wide Board pressure treated Cedar fence section. Also have 6 year old Wide Board (cedar?) section. I live in San Antonio, TX. Hot summers.
Questions:
1) 100 or 1500?
2) New Cedar section – "Looks" dry from pressure treatment. Can I stain or wait longer?
3) Old (Cedar?) section – Is pressure washing sufficient or do I really need cleaner and brightener?
Thanks in advance!
1. 100 series
2. Need to wait 4-12 months for new wood to weather when using TWP
3. Yes you need to open the gran and remove the mill glaze.
Thanks
Hi, I recently bought a house in Oregon with a Trex (2nd generation I think) deck and a pressure-treated cedar walkway. I just pressure washed both and the deck looks great but I definitely need to re-treat the walkway. I have NO idea how old it is (I am guessing not any older than 2 year at the most~ and may be just a year old). I definitely took off whatever was on it when pressure washing it and need to know what to use to treat it. It gets primarily shade and is under some 75-100 year old fir trees so gets lot of debris as well. Any suggestions, please and thank you? Do I need to do more than just pressure wash? Thanks for your thoughts.
Jan
If clean go ahead an stain without additional prep. The TWP 100 Series would work well.
Thank you!
Help…We stained our deck this weekend and we have some puddle looking like spots over our deck. How do we get rid of these spots? is there any other way besides sanding it down and re-doing it?? thank you!
Try wiping the spots with lacquer thinner to see if that will remove the excess stain first.
I live in Seattle (North Capitol Hill/ Montlake/ Arboretum area), and I have 2 samples of TWP and 2 samples of Armstrong-Clark Deck stain, if anyone wants them-FREE (I ordered these for testing and only used them once). I have:
TWP102-Redwood
TWP116-Rustic
Armstrong-Clark RedWood Tone
Armstrong-Clark Semi-Transparent Sierra Redwood
Just call Karen at 206-328-4047 if you want to come by and pick up these samples.
Hi Karen,
Do you know where I can buy TWP locally in the Seattle area?
Second time to try for help…change and subscribe to see if I get answer…could not make it change…sorry
Have 15 year old deck … no prior treatment …bad shape…water pressure cleaned using tsp and bleach yesterday…upper deck in shade …lower deck partial sun in afternoon…would like semi transparent stain from what I have read…what would you reccomend…Shreveport, Louisiana…need to do something now…rainy season approaching…pressure treated pine…HELP!
TWP 100 Series or the Defy Extreme for this deck in Louisiana.
Hi, I live in Northern NJ. I have a small 7 seven year old pressure treated pine deck. I have just cleaned and pressured washed the deck using Behr's all-in-one wood cleaner. It came out very clean. Can you please recommend a stain/sealer & any other advice I might need. Much appreciated. Great site btw.
Look at the TWP 1500 Series or the Armstrong Clark for this in NJ.