This post was updated on February 26, 2024
TWP 1500 Series Stain Update 2024
We find that the TWP 1500 Series Stain to be the best performing oil-based deck stain on the market. We personally use the TWP 1500 Series Stain on deck restorations every year in the Midwest and is one of our go-to brands.
TWP 1500 Series Deck Stain
TWP 1500 Series was introduced in the Summer of 2010 as the replacement for the TWP 500 Series. TWP 1500 stain is a semi-transparent oil-based wood preservative registered by the EPA. The only deck preservative that is currently registered as an exterior wood preservative.
TWP 1500 Series is designed for all exterior unfinished wood. It has excellent UV resistance from graying. It is mostly used for exterior wood decking, wood fencing, log homes, cedar sided homes, etc. TWP 1500 comes in 10 colors that allow the natural grain of the wood to show through.
TWP Stains – 1500 Stain Rating
TWP 1500 Series Deck Stain Scores (1-10)
Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8.5
– TWP 1500 Series had a beautiful rich look to the wood. The wood grain was highlighted naturally. 1501 Cedartone color was slightly brown for a traditional cedar color.
Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 9
– Excellent at preventing UV graying at the two-year mark. One of the top stains that we have tested in terms of absorbing the UV radiation that causes oxidation of the wood.
Wear/Tear and Peeling: 9
– Very good at preventing peeling. TWP penetrates deep into the wood. This seems to reduce any chance of wearing or peeling at the surface.
TWP 1500 Series
Cost Per Square Foot: 8
– TWP 1500 Series cost us $194.99 for a 5-gallon pail delivered. This breaks down to $.35 per foot for 2 coats of stain on our 400 square foot deck. We still had 1.5 gallons left when done. The coverage for the TWP 1500 was close to 200 square feet per gallon.
Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 9
– Of all of the oil-based stains we tested, TWP offers the best protection against mold spores that are known to grow in oil-based stains. This is most likely due to the oils used in TWP’s stains. They do not use linseed oil but rather a mixture of natural and synthetic oils.
Ease of Application: 8
– For an oil-based stain, the TWP 1500 series applied well. We did notice that you need to back brush any puddles to ensure an even application. This is normal for most of the stains that we have tested. TWP 1500 Series did dry to the touch in 6 hours and we were able to put the furniture back on the deck the following day.
Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 9
– The 1500 series did not “darken” in color like other oil-based stains have been known to. TWP actually lightened up slightly at the 2-year mark. This gave the wood a more natural-looking feel.
Difficulty of Reapplication: 8.5
– TWP 1500 Series would be an easy stain to reapply. A normal wood deck cleaner would be used to remove some dirt and grime, prepping for another coat.
Overall Score TWP 1500 Series at 2 Year Period: 8.5
– TWP 1500 Series (and 100 Series) have been known to provide tops in terms of durability and color retention. They have always been one of the best stains and are one of our top choices. Little to no fading on the railings. The deck surface faded to about 75% of the stain’s initial color after 2.5 years.
Product Information:
TWP Help? Search Google: TWP Stain Help
More Info: TWP 1500 Series
Cost: $46.99 per Gallon, $234.99 per 5 Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent – Oil-Based
Available Colors: 1500 Clear, 1501 Cedartone, 1502 Redwood, 1503 Dark Oak, 1504 Black Walnut, 1511 California Redwood, 1515 Honeytone, 1516 Rustic, 1520 Pecan, 1530 Natural
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: 4-12 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in All 50 States
More Info: Product Data
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Western Red Cedar
Deck Square Footage: 400
UV Exposure: Full Sun
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: 1501 Cedartone
*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 1500 Series Deck Stain Photos
TWP 1500 Series Stain Review Video
Applying TWP in 1503 Dark Oak to Wood Fence.
We could not be happier with the 1500 TWP Cedar tone. We love the way it looks. It was easy to apply,
Looks great!
Due to multiple contractor and other delays, a redwood deck was prepped (stripper, brightener, and sanded from rough cut to smooth) months ago. Due to other delays, it could be months longer before it’s stained. I have a large blue plastic tarp. To protect from sun, would you recommend tarping until work resumes? Or recommend against that because it might trap water? While my home is in a moderate climate zone, we do get rain, and our rainy season is approaching.
Alternatively, is there a temporary protective product that could be applied for UV protection, but wouldn’t require later removal by chemical strippers and/or sanding?
Thank you.
Thanks.
No, do not tarp. Just redo the prep with the cleaner and the brightener within 2 weeks of staining. No need to sand.
Hi. For a redwood deck and fence, we need to replace some posts and boards. All will be sanded fully smooth. While I’m guessing there’s no way to get the new wood to perfectly blend with the old wood, is there anything we can do to at least somewhat minimize the difference? FYI, the plan is to stain with Armstrong Clark semi-transparent in natural oak color. After all the sanding the wood is beautiful and we don’t want to cover it with a semi-solid or solid stain.
Thanks for your help.
Sorry but no, new and old wood is impossible to match with a semi-transparent stain. The new wood will stain lighter in color.
Thank you. What is the maximum number of months from the prior prep work (chemical stripping and sanding) that the wood safely can be exposed to the elements (e.g., UV) prior to application of the new stain? If/when that maximum is reached, would you advise tarping at that point?
Doesn’t matter. Just redo the prep of cleaning and brightening within 2 weeks of staining.
Hello,
Looking to stain a deck roughly 1 year old in rural part of Tennessee. Algae is a concern. Small deck full sun all day. Looking at the twp stains and wondering which formula would be best. I was also curious how long the stain is good in the container after being opened. If a 5 gal bucket kit was purchased would I be able to use that stain when the deck needed another coat in 2-3 years. It would be stored sealed in a conex no temperature control.
Thank you.
Use the 100 Series. Make sure to prep first with the Gemini Restore kit. It will not last 2-3 years when opened. 12 months max,
Thank you very much!
What’s the drawback of only doing one coat. Does it simply mean you’ll need to re-coat sooner than expected? Thanks.
That and you may not get a consistent color and finish. Could be blotchy with only one coat.
Hi. We’ll be staining a redwood deck and fence. We’re leaning towards the TWP 1500 series. Will one coat be sufficient on both horizontal and vertical surfaces? Also, while a stripper was used, it didn’t fully strip all areas. Will that be a problem? If so, short of reapplying a chemical stripper and brightener, can the stain in those areas be removed with a scraper or by sanding? If by sanding, what grit do you recommend? Thank you.
You need to strip all so it is applied evenly and correctly. Brighten after. Do not spot sand or scrape.
Thanks for the helpful reply.
I’ve received several contractor estimates for completing the work started (and abandoned) by the first contractor. Because of the stripper recently applied (it was Woodrich HD-80), they advised against further stripping, claiming further stripping would risk damaging the wood. Specifically, they claim that in addition to removing stain, it would remove some wood. I’m wondering if that’s a valid concern, or if the motive perhaps is to increase billable work (I assume more labor required for sanding than stripping and brightening).
If you believe sanding is a reasonable approach, would use of a grinder rather than regular sander be ok, or would that be too harsh and thus risk damaging the redwood? If grinding is a reasonable approach, what is the lowest grit you feel safe? The contractor proposes the grinding followed by light sanding to remove any swirl marks caused by the grinder and other touch-up.
Thanks again for your help.
Further stripping will not damage the wood. As far as if stripping or sanding is needed to continue, post some pics of where the old stain did not come off.
What deck preparation is required if I’m replacing 18 month old Sherwin Williams oil modified semitransparent redwood super deck stain with TWP 1500 series oil based semitransparent redwood stain?
Note. The current stain is in decent shape with no peeling.
You need to remove the Super Deck. Strip and brighten with Restore A Deck Stripper/Brightener Kits.
I am unable to purchase the 100 in my state. It was recommended to purchase the 1500 even though I need the semi-solid product.
1. They will last about the same.
2. Semi-solid colors mask the grain more so they will blend new and old wood better than semi-transparent colors.
Yes, that is my original understanding and I’m needing to buy the semi solid; but, the 1500 is is semi-transparent right? I need to hide the older wood. Thank you.
I thought the 1500 is NOT a semi-solid. As you state, I need to blend the old wood with new wood better using a semi-solid.
The TWP 1500 is semi-transparent. The TWP Semi-solid is the same VOC as the 100 Series so you cannot get it. Try another brand of semi-solid colors. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-solid-wood-and-deck-stain-reviews/
Regarding “ They do not use linseed oil but rather a mixture of natural and synthetic oils.”
The SDS sheet shows;
Linseed oil
8001-26-1
30 to 40%
Thanks. It is a blend, not straight linseed like other brands.
What is the best way to fix over application with TWP 1500 series?
Post pictures.
Please see attached, thank you. It is a covered porch and a rain storm came through a few hours after application. Was thoroughly power washed and lightly sanded before application. The deck has cured since then.
Try wiping it down with mineral spirits and rags. If that does not work, then you will have to remove all and start over.
Take any oil rags and soak them into water when done to avoid spontaneous combustion.
our deck has done great with TWP Cedartone stain- This year we are re-powerwashing and re-staining. We had to replace several boards- how can we get new wood to match old wood???????
You cannot. New wood will always stain lighter since it is less absorbent..
I applied twp 1500 and it looks a bit blotchy and there are some areas that were fuzzy that apparently needed sanded more . I applied two coats wet on wet .am I able to sand down the fuzzy stuff and restain or am I better off using a semi solid over this to make it look more uniform ? Either way when can I re-coat?
The prep was not properly done. All the old stain was not removed fully. You will need to remove all and start over if you want to use a TWP in a semi-transparent or even the semi-solid.
Can I use a different brand semi-solid instead without having to remove it all ?
No, you have to remove it.
What is my process for stripping and starting over . Do I need to use a floor sander ?
Strip off what you can with the RAD stripper and both additives. Sand what cannot be stripped after. Brightener last. Shoot for 95-100% removal.
Can I use 1500 series clear on deck furniture.
I have 10 gallons left over from doing all the decks and would like to
use it on all the deck furniture. It is hardwood and has been stripped to bare wood.
Yes, just one coat.
Can a second coat be applied a few days apart from the first coat? In other words; Does it have to be wet on wet? Thanks
Needs to be wet on wet. Over applying after first coat dries is bad for any penetrating stain.
I redid my deck last year with kiln dried after treatment KDAT pine. I waited several months for the mill glaze to go away and then applied one coat TWP 1500 Honey color after treating with cleaner and brighter. Very pleased with results.
Now it seems like it’s ready for a second coat. Water no longer beads up like it did originally. I’m assuming that my steps will be to use cleaner and brightener then apply a another coat of TWP 1500. No stripper will be applied. Is this correct?
In the photograph the circle on the right of the photograph is where a pot has been sitting, The deck outside of the circle has been exposed to the elements.
No need to strip, clean and brighten lightly then one coat.
We live in Charlotte NC and have a deck that was installed with pressure treated 2 by 6 boards. Size is 14 by 14, we have a couple of steps, railing on two sides and a pergola. Would seems dry enough to stain now, although top of rails, pergola and some floor boards starting to shoe grey. I am thinking of TWP 1500 on this deck. Since the deck is 5 months old, how much prep should be done? How much stain? and lastly how slick will this get after a rain? Hoping to do this in the next week or two. Thank you for your advice and guidance.
See here about new wood and prep and stain: https://www.deckstainhelp.com/staining-a-new-deck/
Just one coat after cleaner and brightener. TWP is not slippery.
Thank you for the link, I reviewed it and this deck has now been out in the weather for 5 months, seems okay to stain. Interesting that TWP is not on the list of stains recommended for new wood, and somewhat surprising. It seems that sticking to one brand over time is advisable. What do you think of using one thing now (new wood) and something else later?
Thank you.
Karl
Also it sounds like 2 gallons of stain sh be enough, make sense?
Thanks
We would need a total sq footage of all wood that is being stained added up to help with this.
Deck surface is 14 by 14 ft. Three stairs, rails and styles and a simple pergola. If a gallon covers 300 sq ft. seems like 2 gal sh be enough. Make sense to you?
A gallon of TWP does not cover three hundred square feet. More like 150-200 for one coat. Add it all up if you want proper help with this.
You can use the TWP now as they suggest 4-12 months of weathering. We would not switch, stick with the same brand.
Just posted a couple of follow up questions, don’t see them. On new wood you do not recommend TWP as a preferred stain. What do you recommend as a cleaner/brightener for new wood? How long sh we wait between cleaning and staining?
Thanks for your help.
Karl
Use the Gemini Restore A Deck Kit for prep if using the TWP.
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area .. What is the shortest amount of wait time that the 1500 series can be applied on a new redwood deck. Would light sanding before application quicken the wait?
TWP want 4-12 months of weathering and then prep with a cleaner and brightener for new wood. There is not a way to speed this up.
I’m convinced by this review that this is a much better way to go than what we’ve had on our deck, which is Benjamin Moore Arborcoat. Your review of the BM hives with my experience of it.
One question about the TWP stain. How soon after application could I put furniture on it? I ask because I have to do my deck half at a time and put the furniture on the other half since there’s nowhere else I can put it. So after I do the first half I’ll need to put the furniture on there to do the second half. Also, any tips for avoiding a noticeable line at that halfway point?
Also, how many gallons would I need for a 300 sq ft deck? I would use a sprayer and a brush if that matters.
Thanks!!!
Sorry, one more question…I’ve read that this shouldn’t be applied when it’s over 90 outside. Looks like there will be a stretch of a few days when it’s approaching 90 but not quite hitting it. Should I just do it then anyway? Or better to wait a couple months after stripping when it gets a little cooler? I guess neither is ideal but I’ve already started so I have to do one of those plans.
90 is a little hot for applying. Maybe do it in the am or late evening.
24 Hours for furniture. You will have to carefully stop 1/2 way on one board. About 2-3 gallons for the two coats.
Is Twp 1500 a good stain to use on a cedar deck that gets splashed with chlorine?
No deck stain will resist Chlorine Bleach. No matter what it will degrade the stain.