This post was updated on April 4, 2025
TWP 1500 Series Stain Update 2026
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.
https://youtu.be/xH6RnzN4M-c
We could not be happier with the 1500 TWP Cedar tone. We love the way it looks. It was easy to apply,
Looks great!
looking to restain my 30 year old log cabin. A little graying but will power wash first. Will the honeytone cover that graying. Have used Olympic woodguard in the past and kept the natural wood color very nicely but tihnk this with some tint might help prevent the graying. Also garage with cedar siding and more more graying…will the honeytone 1515 cover that .
Thanks for any advice. Both will be cleaned prior to application but certain some graying will remain.
dee, semi-transparent stains do not cover but rather highlight. If you clean off the graying then you will not have any issues. The use of a good cleaner and brightener will aid with the prepping.
Hi I am installing some new cedar trim work on my parents house. After reading through your great reviews I decided on and purchased TWP1500 To stain it with. The plan was to stain it then install. But after further reading I realized The TWP wasent the best for new wood and I should have gotten the Armstrong. In the TWP paper work they mention wetting the wood and letting it dry a couple times for new wood. Would it work to set the wood out and wet it down with the hose and then let it dry every other day for a week and then stain it and install it, or would I get a lot of warping from the cedar. The boards are from lowes and have smooth finish on one side and a rough finish on the other I had planned on putting the smooth side out but would be willing to use the rough side if it would stain better. We are in utah and have a very dry climate most of the time. So the wood should dry out quickly.
Keith, if you use the rough side you can stain right away with the TWP.
I treated my deck with Defy water based stain less than 2 years ago. It hasn't held up very well. I would like to use TWP 1500 Series stain this time. What will I need to do to the deck to prepare it for the TWP?
Jim, you would need to remove the Defy with a stain stripper if switching brands. It is common to redo your deck every 2 years.
Behr Premium stain has consumed my spring! After one year of this product it peeled of with slightest rain… Looking at new stain and love dark chocolate brown colors. have large deck around pool area and large deck off of house that is Cedar. Wondering best product to use but not many offer dark colors. Looking at the TWP 1500 Dark Walnut…. Would you recommend this in Iowa where snow sits on deck most of winter and also do I have to put sealer on after stained?
Brandy, look at the TWP 1503 Dark Oak or the 1504 Black Walnut for this. You must remove the behr first though as TWP cannot be applied on top of that.
I have a 26 year old PTL deck that has never been treated. Nails were coming out and have been hammered back. The surface is rough but has recently been power-washed down to bright wood, so it looks much better.
Would TWP 1500 series Natural Finish be appropriate for this deck? If so, is additional prepping required?
Ron, If the wood is cleaned and free of any dirt and old coatings then I would go ahead and stain. The 1530 is a very popular color.
Lisa, clean and prep with the Gemini Restore Kit. We do not have much experience with the 200 series so I am not sure what color would be a match. I would call the manufacturer for some help with this.
Refinishing deck. Need to strip old stain. Do I also need to brighten before applying TWP 1500? Also, wet on wet…how much time between the coats?
Jill, when using a stripper you will need to use a brightener to neutralize. Apply the second coat as soon as you are done with the first coat.
New deck (been sitting now for 3 months+). Posts are wood, with the smaller vertical pieces in between black iron. The house is a red brick color. What color would you suggest that would go well with this combo in the TWP 1500 series (I understand this is subjective but would appreciate your input!)
AJ, maybe 1511 Cal Redwood color or 1502 Redwood. Only 1 coat on new wood. Clean and brighten first.
Hello. We have a one year old pressure treated deck (pine I believe). About 6 weeks after it was built, I applied some basic clear waterproofing (Olympic Waterguard Sealant) just to get it through the first year. I don't know how long this sealant is supposed to last. Not having much luck online and there's no info on the container. Just wondering if now is a good time for a new treatment with something better that will last 3 more years or so. My plan is to just power wash, with cleaner if needed. Deck gets a lot of sun but winters aren't terribly harsh (northern Delaware). I'm considering TWP 1500, probably something a little darker than clear (semi transparent). It doesn't appear to be sold in Delaware so I'd like some advice before buying online. Thanks.
Tucker, I would cleaned and brighten the wood for the prep. If water absorbs into the wood then a stain will absorb as well. Just 1 coat on your newer wood.
hi…i have a two tier PTP deck….top in about 7 yrs and bottom will be 1 yr this july….i have just completed the cleaning and brightening process and waiting for weather to dry out here in massachusetts…deck is southern exposure and gets about 6-8 hrs of sun depending of the time of year…i also plan to lightly sand decks because of raised wood particles from the cleaning process….i want to use twp1500 but not sure with the lower deck…..
Jim, try using a floor buffer with a sanding pad. Very easy.
Excellent site! I flipped the boards on my horribly weathered 44 year old deck here in Nebraska and it looks really good. I plan to wait for mid to late summer and then use TWP 1500. My question: I want the best UV protection (darker color) and the one likely to last the longest. I am not real picky as to its color. Dark Oak and Walnut look good to me. the last comment said Reds seem to last the longest. Has there been enough comments on color vs how long it lasted for any regulars to see a trend? -Michael
Michael, it is not a huge difference. The lighter tones will fade faster. If you like the the Dark Oak then choose that.
This is very informative site. I wished I had know about before. I have a 5 yr old cedar fence, in Utah, with PTW posts that was stained with "Behr Premium wood-toned weatherproofing wood finish cedar naturaltone no. 501" with silicone, 4 to 6 year stain. NOT the one that was reviewed here. It didn't say on the can, but I believe it's more of a transparent than semi-transparent. It says, " Easy water cleanup". I assume that makes it a water-based stain. Will I still need to use a stain remover/stripper? I have some left over Thompsons Heavy Duty Deck cleaner & brightener, also oxygen bleach based powder cleaner. what's the prefered way to get this stain off? they say the darker the color, the longer it last and fade the least. WhIch will last the longest, dark color and not fade much with little to no red at all? TWP 100 (natural, pecan, or rustic) or 1500 (cedar, rustic, or honeytone)? What's the best method of application – – airless sprayer, brush or stain pad? one or 2 coats? Thank you for any advice.
Dave, Behr is not easy to remove. You will most likely need a stain stripper like HD80 or Rad then sand if needed. Reds seem to last the longest. Honeytone is the lightest. Maybe Pecan? We use stain pads.
Just bought the RAD kit and plan on tackling the project here in MI next week. I have 17 X 28 PTL, 10 yr old deck. Have used various cleaners and Oymnpic/Thompson Water Guard over the years, no stains. Can the Step 1 cleaning be spit into 2 days work, not sure I can handle all the work due to physical limitations. How about Step 2. I plan on using TWP 1500 and I'm guessing that's a 1 day effort. Thanks for any suggestions you might have. Great Site.
Ted, you can clean over the course of two days. Apply the brightener as soon as you are done with the cleaning on the same day. It is a very easy step. Stain about 2 days after the prepping.
Thanks for the prompt reply and the good advice. Looking forward to restoring our deck.
We have a 8×26 new cedar deck that we made the mistake of putting Behr semi-transparent stain on. Wow, was that awful! Even after sanding and prepping it properly, it just sat on the surface like a paint! 4 hours after the first coat, we stripped it and were able to pretty much get it all off. Then we applied a cleaner/brightener, scrubbed, rinsed, and it is currently drying. We live in Texas and the deck is in full sun most of the day, and after reading a lot of information and talking to "experts", were told that it needs UV protection asap. But we don't know exactly where to go from here! Do we leave it? Stain it? Which stain? Any guidance would be very helpful. Thank you!!
Michelle, you should apply a stain but since it is newer you want a stain that can penetrate correctly. I would look at Armstrong Clark.
I am wanting to stain our eight year old pressure treated wood fence I have pressure washed it already. Do I have to use a brightner before I stain it. If so which one do you recommend. Should I use the 100 or 1500 twp. One coat or two. Please help! Thanks!!
Gina, I would use two coats of the 1500 wet on wet. If the wood is clean then you should be ready to go.
I live in Massachusettes and I built a 20×16 PT Deck in august of last year(2012).The deck gets lots of sun and we have a pool attatched to the end of the deck.I dont get why I cant use the TWP 1500 stain if the deck has been weathering for 8 months..should I wait for the fall to stain with TWP or should I use a differant stain this spring? If I should use a differant stain, what stain should I use so I can aply the TWP in two years….The Flood website says to do a absorbsion test with water..I did it and did not get any absorbsion.Does this mean that the wood is still wet?…I did not use 5/4 deck boards because I wanted more weight so I used 2×6 board as decking
Marc, you can use the 1500 now that it has been 8 months. Just clean and brighten the wood first.
I live in Pittsburgh, Pa, we had a deck built last September (2012). It has been 9 mos, but most of those months snow was on the deck. My question is can I apply TWP 1500 series to it now? Did it have time to dry out? Does this product require you to strip and sand after a couple of years to reapply this product? Is this product good for pressure treated wood that has'nt been stained? What prep work do I need to do?
Cathy, let it dry out this Spring then clean and brighten the wood for the prep. Just 1 coat of the TWP 1500 this time. It works well for pressure treated wood and can be reapplied with a good cleaning.
Hi!! We’re putting up B&B siding, rough faced, and will be getting the wood pre-stained. We’re considering TWP 1500 or Defy Extreme. We’re using the lightest color from either, but mainly have questions about wait times, and difficulty of reapplication between the two stains. Is one a clear winner over the other in reapplication? Also from the reviews, the Defy Extreme may do a better job with UV graying considering we want a light stain color?
The Defy Extreme would offer slightly better mold protection and about the same UV protection as the TWP.
1) We are about to stain our new cedar pergola with TWP1500. It was put up in the fall with no stain, paint, etc. We want to preserve the cedar look as it is not starting to fade/grey slightly. I know pergola's can vary greatly is size and design, but is there any way to get a somewhat accurate amount of stain needed? We have to order online, so running out a picking up another gallon, isn't ideal.
2) Do we need to do a wet on wet coat on pergolas also, or is that just for deck surfaces?
Keith, without knowing the sq. footage there is really no way of knowing how much to order. We would just put 1 coat on the pergola.
I am wanting to use this on a yellow pine table. Do I have to worry about waiting for it to dry like PT lumber?
Yes all new wood needs to dry properly.
Planning on using TWP 1500 on our PTD that has been pressure washed.
TWP is not available in our area (Upstate N.Y.)
Are there samples available before I blindly order a color?
Thank You in advance for replying.
Colleen, I believe you can get samples online. I would contact the manufacturer for help.
get some twp 1500 samples…pick one and then just order the full amount….i have the same problem here in massachusetts but this site is the bomb…..there is nothing out there like this one..
I have a PT deck using Weathershield from HD built in 7/2011 in Houston, TX. Deck is currently coated with Behr Semi-Transperent which is peeling severely and and will soon be stripped. In addition, I recently had to replace a few deck boards this month, due to severe splitting (think from our recent extended drought and direct sun exposure). New boards are also Weathershield PT. If I strip and clean now, and wait 4-6 months, will the tone of the new wood be different from the tone of the old if I stain with the TWP 1500? If so, do you have any other stain recommendations to remedy this issue or should I fully re-deck before staining? And thank you for all the information, your site is wonderful, wish I found it before I used Behr.
Josh, it is nearly impossible to get new wood to match older wood. You plan will get it close but it will stand out slightly the first time stained. Future applications will be much better.
Are their any stains other then TWP 1500 you would recommend that would do a better job "blending" the wood together? Or is is just an option of dealing with a few differences in color or fully redoing the surface to ensure the entire area matches. I would rather do it right once than have to come back and do something else again later (other than routine maintenance). Thanks again for your helpful insight.
Josh, you could try the Armstrong Clark in the semi-solid colors. It will blend a little better.
Hi guys,
I noticed you have both TWP and Restore-A-deck at the top of your listings, both Gemini-Coatings products. Do you guys represent Gemini-Coatings in some way or are you an independent unbiased reviewer. I'm a contractor in Northern VA and just want to be sure I'm giving the customer the best solutions they need for issues they may be having. I did just apply the TWP1500 to a customer deck that had not been treated in over 5 or 6 years 🙁 (in bad shape). I applied a second coat to the deck flooring the next day because the first coat showed some patching (had to strip with and brighten with RAD which got about 90-95%). Will that second day coat affect the finish by not absorbing?
Mike, we are not related to Gemini in any way. The deck will probably be okay but in the future you should apply TWP wet on wet for best results and proper drying.
PT WeatherShield lumber bought at HD. Deck is 16×16 built 7/12. Upstate NY deck faces north gets lot of sun. Have not touched it at all. Top layers(fibers) of wood seems to be lifting or peeling a bit. I want to use TWP 1500, what is my course of action? Sand to get rid of the peeling wood? Any help would be great. Thanks!
Bill, I would suggest cleaning and brightening the wood first with a product like Restore-A-Deck. If needed, lightly sand after just to smooth down the raised grain. Do not power sand. Then stain with the TWP 1500
Good morning,great site, very informative. My question pertains to waiting to apply on new wood. We just resided our 2 level home in RI with cedar r&r shingles and would like to use the TWP 1500. We would like to stain as soon as possible while the staging is still here. Is waiting necessary or is there an alternative to waiting, like cleaning the siding? if so what would you recommend?
Thank you
Rob, Is the siding smooth wood or roughsawn? I would assume rough shingles. If so you can stain right away without any cleaning needed.
HOW DO I GET SAMPLES OF THE 1500 SERIES STAIN?
OK…
Location: Austin, Tx (drought and +100 degrees for +3mos in the summer)
Fence is about 9 months old, no stain it yet.
What kind of prep for the fence and what's the easiest application?
I'm thinking the TWP 1500 is a good bet?
Thanks!
Kim, TWP 1500 would be a great choice for this fence. I would do a lightly cleaning with a wood deck cleaner to prep first, let dry then stain.
Deck location: Lake Murray, sc
160 degees on deck mid day summer. 1/2 day in shade and very humid in ares. Water table 1 ft under surface of ground.
Biggest problems: dry rot from hot sun. Mildew in more shady areas. Cracking of wood.
Deck material #1 select treated lumber. Just being built now.
Is TWP 1500 going to work? Twd 1500 vs 100?
Thanks ,
Rich, please read this about Staining New Decks. TWP wants you to wait 4-12 months after install to let the wood “weather”.
Understood and have read. 'Was planning on doing in the fall and in cooler weather. 'looking a semitransparent redish stain.
Doing research now. Still… Is TWP 1500 going to work in the environement (160 deg wood temp in summer etc.)? What are the drawbacks? What is the yearly maintenance? What is the advantage of TWP 1500 vs 100?
Rich, If it was us doing the deck we would use the 100 Series for this. Just one coat after waiting then another maintenance coat in 12-18 months. After that you should be on a 2-3 year cycle.
Does the clear TWP 1500 have as good UV protection as the colored ones?
Ananta, No. Must be tinted if you want UV protection from graying/oxidation.
I live in SC and have a pressure treated deck that has been stained twice in 9 years with Olympic maximum tinted waterproofing sealant redwood natural tone. Can I prep it with Restore A Deck and then use TWP 1500 (1502 Redwood) on it with good results? I have never used Restore A Deck so I'm not sure how effective it will be removing the old stain. Do I need to remove all of the old product. Thank you!
Todd, I would prep with the Restore-A-Deck Stripper and Wood Brightener. It should work well with the Olympic Oil Based Maximum stain.
I live in Orlando, Fl and have a wrap-around covered deck. However the sun seems to fade my stain in certain areas due to the angle. I have used Flood in the past and it only looks good for about 1.5 years. I need to strip, sand, & restain. Considering changing to the TWP in hopes to reduce fading. Is this a good choice or would I be better off with Penofin blue label?
Christie, as contractors we would strip, brighten, lightly sand (only if needed), then stain with the TWP.
My deck was last stained 5 years ago so when I powerwashed it this past month, it basically took everything off including the remnants of the previous stain, which is fine. My question is, it is a HUGE amount of deck (almost 5,000 square feet including the railing and stairs) and the forecast for rain made me stop about 75% of the way into it. My question is, once it dries from the rain (48 hours) and I finish staining the rest of the deck, should I go ahead and put a second coat on it? It won't be wet on wet, more like wet on dry. I live in Florida and it takes a real beating. Thank you!
Katheryn, TWP is supposed to be applied wet on wet. Putting a light second coat on the wood after the first coat dries may be okay but I would prefer you ask the manufacturer to make sure.
Hi, I'm building a new deck in central NJ. Plan to use 2×6 PT wood for deck, posts and railings. I read most of the posts and replies, and got a lot of good tips. My question is how often the TWP1500 should be applied after initial application (1 coat 2 months after the deck is built)? Will it stay for 2+ years or cleaning and a single coat are needed every year? My deck has full sun most of the day. the new design is about 800 sq ft so I would prefer a product that requires less frequent reapplication. Thanks. Alex
Alex, you should wait 4-12 months after the deck is built then apply only 1 coat of the TWP 1500 when staining for the first time. In general TWP needs to be reapplied every 2 years to horizontals but the first coat will not last as long as the second time done.
I have a new log home under construction. The log walls were raised last summer of 2012 and the roof was put on in October, so they have been there through the winter. We were not able to go any further because of the weather. The logs now have water stain in some areas. I was planning to wash the walls with oxalic acid and then apply the twp 1500. Is the acid wash compatible with the twp after a good rinse of coarse. Please advice. Thanks
Rich Anders, might want to clean first with a wood cleaner then use the brightener (oxalic) after. Oxalic does not clean but rather neutralizes and can help with the water staining.
Hi, several of your replies have said "We like TWP but not on new wood." I looked for a rationale but didn't see one. Can you provide? BTW, I really enjoy this site.
Bill B, new wood is not absorbent. TWP wants you to wait 4-12 months before stain new wood. Even then it may have difficulty penetrating. Please read this article that we wrote: Staining a New Deck
Product says do not apply when temp is below 50F. Is it ok to apply when daytime temp is in 60s but overnight temp is in 40s? Thank you!
John, Yes you should be okay with that. Best to do it earlier on the day and not finish the staining at dusk.
Really great site. Love having concise and (hopefully) objective reviews.
Just finishing up a new cedar deck in Minnesota. Temps will be in the 40s-50s, with a few 60s over the next few weeks. It seems that the reviews are pushing me to TWP. My wife is pushing me to get the deck stained before winter. If I use TWP, it seems that I should wait until spring and subsequently disappoint her?
The cedar seemed pretty dry when I was installing it. What are the cons to applying TWP yet this fall?
Jason, new wood does not take stain very well. TWP specifically wants you to wait 4-12 months before staining new wood. Best to wait until Spring, clean and brighten wood, then stain. Tell your wife sorry!
My uncle and cousin are currently applying TWP 1500 in dark oak that we purchased from you after power washing and using restore-a-deck. The deck is 10 years old, and 3 levels high and it is taking an incredible amount of time working from the top to bottom. Are two coats really necessary? It seems like there is too much to cover in order to get to a wet-on-wet 2nd coat.
Robin, Not sure what you mean by \”purchasing form us\” as we are not a store. We do not sell any stains on this site. 2 coats are not needed unless the wood is extremely dry.
Well, I've just read ALL of the questions and most of the replies except those that had nothing whatsoever to do with my desire to apply TWP 1500 to a newly re-structured pine/PT deck that I've just completed. Boy, I'm SO glad that I continued to review these comments because I would have made a serious (read: costly!) error by being in a hurry to stain/seal it before upcoming surgery and seasonal cooling. I'm ordering my TWP 1500 to have it on hand for Spring and because the prices will increase as soon as we elect a the new (or the old) President.
I THANK YOU for having this up-to-date (time-wise) site and for the useful, clear replies that are provided. Such is NOT the norm for 99% of the typical Q&A sites/blogs (Read: Man Caves!) that I visit.
K.O.K.O.
Dr Thom
Thom, We noticed in the last few weeks that many people are in a hurry to stain their brand new decks. Glad you read through these comments and saved yourself some extra work and hassle!
Hi, I put Sikkens SRD on a well prepped, sanded cedar deck that gets full sun. This year, it it darkened quite a bit. I just power washed it but was careful not to strip off the stain since I intended to put another coat on it. Is this OK? I really don't want to resend it again after just one year. Thanks!
George, If you use the same brand it should be okay to add a light coat. If you switch brands then you should remove the old stain.
I JUST FINISHED STAINING OUR BRAND NEW 1,200 SQ. FT. REDWOOD DECK WITH "DEFY EXTREME~ CEDAR". I CHOSE THIS PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THE UV PROTECTION IT OFFERS, AS WE LIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE SUMMERS HERE ARE TORTUROUS. I PURCHASED 10 GALLONS, THINKING THIS WOULD BE PLENTY. IT WASN'T. I WAS SO UNHAPPY WITH THE APPLICATION, AND THE HORRIBLE BLOTCHY, UNEVEN APPEARANCE OF THIS PRODUCT. YES, IT WAS APPLIED DURING "DIRECT SUNLIGHT", WHICH I READ AFTER THE FACT, SHOULD BE AVOIDED. BUT THIS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. THE PRODUCT LOOKED THE SAME NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY IT WAS APPLIED. I TRIED SPRAYING, ROLLING, BRUSHING, AND A COMBINATION OF THE THREE. YES, THE COLOR IS PRETTY AND RICH LOOKING. IT OBVIOUSLY REPELS WATER GREAT. NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PRODUCT. HOWEVER, AFTER SPENDING 10,000.00 ON A DECK, AND RESEARCHING FOR MONTHS TO GET THE BEST PRODUCT~ THIS WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT TO SAY THE LEAST. DRIPPY, SPOTS EVERYWHERE, THE PAINT BRUSH GUMS UP IN MINUTES, THE ROLLER DOES THE SAME. WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT UNLESS YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL PAINTER. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DONE A TON OF PAINTING, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT BY THE LOOKS OF THIS DECK:(
Tami, I believe your issue is that you applied this to brand new deck. TWP does not penetrate new wood well and that is why they suggest waiting 4-12 months for the wood to dry out. When the wood is dried out, TWP applies much easier as it soaks into the wood better.
Tami, did you use Defy or TWP? You posted this in the TWP article.
I live in New Jersey. I recently got 5 Gal of TWP 1500 dark oak. I used 3 gal on the fence, and still has about 2 gal left. My question is: can I apply TWP1500 on top of oil based stain (Flood CWF-UV 5) on my deck without removing Flood CWF-UV 5? If not, how long can I store the TWP stain left over. Will it deteriorate over time if I keep it inside my garage? Thanks in advance!
Jesse, I would not use the TWP on top of the Flood. It may not adhere and will not penetrate. You can store the stain. I would think it would be okay as long as it does not evaporate.
Jesse, I would not put TWP on top of the CWF. We store cans with good results as long as we close the lid completely so nothing evaporates.
I have just finished restaining my cedar deck with TWP 1500 after sticking with Sikkens Cetol SRD for far too many years (and having it fail yearly). I will report back next spring on how this product survives a Canadian winter. What I did want to let people know now is an observation about the colour. I chose the Natural colour in hopes that it would allow some of the cedar grain to show through. As I am in Canada I had to mail order it based on the pictures on the TWP web site, as no one in my area carries it. The deck was stripped, brightened and then sanded, before two coats (wet on wet) of the TWP. It is a little darker than I would like, but still does allow the grain to show through. What I don't like is that the colour is more orange than I would like. It's not bad, but not what I expected from "Natural". In hindsight I should have gone with the Honeytone. Unfortunately I only needed one of the two gallons I ordered and might have to eat the cost of the second one and order the Honeytone next year.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and have a cedar fence that I built from scratch with rough cut cedar. The fence, that was built about a year ago, has sections that are exposed to full sun or are in the shade with both a north and south side. I'm planning on staining it with TWP 1500, Cedartone, based on the recommendations from this great website. What are the specific steps to properly prepare the fence for staining? Should I pressure wash, clean with a cleaner, brighten with a brightener, and then stain or some other combination of steps? Are all of these steps necessary to prepare the fence properly? Many thanks for your help in advance!
John C, being that this is new \”rough\” wood you really do not need a cleaner or a brightener to prep unless the wood has already gotten dirty or gray. TWP 1500 would be a great choice for a vertical fence.
Many thanks! Our fence is not dirty but is slightly gray in a few sections where it was in full sun. Do I have to prep those slightly gray sections or will the TWP 1500 cover it sufficiently? John C.
John C, I would at least use a wood brightener to lighten the gray areas prior to staining.
I have a pinewood treated deck that was completed in May 2011 and never stained. We live in Northwest Indiana which is one hour away from Chicago and the winters can be brutal. I am now ready to clean and stain the deck. I have read great reviews about TWP 1500, but was unsure if it is the right stain for this never stained deck. If you suggest TWP 1500 then how many coats should I apply? I purchased Stain Solver which is a eco-friendly powder, and will not harm the brick patio or plants under the deck. Will this product clean the deck sufficiently? I was told Stain Solver has a ph of 10.5 so the wood will not need a brightner afterwards. I really need your expert advise on these issues. Thanks in advance.
Maryann, the Stainsolver should prep the deck for the stain. Ph balance of 10.5 is to high. You wan the wood to be a neutral 6 or 7 so you should brighten. TWP 1500 would be a good choice for this deck.
I live in Maryland on the water. My garage has cedar carrage house doors. They are 12 years old. I have stained them with sikkens cetol over the years. I have not been impressed with the performace of cetol. I am considering using this product in a honeytone color. Do you recommend this product for this use? What would be the surface prep required (strip/clean/brighten)? Application recommendations (1 vs. 2 coats)? Should I use a sealer? I really want something that lasts, looks good and is easy to maintain/refinish. TIA
John, I would strip and brighten the doors to remove the cetol. The 1515 honeytone is a very nice color but take inconsideration the lighter color will fade faster the darker colors. I would do 2 coats wet on wet once the old stain is removed.
Thank you. I will do as you suggest. Thoughts on using 2 coats of ephianes clear varnish on top of the 2 coats of TWP?
John, that would be a very bad idea to put a varnish on a deck!
actually it is going on some expesive cedar garage doors….is that OK?
John, yes that is okay.
Hi Dave, We just replaced 17+ year old PT deck that actually was still in very good shape despite neglect – only treated once after 5 yrs with Thompson's water seal and no other maintenance for another 10 yrs later as it started to look gray so applied solid stain. Never cared for look of solid stain just looks painted – we replaced last month with new PT even though the deck was still in great shape, DH decided to install Trex Rain Escape to build room under deck so was just easier to replace with all new being boards had to be removed.
My question is, what is the optimal time to wait before staining with TWP 1500? We are in Central NJ, deck gets morning sun (faces north) then partial sun late afternoon. Also debating what color, leaning towards CA Redwood to complement patio color which is EP Henry harvest blend with light gray capping.
Deb, you should wait at least 4-12 months when staining new wood with TWP.
I have a new cedar pavilion (like a pergola, but with a roof). It is only about a month old. I live in Northern Illinois. How long do I need to wait to seal it, and I am thinking of using TWP 1500 in cedartone. Some of it (like the posts) are exposed to the rain and sun, and some (like the inside rafters of the roof) aren't. Is that going to make a difference?
David, TWP suggests waiting 4-12 months before staining new wood. This would make it for next Spring. If you want something on it this year then I would look at the Armstrong Clark stain. Either way it it needs to be cleaned/brightened first.
I am building a pressure treated pine deck. The deck will be in mostly sun but wii be close to the ground – about 16" on average. Should i be concerned about applying stain to the underside of the decking to protect from moisture? Thanks :0)
Dave, I would not bother treating the underside.
I just finished my deck and pergola today (9/3/2012). I am worried about leaving it unstained and unsealed til spring ( I live in western Wisconsin). Why is it important to leave it be for two months? How hard is it to clean and use brightening chemicals later if I have to wait. I put a lot of time and effort into this deck. Thanks!
John, new wood needs to dry/season. Some stains you can apply sooner (Armstrong Clark or Timber Oil) while other stains want you to wait up to a year.