This post was updated on April 4, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior wood decking. My TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain review is based on my history as a wood restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing, all designed to present you with the top deck stain choices. See here for more info about me.
TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stains
TWP® Natural Effect utilizes state-of-the-art European waterborne technology and is designed to revolutionize exterior wood maintenance… …while at the same time significantly enhancing performance!
Spend more time enjoying your investment and less time maintaining it with TWP Natural Effect.
Natural Effect is the superior way to beautify and protect your exterior wood investment!
- It can be used on all exterior wood types…
- A Water-Based Exterior Wood Finishing System…
- Utilizing European Waterborne Technology…
- Designed to Revolutionize Exterior Wood Maintenance While Significantly Enhancing Performance…
IMPORTANT NOTE
- TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain is part one of a two-part exterior system. Must be top-coated with TWP Natural Effect Top Coat Step 2 for ultimate protection in an exterior environment.
EASY TO APPLY
TWP Natural Effect Impregnators are easily applied by brush, roller, pump sprayer, or traditional spray equipment. As with any waterborne system technology, they go on milky and “clear” as they dry. No matter how inconsistently or unevenly applied, the color is perfect even when dry.
PERFORMANCE
TWP Natural Effect Impregnators are tinted with iron oxide pigments, contain UV absorbers, and are extremely resistant to solar radiation. Their function is to preserve the wood from degradation (UV light, microorganisms, etc.), thus preventing the wood’s change in color. They also promote the adhesion of the Natural Effect Finish.
TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain Rating (1-10)
How I Rated TWP® Natural Effect
My TWP® Natural Effect review contains an 8-step process and the final average score. Each step is on a scale of 1-10.
- The appearance of TWP® Natural Effect After Application
- Preventing UV Graying TWP® Natural Effect
- Peeling or Wearing
- Cost Per Square Foot TWP® Natural Effect
- Preventing Mold and Mildew
- How Easy was the Application TWP® Natural Effect
- Color Shifting
- Ease of Reapplication
- TWP® Natural Effect Final Score
8-Step Review of TWP® Natural Effect
1. Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8
We used the Chestnut color on a PTP deck. This color was a rich reddish brown and really made the wood stand out. The stain applied evenly with no blotchiness and 100% penetrated the wood grain. Adding the TWP Natural Effect Top Coat (Step-2) gave it an added boost and made it “pop” with a slight satin sheen.
TWP Natural Affect Photos
2. Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 9
The TWP Natural Effect Stain has excellent color retention. The test was done in 2021; to this day, the stain still retains excellent color on the PTP wood. The deck is fully exposed and in sun for about 70% of the day.
3. Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8
The TWP Natural Effect Stain stain showed moderate signs of wearing on the wood, even after 2-3 years.
4. Cost Per Square Foot: 6
TWP Natural Effect Stain costs $99.99 per gallon. This is the biggest negative we could find about this stain. We only needed one coat, which was a positive and helped offset the cost, as many coatings need 2 coats. We used 6 Gallons for the one coat.
5. Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 10
After 2.5 years, we have not found any mold or mildew on the TWP Natural Effect Stain stain.
6. Ease of Application: 9
The TWP Natural Effect Stain is an easy stain to apply. Being water-based, it was slightly harder to spread than an oil-based stain. We used a flooring brush for the entire area. There was no need to backwipe.
7. Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 10
The TWP Natural Effect Stain did not darken in color at the 2.5-year mark.
8. Difficulty of Reapplication: 8
The TWP Natural Effect Stain will need to be cleaned with Gemini Restore-A-Deck Prep Kit to remove any dirt and grime, prior to reapplying.
Pro tip: The Step 2 topcoat can be reapplied as needed and will prolong the life of the Impregnating Stain.
Overall Score TWP Natural Effect Impregnating Stain at 1 Year Period: 8.5
We expected good results as all TWP Exterior Coatings are excellent, and we were not disappointed. If you want superior UV protection in an eco-friendly water-based impregnating stain, then TWP Natural Effect would be a top choice.
Product Information:
Purchasing Info: TWP Natural Effect for Hardwoods
Cost: $99.99 per Gallon
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent – Water-Based Impregnating Stain for Hardwoods
Available Colors: Teak, Walnut, Mahogany, Black Ebony, Chestnut, Dark Walnut
Application Temperature: 45-95 F
Coats Required: 1 coat for most hardwood decking surfaces
Coverage Per Gallon: 200-300 sq. ft for Exotic Hardwoods
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 2-6 Hours
Cleanup: Water
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in all States
Test Deck Stats:
Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 800 Sq Feet
UV Exposure: 80% Shade 20% Sun
How Many Years Tested: 3 Years
Stain Color Used: Chesnut
*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Consider that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.
Hi! This (TWP Natural Effects) appears to be a great product, and I am extremely happy with the color of the stain. (When I was sampling stains the TWP natural effects Teak and the Armstrong Clark Natural Oak were the ones that looked most “natural” to me with more brown or barely there appearance. I sampled Defy and RAD lighter colors, and all came out with orange/yellow tones on my KDAT white pine.) The teak color is beautiful and looks barely there with one coat and more like a true teak deck with more coats.
My issue currently is that I got the deck stained 2 days ago and 1 clear topcoat applied yesterday. We were trying to beat colder weather and approaching rain that looked like it would hold off for a couple more days, but I wanted to give it plenty of dry time before the rain. Unexpectedly, a rain shower popped up over night last night. It’s in the 45-55 degree range overnight and 60-70 during the day currently. This morning some of the clear coat is still white in areas where it was thick. But most disturbingly the more exposed boards now have a milky cast, like if water was spilled on a piece of wood furniture and left a mark. It’s sunny today, but is likely going to rain overnight/tomorrow.
Is this milky appearance something that may resolve on its own as it dries in the sun? Or is it permanent? If it doesn’t go away, what do you recommend? Stripping? Sanding? Acetone? Waiting until a nice stretch of sunny warmer weather? I am new to this and this sneaky rainstorm has me really bummed on a project that was looking truly gorgeous yesterday.
It may just be mineral deposits on top of the exposed boards. Try wiping it down with a wet rag.
Ihave a20year old coverd deck around my home with lots ov sun exposure on southside never been sealed i need agoodsealer and gooduv protection what would you recomen
Any of the TWP stains would work great for this:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product-category/twp-wood-stains/
Re TWP Natural Effect System.
We applied the two coats a year ago and the system far exceeds previous one-step brands. However, with the huge amount of rain we had pounding on our rather touchy Masaranduba deck his past winter in New Jersey, wondering if the topcoat can be reapplied without the impregnating stain first to prolong the overall effects.
Please add some pics to show how it looks after two years. This will help other people researching for better hardwood stains.
To answer your question, yes. Just lightly wash off dirt and apply a coat of the top coat.
Any chance you have some pics of the deck that you can add? Before or after pics?