Best Way to Apply TWP 100 and 1500 Series Wood Decking Stains

It is best to first measure the wood surface of your staining project. Do not forget to include steps, railings and spindles if you are staining a deck and double the footage of a fence if staining both sides. On average TWP covers approximately 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon. The newer the wood the less stain it will take. Older wood is more porous and will absorb more stain.

Prior to applying any TWP stain be sure the surface is free of dirt, grime, mildew or any old coatings. Use a wood cleaner when no old failed coatings are present. If an old coating is to be removed use a wood stain stripper instead. Allow the wood to dry for 48 hours after cleaning.

The best way to apply TWP is with a brush, roller, stain pad, pump or airless sprayer. Be sure to mix the stain well prior to opening. Use protective gloves and safety glasses and cover any plants, landscaping, concrete or windows you do not want to get stain on. Apply a light coat on one or two boards at a time or in a small section. It is best to work from one end of a board to the other then move on to the next board. This will help reduce overlap marks.

If one coat soaks in fairly quickly a second coat may be applied. A second “wet on wet” coat should be applied within 30 minutes of the first coat. Be cautions of over applying TWP Stain. If excess puddles of wet stain remain after a reasonable amount of time and or not being absorbed do not allow the stain to dry. Wipe away the excess with a clean stain rag or back brush the stain to blend it in. Leaving excess stain on the surface to dry will result in an unappealing shiny finish.

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    Lynn Wolfe · 08/16/2023
    Should I apply TWP 100 to the underside of the deck boards?
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    Michael · 06/04/2023
    What if the only stain the wood has is the original stain the wood came with prior to being installed??does this still need to be stripped? 
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      TWP Stains · 06/05/2023
      If a different brand of stain then what you plan on using then yes, it has to be removed.
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    mike R · 09/26/2022
    can I use TWP which is 3 years old?
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      TWP Stains · 09/26/2022
      Most likley it has gone bad.
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    Ivan · 08/02/2022
    I'm confused about the "wet on wet" guidance. The recommendation is to apply a second coat after 30 minutes, most likely when the most recent stained boards are still a wet. So on a deck, wouldn't it mean that we may need to walk over the most recent stained boards in order to apply the second coat so soon? And since it may take about two hours to stain the first coat by brush, could I re-start when completely finished the first coat all over? Why the wet-on-wet suggestion? Thanks
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    Shaun · 06/13/2022
    Cleaned my deck over two weeks ago and weather not cooperating. It maybe awhile before I can stain/preserve it. When the weather does cooperate can I do a lite powerwash to clean? Or do I have to use a deck cleaner again? What does the temp and humidity level need to be for application? 
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      TWP Stains · 06/13/2022
      If it has been longer than two weeks, you should redo the prep by lightly pressure washing. use a cleaner if it has gotten dirty in that time. Temps are 50-90. Humidity does not matter.
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    Pat Handley · 05/26/2022
    Airless tip size recommended for a fence
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      TWP Stains · 05/26/2022
      Any fan tip will work. Wider is easier.
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    Laura · 05/19/2022
    Just properly cleaned deck and now the weather is not complying. How long do I have to put stain on? How long will deck stay clean (neutralized with oxalic acid)?  
    How long should deck dry after mild rain?
    How long does it take for stain to dry and then cure?
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      TWP Stains · 05/19/2022
      Stain within 2 weeks of prep. 48 hours after rain to stain. Dries in 6-24 hours. 
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    Steve · 10/05/2021
    I have an outside handrail that I will stain (no previous stain so will clean prior ). I remember reading a recommendation to not stain all sides of the wood because of possibility of lack of air flow preventing drying. Would that also apply in this case where a handrail is completely open to the elements ( except for where it mounts to brackets)?Thanks in advance for your advice!
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      TWP Stains · 10/06/2021
      All exposed wood is correct for this.
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        Steve · 10/06/2021
        Many thanks.
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    Tyler · 07/29/2021
    I am needing to stain a pergola to match the fence (using TWP dark walnut). The fence (made of pressure treated lumber) is only a couple months old whereas the pergola is several years old and wood has turned the typical gray. Was planning on mixing the stains and testing to be able to achieve the same/or very close for the fence and pergola. Can I do that? Also, do I need to do anything other than power wash the pergola before staining?
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      TWP Stains · 07/29/2021
      Use the Gemini Restore Kit for prep for all wood. You can mix colors of the same series. 
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    Julie · 06/06/2021
    My contractor used TWP last year when he built the new redwood deck.
    I would like to put another coat of stain on this year as it already looks weathered... reading this stuff, do I have to strip my wood EVERY year that I want to reapply a coat? What happens if I just put another coat on top?
    Also, how can I clean the deck without harmful chemicals or bleach for the plants and wild animals below the deck?
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      TWP Stains · 06/06/2021
      You do not have strip but you have to prep. Use the Gemini Kit. https://www.twpstain.com/gemini-s-restore-a-deck-cleaner-and-brightener-kit
      You cannot recoat without prepping.
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        Julie · 06/06/2021
        My deck is situated over a cloth-type covered lower deck. It can’t be removed and would be very difficult to cover.  The biodegradable Gemini cleaner says to wet down all vegetation before and after using the cleaner... will the cleaner ruin my lower deck covering?  
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          TWP Stains · 06/06/2021
          Not sure, best to test a spot first.
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        Julie · 06/06/2021
        What happens if you don’t prep it?  I recoated my pergola and fence with the same TWP that was used the prior year (before I read all of this) and it looks great.  I’m wondering why it is so important to clean and prep if the wood isn’t that dirty?Thanks.
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          TWP Stains · 06/06/2021
          It will not look good, probably prematurely fail, and your warranty will be void.
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            Julie · 06/06/2021
            Well, I recoated without the prep solution 5 months ago and it still looks great. 
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    RichB · 05/24/2021
    My plan is too re seal/stain my deck with the same TWP product (picture) that I've used before. One note - the deck boards were some type of pretreated to provide maintenance free decking.
    The contractor that applied the last time over applied the product which left white spots of residue (picture) on the deck. Should I fully remove the old product from deck boards before I add a new quote?  What will thin out or remove the white residue spots as pressure washer didn't fully remove them?  Am I using the right stain sealer product? Any other recommendation would be appreciated. 
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      TWP Stains · 05/24/2021
      Yes, use the RAD stripper and brightener kit for prep here. You are using the correct TWP.
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    Mike · 04/28/2021
    I have a relatively new pool deck. I let the wood weather the last year and I’m ready to stain this year. Do I need to do 2 coats with new wood?
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    Denise Cabalza · 04/19/2021
    I put one coat of dark oak stain on my fence yesterday.  I would like it to be a little darker.  Can I put another coat on since it has dried?
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      TWP Stains · 04/19/2021
      Do a test spot first to make sure it dries okay as second coats are supposed to be applied wet on wet, not over dry stain.
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    Laurie · 10/07/2020
    I have a pretty large lower deck that we are gradually replacing all deck boards. It has been 1 year and I will be staining a portion of the new deck. The smaller upper deck only needs to be stained. I have no idea what brand was used originally on either deck. How should I prep the upper deck and which product would you recommend? We live in mid Missouri on a lake. Also would you recommend your products to protect marine board?
    Thanks-
    Laurie
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    kurt · 10/07/2020
    So i just finished staining my deck & not sure whether or not to apply a 2nd coat. I finished it yesterday and have allowed it to dry. I wouldn't say the 1st coat soaked in immediately but seemed to be dry in about 4-5hrs. Should i apply a 2nd coat or since its been 24-36hrs would it be pointless to do so?
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      TWP Stains · 10/07/2020
      Second coats are to be applied wet on wet, not wet on dry. Leave as is.
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    Kathryn Woolard · 09/17/2020
    We've sanded over-pigmented water-based preservative (Okon) off 38-35 year old redwood clapboard siding. TWP instructions rec washing after sanding old wood to remove dust. But 35 year old nails are producing iron stain when stripped wood washed in sample area. What is best alternative to washing, to prep for application of TWP? Recs for removing iron stain without having to redo whole boards also welcome.
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      TWP Stains · 09/17/2020
      That is rust and nothing you can do to prevent the black rust spots. It will happen no matter what once it gets rain on it. Brightener will help to remove it but it will come back once it gets wet from the rain. The only way to fix is to replace the nails and not sure if that is even possible in your scenario.
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        Kathryn Woolard · 09/17/2020
        Thank you, but not a very useful answer. I know that it’s rust which is why I don’t want to follow TWP instructions to wash siding with water. Never had any nail rust on this siding in 30 yrs of weather. It only happened after following TWP’s instructions to wash freshly sanded siding before applying stain. I do not want to apply water directly to any more of the sanded boards for this reason.


        So I was asking for alternative, non-water methods of adequately removing dust on all the siding before applying finish. I also suggest that TWP not advise customers to wash sanded siding, as TWP1500 instructions do, without testing for nail reaction in unobtrusive spot.
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          TWP Stains · 09/17/2020
          The prep products or washing did not cause this to happen, it was the sanding that removed the protective coating that prevents rusting from the nail heads that caused this to happen. Please do not blame the TWP products or advice for something that was not the fault of either.

          Or advise is sound and correct. The nails are rusting since the coating that protected the nails has been removed. It will happen when it rains as well and gets the siding wet.

          The only way to remove the sand dust would be to use water. You can skip this step if concerned but as we mentioned prior, brightener will help to remove rust and that means you will have to get the one section wet again.
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            John · 09/21/2020
            Once stained with TWP will the TWP protect the nails from creating rust stains?
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              TWP Stains · 09/21/2020
              No, a stain cannot protect from rust happening. Normally this is never an issue as nails or screws are pretreated to prevent rust. Only happens if non-treated nails/screws are incorrectly used or if somehow the protective coating from the nails/screws are removed.
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    Laura Chitty · 09/04/2020
    I am confused. You recommend TWP 1500 as best for a new deck, however, in all these comments, everyone is using TWP 100.
    We need to stain a very large new deck built with pine. Can you please tell me the best stain?
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      TWP Stains · 09/05/2020
      It depends on where you live and which series is allowed there?
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    Jayson · 08/27/2020
    What are the best settings to use for applying twp 100 series with a graco xr9 airless sprayer?
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      TWP Stains · 08/27/2020
      We are not familiar with their settings, sorry. TWP is very easy to spray.
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    Rockerfeller · 08/18/2020
    I'm going to be applying TWP 100 to a new deck. Do you have any recommendations for the type of roller pad and nap thickness?
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    Lisa R · 08/16/2020
    if I apply a second coat of stain within 30 minutes, won't my footsteps on the first coat be an issue?
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