Best Way to Apply TWP Decking Stains

by TWP Stains

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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Vicki
Vicki
4 months ago

Can you use mineral spirits to clean off excesss twp on deck?

Lynn Wolfe
Lynn Wolfe
7 months ago

Should I apply TWP 100 to the underside of the deck boards?

Michael
Michael
9 months ago

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? 

mike R
mike R
1 year ago

can I use TWP which is 3 years old?

Ivan
Ivan
1 year ago

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

Shaun
Shaun
1 year ago

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? 

Pat Handley
Pat Handley
1 year ago

Airless tip size recommended for a fence

Laura
Laura
1 year ago

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?

Steve
Steve
2 years ago

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!

Steve
Steve
2 years ago
Reply to 

Many thanks.

Tyler
Tyler
2 years ago

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?

Julie
Julie
2 years ago

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?

Julie
Julie
2 years ago
Reply to 

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.

Julie
Julie
2 years ago
Reply to 

Well, I recoated without the prep solution 5 months ago and it still looks great. 

Julie
Julie
2 years ago
Reply to 

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?  

RichB
RichB
2 years ago

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. 

Mike
Mike
2 years ago

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?

Denise Cabalza
Denise Cabalza
2 years ago

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?

Laurie
Laurie
3 years ago

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

kurt
kurt
3 years ago

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?

Kathryn Woolard
Kathryn Woolard
3 years ago

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.

Kathryn Woolard
Kathryn Woolard
3 years ago
Reply to 

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.

John
John
3 years ago
Reply to 

Once stained with TWP will the TWP protect the nails from creating rust stains?

Laura Chitty
Laura Chitty
3 years ago

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?

Jayson
Jayson
3 years ago

What are the best settings to use for applying twp 100 series with a graco xr9 airless sprayer?

Rockerfeller
Rockerfeller
3 years ago

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?

Lisa R
Lisa R
3 years ago

if I apply a second coat of stain within 30 minutes, won’t my footsteps on the first coat be an issue?

Bob
Bob
3 years ago

I am restaining a Log home in utah, it was first stained with redwood. Now we are changing the color to pecan wanting a new look. Can I just apply the pecan over the redwood stain. Or do I need to use the cleaner brightener first?

Dave Yacavone
Dave Yacavone
3 years ago

Can you apply TWP to seating surfaces or table tops that bare skin may come in contact with once stain is thoroughly dry?

William Mccullum
William Mccullum
3 years ago

is there a stripper you could recommend to remove the TWP?

William McCullum
William McCullum
3 years ago

I have a douglas fir front door that showed signs of weathering. I don’t know what the original finish was. I sanded the surface, removed the dust and applied TWP cedar tone. Before appling TWP the door had a uniform appearance. When I applied TWP the surface has dark and light blotches. What would you recommend to correct the blotching? Thanks for your assistance. P.S. we used TWP on another property and It worked great!

D. McCullum
D. McCullum
3 years ago

We have a Douglas fair front door. .y husband d applied TWP on it. Can we apply an oil stain over TWP?

Al
Al
3 years ago

Help I used the air sprayer now I have stain “dust “ in my vinyl siding! How do I take it out? Ty

Al
Al
3 years ago

When staining the deck with air spray, do I stain the rail first?

Al
Al
3 years ago

Does this work well with air spray? Do I need to brush it after air spraying?

Cody
Cody
3 years ago

I applied series 120 last year and just didn’t realize I was supposed to add a cleaner before applying a new coat this year. The second coat makes the deck look wet, but it’s actually dry. I still have about a quarter of the deck to do. Should I just proceed with adding the second coat over my deck stain or should I clean the the whole Deck with Gemini and restart?

Appreciate the help.

Steven
Steven
3 years ago

Should I fill small cracks in my wood before applying TWP 200 or will TWP 200 fill those small cracks for me? Cracks are 1-3 mm

matt
matt
3 years ago

Can you apply a second coat after the first coat dries?

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

It is Sunday. There is rain in the forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday. Can I clean and brighten my deck today or tomorrow (Monday) and then apply TWP later in the week, after the rain stops? Or do I have to apply the cleaner, brightener, and then stain with no rain in between between applications of the brightened and stain?

violet
violet
3 years ago

can you apply a somewhat thicker layer on old wood that has been cleaned

Evan
Evan
3 years ago

Hello,

I finished applying TWP200 late last night around 9:00pm. This morning everything looks great, except they’re a few areas that I missed. Is it ok to try and apply over those specific areas?

Evan
Evan
3 years ago
Reply to 

Ok, but the first coat was applied 12 hrs ago, so this would not be a wet on wet application. Will there be any issue with the second coat absorbing into the wood?

Evan
Evan
3 years ago
Reply to 

Ok, I’ll apply a light coat over the entire deck thank you so much for the quick reply! Your product is great! Thanks

compare TWP stains
3 years ago

We used several gallons of TWP 100 stain last year on our deck which had been built in 2018. We had prepped it with your cleaning system. We have a person scheduled to put the second coat on in May. There are a couple of small, black “streaky” areas on 2 of the top railing boards. Do we need to wash the deck before the second coat?

Arden
Arden
4 years ago

We have a cedar deck and have found that renting an orbital sander is a better way to clean the deck than power washing or deck cleaners. They just leave the deck surface rough. It takes only 2 hours to sand a 700 sq ft deck. Then use a leaf blower to clean off the dust. It is ready for sealing right away without waiting for the deck to dry out. We use TWP-1500, cedar tone. We love the look and get many compliments on this 34 year old deck! Thank you TWP.

Dan Flehmen
Dan Flehmen
4 years ago

I was told by a contractor that foam is the best roller material for applying TWP. Is this true? If not, what sort of roller should I use?

Thanks

Dan Flehmen
Dan Flehmen
4 years ago
Reply to 

Thank you. My job entails staining the ‘ceiling’ of a roof overhang, so using a brush would be very messy. I’ll try the pads.

BW4582
BW4582
4 years ago

Hello,
I power washed my deck 12 hours ago (full of mold, etc.). Today I was planning on using the gemini clean/restore. Do you apply step two solution immediately after completing step 1? Also, how long before I can apply stain after step 1 and 2 are complete?

rf2019
rf2019
4 years ago

Hello,

I am looking to refresh our deck and we used TWP 1500 between 1-2 years ago, and want to apply a fresh new coat of stain, Do I have to strip the older TWP 1500 off, before applying a fresh new coat, or do I just need to apply a deck cleaner and power wash it clean, and then apply a fresh coat?

Thank You

sheri
sheri
4 years ago

how many coats of poly on unstained outside deck?

Sheri
Sheri
4 years ago
Reply to 

I guess I phrased that wrong its the clear TWP 1500 deck is cedar

Susan smith
Susan smith
4 years ago

What if you notice spots you missed hours after application? Can you go back and apply stain to spots you missed?

Stan
Stan
5 years ago

Storing unused in 5 gal pail ok ?

Steve
Steve
5 years ago

How do I remove TWP from my vinyl siding?

Lisa J
Lisa J
5 years ago

How long does a new coat of stain need to dry? We purchased some stain and now I’m looking at the forecast to see what day would be best to apply it. Thanks!

Kevin LaPorte
Kevin LaPorte
6 years ago

Can I use a graco airless paint sprayer to apply 1500 stain. If so, what size tip should I use? What pressure should I run the sprayer at?

Estella Draheim
Estella Draheim
6 years ago

We applied one coat of TWP 1500 to our deck. Is a second coat needed? And should it be done this year or next? And after that how often should it be done?

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