Which TWP Deck Stain is Best for You?

TWP offers several different stain formulas for superior wood protection. All are blended using the best in raw materials and remain the only EPA registered wood preservative. All TWP Series Stains offer maximum wood protection and enhanced beauty for a long lasting durable finish.

TWP 100 Series – The 100 Series formula is the original preservative and has remained a leading formula for over 25 years. It penetrates better over the 1500 Series and comes in 8 different color tones. It blocks out damaging UV rays keeping the wood from fading and has outstanding water shedding capabilities. It dries faster than the 1500 Series and has a faster absorption rate.

 TWP 100 does have a higher VOC level and cannot be shipped to some states (check availability). Where available, 100 Series is a great choice for any exterior wood project. It absorbs into wood extraordinarily well for maximum protection and gives a long lasting finish. It is not prone to mold or mildew. It is best used on wood decks, fences, siding, and hardwoods.

TWP 1500 Series – The 1500 Series Stain is a low VOC blend that is compliant in all 50 states and comes in 9 different tones. It is designed to outperform the former 500 Series blend and is also an EPA registered wood preservative. The TWP 1500 provides higher UV protection than the 100 Series.

The 1500 Series is user-friendly and easy to maintain. It enhances the wood’s beauty and prolongs the life of all exterior wood surfaces. The absorption rate is a bit slower than the 100 Series but dries in 4-12 hours on average. Both the 100 and 1500 Series Stains are 1-2 coat applications depending on the age and porosity of the wood. They are best applied using two light coats “wet on wet”.

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    Loch · 05/15/2021
    In NC, deck is aged 12 months. It will have to deal with trees above and heavier rain at times during the year. Trying to decide between 100 and 1500. Any insight for these conditions? thanks. 
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      TWP Stains · 05/16/2021
      Either series would work well here.
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    Elliot Natovitch · 05/13/2021
    I have a treated pine wood deck surrounding my chlorine cleaned swimming pool in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I want to use a semi-transparent oil based deck stain (light colour). Should I use TWP 100 or 1500? Or 200? Are they all sold in Canada? And if yes, where?
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      TWP Stains · 05/14/2021
      You will need the TWP 200 series for Canada. No dealers there but we can ship to you from our website.
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    Maryanne · 04/06/2021
    My five year old wood deck has been thoroughly power washed and cleaned. Because of the frequent rains here in Tennessee I’m wondering if I should use the 100 series semi transparent stain? Can I order it from you? I see no dealer in Nashville Tennessee.
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    reed · 02/08/2021
    the final quarter of my deck floor is darker. I expect because I did a better job of stirring the paint and thus it has more pigment in it. Is there any way to even it out such as putting on a second coat. The stain was applied 2-3 days ago so it is dry. It is the 100 series.
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      TWP Stains · 02/08/2021
      Send some pictures. More is not always better and could create issues with over application and not drying correctly.
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    Glenda Melton · 10/28/2020
    What is the temperature range and time needed to dry? I’m in Arkansas and weather turned bad plus late getting it done. If I don’t have the temp range long enough is there anything I can do to protect until spring? It has been cleaned and power washed
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      TWP Stains · 10/29/2020
      50 degrees is the low.
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        Glenda Melton · 10/29/2020
        Can you respond to the other questions?
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          TWP Stains · 10/29/2020
          No need to protect it. Let is sit exposed until Spring. Redo the prep prior to staining.
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    Mike Nemechek · 10/23/2020
    Do I need to let the cedar dry further, or am I okay to stain over fresh wood (smooth and rough cut) from the lumberyard?
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      TWP Stains · 10/23/2020
      Hi,

      Did you read the article link we sent? It does explain that you have to wait 4+ months to stain new smooth wood and then prep.
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    Mike Nemechek · 10/20/2020
    Just built a pergola using red cedar a couple of weeks ago. How long can I (or should I) wait to stain with the TWP 100 series product? Do I need to pre-treat the wood with anything? I'm planning to roll the stain as much as possible with some limited brushing and spraying.
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    Scott · 09/23/2020
    I stained my deck with 101 Cedartone several years ago. Before I restain with the same product, must I first use a wood stripper on the areas that still repel water?
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    Ryan · 09/20/2020
    I live in MA.
    Refinishing a deck and interested in a semi transparent in something like your cape cod grey.
    I am disappointed, but not surprised I can not get your 100 series here.
    What would you recommend in a Grey semi transparent for MA?
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    Andrea Dauro · 09/01/2020
    I live in northwest Indiana near Chicago. My deck is over 15 years old and was stained last year.
    can I use the 100?
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    Michael · 08/22/2020
    I live in northern Illinois and can't decide between the 100 and 1500 series. Which one would be better for my region. The deck was previously stained with a solid stain but I have sanded it all off.
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      TWP Stains · 08/22/2020
      For IL, you can only use the TWP 1500 Series as the 100 is not allowed there.
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    Nancy Lester · 07/30/2020
    I stained my deck in Colorado with TWP 100 Cedartone 2 years ago. I have heard that CO now requires low VOC stain. Is it alright to switch to the 1500 series after I clean and brighten?
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    Chad · 07/30/2020
    I applied TWP 1530 on my fence 6 years ago. I have properly cleaned and prepared the fence for a refresher application. I accidentally purchased 100 series stain. Can I apply the 100 series stain over the 1500 series stain, or should I return the 100 series and order 1500?
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      TWP Stains · 07/30/2020
      Post some pictures of the prep.
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    Jessica · 07/03/2020
    What would happen if you mixed a 100 with a 1500 series? We bought a house and found 8 gallon of TWP 100 clear in the shop to use for maintenance along with 2 leftover 5gallon buckets of cedar tone from the initial treatment. The 5gallon bucket's labels are partly missing. It is cedar color and TWP, just not for certain it is 100 series.
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      TWP Stains · 07/04/2020
      We would not suggest mixing different series of the TWP.
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    Robert · 06/22/2020
    can I mix twp 100 and 1500
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    Sheagonza · 06/09/2020
    I have a cedar (with some pressure treated replacement boards) deck that is several years old. It was coated with paint that was peeling. I sanded down to bare, smooth wood. Can I apply TWP 100 now, or do I need to wait, as if it was new wood? This deck is east facing & is exposed to all 4 seasons in St. Louis, Missouri
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    Jane · 06/03/2020
    Can you apply these products to a new deck made of cedar tone premium pressure treated wood. It’s been 9 months since it was installed.
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    Jane · 06/03/2020
    How do you out wet in wet in a deck?
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    Meg Smart · 05/17/2020
    The Pittsburgh Ultra Advanced Exterior Semi-Transparent stain on our deck is wearing off & peeling. We would like to use TWP stain to restore our deck. 1) do we need to completely strip off the current stain and can we use TWP Safe Strip to do that? What other steps should we take to prep? 2) We live near Des Moines, Iowa & our cedar deck gets lots of sun. We want to use a semi transparent stain. Should we use TWP 100 or 1500 for the restoration? Thanks so much! P.S. The Wood Stain Pen is genius!
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    Rick White · 05/14/2020
    Thank you for your prompt answer to my first (5/11/2020) question. I'd like some clarification.
    Can I apply a cedar tone 100 series stain over a RAD prepped 1500 series redwood stain? Or, do I need to strip the redwood stain off completely? Should I use the 1500 series cedar tone stain? The idea is to blend the colors at the covered/uncovered portions of the deck and to simplify future maintenance. Ultimately the plan is to use the cedar tone 100 (or 1500?) series in future applications.