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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    CD · 05/06/2019
    I have a new cedar deck that was built approximately 3 months ago. I plan to stain within the next two months. Curious if I need to clean and brighten wood that is this new or if I can go straight to stain? Lots of mid-day to afternoon sun, midwest.
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    KD · 04/29/2019
    We live near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We installed a new pressure treated wood deck (#1 lumber) in June 2018 and let it sit since install. Almost entire deck is in direct sunlight. We would like to stain now.
    What products/brands do you recommend for:
    1. cleaning

    2. brightening

    3. staining (semi-transparent)
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    Scott · 04/19/2019
    I have a 30 year old deck that looks as though it has never been stained. What product should I use in Michigan?
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    Ed W · 04/17/2019
    Hi....My 8 month old deck has effectively weathered and its time to stain. I live in the south east (NC) ...we get afternoon sun only from noon-ish to late afternoon. Safe for dogs...which series stain should I use??
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    Julie · 04/16/2019
    New fencing in Kansas. Would you recommend 100 series over 1500 ?
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      TWP Stains · 04/17/2019
      Either is fine but most would use the 100 Series of KS.
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    Lisa · 03/20/2019
    I live in Georgia. Which stain series would be best in my area to apply to a deck? I will be using the Gemini stripper and Brightener beforehand.
    Thank you!
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    Valerie Graham · 10/12/2018
    I am a new widow. My husband used TWP 1503-1 Dark Oak to stain our pine deck three years ago. The deck has since been covered in places with mold and mildew. I have removed as much as possible with a clorox solution. Please advise: Do I need to follow up with Gemini Restore Kit? Is the Dark Oak still available? Under where the grill stands on the deck, I was not able to remove the stain. It still beads up. Do I need to sand it? Do you recommend anything else?
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      TWP Stains · 10/12/2018
      Best to use the Gemini Restore kit and pressure washing for the best prep.
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    Sara · 10/07/2018
    I am replacing all the boards on my deck due to dry rot and want to use your product. The deck frame wood is in good shape, but the staining is not. The stain on the deck frame is a solid color and was applied poorly with drip marks. From reading it seems the restore a deck stripper won't work in this case. Should I just pressure wash and apply the TWP 100 product afterwards? Not
    sure how to proceed to correct the prior staining issue. Thank you!
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      TWP Stains · 10/07/2018
      You cannot apply the TWP over the solid stain on the framing. Only a solid stain can be applied over a solid stain. For the new floor, see this about new wood: https://www.twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
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        Sara · 10/07/2018
        TY! I just looked and it is actually Behr semi transparent stain on the deck frame (not solid but close). Is there a way to remove this stain? Or do you sell a solid stain I can apply over it?

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          TWP Stains · 10/08/2018
          TWP does not come in a solid stain. The Behr will still need to be removed first down the the bare wood if you want to use the TWP. You will probably need to power sand to remove.
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    Karen · 10/04/2018
    I have a 19 year old screened in porch with pressure treated wood pillars and wooden railings. The outside boards around the base of the porch are also pressure treated. Two years ago, I used a water based clear wood sealer but it didn't seem to last. My research says I should use TWP 100 series stain on the pressure treated wood. What do you recommend in order to prep the wood? A stripper? Power wash? Thanks!
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      TWP Stains · 10/05/2018
      Stripper, pressure wash, and brightener.
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    Annette · 10/04/2018
    I have a deck that was stained 2 years ago with Olympic Maximum Semitransparent in Cedartone. It was a new deck at that time but the stain is wearing off. What prep is needed prior to application of TWP 100 Series Cedartone?
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    Marianne · 09/09/2018
    I put wood filler in a few places and pressure washed and sanded an older deck which never has had a product on will I have a problem staining the fillers along with the rest of deck?
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      TWP Stains · 09/10/2018
      The wood filler will not "stain" to blend with a semi-transparent deck stain like the TWP. It will stand out.
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    Rich · 08/26/2018
    I've been using TWP 100 (Rustic) for the past 5 years. The deck faces NE and gets morning sun, but the shade for the rest of the day. I just cleaned the black mold/mildew off the deck, and it could use another maintenance coat. This will be the 3rd (third) application of TWP 100 stain on this 5 year old deck. I thought I'd get longer times between coats, am I doing something wrong? Should I be using TWP 1500? Thank you.
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      TWP Stains · 08/26/2018
      Every two years is normal. Stay with the 100 Series.
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    john · 08/20/2018
    used superdeck before what do i have to do to use your product, has been 4 or 5 years since then
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    Allison · 08/13/2018
    I live in Utah and have a 2 month old fence I need to stain. Which series do you recommend? Should I use a wood brightener on a new fence?
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    Andy · 08/12/2018
    Maybe I have just overlooked answer to this question, but what are the states to which you can ship TWP 100?
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    Mimi · 08/01/2018
    I stained using the 1500 series last summer but it's time for another coat. I have a very shady deck in Minnesota that gets a ton of leaves and debris in the fall. Should I stay with the 1500 series or should I switch to the 100 series (and can I apply it over the 1500 series that I already have)?
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      TWP Stains · 08/01/2018
      Hello, you cannot apply the 100 over the 1500 so best to stay with what you have.
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    Alan · 07/15/2018
    Had the deck stained 24 hrs ago. It has been very humid and the stain is still tacky. How long should it be like this and is there anything that should be done?
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    Jamie · 06/13/2018
    Just built 30' X 12' treated pine deck in Alabama. I will wait 4 months to apply TWP. Deck is in bright sunlight and will have roofing metal underneath. Should I use TWP 100 or TWP 1500 ? Sanding necessary prior to application ?
    • We will reply to your comment shortly
      TWP Stains · 06/13/2018
      Use the TWP 100 Series. No need to sand by prep with the Gemini Restore Kit.
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    Sharon · 05/09/2018
    I am getting ready to use TWP 100 on our 9 month old floating boat dock. It's 12' x 12' and too heavy to pull off of the private lake where we live. I have read the instructions for prepping but I don't think I can use the cleaner/brightener products due to harming the wildlife on this small private lake. Do you have any suggestions on how I can safely prep the dock without harming the lake and wildlife? Thanks so much.
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      TWP Stains · 05/10/2018
      The Gemini Cleaner and Brightener are Eco-Safe.
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    Ron · 05/07/2018
    Also, concerning the previous post regarding the redwood fence......How would you recommend I apply it and how many gallons would you safely recommend for 4,080 square feet of fence?